Return to the Hydroponics Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
MY EC Meter readings
| | |
Posted by lynndion566 Florida (My Page) on Thu, Mar 26, 09 at 14:53
| Hi: I have a 138(II) Conductivity Tester and was wondering how to convert my readings to ppm or do I even need to do that? My DWC system with one tomato plant is reading PH of 6.5 and EC meter reading 1895....does this sound like a normal reading? Thanks for any help, new with hydroponics.Lynn |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: MY EC Meter readings
| | |
Looks OK. pH 6.5 is max for tomatoes,and 1895 is a bit high IMO.
Most meters can convert to ppm, but its an artificial measurement. The meters convert the EC reading to ppm by multiplying with a "fiddle factor".
Stick to EC. You'll get used to it quickly. |
RE: MY EC Meter readings
| | |
| EC numbers are like 0.8, 3.6 and so on. 1895 sounds more like a ppm measurement, and a pretty high one at that. That's like tomato or strawberry growing levels, with large hungry plants. First off we want to make sure what you're reading for concentration. Double-check the meter, the reading, and so on to make sure you're doing it right. If I'm right and that 1895 is ppm that's pretty strong but if the plants aren't getting burnt (so named because the leaves get the tips and/or edges "burned") don't worry about it. If it can handle that strength keep it up. You want to drop your pH down, though. I'd say to aim for high 5's, low 6's. Keep a close eye on the leaves, new growth and old growth. That's where you'll see problems first. |
RE: MY EC Meter readings
| | |
| Thanks for the info...plants growing well and look great. When should I change nutrient solution to a bloom and/or fruit solution? |
RE: MY EC Meter readings
| | |
IMO you should skip the bloom-formula. It has a highly reduced nitrate content in order to stress the plant enough to start flowering. I do this on my roses, but it's not really necessary on tomatoes etc, unless - of course - the flowers stay away for some reason.
In that case, switch to bloom and keep them on that until the flowers appear, and then go back to "Growing". Otherwise . . . skip the bloom and start with the fruiting-formula as soon as the fruits appear. |
RE: MY EC Meter readings
| | |
| Like greystroke says, I wouldn't "switch" to the flowering nutrients but it wouldn't hurt to mix some in. Take 25%-50% of what you've been using and replace it with flowering nutrients. That's just because most "grow" formulas are a little light on Potassium and Phosphorus, which plants generally need more of during fruiting. |
|
|
|
|
