Mixing Nutes. Is There a Proper Order? - Nutrients and Fertilizers - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

PetFlora · 03-18-2010, 08:42 PM

I'm an aero-grower, but this applies to all hydro growers, though I feel as though aero is much more sensitive to slight variations.

My water chemistry days (selling commercial pool services) made me hugely aware of the importance of calcium for water balance. If you ever see spots on marcite that look like something has been eating at it, it is caused by a calcium deficiency that the pool water is attempting to correct, seeking a balance with it's container.

Studying numerous nutrient threads, I have never seen one with my topic, though I have seen references within other thread topics as to the order of mixing nutes.

Is there a difference? Time to find out.

I use RO water with an average ph 6.0, <10ppm

Recalling what I know about CA from my pool days, the first thing I add is calcium/magnesium (Cal-Mg+), knowing the rest of nutes/additives are acidic. Do acids prefer to be mixed with acids or added to a base?

I mix my nutes 200-300 in veg, and 600-800 ppms from late veg - mid bloom, with about 3 weeks left, I bumped them to slightly over 1000.

In veg- my mix was 5.8-6.0 without up/down
In bloom- 4.6-5.90, the higher number was when I cranked the P with Bat Guano (0-7-0) in early bloom.

I mixed up 6 gallons for tomorrow's nute change, and decided to add Ca-Mg+ last. No perceptible difference that I can see.

So any of you anal types you can put this to rest, at least as it relates to a hydro reservoir. And FYI- do not recyle your nutes back to your res once you flip to 12/12.

Admiral Canna · 03-18-2010, 09:48 PM

I am not a hydro grower, but I am interested in your thread for sure. I'll def be watching as it is an excellent question.

One thing I do know is you never add 5 kinds of nutes all at once. Ya gotta add one, then stir a bit, and so on. If certain elements meet other elements, they can react and transform to something undesirable.

Anywho.....back to reading.

Biatchzxz · 03-19-2010, 05:15 AM

I believe your supposed to mix the Micro Nutes first before anything to prevent nute lockout but also depending on what your using......

Dr.Dank · 03-19-2010, 05:23 AM

YES micro nutrients before anything never mix liquids together always do it on the rez and your golden.

03-19-2010, 01:03 PM

I've always went by the manufacturer's (GH) recommendation of mixing the Micro first...

FreezerBoy · 03-19-2010, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Dank

never mix liquids together always do it on the rez and your golden.

Some asshat tried that in my tub and screwed me somethin' awful. Unfortunately, I'm the only one with access so, the asshat must've been me. But, I'll never tell...

Oh, yeah, Micro first, pH control last.

humble1 · 03-19-2010, 07:19 PM

what if you're running a two part nute?
you would think that the bottles are labeled "a" and "b" for a reason.
But I read a Max Yield column somewhere that said you should mix the "b" into the water first, because it's usually the more acidic one, and then "a" and then additives. I believe the author advised this because he claimed it would lead to less of a pH swing. Any one else with an opinion about two part?

Biatchzxz · 03-19-2010, 09:19 PM

Wats up everyone. Ok what you could do is just get a gallon jug. And mix in your B first shake it up the mix your A. Shake it up and do the same with the rest. Then just pour that into your rez like that. That's how I did when I used buckets. Honestly that's personally the best way to do it especially when using 2 part or 3 part nutes. I was doing that for a bit. Then few years later spoke to a rep of one of the nute companys and they concured that's the way it should be done. Or if you reall want just use 2 seperate 1 gallon jugs and mix A + B seperately if you want to be sure.

Edit -The possibilities are endless but yeah the 2 part nutes some of them aren't really labeled the greatest ,but I understand the concerns believe me I still worry about that shit for no reason. I use the sensi 2 part by an and or the Master AB from humboldt and they both work great my opinion. Just make sure there mixed in water properly first. The point is NEVER MIX liquid in there concetrated state (ie..adding in straight from the bottle where both liquids hit each other and is overload) it just needs to be mixed in the water properly before adding your next step. I'm sorry if I sound retarded just a lil Diesel'd
out "

anyway that's my

PetFlora · 03-21-2010, 08:34 PM

Yes, first the amount of RO water- in my casse 6 gallons

I can't argue with adding micros first, but don't know if it makes a dif.

I add each nute separately, mix thoroughly, check ppms, then add the next, and so on...

pH balance only at the very end

toohighmf · 03-22-2010, 01:10 AM

If you use R.O water that is stripped of everything, it needs to be replenished of the good trace elements that make water healthy to begin with. iron, calcium, magnesium, etc. I always mix it in first as it is nothing but what would be found in healthy water before pollution. once the water is filtered and replenished, it is ready for micro. add silicates last.
pretty simple.

