1st timer hydro with PPM vs. salts ???s

[Steelwool]

I'm going hydro for the first time and I am confused about salt build up and PPM levels. I'm using a small pvc ebb and flow system with a 6 gal tub. My clones are still fairly small and look fine. My question is when do I start to get concerned about salt build up? I'm sitting at a PPM of 775 and keeping the PH between 5.75 and 6.25 (usually right at 6). Is the PPMs the only indication of salt build up I have to keep an eye on? If so, when do I start getting freaked out about it? I've had the same water for about 3 weeks and only had to add a couple of gal. Right now I'm using Sensi Bloom A + B. Also, when do I start adding the Bloom? They have only been under 12/12 for 2 weeks. Any help would be appreciated.

[dejayou30]

I used to run E&F and never had any problems with salt build up, but I did run out of room for my roots. You should change your res once a week or possibly more, since it is only 6 gallons which is not a lot of volume to work with. The plants use different nutes at different rates so you need to keep it fresh for optimum growth. I found I could let my veg plants go without a res change for about 3 weeks with little to no negative effects, but in flower the effects became noticable on day 10 of the same 12 gallon res, and nutrients started getting locked out.

As for when to use your flower nutes, I used to mix half grow and half flower nutes for the first two weeks and then only flower nutes from week three to 7, then flush for 5-7 days. Good luck! :thumbsup:

[tinytoon]

I run E&F in 2 sep cabs and both have 6 gal rez. Drain and fill once a week and avg 3 topoffs during the week. /agree with deja on the nutes mix. Latewood's legacy hits the nail on the head in my grows. :thumbsup:

[JackdaWack]

I have hard water, and i always have salt build up on my hydroton, i try and flush each root system every week, but its with the same hard water, i might start mixing a 1:1 ratio of distilled and well water. I also use drip method and the drippers have calcium build up on them. If any one has a routine fix for this let me know, the girls love the water, but not the build up of salt.

[SunLake]

I'm also interesting in salts vs ppm. I have a gro check meter and am I trying to learn how to harness the readings. pH 6.34 (Should come down a little), uS 530, ppm 240