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Post by lynnee on Oct 7, 2024 8:36:38 GMT -5
Hmmm... Buried down in the product description "Ionic Hydro Grow" is 1-3-4. WHEREAS, "Ionic Grow"
is 3-1-5 That's a big difference!
Listening, scarfguy....  Yours is the Hrdrodynamics product, right? |
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Post by Clovis Sangrail on Oct 7, 2024 9:02:20 GMT -5
The AG nutes do seem to last indefinitely. I'm getting perfectly fine results with small bottles from seed kits that were purchased 4-5 years ago (before the pandemic). (A couple of years ago I discarded all my AG seed pods that were more than 2 yrs beyond the "sell by" date, and kept the sealed nute bottles.) You do need to shake the bottles well, because the nutes settle to the bottom somewhat. The same is true for the economy size jugs, which take me a year or more to use up after opening. It helps to have long dispensing needles for the larger jugs. That way you can tell if the nutes are shaken enough to recombine, because the separated layer will clog the needle. Dispensing needles: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MKQFVLQ/Those needles bring back memories, even though they are blunt -- Laws of the House of God -- VI. There is no body cavity that cannot be reached with #14 needle and a good strong arm. I need to check the "sell by" dates on all my AG seeds because I've had a lot lately that didn't germinate, even some of the old reliables like Genovese basil. I suspect that when you buy AGs that are on sale, you get some old stuff. |
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CatHerder
AGA Sprout
"If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat".
Posts: 142 
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Post by CatHerder on Oct 7, 2024 13:27:33 GMT -5
The AG nutes do seem to last indefinitely. I'm getting perfectly fine results with small bottles from seed kits that were purchased 4-5 years ago (before the pandemic). (A couple of years ago I discarded all my AG seed pods that were more than 2 yrs beyond the "sell by" date, and kept the sealed nute bottles.) You do need to shake the bottles well, because the nutes settle to the bottom somewhat. The same is true for the economy size jugs, which take me a year or more to use up after opening. It helps to have long dispensing needles for the larger jugs. That way you can tell if the nutes are shaken enough to recombine, because the separated layer will clog the needle. Dispensing needles: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MKQFVLQ/I use droppers as they don't have a plunger (like syringes do). With syringes, eventually the rubber plunger gets 'icky' and fails to move within the syringe. The droppers don't have that problem. Plus, they are very easy to clean due to being glass. I just make sure I don't pull any liquids up into the bulb. These in particular, reach all the way to the bottom of my CalMag bottle, which is nice. Droppers |
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CatHerder
AGA Sprout
"If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat".
Posts: 142
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Post by CatHerder on Oct 7, 2024 13:29:40 GMT -5
The AG nutes do seem to last indefinitely. I'm getting perfectly fine results with small bottles from seed kits that were purchased 4-5 years ago (before the pandemic). (A couple of years ago I discarded all my AG seed pods that were more than 2 yrs beyond the "sell by" date, and kept the sealed nute bottles.) You do need to shake the bottles well, because the nutes settle to the bottom somewhat. The same is true for the economy size jugs, which take me a year or more to use up after opening. It helps to have long dispensing needles for the larger jugs. That way you can tell if the nutes are shaken enough to recombine, because the separated layer will clog the needle. Dispensing needles: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MKQFVLQ/Those needles bring back memories, even though they are blunt -- Laws of the House of God -- VI. There is no body cavity that cannot be reached with #14 needle and a good strong arm. I need to check the "sell by" dates on all my AG seeds because I've had a lot lately that didn't germinate, even some of the old reliables like Genovese basil. I suspect that when you buy AGs that are on sale, you get some old stuff. And from those of us that work(ed) in the ER: "All bleeding stops; eventually." |
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Post by LoveSalads on Oct 8, 2024 8:56:33 GMT -5
Oh, tonight found another all-in-one liquid nutrient that looks potentially promising: Ionic Hydro GrowYou can download a FAQ and Feed Schedule at: HydrodynamicsIntl.com - Ionic GrowThey do have something for flowering plants, but I didn't really look at that yet. Hope this might help someone out! EDIT: I'm having trouble making the links work for some reason, so if they don't, just google for it. It's sold on Amazon, and the home site is hydrodynamicsintl.com. I think it might've been my VPN, I paused it, the links worked. I have used IONIC GROW and IONIC BLOOM for years AND I've recommended it here some time ago... (nobody listens to me). I don't use AG nutes at all. I use Fox Farm Grow Big for seedlings and growth phases and turn to IONIC BLOOM for all of my flowering and fruiting stages.
