First time with Jacks 321 - not getting EC I should?

Nutrients Watering
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Thought I’d see what all the hype was about, so ordered some Jacks 321 and a mg scale for 1 gallon mixes. I already had the epsom salts (plain generic for soaking, laxatives, etc.)

I tried 3 times to mix this stuff (A first, then Epsom, then B, all fully dissolved ea time), and it won’t even break an EC of 2. Jacks says you can mix them separately, then combine, so I tried that to see where the problem is. Here’s what I got for EC numbers when mixed according to package directions for 1 gallon:

Part A 4g - 1.08 (supposed to be 1, so it’s close, especially being a blended mix)
Part B 2.5g - .68 (supposed to be .85, and it’s not a blend, so not even close to spec)
Epsom 1g - .2 (not stated, but with only a single gram, it’s not going to be high anyway)

So according to the packages, I should get an EC of 1.85 without epsom. Looks like it should be 2.05 with it, but I’m only getting 1.96, so not as advertised, but close enough to work with I guess, but with all the known calcium deficiencies in hydro, I’d think it’d be closer in the Part B areas.

Either way, it’s never going to hit these numbers of 2.4 with RO water, like this chart says. So what gives? Am I doing something wrong?
Their chart for RO water says I should be getting an EC of 2.4

Jacks 321
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Oh, and I’ve used 2 TDS meters, and recalibrated the new scale several times with the included weights.

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This is my first ever attempt with jacks, this is what iv been feeding. I did make a few changes with EC just based off needs of the plant and runoff numbers, I get 950ppm like this. It’s the same thing just 20% more.

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I watched a video from him before I started, and it’s pretty close to the ratios from the package, but still no where near the 2.4 Jacks says to expect in their chart. I’m curious about quality control of Jacks as well, if I’m not getting the EC from the Part B that it says I should. I already fight cal issues, so thinking I’ll have to up the weight to hit the right EC.

For something as easy as 3-2-1, it’s as clear as mud :laughing:

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Sorry I meant to say 1050. Which is 2.1… 950 is what I have it down to now….

Yes I agree. I was confused myself and even made a post about it…

Please tag me when info is posted and interesting thinks come!!

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When I used my old water source with a TDS less than 100 my final mix came out around 1.6ish. My new source is around 160 and my final mix with PH down is 1.8-1.9. :love_you_gesture:

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Well it’s good to know the numbers work at least, even if it’s much lower than the chart.

Thanks guys!

I deleted the other post. I figured out my math error, and it wasn’t a “lockout” like I suspected. (Mixing separate parts would of course halve the ec when combined, unless the original mix was for a double batch)

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Isn’t Jack’s 321 for tap water and Jack’s pure and simple used for RO water? This would explain the low #'s I’m thinking?

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Well this is what it says on their website, and is where I got the chart above from

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Not sure then. I’ve been using the Pure and Simple nutrients for the 1st time this grow using water collected from my dehumidifier. 1st of 3 grows using these nutrients now and this is the most perfect grow I’ve done yet. No issues that I’ve seen so far and they are 3 weeks into flowering now.

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What is Jacks “Pure and Simple”?

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You will have to factor in the TDS meter as it is only an approximation of total salts present.

I would also suggest using silica.

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Silica along with the jacks? I’m listening… do tell more

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Silica is necessary for trichome production and provides disease resistance. Silica is not present in Jack’s.

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Do you have any recommendations? I use to use protek when I ran dynagro probably 12 or more years ago.

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I started using some silica at start of flowering. Using Power Si.

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So this might sound like a silly question but silica was always added before anything else, has anything changed and is it the same with jacks?

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Silica is always first. I use Silica Blast.

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What about something I’ve seen on these boards about pHing after silica, before adding the rest, then pHing the final mix as usual?
Something about silica altering the pH so much it affects other nutes when they’re added if not pHed first…?
(never used silica…yet)

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I know a couple of growers that mix silica separately and use it as a PH up. That doesn’t work for me as I normally need PH down to get in range.

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Just started using the power Si, but didn’t notice any major difference from adding it before adding the pure and simple nutrients. Still needed to add about the same ph up as I needed without the silica.

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