Hydroponic nutrients. Different than conventional systems?

[Ricksindoorgarden]

I am new to the autopot system and I have just replaced a row of bato buckets with autopots. My question is should I use full strength nutrient in my reservoir? In conventional hydroponics I measured nutrients every few days and topped off to maintain a desired strength. The assumption that the plants take what they need and leave the rest.
With autopots I fear that if I use full strength nutrients I will burn my tomatoes as the unused nutrients remain in the standing water of the autopot.
is this something I should worry about? Should I use a diluted nutrient to feed? And if so, how do I calculate the nutrient need?
Thanks

 

[St. Tom]

I am new to the autopot system and I have just replaced a row of bato buckets with autopots. My question is should I use full strength nutrient in my reservoir? In conventional hydroponics I measured nutrients every few days and topped off to maintain a desired strength. The assumption that the plants take what they need and leave the rest.
With autopots I fear that if I use full strength nutrients I will burn my tomatoes as the unused nutrients remain in the standing water of the autopot.
is this something I should worry about? Should I use a diluted nutrient to feed? And if so, how do I calculate the nutrient need?
Thanks

I grow in autopots and I'm in flower now on photoperiods so I made 40 litres of food say 5 days ago and I stir that food daily with a stick as I don't use a pump to mix it so once I'm down to say a 3rd I make another 40 at the same strength and just top it up and my res will stay at the same ec that it was before

 

[Ricksindoorgarden]

thanks for answering. I guess that is how I will start out.

And have you ever measured the ec in the water reservoir beneath the pots? My fear, possibly for no reason, is that it will build up because the plants do not use it all.

 

[St. Tom]

thanks for answering. I guess that is how I will start out.

And have you ever measured the ec in the water reservoir beneath the pots? My fear, possibly for no reason, is that it will build up because the plants do not use it all.

another tip I can give you is to make sure on the pots that's the tray where you see the floats make sure the lids are clipped on so no air gets in or you may have ph problems on the pots themselves as same with anything if you leave it with air to get at it the ph will always change also I have a massive thread if you wanna take a look all grown mostly in autopots https://www.autoflower.org/threads/...-evo-140-series-perpetual-grow.78551/page-226

 

[Ricksindoorgarden]

Nice plants, but a much more technical grow than tomatoes!
I assume the pH will change because the nutrient level climbs in the autopot sump and air will crystallize out the nutrient. I have never had that issue with conventional hydroponics as I always aerated the sump but with these aeropots I did not aerate the reservoir with an airstone, they recommend stirring or a pump for aeropots.
I did pick up a few air-domes for the autopot which sit above the liquid level. They claim a 30% increase in productivity.
Thanks for the tips