Making Your Own Hydroponic Nutrients 

UPDATE YEAR TWO. This year I made two more hydroponic units. One for watermelon and one for cherry tomatoes. Crimson watermelons are 9 per vine and 13LBS each. The cherry tomato plats have yielded 12LBS on three plants.. I make your solution to the gram, the results are STUNNING. WOW. All my plants are growing at insane pace and I use the mix in soil as well every two weeks. Thank you very much.

Phenomenal! I absolutely love your channel and how adamant you are about doing things inexpensively but correctly, then sharing it for everyone! On that note ì can't wait to see when your 2nd gen lights are going to be available! Thank you so much! You and growmau5 absolutely freaking rock!

Thank you! I have been looking for a nutrient mix that would work for a variety of veggies and greens and thanks to you I now have it and to make a concentrate is a HUGE bonus! I love your garden, it is so green and beautiful.

For a non-metallic paddle, you could use an old arrow shaft with 3 medium to large zip ties equally separated. I use this with a common drill for Sil-Nylon mixing and works great.

I hope one day i can have a set up like this. Great job

Well done! Your comments helped explain the the "why" along with the " how to " component! Great job young man!Will be using the kratky method with your formula ! Thank you for making this informative video!

Although I spent most of my career in a lab environment and was well acquainted with making up different chemical solutions, since getting interested in food production and hydroponics I have found the whole area of plant nutrient requirements and fertilizers quite confusing, so thank you very much for helping me make sense of it with this very clear video.

Awesome video. Thank you for taking the time to make this so detailed.

Thank you for providing this awesome video. I purchased everything and its all mixed tonight. It is stunning on the amount of money I will save. My kids and wife love the outdoor hydro garden, no dirt, no mess and wicked tons of yummy veggies.

Thanks for making this so clear and easy to follow. I will be using your blend this summer.

This is awesome. I have a few ways I make it even cheaper (with fewer tools) and honestly, easier. First, I (like I would have to assume most people) use distilled water, which I buy in gallons for about $1.25. To make the "Part A" solution, I don't use a heater, I pour it from the jug into a pot and heat it to "quite warm" on the stove. I then add about half back into the water jug, insert a funnel, and gently pour the 600g of 4-18-38 into it. I then cap it, and shake until dissolved. After it is dissolved, I add the 300g of Epsom Salt and repeat. I then add the remaining warm distilled water until it almost reaches the top, then very gently squeeze out the air and tighten the cap. I then repeat the process with the Calcium Nitrate. Considering the very limited time of exposure to, and very limited surface area that biota might find their way to on top is so insignificant, I personally do not use the Sodium Benzoate. Of course, 1 TBS (15ml) of each Part added to a gallon of water makes the desired concentration for growing, and testing with an EC meter will verify this. I am personally experimenting with making Ionized or Colloidal Copper (using two pre-1985 pennies and three 9V batteries in series) to try to counter any algae issues (as opposed to adding something like Copper Sulfate). We'll see how it goes! Peace to you from Northern Maine!

UPDATE. I made your solution to the gram, the results are STUNNING. WOW. All my plant are growing at insane pace. Thank you very much.

Thank you for clearing and completely explaining this!

This is a great base to start with. Thanks for posting these and all your other videos!

Thank you so much. I’ve grown a lot in dirt but am learning hydroponics. It’s such an efficient way to grow but it gets expensive buying premade.

Thanks!!! for the ratios - it makes mixing my 27 gal Hydro reservoir a LOT easier... and I don't have to remember so much of my chemistry ;) 3785 ml/250=15.4ml approx 15ml 15ml X 27 gal = 405ml 405 ml conversion to ounce US liquid = 13.69 oz approx 14 oz 14oz conversion to cups = 1.75 or 1-3/4 cup Gallon = 128 oz Gallon concentrate yields 9 reservoir changes Bi-weekly reservoir changes over 18 weeks or approx 4.5 months My greenhouse grow season is 9 months so I only need to mix 2 batches of concentrate per year. At 1.5lb= 680.3885g, each batch requires 1.5# each of Masterblend, MagSul and Calcium Nitrate. A 5lb MasterBlend kit would last me 2 years or 1 year if I use for my inground raised garden beds in my injector system. Easy peasy.

Thank you so much for sharing this valuable information in the way you did. Great video, best vibes.

Never thought of making it in concentrate. I hate pulling out the fertilizers, scales etc. to make my nutrients sol. Great video thanks for sharing :)

I've gotta say wow I've been jumping from channel to channel telling everyone about your lighting its awesome what you've done with making such a versatile light I've looked everywhere and nobody comes closes to you, the only downside is I know high quality when I see it and being disabled and losing almost all my income ill only be able to watch some people use them because there going to be way out of my price range ,good luck man I hope you have great success and can see a very good future ahead, cheers

We're putting together an aeroponics/hydroponics controller based on Arduino, will be using this concentration recipe along with the 1ke grow light we bought from you guys and test on cucumbers first to fine tune before going to other varieties of fruits, veggies, and trees. Thanks for the video.

Your plants are beautiful, I'll try your mix thank you.