We listen scarfguy .  20241007_095320  20241007_095311 I use over 1 liter a year giving me about 6 more years worth of AG nutes. I also bought 3 more liters(should have got 10) at less than $15 a bottle with coupon. I have great luck with The AG nutes only supplementing with cal-mag. All that being said when I run out I will give the nutes you use a go.  |
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Post by scarfguy on Oct 8, 2024 9:14:50 GMT -5
Hey! How do you like that YINMIK device, LoveSalads?
It's rather cheap looking and wonky but being able to just walk past your AG and check your pH and EC is priceless! I've found they aren't very accurate and they need the gunk cleaned off of the probes frequently BUT... they give you a quick check and by monitoring it daily, you can see the dynamics of your plant. You can see how fast the plant is feeding and whether the pH is stable or moving toward acid or base. ===
My biggest complain of the AG nutes is that it has a lot of precipitate. I think it has something to do with the pH buffering it does. The thing I like about the IONIC nutes AND the Fox Farm products is that the bowl is much cleaner when it comes time to R&R or cleaning out the bowl. === I see you are adding oxygen! That is the best thing I've done to improve the health of my plants!
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pfunnyjoy
AGA Bounty
Made more grow room in my office!
Posts: 791
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Post by pfunnyjoy on Oct 8, 2024 13:36:12 GMT -5
Hey! How do you like that YINMIK device, LoveSalads ?
It's rather cheap looking and wonky but being able to just walk past your AG and check your pH and EC is priceless! I've found they aren't very accurate and they need the gunk cleaned off of the probes frequently BUT... they give you a quick check and by monitoring it daily, you can see the dynamics of your plant. You can see how fast the plant is feeding and whether the pH is stable or moving toward acid or base. ===
My biggest complain of the AG nutes is that it has a lot of precipitate. I think it has something to do with the pH buffering it does. The thing I like about the IONIC nutes AND the Fox Farm products is that the bowl is much cleaner when it comes time to R&R or cleaning out the bowl. === I see you are adding oxygen! That is the best thing I've done to improve the health of my plants!
Which Fox Farm products have you used? I just added the Ionic Grow you linked to my cart and I think I'll give it a try, just to see what I think. |
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Post by scarfguy on Oct 8, 2024 14:49:48 GMT -5
I only use the Fox Farm GROW BIG product. It's got a lot of nitrogen and a good percentage of all the various secondary nutrients. I tried the TIGER BLOOM. It was good but I found the IONIC BLOOM to be better (IMHO).
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pfunnyjoy
AGA Bounty
Made more grow room in my office!
Posts: 791
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Post by pfunnyjoy on Oct 8, 2024 16:00:18 GMT -5
I only use the Fox Farm GROW BIG product. It's got a lot of nitrogen and a good percentage of all the various secondary nutrients. I tried the TIGER BLOOM. It was good but I found the IONIC BLOOM to be better (IMHO). Good to know! I mostly grow greens, so that would likely work for me. |
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Post by LoveSalads on Oct 8, 2024 16:56:55 GMT -5
Hey! How do you like that YINMIK device, LoveSalads ?
It's rather cheap looking and wonky but being able to just walk past your AG and check your pH and EC is priceless! I've found they aren't very accurate and they need the gunk cleaned off of the probes frequently BUT... they give you a quick check and by monitoring it daily, you can see the dynamics of your plant. You can see how fast the plant is feeding and whether the pH is stable or moving toward acid or base. ===
My biggest complain of the AG nutes is that it has a lot of precipitate. I think it has something to do with the pH buffering it does. The thing I like about the IONIC nutes AND the Fox Farm products is that the bowl is much cleaner when it comes time to R&R or cleaning out the bowl. === I see you are adding oxygen! That is the best thing I've done to improve the health of my plants!
