New Grower Teach me something!!

[Archaic]

In the realm of hydroponic growing, EC and TDS are interchangeable. Most cheap ppm meters are just using a conversation factor on an EC measurement anyway. The only way to get true TDS is to send it to a lab which is of no use to us.

Don't worry too much about things like metals and toxicity etc. Just keep your pH right. pH is everything in water chemistry, it controls mobility of ions, solubility of nutrients, root uptake, biozone - it all hinges on pH.

The thing that makes coco awesome is that it's almost impossible to over water as long as you have drainage. So you can rinse it and even completely change nutrient regimen because coco will only hold a certain amount of water. Just keep it well drained and it's very forgiving.

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

Hey @Mañ'O'Green
The chart you posted for GH shows PPM. So that would mean a TDS. Do you see a benefit in using EC over a TDS. It looks like there are simple conversions. I got a little lost

A quick answer to why we should use EC instead of TDS
The debate over EC and TDS has been an ongoing issue for a long time. These two measurements are used to determine the strength of hydroponic solution. Although they are widely used they should only be used as a guideline and you should always follow mixing instructions on the label of you nutrient.
EC stands for Electrical Conductivity and is measured in mS/cm or millisiemens per centimeter. TDS stands for Total Dissolved Solids and is measured in PPM or parts per million. TDS is acquired by taking the EC value and performing a calculation to determine the TDS value. Because TDS is actually a calculation it is really only a guess at what the nutrient concentration is. On top of that, there are three different conversion factors to determine TDS and different manufacturers use different conversion factors. In other words you could test the same solution with two different meters and get two totally different readings. But the EC is read the same by all meters the only difference is the conversion factor.

A seasoned grower can use the runoff PPM s/PH but it is going to be so foreign to a new grower as to be worthless. Just get a PH probe and test the PH in the root zone where it counts. Personally I never use run-off.

 

[Overkillbill]

I

A quick answer to why we should use EC instead of TDS
The debate over EC and TDS has been an ongoing issue for a long time. These two measurements are used to determine the strength of hydroponic solution. Although they are widely used they should only be used as a guideline and you should always follow mixing instructions on the label of you nutrient.
EC stands for Electrical Conductivity and is measured in mS/cm or millisiemens per centimeter. TDS stands for Total Dissolved Solids and is measured in PPM or parts per million. TDS is acquired by taking the EC value and performing a calculation to determine the TDS value. Because TDS is actually a calculation it is really only a guess at what the nutrient concentration is. On top of that, there are three different conversion factors to determine TDS and different manufacturers use different conversion factors. In other words you could test the same solution with two different meters and get two totally different readings. But the EC is read the same by all meters the only difference is the conversion factor.

A seasoned grower can use the runoff PPM s/PH but it is going to be so foreign to a new grower as to be worthless. Just get a PH probe and test the PH in the root zone where it counts. Personally I never use run-off.

Thanks! That answers my question perfectly. I cancelled my TDS and will look into an EC.
@Archaic
That’s good to hear from you. I’ve heard easy, I’ve heard hard. I’m going to run until waste, and I’ve heard that’s nice because if you mess something up it’s 12 or 24 hours.
@Fitzy
Okay thanks so much, that answers a lot of questions that I honestly couldn’t find. A lot of this is probably just be educated, but trial and error and trust your gut.

@420Forever

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

@Overkillbill do you feel like road kill . It is a steep curve to learn in the beginning. Relax, Breath Enjoy your plants they really are a weed and can grow by themselves or despite us.

 

[St. Tom]

well @Overkillbill i think you should have the info to get you started @Fitzy and @Archaic are both clued up this is what i love about afn people will come and help you as we all want is to grow some kick-arse weed

 

[LazyNhazy]

@Overkillbill I use this same light now, but mine uses the cobs for veg and both on flower. May I ask if yours is set to bloom or veg with blurple?

 

[Fitzy]

I

Thanks! That answers my question perfectly. I cancelled my TDS and will look into an EC.
@Archaic
That’s good to hear from you. I’ve heard easy, I’ve heard hard. I’m going to run until waste, and I’ve heard that’s nice because if you mess something up it’s 12 or 24 hours.
@Fitzy
Okay thanks so much, that answers a lot of questions that I honestly couldn’t find. A lot of this is probably just be educated, but trial and error and trust your gut.

@420Forever

Also the run off has to be wat u would think it's to much but u really do need to basicly flush the plant with ur nute solution every other day atleast and u want 15% to 30% run off to come out I bought a dish draining pan so I can test the run off ec and ph. Also get ur self some kelp it really helps the first 2wks it really helps them get a good start

 

[Overkillbill]

Alright everyone!!! Thanks so much, and I will update as it happens. Hopefully I can get them to sprout. I’m gonna need a heater because with the light off the tent gets too cold. There’s so much more than I though, or could have ever read. I’m excited to be part of the community. See you all soon!!
P.S. EC is ordered ❤
@LazyNhazy Almost certain it is vey for the red and blues. The cobs can’t go solo. Do you have a thread? I’d like to see how it’s doing for you

 

[Overkillbill]

@Overkillbill I use this same light now, but mine uses the cobs for veg and both on flower. May I ask if yours is set to bloom or veg with blurple?

 

[LazyNhazy]

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