Wondering just what that 150ppm in my tap water I checked apparently it is looked 130ppm of calcium wtf? Should I be using Cal mag at recommended rate?
Second thing I noticed was GH micro for hard water which I didn’t know they had that and a soft water version.
@blackthumbbetty @Dbpooper @dbrn32 @peachfuzz
So do I not need Cal mag? Since it’s in tap water? I assume the hard water micro accounts for additional calcium other minerals in calculating ppm’s?..
Thoughts?
1 Like
I think you’ll be fine with calcium. May want some Epsom salts for magnesium come mid to late flower.
1 Like
I have calcium at 130ppm at tap it’s 4% in part B plus Cal mag additive gives 4.5% more Cal with 1.1% of Mag
I’m not familiar with things on a hydro grow as much as soil but from what I’ve read and seen on videos it’s kinda mixed as some people reccomend early in veg with soil and ramp up through flower as others say none at all until you see deficiencies. I have been running half recommended strength last 2 feeds at 1 gallon ph 6.7 water I am in happy frog 75 percent ocean forest 25 mix… I just know with hydro the ratios are obviously higher for your nutrient uptake/mixture etc usually. Sorry this isn’t much help…
1 Like
Yeah, I don’t think you’ll need anymore supplementation of calcium. I also have a good calcium supply from my tap. I keep cal mag on hand for foliar spray should an issue arise that needs a quick response. But I just use Epsom salts on watering days to supplement magnesium and Sulphur which my nutrients never seem to have enough for my plants likings.
2 Likes
Also my tap runs about 260 ppm I honestly dont know the full percentage of things either Unfortunately, I do know we are on chlorine at a really low level and the ph is usually 6.8-7. I’m in Oklahoma so I was shocked lol as our water usually isn’t the greatest in the past.
1 Like
I would still use Calcium, if needed.
3 Likes
So you’re saying don’t use the Cal Mag and get mag and sulfur from Epsom. That’s a plan one thing I was wondering if perhaps too much Cal was causing issues…
If you see a calcium deficiency, then go to the calmag because excess calcium can look like other issues and have you chasing your tail. Excess calcium can lock out things like potassium, magnesium, and iron.
2 Likes
I think that’s what lead up to the issues with leaves I saw you read about…
Not all of the calcium in your tap water will be available to plants. Best policy is to watch plants and react to what they tell you they need. For what it’s worth, most bottles of “calmag” contain a lot of nitrogen. That’s often a bigger help than the calcium that’s applied.
7 Likes
Was just about to put this as I went and read to make sure on my bottle… It is only 2-0-0 so its minimal even with a regular feeding.
1 Like
2 can be a lot, depends on the dosage.
2 Likes
Actually I’m using true plant science Cal mag. So no nitro in the additive just Cal and mag
2 Likes
True, I was referring to the half dosage I was using at 1 gallon 1.5 ml in soil with just tap water.
1 Like
That’s good, unless you get to a point where you need the extra nitrogen like I mentioned above.
I think that stuff is probably what farmers call slake lime. If it is, you can probably save a bunch of money on it buying in powdered form. I think chemical name is calcium hydroxide or something like that. Calcium carbonate and calcium nitrate are little more common, and both have nitrogen.
3 Likes
Love gaining all this new knowledge to apply to future grows and to spread to others! This forum has been a great thing these last few months!
3 Likes
It would be alot easier for you in the future if you get yourself an ro system…
The cost far outweighs your future headaches trying to figure out what’s in your water…
As mentioned above , just because it says that theres calcium in your water doesn’t mean that it’s in a form that can be taken up by the plant…
Best thing to do is get an ro system…
No more guessing games … 
4 Likes
Yeah, I rent and it’s not in the budget after getting a 48x48 tent upgrade and a Mars TS2000 and some new nutes… Point taken, now I’ll be looking at them… But I made it through my first grow. I just needed to increase space and lighting. But these other variables come to mind thinking of improving each grow - that’s what it’s all about right?!
2 Likes