Organic Jim Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 (edited) Hello chaps, I'm about to embark on a journey into the world of hydroponics via the medium of coir. Now, I have a few questions which I can't seem to find answers for and wondered if you buffs out there could help me before I part with my hard-earned. I think I've decided on Vitalink Coir nutrients, So... Question 1) Do I need the planstart baby food, or should I spend out on root boosters instead? (can 1/4 strength grow nutrient be used instead of planstart) Question 2) Do I need such things as Plant magic Granules or Trichoderma powder? Question 3) Is an EC Meter totally necessary or can I manage without one? I'm sure there will be many more to come, I'll start a diary when my Iced Grapefruit seeds arrive. Thanks for any and all pointers, Regards, Jim Edited January 6, 2010 by Organic Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owderb Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 1. You dont need it mate if you dont want it, up to you 2. Once again not essential 3. IMO the most important tool for hydro but yes you can manage without one For newcomers to hydro I will always recommend a ph and ec pen I use mine always Owd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Organic Jim Posted January 8, 2010 Author Share Posted January 8, 2010 (edited) Thanks Owd, that's good to know, I'll definately need those electronic gizmos. I've opted for no baby food, and I have to wait a while before I start as my seeds are still coming, so I'll take some deciding time on the other potions. Anyone else have advice on coco essentials for a first timer? Cheers all, Jim. Edited January 8, 2010 by Organic Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Organic Jim Posted January 12, 2010 Author Share Posted January 12, 2010 (edited) I'm almost ready to go with my nutrient/electronics order, seeds are here and are calling to me from the fridge. Next question folks..... regarding ec/ ph pens..What's calibration fluid and do I have to buy that as well? edit. I may need pH up/ down as well what do you all think? Edited January 12, 2010 by Organic Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Poacher Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 alright Jim calibration fluid for your ec/ph meters is essential to keep them reading accuratly as they can end up under/over reading. I have always calibrated mine once every fortnight if im using them 2-3 times a week, more frequent use needs weekly calibration. as for ph up/down depending on your ph out the tap and type of nutrients you may need both. One bottle will last YEARS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Organic Jim Posted January 12, 2010 Author Share Posted January 12, 2010 alright Jim calibration fluid for your ec/ph meters is essential to keep them reading accuratly as they can end up under/over reading. I have always calibrated mine once every fortnight if im using them 2-3 times a week, more frequent use needs weekly calibration. as for ph up/down depending on your ph out the tap and type of nutrients you may need both. One bottle will last YEARS! Righto mate, thanks for your helpful help. Time to finalise that order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Organic Jim Posted January 12, 2010 Author Share Posted January 12, 2010 Shit. Looking at the bill now, what started out as a nice £30-£40 coco startup has turned into near enough £100 with ec/ph pens, ph up, ph down, ph calibration in 2 parts and ec calibration in 2 parts. I thought this was supposed to be a simple grow! Can somebody help with all these potions?! why the 2 seperate calibration fluids? I'm lost and I haven't even started yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Poacher Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 hey Jim, you should really only need one calibration fluid for each meter. what brand of ph/ec pens you using? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Organic Jim Posted January 13, 2010 Author Share Posted January 13, 2010 hey Jim, you should really only need one calibration fluid for each meter. what brand of ph/ec pens you using? Hi mate, I'm looking at the fast-tech ones from Greens, I don't have them yet, as I'm still saving me pennies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 You could make do without the calibration fluid and ph up for now, just get some later on. I've never had to use ph up and my ph pens give good reading for quite a long time. ph pen and ec truncheon and ph down would be my main things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Organic Jim Posted January 15, 2010 Author Share Posted January 15, 2010 You could make do without the calibration fluid and ph up for now, just get some later on. I've never had to use ph up and my ph pens give good reading for quite a long time. ph pen and ec truncheon and ph down would be my main things. Hi Ben, thanks for that. Being new to this all advice is welcome, but do I really not need calibration fluid? I'd have thought to get it right that's the one thing I would need. Help mate! Being brand new are the pens good to go? Cheers, Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Hippy Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 Hiya Jim In your position of being new to hydro i would recommend getting things right from the start,its a lot less forgiving growing style than soil. Check your new pens with the calibration fluid,now you know for sure this part of your grow will be correct and cause you less probs further on. Take care and do not let all this stuff confuse you peace HH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Organic Jim Posted January 15, 2010 Author Share Posted January 15, 2010 Hiya JimIn your position of being new to hydro i would recommend getting things right from the start,its a lot less forgiving growing style than soil. Check your new pens with the calibration fluid,now you know for sure this part of your grow will be correct and cause you less probs further on. Take care and do not let all this stuff confuse you peace HH Hello Happy Hippy, Thank you very much I'm looking forward to just measuring and pouring rather than guessing all the time! I'm pretty sure I've got my basic Kit together on my shopping list. it goes... (I've already got 1/2 a sack of Canna Coco) Vitalink grow 1litre Fastech ph pen Fastech ec pen ph up ph down the hunt for information continues as I've got about a week before I can place the order. So there's ph buffer 4 and ph buffer 7 to calibrate the ph pen, and there's ec 1.43 and ec 2.76 to calibrate the ec pen. Can anyone tell me what this means please?? Maybe I should email Green's but the cynic in me says they'll tell me to buy the lot. Thanks again kind peoples Not really Organic anymore Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisesq Posted January 15, 2010 Share Posted January 15, 2010 (edited) the hunt for information continues as I've got about a week before I can place the order.So there's ph buffer 4 and ph buffer 7 to calibrate the ph pen, and there's ec 1.43 and ec 2.76 to calibrate the ec pen. Can anyone tell me what this means please?? Maybe I should email Green's but the cynic in me says they'll tell me to buy the lot. Thanks again kind peoples Not really Organic anymore Jim Your ph pen will need calibrating on a regular basis to make sure the pen is reading accurately. The calibration process will be detailed in the instructions but basically when you the pen should read 4 if you put it in buffer 4 solution. If not, the pen is adjusted until it reads 4. You must adjust the pen to the solution. The process is repeated with the buffer 7. You now have a pen that is accurate to two pints and ready to use. The principle is the same for the ec meter. I hope I haven't confused you further. Edited January 15, 2010 by chrisesq Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Organic Jim Posted January 16, 2010 Author Share Posted January 16, 2010 Your ph pen will need calibrating on a regular basis to make sure the pen is reading accurately. The calibration process will be detailed in the instructions but basically when you the pen should read 4 if you put it in buffer 4 solution. If not, the pen is adjusted until it reads 4. You must adjust the pen to the solution. The process is repeated with the buffer 7. You now have a pen that is accurate to two pints and ready to use.The principle is the same for the ec meter. I hope I haven't confused you further. Cheers chrisesq, that has cleared me up nicely! I know what I need to order now. All of it! >(sound of piggy bank smashing)< Right then... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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