HYDROPONIC SOLUTION BASICS
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- Start with good water
- Macro & micro nutrients
- pH
- Which nutrient mix is best?
- Mixing & maintaining the reservoir
START WITH HEALTHY WATER
Hydroponic Solution...
If you're going to be using tap or well water, get it tested first to see where
you stand. You can do this inexpensively through the county ag agent or health
department, or through an independent lab. If using tap water, you can always
call the water company and ask them the calcium content of the water.
Basically, what you want to know is if you have very hard or very soft water.
Hard water has lots of mineral content and calcium carbonate in particular. If
you see calcium buildup (white residue) on your faucets, you probably have hard
water. Soft water has low mineral content, which is preferable. (But you
cannot use water that has gone through a water softener system for
hydroponics... it's way too salty).
Okay, so you found out you have hard water (Calcium content is above 70 ppm).
What can you do about it?
Simple: The GH Flora hydroponic solution we recommend below has a base solution
specifically for use with hard water. Instead of using FloraMicro, simply
buy Hardwater FloraMicro. Problem solved!
If you find out that you have really poor water, (greater than 300 ppm total
solids), consider installing a RO (reverse osmosis) water filter under your
kitchen sink. An RO filter costs $170-$250, but it provides the highest quality
drinking water possible. If you are stuck with mineral-laden water, you must use
an RO filter if you want a successful hydroponics experience (and a healthier
family).
This system is a very good buy, don't waste a trip to Home Depot:
Another alternative: you could collect
rainwater in a barrel and use that. That would be sweeeet!
MACRO & MICRO NUTRIENTS
Here's your mini chemistry lesson for the day:
Hydroponic Solution...
In hydroponics, you take soil away from the plant, so you must supply perfectly
balanced and complete nutrition for it.
Plants need large amounts of 6 macro-nutrients: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus
(P), and Potassium (K). The NPK numbers you see on a manure or fertilizer bag
(like 30-10-30) are simply telling you at what ratio these three macro-nutrients
are mixed in that bag of fertilizer. The other 3 macros are calcium, sulfur and
magnesium. All 6 are provided in the proper ratio in all hydroponics solutions.
Plants also need micro-nutrients (minute traces of other elements) in order to
thrive, just like you do. The nutrient solutions you buy for your 'ponics garden
are different from ordinary plant fertilizers. They include all the trace
elements, too. So hydroponic solution is kinda like your One-a-day Vitamins;
it contains traces of iron, boron, manganese, zinc, molybdenum, copper, cobalt,
chlorine, selenium and silicon. Yum!
pH
Part 2 of your chemistry lesson (and this is important):
Remember pH from chemistry or biology class? All pH is is a number that
tells how acid or alkaline your solution is. This is important, because
if the pH is not in the proper range, nutrients get "locked out" and the plant
can't get to them.
Luckily, pH is a very easy thing to control. All you need is a pH test kit (like
for swimming pools), or pH "dip" strips. Either testing method is inexpensive
and very easy to learn. You do NOT need to buy an expensive electronic pH meter,
which also requires quality control procedures.
The proper range of pH for your nutrient solution: 5.5-6.5 (6.0 is ideal).
When to test:
- When you mix up a new batch of grow
juice. Let it settle for a couple hours. Then test and adjust the pH.
Let set an hour and test the pH again...
- Twice a week thereafter. If you are
a worrier, test your hydroponic solution daily. It only costs a few drops of test solution.
How to adjust the pH:
- Buy a "pH up & pH down" kit.
Follow the directions on the bottle. A little bit goes a long way, so be
careful. You'll soon figure out how much is about right.
- In a pinch
(if you run out of the kit solution), you can
fix the pH with these "home remedies". White vinegar will lower the ph;
baking soda raises it. But these agents are not stable and buffered, and
should not be used in the long run.
Do yourself a favor: Get this kit put
out by GH (General Hydroponics). It includes the test kit plus a bottle each of
pH up & pH down. It costs about $15 and will get you through many gardens. Piece
of cake.
Order one
here:
pH Control Kit
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WHICH NUTRIENT MIX IS
BEST?
Here's some solid and simple advice about hydroponic solution:
- Only buy solution formulated specifically
for hydroponics. Regular fertilizer or Hyponex will kill your garden.
- Buy the best quality nutrients you can. It
makes a difference, and a little bit goes a long way. Don't put together a
cadillac growing unit, then try to economize by using cheap nutrients.
You'll be crying in your onions!
- Do not buy "organic" nutrients. Organics
require decomposition (composting) which creates inconsistency in the
solution and your results; something you are trying to eliminate. "Organic"
sounds good... but it's not... not for beginning hydro. Maybe a project for later, when you're more
experienced.
- One-part solutions are simple and easy,
but are not flexible. Two-part and three-part solutions allow customization
and experimentation, and give better results.
- K.I.S.S.: Use the same nutrient
solution that NASA does, the best: General Hydroponics (GH) Flora Series
Nutrients. And forget the mixing charts on the bottles. We've figured it all
out for you in the next section,
The Reservoir. We also provide some links for ordering this superior
nutrient system on that page.
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This is a No Spam Zone
MIXING & MAINTAINING THE RESERVOIR
Don't miss this practical "how-to" lesson
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