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Nutrient PPM Calculator & NPK ratios

Detailed dosage breakdown by element into PPM and NPK ratio for Hortimix / EHG / General Hydroponics Flora Series.

Download this spreadsheet  to easily obtain a detailed break-down of what you are feeding your plants when using the Hortimix or EHG ranges of nutrients.

All you have to do is to add the amounts of each part of a range of nutrients that you will be making your feeding solution with. This a great help for growers who would like to customize their feeding ratios.

PLEASE notify us should you come across any errors in this document so that we could rectify a.s.a.p. – Thank you!

Download Excel File here ( Last updated 08 November, 2017 )

( Once opened on your computer, click ” ENABLE EDITING ” and then input values inside the red boxes ….. )

 

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Aeroponic Cloner usage instructions

Aeroponic Cloner
Aeroponic Cloner usage instructions:
 1) There is a drainage fitting on the bottom of your reservoir, which should be pulled out and re-inserted so that the pipe and plug sticks out on the outside of the reservoir instead of being on the inside. Pulling out the plug would let you easily drain the reservoir into a bucket at a later stage if needed. A water valve may optionally be attached to the outlet (Not included in kit)
DWC Outlet position
2) Find a suitable setup location. Avoid places that will get too hot and be in a lot of direct sunlight (Esp afternoon sun). Make sure that your electricity supply will never get wet, even in case of accidental spillages.
3) Straighten out the short length of pipe that you will be connecting to the water pump – don’t worry about putting kinks in it, they actually help to keep staying straight.
4) Connect the water pump to the misting manifold using only the basic, straight connector. (Do not use the water pump’s venturi fitting or its clear air tubing). Position your pump & manifold setup nicely in the middle of the reservoir, with the power cord hanging out over the lip of the reservoir.
5) Add enough water to the reservoir to at least cover the pump with 5cm’s of water. Pump must remain fully submerged at all times when turned on. Some people choose to add things to the water in the reservoir at this point ( e.g. our “Striker Cloning Gel” and/or a VERY weak dosage of hydroponic nutrients, both of which could speed up the rooting and subsequent growth of the cuttings. It is not advised to add anything to the water that will form any kind of residue / sludge as this will only clog the misting nozzles )
6) Prepare your cuttings in the prescribed way ( Species dependent ). Insert cuttings into the centers of the foam disks provided, stick these into the tops of your net pots & stick the net pots into your cloner. Cutting size should ideally match the cloner’s dimensions, with the rooting node hanging slightly above the bottom of the net pot and the leaves not touching the top of the provided clear plastic humidity dome.
7) Make sure that all 22 holes have a net pot and foam disk in them ( Even if there is no cutting in it ). Cuttings could also be covered with humidity dome if required, which will help prevent leaves from drying out. ( Excess humidity could potentially cause mold or rot as well, and should be monitored closely. Dome should also be lifted every now and again to let fresh air in. ) Cutting leaves could also be misted with a spray-bottle periodically.
8) Cloner can now be turned on to start the rooting process. Remember to check your water level from time to time to time !
  • Depending on the type of plant, roots may start appearing from as little as 5 days.
  • Cuttings should be checked regularly to make sure that they are as comfortable as possible.
  • Cloner could be put on an outlet timer if only required to operate at certain intervals.
  • Cuttings should ideally be removed before their roots get too difficult to gently pull out of the net pots.
  • Avoid any rapid environmental changes when moving cuttings out of the cloner to a new location.

Happy Growing !!!

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DWC-Hybrid Kit Instructions

Deep Water Hydroponics system

DWC-Hybrid Usage Instructions

Our DWC system is a hybrid system that combines two important hydroponic technologies: Hydro (drip) and DWC (roots immersed and suspended).

This system provides advantages of both techniques:

  1. Easy installation, usage and maintenance.
  2. Substantially shortens growth and flowering cycles compared to traditional systems, giving you more harvests per year!
  3. Continuous feeding and watering to roots from day 1.
  4. Extra Oxygenation of nutrient solution using the air pump & air-stone.
  5. Water is always moving. This avoids the formation of fungi, algae, mold, etc.
  6. No waste of water or nutrients. Clay substrate is also reusable.

The kit includes:

  • 45 Liter Tank base (reservoir) with water level tube
  • Lid with hole and plug for easier access to water in order to check pH
  • A submersible pump & feeding manifold
  • Air Pump & Air Stone
  • Net Pots (mesh baskets) ( Either 2 or 4 pots, depending on model )
  • LECA (clay pellets)
  • Nutrient Kit (A, B & MKP)
  • Ph Test Kit
  • Ph Up Solution
  • Ph Down Solution
  • 3 x 5lt Containers to store your concentrated nutrients.

What do you do with this kit?

  1. Find suitable spot to place your system – take temperature and available light (for your plants) into consideration, as well as being able to work around your system comfortably & safely as your plants grow. The temperature of the water in the reservoir should also remain at close to 18-22C, to avoid pathogens that cause root-rot.
  2. Switch the outlet-pipe around to the outside of the reservoir. The end-cap could be pulled off to allow easy drainage into a bucket when nutrient solution needs to be replaced. A water valve may optionally be attached to the outlet (Not included in kit)
    1. DWC Outlet position
  3. Cut off 2 pin plug from submersible water pump. Thread through grommet next to Air Pipe (outwards) and connect to 3 pin plug ( Not included ).
  4. Fill the reservoir system with about 40 liters of water and add Nutrients (as per Hortimix Nutrient Instructions)
  5. Check pH of water. Average pH is about 6 (for more info https://hydroponic.co.za/hydroponics-quickstart/plant-phecppm/)
  6. Connect Air-stone to clear tubing in reservoir and submerse in water.
  7. Connect the other end of the clear tubing to the air pump, which is to be kept outside of the water reservoir, away from contact with any water!
  8. Connect the submersible water pump to the watering manifold using only the straight, basic fitting. (Do not use the water pump’s venturi fitting or its clear air tubing)
  9. Place lid on reservoir.
  10. Rinse LECA (clay pellets) in water before first use – until run-off is clear.
  11. When adding new plants (usually seedlings), gently rinse off potting medium from their roots with water, before planting into net pots, using your LECA (clay pellets)
  12. Connect pumps (water & air pump) to power and switch on. Make sure plant roots (NOT stem bases) are adequately covered by water flow once pump is on.
  13. Never let your system or plant roots run dry !

Start Growing!

A new mix of slightly stronger nutrient solution should be made once every week (or two, if lazy). You can use what’s left of the old solution to feed lawns or other plants. (Mix new batches according to Hortimix Nutrient Instructions)

You will soon be able to judge how much water your plants will use in a week, and may adjust your new mixes accordingly – but it’s ALWAYS better to have a little more solution in your system than what appears to be needed.

You may also decide to increase the water levels in your system as time goes by – bigger plants will have larger root systems suspended in the reservoir, and will use more water per week than small plants.