Oh yeah, I imagine that your PH is all messed up if you haven't been checking it. That is way more important than any recipe of nutrients. For your grow to be successfully you must buy a PH pen for like $25. They should have them wherever your getting the Grow Big. Also consider a PPM pen, as that's the fastest and most accurate way to determine how much to feed. Directions on the bottle are often a little confusing, but there is no confusion with a PPM meter. Perhaps you could save a little money and get something that does both.