Hi @Deano3
As the tank was started with Amazonia soil went with ADA’s fert system for the first few (2-3) months to give it a fair run. That’s just potassium and micros basically as you probably know. Theoretically nitrate is primarily located in the soil in massive amounts and phosphate is high in the tap water here due to agricultural practices anyway, so they’re omitted from liquid ferts during the startup phase. I had to be out the country in that period as well so easiest thing to ask someone else to do is pump two bottles once a day. Yes expensive water but a part of a proven system that is fool proof in my absence.
Switched to EI but omitted phosphate, plant growth went ballistic so went back to the remaining ADA ferts for a while until any deficiencies showed up. Restricting nitrate and iron under high light will colour up the plants temporarily but wouldn’t say it’s a good long term plan.
Now the soil is leaning out and it’s CEC has dropped it’s time for full EI for more rapid growth and lots of pruning.
As the tank was started with Amazonia soil went with ADA’s fert system for the first few (2-3) months to give it a fair run. That’s just potassium and micros basically as you probably know. Theoretically nitrate is primarily located in the soil in massive amounts and phosphate is high in the tap water here due to agricultural practices anyway, so they’re omitted from liquid ferts during the startup phase. I had to be out the country in that period as well so easiest thing to ask someone else to do is pump two bottles once a day. Yes expensive water but a part of a proven system that is fool proof in my absence.
Switched to EI but omitted phosphate, plant growth went ballistic so went back to the remaining ADA ferts for a while until any deficiencies showed up. Restricting nitrate and iron under high light will colour up the plants temporarily but wouldn’t say it’s a good long term plan.
Now the soil is leaning out and it’s CEC has dropped it’s time for full EI for more rapid growth and lots of pruning.