Nutrients Biotabs Deficieney

[Daydreamer]

Hi All - first post on here, hope you're all doing well. Over the years I've acquired some experience in grows and by and large have always had good results (for me anyway) but this is my first attempt with Biotabs. We're off grid /self sustained (as much as we can be) and grow most of our fruit and veg organically too.

Have used Autopots for a while now, water comes from a well (not mains) but is filtered / UV etc for home use (safe drinking water). PH around 7 out of the tap.

I have 25L Autopots (indoor), with airdomes and using 50/50 pebbles and coco. Prepared the medium as per instructions on the Biotabs webpage but I didn't put Silicium Flash in there, I used the online calculator to see what I needed, it wasn't mentioned so didn't think it was needed.

All water I dropped to around 6 PH before top feeding or going in the tank, figured just less for the Biotabs system to do (?)

Veg stage, strong and healthy,nice thick stems though one plant always looked a little pale, all undergoing LST training.

In the last week or two, end of veg / beginning of flowering stage I've had steady growing signs of Calcium / Magnesium and Nitrogen deficiency. I added some Orgatex and Bactrex (top feed around that 4-5 week mark) but not much changed. Got hold of some Silicium Flash today and dissolved 5 tablespoons in 1 lt of water and split that between several plants while also adding some directly to the coco and a gentle top feed of plain water, I thought this might be the quickest way to see if this helps. Tank is turned off for the moment.

Not sure what else to do or really how strong I can be with the Silicium Flash but looks like text book signs of those three deficiencies. At least to me.....I've been lucky with all other grows and only ever saw signs of nute burn and maybe Nitrogen deficiency.

Gut feeling is for 25L Autopots another Biotab is needed and the Silicium flash to be mixed in right at the start (as per latest manual).

I'm really hoping this will help. I love the idea of growing like this just haven't got it figured out yet.

Would value any advice good people.

 

[MassMom]

Hello! I dont use tabs (I'm urrently using mega crop) but just wanted to say hello and welcome!
You have found one of the greatest forums on the net in regard to growing. Great people, great advice. I am sure one or more of the fantastic people on here will surely be able to help you.





MOM

 

[Daydreamer]

Ah thanks MOM

 

[Ivean]

Hi All - first post on here, hope you're all doing well. Over the years I've acquired some experience in grows and by and large have always had good results (for me anyway) but this is my first attempt with Biotabs. We're off grid /self sustained (as much as we can be) and grow most of our fruit and veg organically too.

Have used Autopots for a while now, water comes from a well (not mains) but is filtered / UV etc for home use (safe drinking water). PH around 7 out of the tap.

I have 25L Autopots (indoor), with airdomes and using 50/50 pebbles and coco. Prepared the medium as per instructions on the Biotabs webpage but I didn't put Silicium Flash in there, I used the online calculator to see what I needed, it wasn't mentioned so didn't think it was needed.

All water I dropped to around 6 PH before top feeding or going in the tank, figured just less for the Biotabs system to do (?)

Veg stage, strong and healthy,nice thick stems though one plant always looked a little pale, all undergoing LST training.

In the last week or two, end of veg / beginning of flowering stage I've had steady growing signs of Calcium / Magnesium and Nitrogen deficiency. I added some Orgatex and Bactrex (top feed around that 4-5 week mark) but not much changed. Got hold of some Silicium Flash today and dissolved 5 tablespoons in 1 lt of water and split that between several plants while also adding some directly to the coco and a gentle top feed of plain water, I thought this might be the quickest way to see if this helps. Tank is turned off for the moment.

Not sure what else to do or really how strong I can be with the Silicium Flash but looks like text book signs of those three deficiencies. At least to me.....I've been lucky with all other grows and only ever saw signs of nute burn and maybe Nitrogen deficiency.

Gut feeling is for 25L Autopots another Biotab is needed and the Silicium flash to be mixed in right at the start (as per latest manual).

I'm really hoping this will help. I love the idea of growing like this just haven't got it figured out yet.

Would value any advice good people.

I've never grown in coco only soil in afraid so no actual experience.
How many tabs did you use per pot ?
I use 3 in the 15l pots with soil.

 

[Daydreamer]

Thanks Ivean, used 3 per pot too as per the Biotabs website but I feel maybe 1 or even 2 more would be better for the 25 lt pots. Are you using Autopots with your soil and 50/50 split with clay pebbles?

 

[Ivean]

Thanks Ivean, used 3 per pot too as per the Biotabs website but I feel maybe 1 or even 2 more would be better for the 25 lt pots. Are you using Autopots with your soil and 50/50 split with clay pebbles?

Nope I use 70% soil and 30% perlite with jo pebbles or anything at the bottom.
I don't even use air domes anymore.
I would probably use 5 in a 25l pot. Roughly 1 tab per 5l of medium

 

[Daydreamer]

I think next time I'll try the soil and perlite mix and as you suggest 5 in the 25 lt pots and load up with the Silicium Flash, Startex, Bactrex and maybe increase some of them too. I guess I have to just limp through this grow as best I can, I'm going to try a Calmag and Nitrogen top feed over the next few days and see if that helps at all. Ivean do you find your Soil mix stays quite wet with Autopots? I recall a grow I did with Soil / Perlite, results were great but I had to keep an eye on how wet the medium got.

I do firmly believe that Biotabs are the way forward for me and I guess there's always a little experimentation at first.

 

[MedCzech]

Go to my Grow and you will see in detail how I studied and adjusted the system a bit. The issues growers like you have been having is due to under feeding and lack of enough PK in early and mid flower.

Glad to have you here. Good luck!

 

[Moonshade]

I ve just ordered their bio pk stuff (no autpot system). Only one i forgot of their product range
Trying to avoid the deficiencies you mention.
I dont think they advise it to use with autopots...too sticky? Not sure but their website and info will tell you.
A picture of your ladies tells a lot more to the helpers around here...
Grtz
Moon

 

[cantbuymeloveuh]

I have found with biotabs system, when using coco, you must either supplement with cal-mag OR add silicum flash when premixing. Also, you need to be generous with the orgratrex. I use autopots but still top feed with orgratrex all the time. I tried to follow the directions exact and had the same issues.