# Nutrient mixing order

**URL:** <https://ilgmforum.com/t/nutrient-mixing-order/121616>\
**Category:** Nutrients\
**Tags:** nutes\
**Created:** [February 13, 2026, 5:59pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/nutrient-mixing-order/121616 "2026-02-13T17:59:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![stcapt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@stcapt](https://ilgmforum.com/u/stcapt)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2026, 5:59pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/nutrient-mixing-order/121616/1 "2026-02-13T17:59:55Z")

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Mostly just curious. When mixing nutrients, should calmag come before or after the base nutrients? I googled this a while and see it both ways. So far I’ve been using this sequence:

```
  1. Silica
  2. Base nutrients (NPK)
  3. CalMag
  4. Trace minerals
  5. ph adjustment, if necessary

```

I don’t seem to have a problem. I start with a 5 gallon bottle of ro water with an air stone and allow each of these to sit for 15 minutes aerating before adding the next one. I see no precipitation or gelling. I use immediately after mixing.

The only questionable thing here is should base nutrients and calmag be swapped? In various forums I can find specific instructions each way. Since I’m not having any problems I suspect it really doesn’t matter much, but is there a definitive best practice?

Does this depend on the calmag sources? If the magnesium in calmag comes from epsom salt, I can get precipitate from the sulfur ion. My magnesium comes from magnesium chloride, so I don’t have that problem. Does this just side-step the ordering issue?

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**Author:** ![Retiredoldguy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/retiredoldguy/32/1094346_2.png) [@Retiredoldguy](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Retiredoldguy)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2026, 6:03pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/nutrient-mixing-order/121616/2 "2026-02-13T18:03:26Z")

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I have always done the silica then calmag then base then extras …

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**Author:** ![BudsyMalone](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/budsymalone/32/1183465_2.png) [@BudsyMalone](https://ilgmforum.com/u/BudsyMalone)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2026, 7:53pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/nutrient-mixing-order/121616/3 "2026-02-13T19:53:41Z")

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Same here.

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**Author:** ![Truetopath](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/truetopath/32/1015080_2.png) [@Truetopath](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Truetopath)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2026, 8:47pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/nutrient-mixing-order/121616/4 "2026-02-13T20:47:17Z")

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I always start with silica, I use Jacks or MC1 so I don’t need calmag, but following for if I switch at any point

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**Author:** ![SausageMahoney](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/sausagemahoney/32/1075204_2.png) [@SausageMahoney](https://ilgmforum.com/u/SausageMahoney)\
**Post date:** [February 13, 2026, 10:51pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/nutrient-mixing-order/121616/5 "2026-02-13T22:51:40Z")

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Silica, pH up, Jacks, auto mix in 1qt, pour into 2 gallon sprayer, consistent 1600 and 6.0 with our well water. My meter broke in December and i winged it for 2 months. New meter same numbers.

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**Author:** ![dbrn32](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/dbrn32/32/533801_2.png) [@dbrn32](https://ilgmforum.com/u/dbrn32)\
**Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 4:12am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/nutrient-mixing-order/121616/6 "2026-02-14T04:12:17Z")

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If you have a method of mixing that everything stays in suspension it doesn’t matter. The mixing instructions are there to help prevent precipitation.

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**Author:** ![plumbdand](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/plumbdand/32/515126_2.png) [@plumbdand](https://ilgmforum.com/u/plumbdand)\
**Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 10:50pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/nutrient-mixing-order/121616/7 "2026-02-14T22:50:45Z")

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Well water, silica, cal-mag, nutrients, yucca then hydroguard. Im using two different nutrient lines on 2 plants each.

I use Earth juice seablast bloom 4g and bloom master 3.5g ph ends up 6.0-5.9 without using any ph up or down.

I also use Jacks. Right now I’m using 4g part a and 2g part b and 1.5g of EJ Bloom master, no epsom salt ph ends up at 5.8

The Jacks I’m always worried about precipitation when mixing. Ive had to toss a few gallons. I’ve never had to toss any of the Earth juice mix