So I have gotten to the point where I need to start testing my run off so I did. I came up with the same pH that I am feeding in Fox Farm Ocean Forest with RO water having 1/4 strength GH nutrients. I read 6.5pH from my runoff, but my ppm was exceptionally high, up towards 2400ppm while only feeding less than 250ppm. I’m not really sure If I’ve done something wrong, but any help would be appreciated.
Note: I am not currently experiencing any deficiencies, I just topped two of my plants and needed to water and wanted to test the run off.
FFOF is a nutrient rich soil and I’m not surprised there’s a fair amount of numbers in the run off. This also depend on what stage of life your plant is in. I assume smaller and in veg. If you’re not seeing any issues, I wouldn’t worry about it too much.
Welcome to ILGM !
I agree. Also, the PPM number you’re seeing is total dissolved solids…all of those solids might not necessarily be bioavailable (is that the right word?) to the plants. Don’t be alarmed at the high numbers. If the plants are happy, just keep monitoring it, and when it starts to get low for the plants’ stages of life, that’s when to start adding more.
I grow in FF OF everyone is right on the money. Don’t be surprised if your readings stay high for a while. I veged for 6 weeks and readings didn’t get under 1200 ppm until I started Flower.
I didn’t start feeding until they went under 1000 ppm’s with exception of cal mag. Just keep in mind that your girls will tell you if there is a problem. I noticed at around 3weeks in veg a slight discoloration. This is my 3rd grow. On second grow I had cal mag deficiency so I was fairly sure of what I was seeing this time and got on it early.
Damn bro, that’s a nice harvest! Hopefully I’ll be looking at something nice by the end. I’m gonna have some coffee, and upload some pics of progress since I topped two more plants last night.
Believe me you will get there. I had know idea what I was doing when I started. I still have lots to learn, but this forum is the best place to be. I always suggest starting a grow journal especially if you are new to growing. It will provide you with a great place to ask questions and get advice. Also everything is in one place. You’ll be able to easily find info to refer back to on your grow.
Thank you for being so welcoming, as has everyone else. I really appreciate the help as it relieves the anxiety of thinking I’m doing a horrible job I’ll be updating my journal throughout the rest of my grow from their current stages.
Do you have a journal for current grow listed under grow journals. If so tag me in. I’m following a bunch of journals sometimes I have trouble finding some. LOL.
I tested a new grow bag with 50/50 FFHF and FFOF yesterday. @Shatter indicated I should run water through the soil a few times over a few days to unlock the microbes in the soil. I have a second WW Auto just about ready to go. I tried out my brand new Apera EC60 PPM meter, and also PH conditioned the tap water to 6.2. After three good soakings of the soil over three days, this last one tested 6.2 going in, and 6.3 coming out. The PPM count was around 375-380 going in, and around 175 coming out. is this normal? I am also confused as @BornHigh420 with his feeding schedule and the high runoff PPM count
I’m a little pressed on time heading out the door. I had issues with apera TDS20. I will link info on my journal. Link takes you to where I figured out what was happening. If you scroll up from there you can see where it started. Hopefully this helps.
I’ll be updating my journal throughout the rest of my grow from their current stages.
It’s what I use