Hey guys,
I have a question about how to read runoff pH in coco coir. The google machine gives all different answers, but the one I’m most curious about is from Dr. Coco. In one of his articles he says to disregard the runoff pH. I’m fairly new to growing cannabis and the one thing I see while searching all these forums is people saying how important the runoff pH readings are. So what’s the deal with Runoff pH in coco?
Runoff is not an accurate way to know what’s going on in your media, but it gives you an idea and a reference from previous readings. It is recommended for new growers to learn to manage the media using this method, but a slurry test is more accurate. However, you would have to take a slurry for multiple places in the media to have a point of reference.
Dr coco’s style of frequently feeding with adequate runoff is a strategy of flushing out “expired” nutrients and salts and replenishing with “new” nutrients. Consistency is important when following this method. New growers tend to be very inconsistent with their environment, feeding, plant tending, and so on because they’re learning.
So that is why you hear “check your the off.” If it reads 2000ppm, it might be less or more, but it definitely shows a problem. It is a strategy to assess problems.
The runoff EC will more than likely be higher than your input EC, but when flushing you get the runoff the same and that will tell you the flush is complete.
Whatsup coach! Hope you have a great weekend!
I’m am currently using a similar system. Runoff PH is important as it will tell you how much your plants consume and if its enough. Basically. If your runoff is relatively high compared to your in feed, your in business. If its lower, give it a day or two to settle in. I never flush anymore and you shouldnt have too if your feeding correctly.. Make sure your getting a fresh runoff sample and not one from a day ago or the main catch bucket. Dont worry about PH on the exit side. Plants change the NER and PH daily. You’ll go insane chasing that. Worry more about what your putting in and keeping that Rez dialed in with a ton of oxygen. 1200 gph of air for a 20 gal. Seems like a lot, but thats what we need to keep Pyth at bay.
20% runoff will be your “flush” Coach is right about keeping those salts leached out. Make sure your getting that 10 to 20% and you’ll never have to worry about flushing. New studies show flushing plants is decreasing Terpenes so this run im going completely flush less so we shall see….
I’ve never found runoff pH to be particularly useful. From talking with other growers here, it seems like it often causes people to overly micromanage their pH, which usually ends up with them chasing their own tail and making things worse.
My advice is to focus on your INPUT pH.
Keep the stuff you are watering in within a reasonable pH range and encourage a healthy microbe ecosystem in your soil. If you keep the input pH reasonable and have a healthy soil microbe population, the soil microbes will work out the details so you dont need to stress about micromanaging pH.