Necessary to monitor EC without a rez?

[partcleguy]

Simple question (I think lol)- like the title says if you're hand-watering and don't have a rez, is it necessary to monitor your EC?

I'll be running Canna A+B and other additives using well water. I was originally gonna spring for a Hanna HI98312 combo meter but read too many bad reviews about it. Now I would rather save some money if possible and just get a good Bluelab or Milwaukee ph meter.

Can't I just follow the Canna nute schedule and watch the plants?

 

[emerald city]

Once your dialed in you can get away with out useing the ec meter to much BUT..Say your growing in promix and dont water to leach...Your ec/ppm get get way outa wack if your not paying attention[test once in a while]
my 2c E.C/out

 

[resinryder]

You can just watch the plants. But how will you handle it if you over nute them and burn them up? Especially later on if using any type of bloom enhancer which will rock the EC very high? Additives change ec levels too.
The Bluelab meter is the best I've used. Have had one for 3 or 4 years now and haven't had any problems. Little things that you wouldn't think would make a difference sometimes do.
Just my 2 pennies worth.

 

[partcleguy]

Thanks for the tips! Resinryder- do you have a combo bluelab meter? If so what kind? Wish this stuff was cheaper but I know its important...

 

[dunkydunk]

If you're hand watering, you still have a rez, it's just the can in your hand. The bluelab combo meter is the best meter I've used so far. Even if you have things dialed in, you still want to be able to check and make sure.

 

[Japanfreakier]

The only thing I'd want a E.C. meter for in your case is to test the well water. Other than that you will never need it, in fact I think you'll be a better grower without one if you learn to look at your plants and let their health tell you if they need more or less food.

If you buy one the chances are you'll stop using it within a year.

 

[inreplyavalon]

I just checked the runoff bucket just for the hell of it. I know, I know, runoff EC doesnt matter in coco. I have been adding food to two trays of VERY hungry plants all grow. Started at 1.5 EC and ended up feeding them 2.5 during growth spurts.
The Runoff EC was 3.8. Plants looked relatively healthy and happy, if not a little hungry...so folks it really doesnt matter what comes out, but i do check what goes in.

 

[robbiedublu]

The only thing I'd want a E.C. meter for in your case is to test the well water. Other than that you will never need it, in fact I think you'll be a better grower without one if you learn to look at your plants and let their health tell you if they need more or less food.

If you buy one the chances are you'll stop using it within a year.

I totally agree with this. You do need to know what you're starting with but after that you don't need one. Just following the canna recommendations and cheat a bit to the low side at first until you get a feel for what your plants can handle.

 

[greenqueen13]

I agree with Japan too, I do hydro, coco and soil and have great results without a tds meter. If you're hand watering you always know whats in your jug..so there's no need to test. Unless you want to start testing runoff if there's a big problem or testing your tap I don't see the need.

 

[partcleguy]

Ok thanks guys! I think I might skip it for now because there's a hydro shop nearby in town I could go to to pick up an EC/TDS meter if I had an emergency. I'll just keep a close eye on my ladies

 

[Bob-Hope]

personally in your case, i think you must have an E C meter.

How will you no, what the E C value of your well water will be.

As your water comes from a well will it not fluctuate??? ( E c Value )

Is it not better to prevent, rather than cure any problems you may encounter.

You will probably spend $200+ on your grow.

Is a $15 E.C pen of evilbay too much to spend????

imo i dont think it is, and i too have to agree with resinryder, for what they cost it does no harm to have one.

Bob

 

[Grimr3efer]

I have the hanna combo meter and love it. My plants thank me for it daily.

 

[Japanfreakier]

I have the hanna combo meter and love it. My plants thank me for it daily.

I bet you don't hand water

 

[emerald city]

I bet you don't hand water

I hand water and wouldnt be caught with out my hanna meter....The ability to do a monthly runoff test helps take the guess work outa life...I aslo have well water which changes that i like to keep track of.....The more presise info the better...Just another tool of the trade and more usefull then most of the additives hydro stores are selling for top dollar...E.C/out

 

[Japanfreakier]

I mean I know you like knowing what's going into your water but what has it meant in your garden? Have you changed anything based on the readings you're getting?

Back when I used my meter my tap water would fluctuate up to 50 points but I never actually lowered my feeding to compensate. How big of a swing can well water have?

 

[partcleguy]

Ok, so why do I need to check my water EC? If its hard, its hard. Can't I just go by the suggested canna feeding schedule (starting out at like 50% of course)?

Do other coco growers here check their EC every time they handwater? If I have hard water does that mean I have to add more fertilizer to achieve the same effect because the calcium/magnesium in the water competes for absorption by the roots?

 

[Japanfreakier]

Somebody can chip in but I know GH makes a version for use with hard water so maybe canna does as well, but you're right you can start low and gradually increase it.

 

[resinryder]

Thanks for the tips! Resinryder- do you have a combo bluelab meter? If so what kind? Wish this stuff was cheaper but I know its important...

Sorry bout that. I misposted,(<maybe that can be a new internet word to be added to Websters, hehe) Don't know why the hell I related the Blue Lab with the Truncheon. Stoned posting I guess.
I have a Truncheon meter that reads in EC, CF, and PPM.
I LOVE this Truncheon meter. Have been using it for about 5 years with NO PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER. Just change the batteries once a year.
I used to have a Hanna Combo meter that after a year or so started giving me erratic readings and finally quit working. The Truncheon made growing so much easier. Just dip, read, rinse.So sorry for the misposting.
Seems the more options on a meter the quicker they fail, at least that's been my experience.


Edited to add-I have to use RO water. My EC out the tap is .7 or around 500ppm. So using the meter take the guess work out of what I have to add. I like the control of what I'm feeding.
Just some stoned rambling adding 2 cent worth, hehe
Also the main reason I use the meter. Sometimes nute companies change their formulations. Making them from different stuff that makes them stronger or weaker. If you plant starts experiencing a problem you can use the meter to read the runoff to see if there is a nute buildup in the medium. So it's a 2 part thing for me. ZDosage indicator(because my nute usage changes with the size rez I use) and problem identification in the runoff when things don't look right.
Some say no need for a meter. Hey that's cool. Do what works for you. But...if you did have the meter and found that raising your nutes/gallon made the difference between half and oz to more, wouldn't you pay for the meter with your first half oz over the usual yield?
Now, if using organics, that wouldn't apply, mostly. Look at the companies that claim to be totally organic. Use what they recommend and your ec is perfect for burning the girl up. I'know what I add. When to much is there and when there's not enough. I get maium yield at the rates I feed. Not all strains react in my system to the same nute level.
For example. I feed the Chems at 1.8 EC. If I used the same amount for the Catpiss it would burn em up. So they get 1.4 to 1.5 EC max. Just seem to yield better in that range for me. If I could use the same amount of nute all the time I woldn't need the meter, but when nute requirements are different form table to table, or pot to pot, it's nice to know where my levels need to be.
But that's just my opinion.
Have a great week.rr

 

[partcleguy]

I've ended up going with a Milwaukee MW802 that does pH and EC no problem. I hear nothing bad about them!

 

[freeride high]

beware using well water, you most likely will get nutrient lockout issues.