I like it. I am getting good at reading the right window I can read temp/humidity in Celsius and Fahrenheit. I am paying attention to PH and EC, when I do R n R's to see my starting point. So I am learning how to use it and what it reads at different times during the feeding cycle. I haven't tried to adjust anything as of yet. How often do you clean the glass sensor and, calibrate ? Just an FYI. If your air pump is above the AG you don't need those 1 way valves which actually do restrict some air flow. I will probably wait till the Tomato plant/s start bearing fruit before I give them extra oxygen. I did buy an extra 4 post air pump as that is what I use on each aquarium so is kinda a spare also. I think I bought an extra 75 feet or so of air line too. It did help on last years grow as I had 1 Bounty that was barley moving any water. That plant perked back up and produced many new toms after adding the air line. |
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Post by scarfguy on Oct 8, 2024 18:11:12 GMT -5
LoveSalads said, "How often do you clean the glass sensor and, calibrate ?" (on the YINMIK)
I've been trying to clean the glass bulb about once a month. It seems to attract nasty precipitates probably because it's ionized. I wipe it off with Q-tips and soak the sensor in this stuff for about a half hour:
It's expensive and I think it's just dilute hydrochloric acid if you want to make your own.
I then calibrate the pH meter only. The EC probe doesn't seem to vary.
I calibrate the pH meter according to the manual to just the first level using the 7.00 calibration solution. I've found that to be sufficient as the accuracy of the meter doesn't warrant being any more accurate.
I have 5 meters and I bought some extra probes. So far, I've had one unit go belly up. It just wouldn't complete the calibration process any more and readings were not accurate. If you have problems, it's difficult to determine whether the probe is failing or the meter without an extra probe to swap for diagnostics.
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Post by scarfguy on Oct 8, 2024 18:17:36 GMT -5
As for the air pump, I put the valve inline always. Cause, I'm irresponsible and can easily drop the air hose below the level of the AG. 
If I remember, I try an install an air line "stub" when I start the garden. I put an airstone on a short (12") length of hose, push the hose through the 1/4" hole designed for use by the aerovoir device, and put the one way valve on the end of the hose. That way, if I need it later in the growth cycle, it's there, ready to go, it's at the bottom of the bowl under the roots, and it doesn't require the use of a pod hole or a pod cover.
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pfunnyjoy
AGA Bounty
Made more grow room in my office!
Posts: 791
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Post by pfunnyjoy on Oct 11, 2024 12:23:46 GMT -5
My Ionic Grow nutrients arrived today, I think, once it's time, I'll try them out on the Parris Island Cos and Watercress once those get going.
I need to start some parsley and cilantro seeds, I might give the Ionic Grow a chance on those as well, reserving the Maxigro for plants that like to seriously EAT, (Tatsoi, kale, I'm remembering you!), since it's relatively inexpensive and lasts a long time.
Still debating the pH meter issue. It sounds like the one I initially (Apera ph60) wanted might not actually fit in either the Harvest Slim water opening OR an open pod. So that wouldn't be terribly convenient! There's another model that would fit and is one-point calibration (Apera sx610), but the reviews aren't as stellar, though I did see a guy on YouTube that loved his for hot pepper growing.
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Post by ntxhydro on Oct 12, 2024 0:05:34 GMT -5
Does anyone know what the shelf life of the AeroGarden nutrients is?
I know there are a number of people that like the FoxFarm nutrients however, my experience with them was not the best. I found that using the fox farm nutrients was much more work than using the AeroGarden nutrients. I believe this nutrient is not for the AeroGarden or the small home systems because the residue builds up quickly and is extremely difficult to clean and can lend to nutrient lockout If you’re not keeping up with the frequent cleanings of at least every 14 days. It’s my opinion that the FoxFarm nutrient is better suited for a large deep water systems, large ebb and flow type systems and Aeroponics systems. is also amazing for outdoor gardening. Just my opinion.
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Post by LoveSalads on Oct 12, 2024 8:19:08 GMT -5
ntxhydro As far as I know there is no best used by date on the nutrients. A climate controlled environment like in your house where a somewhat steady temperature is maintained is key. I have liters and old small bottles that come with the garden when you purchase or buy seed pods and , they have never gone bad. I shake them up and use them. I do rotate my stock but that's it.
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CatHerder
AGA Sprout
"If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat".
Posts: 142
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Post by CatHerder on Oct 13, 2024 12:41:55 GMT -5
Does anyone know what the shelf life of the AeroGarden nutrients is? I know there are a number of people that like the FoxFarm nutrients however, my experience with them was not the best. I found that using the fox farm nutrients was much more work than using the AeroGarden nutrients. I believe this nutrient is not for the AeroGarden or the small home systems because the residue builds up quickly and is extremely difficult to clean and can lend to nutrient lockout If you’re not keeping up with the frequent cleanings of at least every 14 days. It’s my opinion that the FoxFarm nutrient is better suited for a large deep water systems, large ebb and flow type systems and Aeroponics systems. is also amazing for outdoor gardening. Just my opinion. I contacted both Aerogarden and MiracleGro - they both confirmed that the nutrients will last indefinitely if unopened and kept in a cool area (indoors - not refrigerated). |
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CatHerder
AGA Sprout
"If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat".
