Grassroots Hydroponic-sports

In reply to ProDarwin :

I have yet to figure that one out too. I mix a batch up and then dilute to the EC I am targeting.

In reply to ProDarwin :

So here is what I found.

1 gallon of concentrate = 2 oz Masterblend, 2 oz Calcium Nitrate, 1oz epsom salt.

1 gallon of concentrate makes 26 gallons of nutrient solution.

I just made up a gallon of concentrate, then put 24 floz of it in a 5 gal bucket (128/26 = 4.92 floz of concentrate per gallon of water, 5 gal needs 24.6floz).  My EC / TDS Meter reads in the upper 700s.  Seems like the low end of peppers and tomatoes is 1400, however I have lettuce in the same grow tower and its prefers the 500-800 range.  

So right now I guess my peppers I just going to grow slower? 

I would really like some tips on how to germinate and start the seeds in these cups without using rockwool.

Other questions:  

How are you guys measuring PH?  I have a digital reader but it requires basically constant calibration and the packets to  make the calibration solution are way more wasteful than litmus paper.  Is there a system that doesn't require calibration?  Or should I just switch to litmus?

One thing that sucks about the bucket setup above is I have to dismount the top, move it to a temporary bucket while I clean out the old solution and replace it.  Any recommendations for an easier way to do this?  If I had a pump with an extended pickup it would make it a little easier as I wouldn't have to reach in and berkeley with stuff while holding the lid/plants with my other hand.  But I feel like there is an easy solution I am just overlooking.

What is interesting here is the insane number of leaves this pepper plant has so far.  Usually there would only be 2 or 3 pair when the plant is this tall, and I would top it to ecourage it to get bushier.  Not sure if I should do that here.  I'm guessing this is a response to how fertile the nutrient solution is?

Hydro experiment update:

• Going pretty well.  Had 3-4 salads out of this thing so far, and probably many more than that currently ready to be harvested.  I could actually see this thing paying for itself.
• Would like to separate reservoir from the structure so I can remove the bucket, clean it, refill, etc. without disturbing the plants.  Will consider for a rev 2 setup if I ever do that.
• I need to embrace/learn the ways of adding hydrogen peroxide to the mix to keep down algae.  One time I let it go too long between refills and the algae was intense.
• Similar to above, I'd like to add an in-line, or maybe just drop in-tank UV filter.

Well, the plants overpowered the 3d printed parts 

In reply to ProDarwin :

I like the mental image of a pepper hulking out of it's own flower pot.