Ok so ive been reading up and down the cultivation section before i finish up my DWC set up and take off into the wonderful world of growing...one thing that i still seem to be having trouble grasping is the whole parts per million PPM thing. What is an average PPM for a 5 gallon DWC plant, what is too high too low etc? Also, what are some good meters to test? the local hydro store near me has a few, just wanted to get some more tips before investing.

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If your ppm is “400" to start and it go`s down to “200" it`s to weak !
if it`s “400" and stay`s “400" for some time it`s ok !
if it`s “400" and go`s up to say “600" it`s to high !
Start of low at say 200 - 400 ppm and just add moor if it drops over time
the ppm is FOR YOUR BASE N.P.K ONLY ! ! !

Appropriate ppm level depends on what nutrient you're running- fer instance, GH flora is solid @ 800 ppm, Pure Blend you can push up into 1500+, but Cornicopia will be turning stuff crispy @ 600 ppm. Choose a nute system, mix some up, take a reading- there's your baseline.

I like the Oaktons and, of course, the truncheon.

do nutrients usually come with a proper PPM level on the bottle etc? or is it more trial and testing?

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So, was chillin with and they were .Where is the ? said to .They did a little for some $, bought some . and pack a ,, and . After gettin real , they and

As a rule they will, or the approximate #'s they expect will be on their website.
I often find recommended dosages to be a little high.

yeah i agree with rhizome recommended dosages on website charts are usually a little to high i dont know about other nutes but with advanced nutrients ive had very skilled grower tell me never to take it any higher than 1050ppms max in HYDRO unless you really really know your strain

alrighty well thanks for the answers fellas.....also without a meter(due to lack of finance at the moment), is it still possible to go hydro, just kind of do 2/3 3/4th strength nutrients and know your signs on the plant for what is wrong? i have a well collected folder of information that i can refer to for almost any problem(gotta love reading), so i feel without a meter i could still achieve a successful first grow and first hydro.....and im also saving up as much as i can to get a meter asap heh.

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So, was chillin with and they were .Where is the ? said to .They did a little for some $, bought some . and pack a ,, and . After gettin real , they and

Ye you do not need the tds/ec just get a ph meter !
I did a grow whit no tds meter....but you have to know the ph

The ppm is a good place to start at, starting low and working upl
It takes the plant 3 days to let you know its doing good. I usualy run about 1500 that includes the background. I go for a 1/8 inch leaftip burn. That maximizes the TOTAL power. Cumming up to bloom I start backing it down to 1200 a week than 1000 over background
Background is what you get out of the tap water.
If at any time you plants look goofie/birnt flush the hell out of them and start over.