Posts: 142
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Post by CatHerder on Oct 13, 2024 12:43:57 GMT -5
LoveSalads said, "How often do you clean the glass sensor and, calibrate ?" (on the YINMIK)
I've been trying to clean the glass bulb about once a month. It seems to attract nasty precipitates probably because it's ionized. I wipe it off with Q-tips and soak the sensor in this stuff for about a half hour:
It's expensive and I think it's just dilute hydrochloric acid if you want to make your own.
I then calibrate the pH meter only. The EC probe doesn't seem to vary.
I calibrate the pH meter according to the manual to just the first level using the 7.00 calibration solution. I've found that to be sufficient as the accuracy of the meter doesn't warrant being any more accurate.
I have 5 meters and I bought some extra probes. So far, I've had one unit go belly up. It just wouldn't complete the calibration process any more and readings were not accurate. If you have problems, it's difficult to determine whether the probe is failing or the meter without an extra probe to swap for diagnostics.
I've been sitting here looking for a pH probe, on Amazon, for over an hour (or two) and not finding one I want to buy (based on ratings, maintenance, etc.) can you recommend one of the ones you use, and like? One more question.... do you have to calibrate it frequently, or is it necessary only if having issues? |
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Post by LoveSalads on Oct 13, 2024 15:12:11 GMT -5
CatHerder I use RO water because I am on a well so I plan on cleaning my PH multimeter maybe 3 or 4 times a year. Unless I have a long Tomato grow cleaning my gardens is pretty easy. I just use full on hot tap water toss everything in the reservoir and let it sterilize for 20-30 minutes. Everything comes out clean so with that I think my probe on the meter will stay pretty clean and not need monthly calibration . scarfguy has had his meter for much longer and can give you a more knowledgeable answer than me. I might wipe it off(sensor) with an alcohol wipe every other month. The meter does seem to perform well but the other meter I have to compare it with I have never used.
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Post by scarfguy on Oct 13, 2024 17:24:19 GMT -5
CatHerder, You don't need to invest in the constant monitoring meters. What you need to start is just a general purpose meter of good quality.
I tried a bunch of them until I settled on the Hanna Instrument one.
It looks like it is no longer available on Amazon but you can still buy it directly from Hanna Instruments:
I have two of them. This meter is very accurate but it takes a few seconds for the number to stabalize.
I particularly like the fact that it fits perfectly in the AG water jugs without the need to hold it from falling to the bottom. I use it to adjust the pH of my water before watering the plants. It also will fit in a pod hole on the deck.
As for calibration, I calibrated it once when I got it just to figure out how to do it. I have calibrated it one other time in the last 3 years. I keep the tip soaked in a few drops of their storage solution and I let it soak in distilled water about 10 minutes before I use it.
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CatHerder
AGA Sprout
"If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat".
Posts: 142
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Post by CatHerder on Oct 14, 2024 13:27:26 GMT -5
CatHerder , You don't need to invest in the constant monitoring meters. What you need to start is just a general purpose meter of good quality.
I tried a bunch of them until I settled on the Hanna Instrument one.
It looks like it is no longer available on Amazon but you can still buy it directly from Hanna Instruments:
I have two of them. This meter is very accurate but it takes a few seconds for the number to stabalize.
I particularly like the fact that it fits perfectly in the AG water jugs without the need to hold it from falling to the bottom. I use it to adjust the pH of my water before watering the plants. It also will fit in a pod hole on the deck.
As for calibration, I calibrated it once when I got it just to figure out how to do it. I have calibrated it one other time in the last 3 years. I keep the tip soaked in a few drops of their storage solution and I let it soak in distilled water about 10 minutes before I use it.
Thanks! I wasn't looking for a constant meter - I didn't even know those existed. I found the Hanna on Amazon and the reviews aren't great; it's probably user error on some of these meters. I'm glad yours is dependable. I'll put it on my list. I really haven't been checking pH until I was reading about the nutrients, and just did a random check. I haven't been having any issues with my plants, but if I do I will just use up the test strips I have (still have about 100 of them) and then go from there. |
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