03-18-2010, 08:42 PM	#1
PetFlora Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5,294	Mixing Nutes. Is There a Proper Order? I'm an aero-grower, but this applies to all hydro growers, though I feel as though aero is much more sensitive to slight variations. My water chemistry days (selling commercial pool services) made me hugely aware of the importance of calcium for water balance. If you ever see spots on marcite that look like something has been eating at it, it is caused by a calcium deficiency that the pool water is attempting to correct, seeking a balance with it's container. Studying numerous nutrient threads, I have never seen one with my topic, though I have seen references within other thread topics as to the order of mixing nutes. Is there a difference? Time to find out. I use RO water with an average ph 6.0, <10ppm Recalling what I know about CA from my pool days, the first thing I add is calcium/magnesium (Cal-Mg+), knowing the rest of nutes/additives are acidic. Do acids prefer to be mixed with acids or added to a base? I mix my nutes 200-300 in veg, and 600-800 ppms from late veg - mid bloom, with about 3 weeks left, I bumped them to slightly over 1000. In veg- my mix was 5.8-6.0 without up/down In bloom- 4.6-5.90, the higher number was when I cranked the P with Bat Guano (0-7-0) in early bloom. I mixed up 6 gallons for tomorrow's nute change, and decided to add Ca-Mg+ last. No perceptible difference that I can see. So any of you anal types you can put this to rest, at least as it relates to a hydro reservoir. And FYI- do not recyle your nutes back to your res once you flip to 12/12. __________________ Hail Hydro 2.0: New Beginnings https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=342785 https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=329619 *Just because you weren't taught something doesn't mean it's not true, and vice versa*
	Quote

03-18-2010, 09:48 PM	#2
Admiral Canna Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 464	I am not a hydro grower, but I am interested in your thread for sure. I'll def be watching as it is an excellent question. One thing I do know is you never add 5 kinds of nutes all at once. Ya gotta add one, then stir a bit, and so on. If certain elements meet other elements, they can react and transform to something undesirable. Anywho.....back to reading. __________________ Genetics are the key.
	Quote

03-19-2010, 05:23 AM	#4
Dr.Dank Cannabis 101 Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1,695	YES micro nutrients before anything never mix liquids together always do it on the rez and your golden. __________________ I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees Dr.dank
	Quote

03-21-2010, 08:34 PM	#9
PetFlora Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5,294	Yes, first the amount of RO water- in my casse 6 gallons I can't argue with adding micros first, but don't know if it makes a dif. I add each nute separately, mix thoroughly, check ppms, then add the next, and so on... pH balance only at the very end __________________ Hail Hydro 2.0: New Beginnings https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=342785 https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=329619 *Just because you weren't taught something doesn't mean it's not true, and vice versa*
	Quote

03-19-2010, 05:15 AM	#3
Biatchzxz Where am I? Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Been tryin to figure that out myself for years Posts: 1,315	I believe your supposed to mix the Micro Nutes first before anything to prevent nute lockout but also depending on what your using......
	Quote

03-19-2010, 01:03 PM	#5
Guest 18340 Guest Posts: n/a	I've always went by the manufacturer's (GH) recommendation of mixing the Micro first...
	Quote

03-19-2010, 09:19 PM	#8
Biatchzxz Where am I? Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Been tryin to figure that out myself for years Posts: 1,315	Wats up everyone. Ok what you could do is just get a gallon jug. And mix in your B first shake it up the mix your A. Shake it up and do the same with the rest. Then just pour that into your rez like that. That's how I did when I used buckets. Honestly that's personally the best way to do it especially when using 2 part or 3 part nutes. I was doing that for a bit. Then few years later spoke to a rep of one of the nute companys and they concured that's the way it should be done. Or if you reall want just use 2 seperate 1 gallon jugs and mix A + B seperately if you want to be sure. Edit -The possibilities are endless but yeah the 2 part nutes some of them aren't really labeled the greatest ,but I understand the concerns believe me I still worry about that shit for no reason. I use the sensi 2 part by an and or the Master AB from humboldt and they both work great my opinion. Just make sure there mixed in water properly first. The point is NEVER MIX liquid in there concetrated state (ie..adding in straight from the bottle where both liquids hit each other and is overload) it just needs to be mixed in the water properly before adding your next step. I'm sorry if I sound retarded just a lil Diesel'd out " anyway that's my
	Quote

03-22-2010, 01:10 AM	#10
toohighmf Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: on a couch Posts: 2,340	If you use R.O water that is stripped of everything, it needs to be replenished of the good trace elements that make water healthy to begin with. iron, calcium, magnesium, etc. I always mix it in first as it is nothing but what would be found in healthy water before pollution. once the water is filtered and replenished, it is ready for micro. add silicates last. pretty simple.
	Quote