[Bjorn to farm.]

I re-use my Sunshine #4 but first I spread it out on a sheet of plywood and dust it with agricultural lime.

[DRM Ranch]

Originally Posted by Snook

In my experience, silica raises PH.
I do not argue the point about adding it first but I'd think that one should know how much silica, added before anything else, will raise the PH initially and then the addition of the nutes should bring PH back down to the working PH required. Am I F'dUp?

Any time you can land on your plants desired pH without having to alter the nutrient mixture with pH up/down tends to be a good thing.

I wouldn't rely on silica alone to adjust pH upward in all cases, I tend to keep it within the brands suggested application rates. I use DynaGro ProTeKt and tend to stay between 1.25 and 2.5ml/gal in my drain to waste grow, your product may suggest another range for whatever grow style you are using.

Originally Posted by beta

It's my understanding that precipitation is only a problem with concentrated nutrients. Once they are mixed into the reservoir at working strength they are no longer in danger of precipitation.

If you run a reservoir and pump where you are topping off a system with freshly mixed nutrient solution...precipitation should not occur.

However...

When you are putting that top off mixture together silica should be first, followed by Calmag (if used), then base nutrients, then supplements, then pH the whole lot.

[Phases]

Thanks for the tip.

I was mixing my silica last for a while and notice it goes cloudy, now I know why.

I've got it down where I use bit of silica in RO water then calmag then base nutes and it usually is bang on 5.8-6.0 PH - love when don't have to adjust PH.

[moonymonkey]

ran into this one,if you apply a insecticide to shrub on one 1/4 side of the dirt the plant is in,does it only take up that stuff in those branches on that side? thats what came up at the nursey,when i ask about the application...just saying its about growing...

[moonymonkey]

anybody using recharge soil additive? I'm late for the party again..anyone?/moon/im like a walrus on a couch throw me some fish..lol

[Jellyfish]

If you're pretty well dialed in, only change one thing per run. That way you can see and control the results of your change.
For example, I changed my lights and my water at the same time. When I had problems, it was hard to diagnose and make adjustments.

[moonymonkey]

shake and feed now comes in organic or chemical feed@homedepoe...the recharge product suppose to less affected by chemicals....mooon/gota keep on moving...move,move,move...:pea cock:

[moonymonkey]

forgot to say the new shake an feed organic pellets slow release has worm castings,kelp,alfalfa....peace happy thanksgiving/wen she smiles its like the sun is shining.

[Snook]

a drop of locktite on any screw connections in your grow process.

I just walked in and the lights were out, before I could open the door, the light was back on??? I went in and the light went off.. 5 minute anxiety rush (day 75 Bloom) as it sorted itself out.. it was the light cord that screws to the fixture had worked itself loose. They say its easy but seems there is always a new way to fail.

[moonymonkey]

i agree on that big on ways to fall.i learned a lot of different methods to doing things saved my ass to many times always want to see what others are doing,the thing about is this there methods one of usually cures the problem,and you will always run into them while growing for me.just saying peace mm/