StinkFinger
New Member
OK folks, all my stuff has arrived....the Rain Forest 66, the Connoisseur A and B nutes, the Milwaukee 802 meter, and of course lighting (600 watt HPS).
In order to minimize the error in my trial and error for this first hydroponic grow, I have a few more questions:
1. The nutrients. I assumed you used A for vegetative phase, and B for flowering, and that the nutrients were concentrates that were diluted with water. The label on the bottles says otherwise, "Connoisseur is an ultra premium two part bloom phase fertilizer to be applied to plant roots via hydroponics irrigation. Blend equal amounts of part A and part B until the proper nutrient strength is reached. Do not mix as a concentrate. Add part A, ahen add part B, to the reservoir."
Bump, looks like Frosty answered the Nute questions!
-Does this mean that I need to get 17 gallons of this stuff in order to fill the reservoir??
-Also, is "bloom fertilizer" not used for vegetative phase and do I need to buy something else?
-How do I properly titrate this stuff for proper growth,?
-Does the ratio of A to B stay at 1 to 1 throughout the grow?
2. The Milwaukee 802 pH and PPM, EC meter. The meter came with foil packets with calibration solutions. I understand that part, I think. Once calibrated, it seems that the instructions advise that the probe must keep kept in water, even when not in use. Must I really keep this think immersed in water all the time?? If so, do I use tap water, distilled water?
L. I keep mine in a half glass of tap water. If you let the probe dry out, which you can, you'll need to calibrate more frequently, and it decreases the life of the probe
3. I'm not clear on how I should be monitoring and adjusting nutrient strength (PPM)
Bump, Frosty.
4. Last but not least, the logistics of getting started. I believe I rinse off the hydroton pebbles thoroughly and then place them in the baskets. Do I use the coco tek liners and lids? I think they're just for cuttings, not for starting with seeds, as I will be doing.
Roger on the Hydroton wash! Just rinse until no more red clay is showing in your runoff. A food colander, large strainer works well.
The liners go first into the NetPots, then the Hydroton, then your grow plug, what are you placing your seed into?. Finally the lids go on after you have a seedling. The lids prevent algae from growing on the top of the Hydroton by blocking the light.
Then I guess I put a seed in each basket, 1/4 inch below the surface and go to town.
Whoa. This may be where my shipped EcoGrower is a little different than what you received (as far as supplies provided). When you say, you put the seed in each basket, what do you mean by that? Did the unit come with some grow-plugs of some sort? You'll notice the grow plug under the CocaTek lid in the following picture.
See this picture for example.
Do I run this thing 24/7?
You'll need to run the it probably 24/7, until roots are established to your water level, and can drink for themselves. But I would look at the manual a little for the Rainforest, because I was using a drip system, and yours is aeroponic, so perhaps a little different pumping schedule.
Sheesh, this is quite a project! But what could be more worthwhile? ;-)
It's a project the first time, but you'll be a pro in short order. I'm confident.
SF
In order to minimize the error in my trial and error for this first hydroponic grow, I have a few more questions:
1. The nutrients. I assumed you used A for vegetative phase, and B for flowering, and that the nutrients were concentrates that were diluted with water. The label on the bottles says otherwise, "Connoisseur is an ultra premium two part bloom phase fertilizer to be applied to plant roots via hydroponics irrigation. Blend equal amounts of part A and part B until the proper nutrient strength is reached. Do not mix as a concentrate. Add part A, ahen add part B, to the reservoir."
Bump, looks like Frosty answered the Nute questions!
-Does this mean that I need to get 17 gallons of this stuff in order to fill the reservoir??
-Also, is "bloom fertilizer" not used for vegetative phase and do I need to buy something else?
-How do I properly titrate this stuff for proper growth,?
-Does the ratio of A to B stay at 1 to 1 throughout the grow?
2. The Milwaukee 802 pH and PPM, EC meter. The meter came with foil packets with calibration solutions. I understand that part, I think. Once calibrated, it seems that the instructions advise that the probe must keep kept in water, even when not in use. Must I really keep this think immersed in water all the time?? If so, do I use tap water, distilled water?
L. I keep mine in a half glass of tap water. If you let the probe dry out, which you can, you'll need to calibrate more frequently, and it decreases the life of the probe
3. I'm not clear on how I should be monitoring and adjusting nutrient strength (PPM)
Bump, Frosty.
4. Last but not least, the logistics of getting started. I believe I rinse off the hydroton pebbles thoroughly and then place them in the baskets. Do I use the coco tek liners and lids? I think they're just for cuttings, not for starting with seeds, as I will be doing.
Roger on the Hydroton wash! Just rinse until no more red clay is showing in your runoff. A food colander, large strainer works well.
The liners go first into the NetPots, then the Hydroton, then your grow plug, what are you placing your seed into?. Finally the lids go on after you have a seedling. The lids prevent algae from growing on the top of the Hydroton by blocking the light.
Then I guess I put a seed in each basket, 1/4 inch below the surface and go to town.
Whoa. This may be where my shipped EcoGrower is a little different than what you received (as far as supplies provided). When you say, you put the seed in each basket, what do you mean by that? Did the unit come with some grow-plugs of some sort? You'll notice the grow plug under the CocaTek lid in the following picture.
See this picture for example.
Do I run this thing 24/7?
You'll need to run the it probably 24/7, until roots are established to your water level, and can drink for themselves. But I would look at the manual a little for the Rainforest, because I was using a drip system, and yours is aeroponic, so perhaps a little different pumping schedule.
Sheesh, this is quite a project! But what could be more worthwhile? ;-)
It's a project the first time, but you'll be a pro in short order. I'm confident.
SF
