Recharge is okay if you have new autopots with aqua valve 5’s as thry can handle the organic kelp attative, however each reservoir fill needs to be cleaned to avoid algae buildup causing clogs.
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Yeah the kelp additive will cause some sludge build up and give you more work like @Nicky said you’ll need to stay on top of your res and keep it clean. The nutrient line I use is liquid and for the most part is clear when mixed unless I add the kelp. Stopped using the kelp after the first run due to the amount of extra work cleaning everything. Didn’t notice any difference without it.
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Thanks for all the info guys. I do have the 5’s but haven’t put any organics thru them because of what I’ve read. I was hoping the autopots would simplify my grows but so far I haven’t got it tuned in and is more challenging than my straight hydro grows. Recent hydro grow. Let it get a little crazy on me.
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No experience with recharge but don’t be afraid to add straight to the tray. If I get a fussy plant I just let the rez do it’s thing then make a small batch of whatever I think the fussy bitch needs and pour it into the tray, completely overfilling it. @emgoldslo uses a stand pipe to do the same…
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Yes straight to the tray in a high concentration would work.
I prefer to just use fishshit by fishshead farms it works better and it work inside the lines.
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I do wicking tubs for my vegetables. I have amazing results with them. Thought about it for the girls but wanted something fed of a rez to not have to water as often. With everything else going on was hoping to cut back my time spent on the girls some.
@Pet_de_Chien Can you tell me what you’re using for top dressing and how often. Like I said new to having soil to add these things to. Never added anything extra to my hydros really.
Hi friend,
Anything/everything Microbe related or that does not stay in suspension or will muck up the rez. This is things like Recharge/Humics/Fulvics/Molasses/Fish Emulsions/Kelp/Aminos/Enzymes/Terp goodies, Then of course a periodic bump in Microbes whatever flavor you prefer, you cant go wrong with any really just the $$$. I add my Microbe tea, top fed, once a week and alternate my added products.
This doesn’t work for everybody as you see varying opinions, try it both ways and see what works for you, but don’t put recharge/molasses/fermentables in your rez with microbes - this I promise is a huge mess.
I did add Hygrozyme/SLF/Em-1/H202 aside from the GN FloraNutes to stabilize the rez in my E&F tables.
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So you’re basically adding at the same strength as if you were doing a soil grow but about 8oz of liquid when you do. Thanks for your input. Just not real happy with this grow so far. it’s okay but I don’t strive for okay. Learning curve
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Don’t mind a bit. Still same subject idea and always good to expand our learning. I’m growing GDP myself right now and had the same issue. I was thinking I didn’t buffer my coco properly perhaps. Like I said, first coco, first autopot grow. I’m sure it will work out great in the long run.
I add recharge straight in the trays without an issue. It’s the dang Rhino Skin silica that makes me nervous. I try to add Drip Clean to the rez.
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I bought some FloraKleen but never have used it yet. I have the newer #5 valves. I’m sure the larger line size helps.
I have the newer larger lines and my last grow definitely had clogs where I’d have to force air through to clear the line.
What nutes are you using and additives? I drain out of the end of mine every week and haven’t noticed any problems so far.
I’m using the Spring Pots and what I have been doing is turning the lines off a day or two before I’m going to give microbes and such depending on the current water lvl to give them time to soak it all up. I then top feed till the water lvl is about 2/3 up the tray and turn the lines back on to feed as normal when needed. If that makes any sense.
I haven’t had a single problem with top feeding once a week this way. I got fish in my res so can’t add stuff to that besides water. Lol
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Now that’s one I haven’t seen, fish in the rez. So, is it pure aquaponics setup?
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Nope, the Spring pot use a plastic base with a fabric pot and the same float system as the reg auto pots. I just put gravel and stuff for fish in my res and put in some fish.
Don’t have to worry about ph or anything, top off every other day, and plants get fish shit all the time!
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