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In hydroponics, or soil, water control is essential.

In hydroponics, many controls are essential to the good development of your plants. A pH tester is used to assess the acidity of the soil and the nutrient solution. An EC tester measures the level of fertilizer in the solution. A hygrometer is used to evaluate the moisture content.

pH = HYDROGEN POTENTIAL

The hydrogen (or pH) potential measures the chemical activity of hydrogen ions (H +) in solution. More commonly, pH measures the acidity or basicity of a solution. It is important to monitor it because it plays a determining role in the availability of the nutrients that the plant needs to assimilate.
The pH is measured on a scale of 0 to 14; 7 being neutral. It is essential to control it in the context of a cultivation in soil or in hydroponics since it optimizes the assimilation of the nutrients by the roots. A pH metermakes it possible to measure the pH of a nutrient solution while taking into account the slight acidity of the fertilizers and additives employed. PH is controlled by means of pH regulators: a solution of pH down (acidifying water) and a pH up (liquid making the water more alkaline or basic). On a clay crop, watering water is established at pH values of 6.2 to 6.4 in growth and 6.6 to 7.0 in bloom. More acidic in hydroponic medium, the pH of the water is 5.6 to 6.4 in growth and 6.0 to 6.5 in bloom. Check the pH every two days.
Thus, in an aqueous medium at 25 ° C., a solution with a pH of
less than 7 is acidic (a);
* greater than 7 is basic (b.);
* equal to 7 is neutral (n.).

ph metre2.jpg

EC = ELECTRO CONDUCTIVITY

An Ec tester is used to measure the mineral content of the nutrient solution, which can be measured by its electroconductivity. Pure water (like rainwater) or distilled water does not drive electricity. The addition of salts is the only way to make the water conductive. Fertilizers that are poured into the nutrient solution increase its electroconductivity. Testing the EC on a daily basis is therefore essential if you want to know whether or not to add fertilizer.

Measurement and dosage

When EC increases, this means that the plant has consumed more water than fertilizer. It is therefore necessary to lower the EC by adding water. Conversely, an EC that is too low indicates a lack of fertilizer in the solution. Check EConce a day allows the cycles of the plant to run smoothly. Generally, EC measurements range from 0.8 to 1.4 during the vegetative stage and from 1.4 to 1.6 during pre-bloom to 1.6-2.2 (culminating at 2, 6) according to the development of plants. The minerals present in the fertilizers emit an electric current that the EC-meter quantifies. As the nutritional requirements of plants increase, the level of EC increases proportionally. Moreover, the acceleration of the metabolism (light radiation important in relation to the surface to be illuminated, enrichment to the CO² ...) of the plant requires a follow-up accordingly of the values of EC. An EC meter indicates the general value of imperfections and minerals contained in water, without specifying specifically the concentration of macronutrients (N, P, K) and micronutrients (Ca, Mg, S, Cu ...) diluted in water. The nutrient solution and water from the hydroponic tanks must be changed once a week to properly renew the macronutrients and micronutrients. In hydroponics, many controls are essential to the good development of your plants. A pH tester is used to assess the acidity of the soil and the nutrient solution. An EC tester measures the level of fertilizer in the solution. A hygrometer is used to evaluate the moisture content. A pH tester is used to assess the acidity of the soil and the nutrient solution. An EC tester measures the level of fertilizer in the solution. A hygrometer is used to evaluate the moisture content. A pH tester is used to assess the acidity of the soil and the nutrient solution. An EC tester measures the level of fertilizer in the solution. A hygrometer is used to evaluate the moisture content.

* nitrogen / phosphorus / potassium / calcium / magnesium / iron / manganese / boron / zinc / copper

TDS (Total Dissolved Solids)

Determines the total amount of mobile charged ions, including minerals, salts, metals, cations or anions dissolved in water. It includes everything that is present in water, except for the pure water molecule (H2O) and suspended solids . The lower the TDS level, the purer the water.

Fertilizers

In soil, testing the CW of the water that has passed through the pots is of interest to prevent possible over-fertilization of nutrient salts accumulated around the roots due to poor drainage. If this is the case, rinse the soil with pH-adjusted water, or with an enzymatic solution (living bacteria decomposing dead roots and nutrient salts to make them assimilable by roots). The EC measurement is temperature sensitive. The quality testers are equipped with an ATC = thermal, manual or automatic compensation system. Considering the temperature is essential to get a relevant measure. The temperature of the nutrient solution should be the same as in the tank.

Interview

EC testers have a lifetime that depends on the maintenance they receive. After each use, keep the probe moist and clean at all times. If the probe is corroded, the readings are no longer reliable. You must then buy a probe or a tester. It is best to check the EC of your tap water, nutrient solution and drainage water that runs out of the culture support daily.