How accurate is checking run off EC?

Yo everyone.

Hope your all good?

So it’s start of week 5 today and the girls are looking really healthy, I’ve gone to check the run off after feeding and they are coming back at 1.2

The EC in is currently 0.7 which is low at this stage but they just seem to be really light feeders.

They are currently on hydroponic research VBX (base nute) & Shine which is a flower additive.

Just not sure what to do at this stage as this is the first time im new to checking run off as I’ve always eye balled it in the past.

I only cleaned all the trays about 2 weeks ago to get rid of any excess dry residue so I’m pretty certain it won’t be the trays that are making it come back higher.

Im thinking of lowering the VBX as this is what seems to be what makes the EC higher and upping Shine, the flower additive

Stuck in two minds what to do, any advice welcome!

Here’s a few pics to show you what they are like at this stage

peace guys
Thanks

I only worry about what goes in. Runoff is unreliable anyway. I see so many people chasing runoff and trying it to match what they think it should be. Quite often healthy plants start being not so healthy.

I never check runoff and have healthy plants. Some check it every watering and have plants that are in poor shape.

If the plants are healthy and those look good what point is there in checking something when a problem doesn't exist?

You're fine, carry on. Accumulated nutes in the media. Nothing to worry about, it's normal.

@dejay123

Situational / depends.

Someone might find it useful to check whilst growing in inert media. It'll be closest to true.

Someone probably won't find it useful in media like soil. Because of soils own inherent nutrient properties and generally high water holding capacity. Stab in the dark approach.

Whilst I don't ever check myself, it can be an indication of salt build-up.
I never check myself, as I'm never growing more than a few plants and don't keep a diary. Though I do believe it saved my skin a couple times when I first started growing. And could still be a handy record to keep.
In my own experience with well aerated, well-draining media and correct watering practices, salt build-up shouldn't really be a thing.

Might also become useful as data collection over long periods of time, the more plants you have.
As a means of data recording and observation.
Maybe someone could save a few pennies in nutrients by collecting the data for instance.
It's data you may as well record if you can.

Your input is 0.7ec, output is 1.2ec and plants look great!
Why not record the data?
Might be useful information in the future.
That's my 2 cents.

Cheers.