There is a direct coloration between EC and TDS so most meters today will do the math for you. I watch TDS only because it what I started with. EC is a little more accurate but I find TDS works fine as well. Ph test strips are no good they have an error margin of better then 1% so that is the difference between a perfect Ph and one that is to low and will harm the plant and reduce nutrient uptake. No real difference between organics and non-organic nutrients either you use one or the other. Organics sometime have large pieces of crap in them that will clog lines if you are not careful so thatâ??s why some use inline filters. Organic nutrients stink to high hell too and will gag a maggot.

Depending on how far you need to pump your nutrients is whether you use one of those Aquarium vacuums that attach to the facet and use suction to clean the aquarium and drain the tank or not. I just use an extra pump and if needed pump my inside stuff into a 5-gallon bucket and carry it. RO water is almost a must for growing hydro but if you do then you also need to use CalMag plus to put back some nutrients the RO process removes. The pump cost between 20 â?? 40 bucks depending on how many gallons per hour you need to move. The same pump you use to feed the plants would have no problem filling a 5-gallon bucket to remove the old nutrients too btw.

The taste difference is just a matter of opinion. You still need to flush even if you grow in dirt so why not save the time and grow in hydro and get in one extra harvest a year or more.

You do need more equipment to grow in hydro then in dirt. Itâ??s worth the price to go hydro in time saved and over all yields.