Very well explained, cristal clear. Thank. The video that i was looking for to start my own system. Thank you. If you have one explaining the installation of your controlled system and which nutrient controller are you using.

I have been using your formula, for over a year now and the results are amazing, one thing for tomatoes and peppers in a growing stage, should I use a lower ratio? because my tomatoes did grow roots everywhere and I think the ratio was to hight in the growing stage.... and thanks for this video.

UPDATE #3 2018 gardening season. I used this combo for my soil based plants as well every two weeks, STUNNING. I grew my first 1.8 LB beefsteak tomato. Average was 10 OZ tomatoes. Spices and potato gardens all double in size. NOTE: With my soil based plants, I also use Azomite as well.

THANK YOU, this is great demonstration

Quick question please Can i pour this mixture of 1 gallon in a 250 gallon tank ??? How can can i keep the mixture in the 250 gallon ??

Wsup Bro. Good Vid with good helpful info.I've been doing some research due to my own confusion of my Masterblend mix.I figured out my problem through trial & error.You are the only person that breaks this done right.I'm getting ready to do my own clarification of mixing Masterblend & how it relates to Ppms.I was checking your vid out just to see if you cover the Ppms,& you did.Thats for the tip about preserving all the Good Micro Nutrients.Knowledge is Power.

Thanks for sharing your formulation. I will try it here in the Philippines.

sir if my masterblend doesn't have trace elements then how to get the trace elements ?

Thank you so much! Starting my own hydroponic garden next week. Kratke method...mason jars.

Great video! I have a few questions: 1. How stable are the concentrated solutions?This was published almost 4 years ago, can someone share experience on storage? 2. What is the resulting ph after mixing with water (assuming water is 7)? 3. If I want to add PhDown or PhUp to the concentrate (if it is possible at all), which of the solutions is appropriate for that? Thanks!

Great video! Do you aerate or keep your concentrate solutions agitated in any way? I've heard different methods for this so just curious...

@ChilLED Grow Lights@ thanks for your video and inspiration. @Atom izer@ made a critical comment which seems to have been overlooked. There is an error in the concentrate solution mixing method ... As @Atom izer@ pointed out ... "When making up a 1gal stock solution you should mark the 1gal line on the container. Add 3/4 of the water and then add the dry chemical and allow it to fully dissolve. Finally top up with water to the 1 gal line on the container. 1gal of water plus the dry chemical will result in more than 1 gal of stock solution so it wont be accurate." I followed your mixing method using one gallon of water and then poured the concentrate into a one gallon bottle, and end up with a messy overflow. By mixing the dry ingredients with one gallon of water in a larger container produces something less than a 250x concentrate so dosage may need to be adjusted. Tip: Microwave your RO water before adding nutrients and you wont need a heater to dissolve them.

How do you quantify the amount of nutrients remaining in the water after some time with the plants?

One of the simplest diy hydroponic grow solution I've seen. Thank you!

Hi. Thanks for the great video. Would you suggest this solution to grow lettuce? This is a perfect solution to buying bottles of nutrients. I don't want to mix all of my own ingredients anyway. (BTW, it's super hard to find the Yak's blood that they call for.)

That's a pretty awesome set up you have. Hopefully you are still going strong. What's the biggest challenge you had when mixing the nutrients and in creating your own solution?

What does the pH land at after mixing and without any adjustment?

On part a on the suslution how much do you add to a 4 gallon

did you purchase or make the automatic mixing equipment?

is there an alternative for Masterblend? I'm from the Philippines and it is hard to import fertilizers to our Country.

Great stuff and always informative! Vitaly, got a question. For how many months can I keep the mix without Sodium Benzoate and still have an effective A+B solution? What if I use a none transparent plastic bottle to hold the solution in a dark place. Would that help keep algae out? My fear is that I'll not find Sodium Benzoate easily here in Europe. How do you create your PH up and PH down (do you have any video on that? wink wink)

That is great! Thank you! So this mix is good for any herbs and greens?

what is the shelf life of the concentrated mixture?

Love the video about making DIY hydroponic nutrients. Always wanted to know how to do it so thank you. 1 question though, where could I find the proper formulation for cannabis? Thanks! Big fan, keep up the great work!

Hi, i have two questions here, first is will this nutrition mix works for all planes, from strawberry to tomatoes, second is where to buy the pumps that add the nutrtions to the main tank.

I'm just watching your first video and I'm already subscribed. We need more people making videos about indoor LED growing, so thank you for your work!

Where did you get the cups for measurement in grams?

Followed this tutorial and my plants love it. However, after 3 months, it looks like my part A (NPK) concentrate is much less green and more brown in color. They have been exposed to some indirect sunlight; will this degrade the nutrients?

Masterblend is not available where I live so I'm not sure what it really is. Is it NPK + micronutrients? If I had to create a masterblend at home, what all would I need to mix together?

Will a paint mixer hooked up to a small motor mix any faster/better.

Great information. Thank you for sharing. Wondering if anyone has experience to share regarding the nute strength. Will this mix work well from seedling to maturity in a dutch bucket system? Or do you really need to start off with a weaker solution and build up to strength? Thanks!

