Top Offs - Whats your routine? Help!

[colour]

After reading this little piece about reservoir maintenance I am quite sure my routines and practices have been completely wrong...

...practice sound reservoir topping off procedures. The most widely accepted maintenance method, involves daily topping off and routine reservoir solution replacement. IE: Topping off the reservoir daily with a nutrient solution which is half of the current new reservoir strength, alternating days by topping off with plain water and finally, changing the entire res solution at least every two weeks.

My plants are about 7-8 weeks in to veg. On an average day they drink about a quart of water - the PPM doesn't rise too drastically. However, I never add nutrients (outside of weekly res. changes) unless the PPM goes way down - rarely. Now, should I be doing what the excerpt above suggests..? If so, as mentioned, it seems they like water more than food so my PPM goes UP; topping off with more nutrients will make it go through the roof! Will adding more nutrients simply replace what has been used..?

I'm a little confused about this one...but I do have a sick plant on my hands...

CC,again, I am in need of some guidance...do it for the plants!!!!

-Colour

colour Reviewed by colour on 04-11-2008. Top Offs - Whats your routine? Help! After reading this little piece about reservoir maintenance I am quite sure my routines and practices have been completely wrong... ...practice sound reservoir topping off procedures. The most widely accepted maintenance method, involves daily topping off and routine reservoir solution replacement. IE: Topping off the reservoir daily with a nutrient solution which is half of the current new reservoir strength, alternating days by topping off with plain water and finally, changing the entire Rating: 5

[colour]

...I need to pick better titles...

[the image reaper]

simple rule of thumb: if the EC/ppm drops, top-off with full-nute solution, if the EC/ppm rises, top off with plain water ... since my ppm is never as high as it could safely be, I almost always find myself topping off with a full-nutrient solution ... it varies, so you just need to watch your ppm ... :smokin:

[colour]

lets say it drops 100 ppm, would you still top off full strength?...ppm would skyrocket !

[the image reaper]

lets say it drops 100 ppm, would you still top off full strength?...ppm would skyrocket !

you have to use your own judgement on that ... personally, I can't even seem to get my ppm anywhere near the limits, Ive actually given up trying to get my ppm much over 1300 ... I grow a little different than most people, I just don't get too concerned with perfection (it's a WEED, and Mother Nature treats them like shit - they thrive, anyway) ... I keep pH within a 5.8-6.2 range, and if it drifts, I don't panic ... I seldom even check my ppm anymore ... so, LONG story short, I don't think 100ppm makes much difference, either way ... :jointsmile:

[colour]

Im just going to go with Mandala's suggestion and keep the nutrients low. If they want more I'm sure they'll ask.

[the image reaper]

good choice ... you can always add more nutrients if needed, but if you over-fertilize, you can have real hassles trying to correct for it ... :thumbsup:

[denial102]

hey dude there is some good advice with pictures from mr clandestine in my signature post about topping and LSTing and FIM'ing, thank MR c for that

good luck with your grow homes,

Peace,
Denial