I will be using R/O water for my grow, as well as coco. I need to know how much cal-mag(2-0-0) to add to the water to buffer and also how much Dyna-Grow Pro Tekt silica (0-0-3). ---From what im reading, some people are saying to use the silica every other watering, but im not sure how much to use. --For the Cal-Mag, how much should I add to the R/O water to buffer? I think I should end up with a ppm of about 200ppm and I will be using approx. 10 gal a week.
cal-mg has no N-P-K ratio, and you def need more info like what medium are you using, size pots, strains, how much are you watering , how big are they? i hardly every reply due to the fact it can it sticky in here with opinons but i once found my self asking the same question, but dont be surprised if one of the growers snap on you for coming off like you didnt do any research hence why i choose to beat them to the punch , and be nicer about it...lol some people do 5ml every watering some people do more , some do less its all about reading the plants bro..
Cal mag does have an npk ratio. Botaincare cal mag is 2-0-0. Follow the directions for both cal mag and silica Sent from my XT1028 using Grasscity Forum mobile app
I appreciate the reply b hayes, but I believe I gave all relevant information to start with, I included what medium im using as well. And kill is right, It does have a N-P-K ratio. --Unfortunately killset, they have really vague directions, which is why I was asking for experiences of other growers, especially about buffering the water. --I have been doing plenty of research, but a great grower is always learning. . --Question still stands to others. What ratios do you use to buffer your RO water with Cal Mag for plants just starting out, nd how much silica used as well.
Well, here the tap water is 0,04 and 1ml of CalMg/litre gives me 0,4EC. If I add some silicon @1ml/ltr to that my EC is going to be about 0,8, so that leaves me a 0,4EC for my nutes. So I give CalMag every other feeding, and silicon the next.. It's been working fine so far.. I'm in coco too, btw..
I would agree with this, follow the directions on amounts per gallon. Cal/mag is around 5ml per gallon and the Pro Tekt recommends 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon. 1 teaspoon = 5ml so I usually do half a teaspoon per gallon max. Also very important - always well mix your silica into your plain water FIRST and before adding more nutrients or PH buffer. Since you are using RO water and growing in coco just keep an eye out for cal/mag deficiencies and up the cal/mag if needed.
instead of protek if you want a potassium silicate for way cheaper look into agsil 16h. Its a powdered concentrate that you mix your own. Its what I use. $20 worth of agsil will make 10x as much as $20 of protech.
I understand this and have experience with ro, cal mag, and potassium silicate or I wouldn't have commented.....follow the directions. There's no need to buffer the water. I add cal mag every time I water from the beginning. Ro is too clean. Potassium silicate once a week after the seedling stage. If you're nervous about it start w/ a smaller dose then recommended but you'll be fine. If I don't have a measuring device nearby I will just eye ball it on the high side and have never had an issue. If you follow the directions you're set. Sent from my XT1028 using Grasscity Forum mobile app
Adding potassium silicate to the reservoir first is necessary as the 8.0+ ph it will create will make calcium/nitrogen/phosphorus fall out of solution. Even a properly mixed rez that goes above 6.4 can cause to Si to fall out.. Depending on your genetics and fertilizing ratio you may very well need additional magnesium, calcium probably not so much (Unless its like a pure afghanica mabes). If you buy prebuffered coco (I prefer Canna in a bag) then you're good from the start. From a brick or reusing you will want to rinse with 200 ppm (.4 EC) calcium and magnesium nitrate..
gotcha paj and mando, and kesey! So add the Si first? -I am using canna coco, and I tested the pH nd all that and it looks good. Im mixing my tap water with my RO water to help buffer and improve the life, but that's just for the seedling stage, when im ready to give nutes im definitely going to use str8 RO with the cal mag in it. --How young do you recommend nutes in COCO? Ive been looking and it seems to vary from grower to grower(side Note, I think I fucked up BIGTIME, check out my new thread in Absolute Beginners)
Yup, add the Si first. I've yet to need Cal/Mag so far with my new genetics, I instead supplement 1 gram of epsom salt per gallon of water to add additional magnesium (especially since nearly all base formulas have enough calcium to begin with). Not to say you may not here and there, but it won't be mandatory in your regiment most likely. I've found that MagiCal is the best CalMag (2 forms of calcium + magnesium nitrate) and should you ever need the calcium you could go 2 ml per gallon + .5 gram of epsom and still hit the magnesium ratio plus the additional calcium. I start feedling seedlings full strength on their first true leaf set, sometimes get an ever so slight burn, but that's kinda the nature of inorganic salt fertilizers.
thank you for the info man. Will definitely take into consideration. I do have Epsom salt lying around, I wonder if its usuable... --I think I might start feeding my seedlings soon, they seem to have stalled from the transfer. One is dying I think, leaves looking burned or something.
If you haven't been feeding then it's impossible to burn . If you wanna start em low aim for like 450-500 PPM (.9 - 1.0 EC). Got any pics?
here are pics taken the 15th in the morning(1st ones burned). they most have the 2nd set of leaves now, and the 3rd can be seen growing in. all are 10 days old. -MJ6 is one of the biggest, growing faster than the rest. --All in all, the majority seem to be a lighter shade of green than the rest, almost yellowing as you can see. I think it might be because im using coco and 50/50 RO/Tap water right now. Im mixing it with the tap because I don't want to start nutes yet. _--BTW, when do you start counting the age of your plants, when the seeds germinate and pop up or after the first true leaves are up?
just thought id let you guys know, im going to be adding silica now . Gonna start with 2ml/g silica, my plants can take around 400ppm so far, so hopefully they don't burn with the addition of the silica After you guys add your silica, yu add your cal mag as well? I was thinking of alternating the cal mag and silica in feedings. One feed will have cal mag, the next silica, then a plain water feed, and nothing for a day. Or I could do cal mag every feeding, and silica once a week Or cal mag one week, then silica one week. Which would you recommend?
I just received both calimagic and silica Today, curious if you have found a solution on mixing them...I'm also using FF trio. What methods are you using this far and are they working? Sent from my iPhone using Grasscity Forum mobile app
Ive been alternating with cal mag and silica. Once a week ill feed with the silica+Calmag, adding the silica first, then the cal mag. But I have since stopped the silica feeding, I seem to be having problems, yellowing and such, cant figure it out. Just make sure you mix the silica first.