I help whoever I’m able to. My wife’s ex is coming to borrow my truck tonight. His is down to nothing but first and second gear.
He stayed the night a couple nights ago after helping me with some repairs. I don’t trust him with her, but after 25yrs together, I trust her fully. He made sure she’d never want him back, so there’s no threat.
I must forgive to be forgiven…
Sorry buddy I thought that meter said six seven I couldn’t really see it, I got some issues with my eyes as I get older
six one sounds good if your pH is coming out at six seven, I usually live in 6.3 - 6.6, and I like my runoff lower but not below 5.8
If a plant is healthy I seldom check runoff
No, you were correct. That was from the 20th when I “fed” them. The water at 6.1 was today in an attempt to bring the soil down slightly.
Your eyes didn’t fail you this time…
I only did it for the practice. Had never done it before, so I figured why not? 
You ever get your answer?
About the TDS? No.
What do I use the runoff reading for?
Thats usually used to determine more severe problems such as soil problems worse than ph usually to help determine weather your soil has a toxic build up or not, forgive me if im wrong @Macgyverstoner could better answer that
So then why should TDS be measured? As an overall indicator of water purity, TDS is an especially important parameter, and more often than not, it is the first one tested. A TDS test is quick, easy and inexpensive. A single TDS meter can be used thousands of times, requiring nothing more than the occasional recalibration and new batteries.
Water filtration, treatment and purification often become a question of cost-effectiveness. Knowing the TDS level will help determine what, if any, type of system or process is required. Along these lines, a TDS meter is an excellent tool for determining the efficacy of many types of water filtration and purification systems
Hope this helps clear this up @FloridaSon
I understand the why of testing the TDS. I had been told that checking the runoff would tell me how much the plants are feeding, but the soil traps enough to account for the difference.
Is the monitoring of the runoff reading going to rise over time? Bearing in mind that it would raise as the TDS in increases, is it meant to be used as a percentage base reading?
I don’t really know how to word my question. If I put in 300 and get out 150, I’m at 50% retention. Does that mean that later on, as I raise my PPM, the % should remain consistent, or should I expect to get a similar reading as the plant eats more.
1000 in 500 out? Or 1000 in 150 out? Does it make better sense stating it that way? I get why to check pH out, and how to utilize that information. I don’t get it with TDS. It seems like hydro would be the only time that reading is important.
Just trying to get clear on what is important and what is just a waste of time…
Ok yea Thats an @Macgyverstoner or @latewood question my friend
Not a problem, Brother. I try to tag them last. Thanks for calling out to them.
Yup not a problem they’ll answer when they see it knowing I couldn’t help explain it
Yeah I don’t know the science either but let’s say for example I put nutes in at 1000ppm and I get 150ppm out, I try to keep it like that, if it rises significantly, let’s say 300ppm, that tells me I need to overwater 20%, do a flush or something in between
I’m not sure of the science behind it or whatever but this is what I do, hope it helps ?!
My friendly post/edit sniper!!!
LMAO…
No man I was trying to explain but it didn’t come out right so let the monitors give you the info I’ll be looking forward to reading what they say
I get it.
Sometimes it’s hard to find the words to properly convey the thought. That’s part of what I was going through.
Don’t pretend you’re not a sniper! Lol…
Thought about this for a little bit. Your tds I believe should read at a consistent number unless feeding more, there for will it rise over time well that depends on how often you get a salt or toxic build up or how often you increase there feeding
Alright I put my post back because of what magic just said, that’s what I was trying to explain but I wasn’t sure if I was being clear about it so thought better to delete it then confuse ?
Yea I believe you were on the right track @Paranorman
I’m attempting to use worms for my feedings, so salt build up shouldn’t be much of an issue.
I’m thinking of going with Foxfarms nutes if they require more. That should be my only risk for salts. I wanted to try Nectar of the Gods because of no salts, but it’s still too pricey for me right now.
While I’m thinking of it, can I add castings to the water to increase my PPM instead of buying nutes? I’m also top dressing with screened casts.