What kind of doser system is that and do you like it?

Great video for the noob. Thanks. How often are you changing you water or adding water to your system?

Cool tip regarding the Calcium Nitrate. Halfway through my kratky pepper grow, I started getting deformed leaves in the new growth. After some research it turns out that it’s often a calcium deficiency symptom. I might have to try increasing the CalciumNitrate on future grows.

Very well explained , take my word you help someone , god bless you...

What should be my nutrient solution composition ratio for mint?

What dosing pump you are using please tell me

Awesome video! Great explanation and examples. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

hello im learning so much from you thanks ! Is it okay to use same nutrient solution mix after changing calcium nitrate to 600 grams and arrange ph for tap water ? I can only measure ec and ph so im not really sure if my tomatoes will be alright . I will be happy if you can answer. Thank you for amazing work and information.

Thank you! Great info I’m definitely trying this

Hello I’m new to this I have been disabled for quite some time now I need to find something to keep me busy I would really like to get into this hydroponic, Kratky thing I am mixing up my grow solutions by the gallon I have the master grow kit is it okay to put a tablespoon of each in my water also should I check my ph after I put the mix in the water

Can you use citric acid as a preservative instead of the sodium

Does anyone know what the "shelf life" of this mixture would be once the sodium benzoate has been added? In other worlds will any leftover concentrate still be viable the following year?

what is the mix for plants around my yard love your work man go baby go

thank u.....used your formula all last year...great

Wizard of greens! Thanks so much for the nutrient Recipie! Xoxoxo

So you make a big batch and then you can use it when you need to change the water? How often do you need to change the water in a system

How long the solution A can be stored? Since it has a preservant inside?

Hi. great Video. Can I use calcium chloride or calcium ammonium nitrate instead of calcium nitrate? calcium nitrate is not easily available in my country. Any suggestion?

can you hydrophonic onions and if you can what is the best?

Hey Vitali, what would be the NPK numbers of the two liquid nutrient solutions?

How long does Concentrated Formula last? And do you recommend placing it into the refrigerator

How about if i will going w/ 1 L will i also change the quantity of sodium benzoqte? Thanks!

I really like your pump system. Did you design it yourself? Where did you buy your pumps? What is the flow of your pumps? Thank you for the video.

For how long does the concentrate store?

Hello i m doing like you do.but why my veg is yellow color not Green.can i know what is wrong ?

I wonder if for the part B, regarding the solids if pouring through a cheese cloth might be able to catch them.

Oh man! this was all I wanted..great demonstration!

Hi. If making a solution of 100ml part a and 100ml part b, how much sodium benzoate should i use for each? Thanks

Would this work well with compost

Thank you for sharing with us how to make your own hydroponic liquid you are truly awesome and wonderful ^^

hi .. is that eddy thing works to soften your water?

When do you know when to add this make it yourself solution to your hydroponic basins. And how much of it. And is there a way to put fish in the airatted plant basins therefore to add nutrients and eat bacteria and maybe avoid sodium Benzoate?👍👍

Please give me the type and percentage of the nutritious solution for tomatoes in the aquaculture plant.

Based on current prices (2-19-21) it costs about $15.08 to make the concentrate to make 250 gallons of nutrient solution. Compare that to whatever mix-and-go nutrient solution you use and I bet making it is cheaper. Feel free to check my math but I am pretty sure I crunched those numbers correctly.

I absolutelly love your video. It gives me a good starting point. May I ask where do you get info about how much and what type of nutrient requied by a certain plant? For example how much phosphorus need a tomato or a carrot to grow well. I start looking on the internet but as of now I did not get an exact answer. Thank you.

Great video, thank you. just wondering what camera you used?

Can I do this mixture for my hydroponic tower?

Can I use the same formula to grow bell peppers?

Hello there, why not put it all together the (NPK) I have been doing it for quite awhile the growth is ok, or I just did not get what it means, need help, thank you.

Way to go, you could be bottling this concentrate yourself yet here you share the recipe for free. Mucho apreciado

What do you use for ph down?

Can i get basil fertilizer chart in hydroponic

Does anybody know how much of the solution to add to 5 gallons of water ?

Could I just use this and water to grow my indoor plants? I have many health issues. Wondering if there is a smell to this? I try to keep dirt out of my home as well as smells.

Hi. Can you please tell us where you get your nutrients. Thank you very much

what...that can not be.... your nerd powers are over 9000!! i bow to you my good sir of science first both love and hate your build. being able to grow greens and not greens off one tank removes a lot of time and pain in the bum steps. i hate the fact you have yet to install it into my garden space. lol going from video to video trying to work out three different problems that keep showing up in my system no matter what i did or tried. The use of Sodium Benzoate and how it is reacting to the PH and to produce Benzoic Acid is both impressive and makes it safer then a can of soda. something you said during explanation of you why made me think of something that i am quite sure what is the root of all three the issue in mine build. If it was not for this i'd still be searching for my answers. so Thank you kindly for this understanding stay safe my friend

Why can't we mix them all at the same time? Does anyone know?

HI ! great channel !! thank you - what do you use for pH down?