I'm Lost - New Bluelab Truncheon. Nute questions

[moreover123]

My first grow was NL x Shiva and WW. Both went well IMO, and the WW went especially good. Though I've nothing to compare to. Used a 400 hps, and no ph or ppm meter. I did occasional drop/paper ph tests. I winged the nutes using various people's formulas posted here.

I bought a ph meter and today got a Bluelab Truncheon so I can grow better. I'm now growing new plants which are about 5-6 weeks old still under MH light. I tested the water with the truncheon. CF 12, EC 1.2, ppm @ 700 = 840. ppm @ 500 = 600.

I "think" I'm supposed to use the 500 scale? If I'm wrong, please let me know?

I cleaned the rez's and refilled using the GH chart for 6 weeks so I can start bloom phase. Tested at 1200 ppm (using the 500 scale on this gadget). It seemed like ALOT of nutes to me, but I'm trying to go by the book. Then I tested for ph, and added a bit of ph down. I'll retest everything in a bit.

For some reason, I'm uncomfortable with this. I don't really know how to use this ppm meter or what the point is. I'm not even sure how to read it at this point. I'm worried I just burned my plants by upping the nutes according to that chart. And to top it off, I added a few drops of Floralicious plus and that raised the ppm even more. It leapt to the 1300-1400 level.

I guess I'm confused, and looking for comments on the above and if anyone has one of these truncheon meters - am I reading it correctly? ec x 500 and not the ec x 700? Thanks!

[moreover123]

No one here has a BlueLab Truncheon PPM meter? :(

[LOC NAR1958]

I don't have one but wanted to get one. I have read alot on them and , yes i think you should be going with the 500. I have a hanana meter and that's what it told me to go by. If you just started and your plants are not used to it just take out half the rez and put RO water back in to bring it down and PH again. When I have mine in veg they get about 500 to 600 PPM's. Then when i go to flower I jump it up to 1200 PPM's and then additives brings it up close to 1600 or 1800. I am now in week 6 of flowering and my nutes and add ons are over 2000 PPM's. Some think that half nutes work just as good but I find when I pump the nutes to them they do much better. Some strains can't take high nute levels. Best way to tell is the tips of the leaves. If they start to burn on the tips, cut back. That's the good thing about hydro is you can correct things fast. I just put more WW and papaya in and just changed to what you have for PPM's. Have you tried going to their site and see what info they have on the meters ?

[moreover123]

Loc - Thank you!!!

I just started flowering 2? days ago and am at 1200 for 3 containers that are linked via tubing. Another one is only at 900. Not sure why. I want to up the 900ppm plant to 1200, but I'm confused as to how I do that.
Do I mix the gh formula in a container and add just a little here & there till it reaches that number? That's the only thing I can think of.

I'm growing Bubblicious now. I did go to the Bluelab site but didn't see anything regarding the 500 vs. 700 but I am now 99% sure you are correct on the 500. Thank you!

[LOC NAR1958]

No prob's , glad i could help. Yes just mix the nutes the same and add till you get what you want. You know. Bubblicious was one I almost got, it sounds good. Hope it goes alright. good luck. and we're here keep us up to date. If you do a search of my name you can see my first real hydro grow. Get some pic's if you can ? I got papaya for a second time with a new hortilux eye 1000HPS, pumping the nutes to them. This time is awsome. The only time I can get a good pic is just before the lights come on. Unless you want to see macro up close of trichomes. ?

[Bluefunk]

I just use the EC/CF scale on my truncheon - saves a similar confusion I had with the 5x/7x ppm