HOw does nutrient work in hydroponic? Some help plz!

[Mr. Champ]

I use an ebb/flow garden with a 25 gallon reservoir. My first two flushes I had not installed an air stone yet. When I emptied the res, the water was colored stronger towards the bottom of the tank, and the surface was coated in a darker "sludge."

After adding the air stone, the solution stayed consistent in coloration with no build up on the walls. The plants seemed much happier! Cheap improvement with great results.

[notoriousb111]

Thats right, it will help prevent stagnation of the nutrient solution (unwanted bacteria). Although, algae shouldn't be a problem if your reservior is light proof and absolutely no light gets in because algae needs light to grow, just light your plants. Even a very small amount of light leaking into the res can allow algae to form.

Thanks Loafyboy,

You've been a great help. Now I know adding an air pump and air stone is very necessary or without using an air pump and stone as long as I keep my reservoir light proof.

Thanks for patiently answering my questions. :thumbsup:

[LOC NAR on probation]

Thanks LOC NAR,

I'll do just that and buy those products. As for now, I'm just going buy some already mixed concentrated nutrients from my local hydponic farms (they grow lettues and tomatos).
At the same time, I'm expanding the my limited knowledge as I'm browsing through internet.

I found out that most hydroponic systems place an air pump and an air stone inside their reservoir. At least, wick system, Drip system, and water culture system use them. I'm going to use a Drip system for my vegetative room, and ebb and flow for my flowering room.

The question is... Does an air pump with an air stone be placed in a Drip system's reservoir really necessary?

According to my reference, this function is to give oxgen to the roots, but does it prevent the reservoir from producing other unwanted bacteria or.... some greenish algae inside the reservoir?

Reference: Simply Hydroponics - Replace bulb

thanks ..

In the kind of drip they show you will indeed need the air stone. I would go with the local nutes and see, they probably make a very good mix.

Do a search for LOC NAR. It's back a few years and funny. I did drip with constant drip 6 plants in a 10 gallon tub and no airstone. Now It's a must. The more air in the water the better.

[Loafyboy]

Thanks Loafyboy,

You've been a great help. Now I know adding an air pump and air stone is very necessary or without using an air pump and stone as long as I keep my reservoir light proof.

Thanks for patiently answering my questions. :thumbsup:

Hi, what I meant was you should have an air pump/stone AND a light proof reservior. The air pump will prevent the build up of unwanted bacteria (stagnation of the water), and light proofing prevents algae. You need both an air pump and light proof res to keep the nutrient solution in good condition. :thumbsup:

[notoriousb111]

In the kind of drip they show you will indeed need the air stone. I would go with the local nutes and see, they probably make a very good mix.

Do a search for LOC NAR. It's back a few years and funny. I did drip with constant drip 6 plants in a 10 gallon tub and no airstone. Now It's a must. The more air in the water the better.

Loc NAR,

Thanks for the info. That's funny, the viedeo which I learned how to grow hydro never mentioned about using an air pump and stone. That's odd but I think it's must (I surely don't want to take risks wasting time and seeds) I'll stick to using air pumps and stones. You've been very nice and informative answering questions to such a first time grower like me.

By the way, have you ever tried the buds you grew yourself, do they have a chemical taste to it as some people say, or do they smoke just as good as other more organic, or pure soil grown buds?

Thanks...:thumbsup:

[LOC NAR on probation]

If not flushed good at the end I can tell a some what strong taste and sometimes can give me a head aak. sorry for the spelling. Flushed out is much smoother and just as good if not better. Only when compaired can you tell for sure.

[notoriousb111]

If not flushed good at the end I can tell a some what strong taste and sometimes can give me a head aak. sorry for the spelling. Flushed out is much smoother and just as good if not better. Only when compaired can you tell for sure.

HI LOC NAR,

Thanks, I get what you're saying. It's just that, at what stage (5 weeks before harvest..pr 4 weeks before..etc?) do you stop feeding nutrients (Is this called flushing? or Does stop feeding nutrients mean flushing? )

Thanks for keep answering my unending questions. I hope my too many questions don't get people tripping while reading this stoned.

Thanks again.

[stinkybudz]

2 weeks before harvest is when u stop nutrients, yes thats called flushing, u can feed them carboload, AKA molasses up to your harvest, its a simple sugar that will help your buds produce, but wont give you a chemmy taste when used without flushing

[LOC NAR on probation]

2 weeks before harvest is when u stop nutrients, yes thats called flushing, u can feed them carboload, AKA molasses up to your harvest, its a simple sugar that will help your buds produce, but wont give you a chemmy taste when used without flushing

That's right.

I mostly go with 1 week of PH water at the end but went 2 just to see and it was really smooth. I loved it but some thought it was different so I told them instead of Hawaiian x skunk it was Pineapple Express. LOL. There are chemical flushes that only take a few days but I have never tried them.