A solid foundation for maintaining your hydroponic nutrient
solution reservoir! A reservoir forms the center of every single
type of hydroponics growing systems. These basics give you
effective control over every system type. Be a successful
hydroponic gardener by effectively maintaining your nutrient
solution reservoir.
Steps
- Consult with a growing guide or a nursery to find the ideal pH
and nutrient levels for your plants.
- Check the beginning water quality with your TDS meter. Tap
water over measuring 300 ppm or greater indicates using either
bottled spring water or a reverse osmosis filter on your tap water.
See the "Tips" section for ideas on tap water usage.
- Use a pH meter or test kit measure the strength and pH of the
nutrient solution every day. Measure twice a day for units with
small nutrient reservoirs.
- Adjust the pH of your nutrient solution using pH up or pH down
accordingly. Note: An adjustment in your solution's pH will affect
its strength.
- Use a TDS or EC meter check the strength of your nutrient
solution. If it is too strong, add water. If it is too weak, add a
little fertilizer. [See Warnings]
- Change the solution in your reservoir every two weeks. In two
weeks, the plants may have caused the solution to become
nutritionally imbalanced.
Tips
- Tap water: Tap water can contain chemicals
such as chlorine which can adversely affect your plants. If unsure
it is best to let your tap water stand for 24 hours prior to adding
to your reservoir or use chlorine remover for aquariums. By letting
your water stand, you equalize the the temperature of the water to
that of the room, thereby making the water less likely to shock the
plants' root system.
- Keep your nutrient solution temperature between 70 - 78°F.
- It is a good idea to run plain water or 1/4 strength nutrient
through the system for a day in between changes, to leach out any
fertilizer buildup while you have the opportunity.
- Make sure the fertilizer you use in a hydroponics system is
complete. Match the solution strength to your plants' needs.
- Use a pH meter to measure the pH.
- Always have on an aquarium air pump and stone rated for the
size of your nutrient reservoir. Oxygenation of the nutrient
solution is paramount for nutrient uptake.
- Maxsea 16-16-16 for veg and Maxsea 3-20-20 for bloom, when 1/4
teaspoon of Epsom salts/gallon for magnesium is added, is a
complete fertilizer.
- It is seaweed-based, and contains all the micro-nutrients in a
fully chelated form (immediately usable to the plants), plus it
contains plant hormones naturally. Plus it saves you a lot of money
when you compare it to your alternatives.
Warnings
- Chlorine will kill your plants (See Tips for tap water
use)
- Sanitize your reservoir prior to use by pouring boiling water
over all areas to be exposed to nutrient solution.
- Plants will die from over nutrition or over fertilization very
quickly; an undernourished plant will last longer than an over
nourished plant.
Things You'll Need
- pH testing kit or meter
- TDS/EC meter
- Aquarium air pump
- Air Stone to suit reservoir size
- Hydroponic plant nutrients
- Water
- pH up and pH down
