FAQ

General Questions

What is hydroponics?

In practice all this really means is all the nutrient minerals that a plant needs to live and grow are added to the water in the form of a complete nutrient package. This effectively means that all of the plants nutritional requirements are met by the introduction of water based feed rather than from the rooting media.

Is growing in hydroponics easy?

There are hydroponic systems tailored to every level of ability, each one capable of delivering great results. We are on hand to answer any questions you may have, so please call us.

What is NFT?

NFT stands for Nutrient Film Technique. These recirculation hydroponic systems consist of growing channels or trays over which the nutrient solution is constantly pumped across, creating a nutrient film into which the roots grow.

What is Ebb & Flow?

Sometimes known as flood &l drain, ebb & flow systems periodically flood the entire root zone with nutrient solution before it dries out. This is done with a timer on a pump from a main nutrient tank usually located directly below the flood tray.

What is a Run-to-Waste system?

As opposed to a recirculation system, run-to-waste systems do not run the nutrient solution back to a main tank after circulation. The nutrient solution is used once and collected in a separate tank never to be used again. 10% run-off is sufficient for good results.

What is a recirculation system?

As opposed to a run-to-waste system, the nutrient solution is returned to a main nutrient tank for recirculation.

Nutrient & Management

How do I know whether to use hard or soft water feed?

In hydroponics hard water feeds should only be used for very hard water generally with a pH above 7.8. Soft water feed should be used in all other cases and the water will need to be pH adjusted with either nitric or phosphoric acid.

Why do I need to test my pH?

When growing hydroponically, the nutrients are more available to the plants if the pH is between a range of 5.4-6.7

Should I use Nitric acid or Phosphoric acid for adjusting my pH?

This is your choice. It's just another option for you. Generally, Nitric acid is used in the vegetative stage and phosphoric in the flowering stage. We are on hand to offer any advice or practical help you may need.

How often should I change my nutrient solution in my hydroponic system?

When the plants are young, around every 2 weeks is the optimum time. With small nutrient tanks you may want to do it more often. When the plants are bigger, so consuming more nutrients you should change the solution every week to ensure optimum results.

Should I adjust my pH every day?

In recirculation systems (NFT, Flood & Drain) the pH will fluctuate on a daily basis. This is normal. Do not adjust the pH every day, rather every two or three days to avoid build-up of phosphoric acid in the system

What is the best way of introducing oxygen?

Both the use of oxy-plus and air pumps and air stones are good ways of introducing oxygen. Use of air stones will also help keep the nutrient solution moving maintaining consistency and reducing stagnant water.

Do I need a nutrient heater?

These can be useful, especially in the colder months. They will prevent the nutrient solution from getting too cold when the lights are off. This will not be a problem when the lights are on.

Should I be using PK 13/14?

PK 13/14 is a phosphorous/potassium boost for mid to late flowering. This product should increase yield and weight of fruit and flowers. Add to your bloom feed.

Lighting

What's the best lamp to use for vegetative growth?

For early vegetative growth, fluorescent tubes work well but light loving plants need more light progressively as they get bigger. We can advise on the best type of lighting for your system.

What are the benefits of a Light Rail?

Your garden can be made larger using the same amount of light and electricity effectively increasing your yield per Watt

How close should I have my 250w/600w light to my plant?

It may depend on factors like size and height of grow room and whether you have an extraction system. As a rough guide, with young plants, approx 4ft is a good start point. When the plants are big and strong, you may be able to get your light 2ft or even closer without burning To protect your plants always be cautious and speak to an expert of you need any further advice.

Should I be using a heat shield with my light?

As well as acting as a heat shield, they are designed to produce an even spread of light over your garden. They reduce hot spots under the lamp without reducing yield. It could be argued that everyone should be using them. Certainly people with multiple light sources should use them.

What are the advantages of open-ended reflectors?

Many reflectors on the market today are of gull wing type design with two wings and open ends. These reflectors are very popular and tend to work very well as most of the heat generated by the lamp itself comes out of the end of the tube. This design allows the heat to escape and allows the light to be closer than many closed end reflectors.

I want to put a timer on my light system. How should I do this?

On fluorescent systems, a standard digital or mechanical timer will suffice. On H.I.D. (High Intensity Discharge) lights such as 250W and larger Halide and Sodium systems, a normal timer would blow without the use of a JCO relay. These relays are used in conjunction with a normal timer and allow you to switch up to three or four lights on the one timer system. Relays and contactors start from approx £35.00.

What are the advantages of Cool Shades?

These are very efficient at reducing heat as an extractor is attached directly to the end of the tube so the heat is sucked straight off the lamp. You do lose a bit of light, but it does mean that your lamp can be lowered directly onto your plants. Quality is often improved due to the reduction in heat.

How often should I change my bulbs?

For high output Sodium and Halide lamps, you should change your lamp at least every 9 months. This is because the performance of your bulbs steadily diminishes from three weeks after initial firing. From this point it is a straight line down in terms of performance versus time. Due to the low price of lamps these days, you often lose more yield than the cost of a new lamp if you leave replacement longer than this.

Environmental

My grow room smells what should I do?

Carbon filters are best for grow rooms to remove smells. These connect to the extraction system in your grow room.

What's the ideal room temperature for my grow room?

The ideal temperature should be 24-27 degrees Celsius (in the shade) for most light loving plants. When the lights are off, the temperature should be between 21-24 degrees Celsius.

How often does my carbon filter need changing?

Carbon filters generally last at least a year. Larger ones will last up to 18 months and inexpensive refills can be easily purchased.

Do I need an extractor?

As extractor will always give you better results. So the initial outlay will be rewarded in better yield

Do I need an input fan on my grow room?

In a one light situation with one extractor, an input fan is generally not required. In a two or more light situation, it is usually of benefit to install an input fan as it will help cool your room, although this is not always essential.

What is the ideal night-time grow room temperature for my light loving plants?

For optimum growth rates, it is best to keep night temperatures between 21-24 degrees Celsius. Below 21 degrees Celsius may affect your yield although not your plant health.

Is air movement necessary in my grow room?

If using high output lights some air exchange will be necessary. Please ask us for advice and details of suitable products .

Would I normally have to run my extractor all the time?

Optimum results will be attained if run your extractor all the time whilst your light is on.

How can I quieten my extraction system?

Silencers are also available and for larger gardens, acoustic fans rubber mounted inside acoustic boxes are also available.

Plant Health

My leaves are curling up. What's happening and how can I stop this?

Leaves curl up to retain water. If they are curling up, this would indicate an environmental problem: Either your light is too close to the plant or your fans are drawing too much moisture from the leaves. To solve this, move your light up and make sure fans are not blowing too heavily on the leaves.

My leaves are curling down. What's happening and how can I stop this?

Similarly to upwards leaf curling, the plant is trying to retain moisture by reducing its leaf surface area. A downward curl would indicate that your nutrient solution is too strong. To remedy this problem, reduce feed strength, move your light up and make sure fans are not blowing too heavily.

My big bottom leaves are losing colour. What's wrong, and how can I stop this?

This is a normal process as the large leaves at the bottom of the plant will lose colour as they get old and younger leaves nearer the light will take over as the main leaf engines of the plant.

I have rusty spots/marks and light colouring on my leaves. What is wrong?

Possibly pests, so check for insects, usually found on the undersides of the leaves. If no bugs are present it could be an environmental or nutrient problem. Call us to discuss the issue and we will offer advice and help.

My plants have stopped growing. What should I do?

Speak to us! We can go through everything with you and help solve the problem.