Nutrient solution observed through several days?
Hello everyone. IÂ´ve been preparing some nutrient solutions. With pH = 5.5. First and second day the solution is so clear, seems to be pure water . After three days, there is always a precipitate, just a little. I can see it in a glass jar using a white light. I suspect that is Calcium sulphate.
This is the nutrient solution concentration (in ppm) IÂ´m using:
N = 167
P = 27
K = 260
Ca = 114
S = 32
Mg = 41
I use calcium nitrate, Potassium nitrate, Magnesium sulphate, nitric acid and phosphoric acid, plus calcium and magnesium from tap water. Using the problematic anions (sulphate and phosphate at very low concentrations)
So, my question is...Has somebody observed your nutrient solution through several days? A lot of people claim that at pH = 5 - 6.5 all the nutrient are dissolved...but is that a fact?
If thereÂ´s always a precipitate, regardless the nutrient solution you use, the "recommended" concentrations could be wrong because a hydroponic plant can only absorb nutrients dissolved, precipitated nutrients are unavailable. So we could be wasting salts. If that is true, then an article (that a found) could be right, that you need about half or less of sulphate and phosphorus (the problematic anions). Example:
Phosphorus = 15 ppm
Calcium = 80 ppm
S = 32 -16 ppm
If you want to read the article this is the link:
I suggest you to read other opinions in: