FAQ

We reviewed all our application tables in 2017 to make them more ergonomic, more professional, and to make improvements related to all our observations and customer feedback.

Main changes :

- the evolution of dosages and proportions no longer depends on the weeks because no genetics, no phenotype, no growing environment is similar, and the cultivation of a plant should be based above all on the observation of its condition and the stage of its growth and development. The phases expressed in weeks can mislead the grower.

- the balances/portions have been refined and the Ec ranges allow the user to get an idea of what the dosage will give with starting water whose conductivity is between 0mS and about 0.5mS. This range is also the one we recommend when working with our fertilizers.

- supplements (additives) are presented in separate tables for better visibility. Our fertilizers are complete, correctly balanced and free of impurities (including trace elements): they are self-sufficient. Supplements are real supplements (and not fertilizers) and are mainly used to direct and amplify the metabolism in a very effective way according to the phases and objectives of the grower.

- application rates are now expressed in ml/L (instead of ml/10L on the old labels).

Dosages : the new tables have taken into account both the observed average evolution of the more greedy cultivated phenotypes and have been calculated to correspond to very soft or even osmosed water.

(The old dosages were given to avoid any risk of burning even for users with very mineralized or very hard water, who did not have a means of checking the final concentration of their nutrient solution (conductivity meter / Ec-meter)).

Both tables remain valid in terms of balance. The new tables are more precise (equilibrium) and present optimal Ec work ranges in the majority of cases.

The tables are presented for information only and may be adjusted upwards or downwards, especially with regard to concentration (Ec), depending on plant observations and environmental conditions.

Yes, all GH nutrients are manufactured in France at Terra Aquatica premises. There is two exception: Maxi Series and NovaMax are imported from GH in California.

This is because, culturally, North American growers work with a higher EC

No, it is not necessary to keep the packaging. However, each package has a serial number in it, which may be useful if you need to contact the after-sales service team. We therefore advise you to keep it.

If you carry out industrial growing in huge greenhouses, if you use hardly-purified raw materials and if the nutrition and management of the crop are done by computer, or if you choose species for their appearance rather than their taste, you will achieve tasteless and scentless crops.
However, if you have a small urban garden or a family farm, you use quality products and you manage the crop yourself, you will achieve products full of flavour and aroma.

In hydroponics, the plant receives all of the nutrition it needs directly, according to its stage of development. As the plant has no need to search for its food, it will grow fewer roots and put all of its energy into producing more leaves, flowers and fruits. It is thought that, by using hydroponics, you can achieve up to 30% greater production than in the ground.
 

In a hydro system, the roots grow fully in a neutral substrate, which is continually irrigated with an oxygenated nutrient solution.
In an aero system, the plant grows exposed roots in a mixture of air and nutrient solution, which is also oxygenated.
The presence of a substrate in a hydro system allows you to contain any potential feeding errors and to have the time needed to rectify these mistakes as a result. On the contrary, in an aero system, as the roots are exposed, the slightest feeding error will have immediate, and potentially disastrous, consequences for the plant.

Everywhere…Indoors, in a greenhouse, in a grow cabinet or outdoors. The vast majority of plants grow using hydroponics, even if some plants are more delicate than others

You will find a list of retailers on our Store locator here.
If you are a retailer, you can register on our website by creating your profile here.

To get started, you will need a hydroponic system, specific nutrients, a substrate (depending on the hydroponic system used), a light source (natural or artificial), time and plants.
Download our guide to getting started in hydroponics: The Basics.

Hydroponics is the art of growing plants in water.
You will find more information about hydroponics here.

By downloading it from here.
By requesting it from your usual retailer.
Or by contacting us by phone +33 5.62.06.08.30 or here

If you have an average conductivity (0.4-0.6), you can increase the conductivity indicated by 0.2.

EC (electrical conductivity) measures an electrical value in millisiemens (mS), whereas the TDS converts this measurement into parts per million (ppm in mg/L).
EC meters are used in Europe and TDS meters are used in North America.

Unlike pH, which can be very accurately measured with a liquid pH indicator, there is only one good way to measure conductivity: using an electrical conductivity meter. The type of meter you choose is very important: you should opt for quality, you will not regret it. You should calibrate your device regularly with calibration solutions intended for this purpose.

Conductivity measures the concentration of the nutrient solution and, therefore, must be adjusted to the needs of your plants. The higher the conductivity, the richer the solution is in nutrients. Put simply, if the conductivity is too low, this can lead to deficiencies, whereas, if the conductivity is too high, this can lead to toxicity.
Delicate plants, cuttings and seedlings need a low conductivity. Once the plants begin to grow, they need a more concentrated nutrient solution. Therefore, conductivity must be increased by adding nutrients. Some plants prefer less concentrated nutrients whereas others grow better with a higher concentration.

These plants have a longer growing season and need enough space for optimum root development.
Our best systems for growing these crops are the WaterFarm and the EcoGrower, without forgetting the GrowStreams, which have proven themselves time and time again!

Use some water or a silicone spray.

Yes, we sell the pots and inserts separately, which allow you to move to a 36, 18 or 6 plant version. You can find out more from your retailer and here."

Yes, this is normal. The secondary reservoir (without pump) functions as a controller. It is imperative that fresh solution is added in the latter

You can simply lift the system and tilt the level tubes.

The level of solution in the chamber is generally adjusted so that 2/3 of the root mass is submerged. Diffusers are made to oxygenate the nutrient solution, by spraying drops into the air, stimulating circulation of the solution and cascading down the walls of the chamber. The diffusers are not made to water each plant individually. It is recommended that you position the diffusers towards the walls of the growing chamber and not towards the roots

Our WaterFarm has a maximum capacity of 15 litres. The ideal fill level is approximately 12 litres, just underneath the basket. However, if the solution level goes beyond the basket, it is not a problem.

No, you do not need a humidome. The Vortex motor, included in all of our Rainforest2 and Rainforest72 systems, provides the humidity and oxygenation required at the root zone, by means of an ultra-fine and powerful mist of nutrient solution. These are the most reliable propagation systems in the world. However, you must keep the temperature at a minimum of 22° and the humidity at 70%

No, all of our plastic parts are inert. There are no chemicals that infiltrate the plants. The plastics are also stabilised against UV rays

Yes, you can order parts:
- Either at your local shop, which will order the parts for you.
- Or directly with us by sending an e-mail here with the name and a description of the parts. We will then let you know as soon as possible about availability and prices. If you kept your assembly instructions, you will find the references for all your parts there.

Prevention is the best method. Keep the nutrient solution away from light and cover the surface of your pots with a protective disc.

Between crops, you need to give the whole system a good clean before starting a new cycle. Use FlashClean®.
If your system is particularly dirty, fill it with a very acidic solution (pH below 4.0) and let the system run for an hour. Then, rinse thoroughly. In the event of disease or insect attack, use a household disinfectant (chlorine) to clean the system well. Rinse and allow to stand for 24 hours so that the chlorine evaporates completely.

The ACS controller is a central reservoir that supplies several WaterFarms or AquaFarms with nutrient solution. Its distinctive feature is that it has active circulation i.e. thanks to its dynamic circulation system, the nutrient solution performs a complete circuit approximately every two hours, allowing the nutrient solution in each reservoir to be circulated and perfectly oxygenated. The other advantage of the ACS controller is that it regulates the level of nutrient solution in the connected reservoirs, which allows the aquatic roots to be protected.

All of our systems are designed to operate 24/7 in order to obtain optimum results.
Energy saving and the disturbance that the noise may cause during the night if you sleep close to your systems are the only reasons for stopping the system from running.
In this case, and once the roots are long enough to reach the nutrient solution, you can turn off your system and turn it back on for 1/2 hour in the middle of the night cycle. For this, you need to get a programmer to connect directly to the power point.
There are also some plant species that do not need to be watered 24/7, for example cacti.

Our RainForest series and the CuttingBoard are recognised as being among the best propagation systems in the world.

Our AquaFarm, WaterFarm and EcoGrower are good systems for beginners. Almost all plants can be grown in these systems and if, later on, you decide you want to have additional units, the small systems can be connected to each other and to our ACS controller.

The TriPart® formulas are the same in the USA and Europe. The difference in NPK values is the result of a difference between American and European legislation

No, because it would kill the bacteria responsible for decomposing organic matter. However, you can use an air stone in the central reservoir.

The appearance of plants grown using bioponics will be different to that of plants grown using hydroponics. Less green mass and a yield of 15% to 20% less. On the other hand, the appearance, taste and scent will be the same as those of plants grown in soil. The advantage of bioponics is that it combines a quick growth cycle, as found in hydroponics, with the taste quality of soil-based growing.

Of course! You can use them in open soil or in pots. A nutrient designed for hydroponics is generally comprehensive and highly soluble. The nutrient will be just as effective and you will need to use 50% less! All of our nutrients contain all of the elements needed for plants to grow. Start by first adjusting your dosage according to the advice on the label and then adjust the mixture according to the needs of your plants.
Refer to our application charts for hydroponics and soil.

Of course. Make sure that you maintain a low EC (electrical conductivity) value of 0.4mS. Do not spray Terra Aquatica products in the middle of the day or under too bright light. The best times to spray leaves are early in the morning or late in the afternoon. It is best to spray under the leaves for better absorption.

NovaMax is a one-part nutrient. You would usually use NovaMax Grow on its own during the vegetative stage and NovaMax Bloom during the growth and flowering period.
However, during transition periods (growth to flowering) and with semi-cuttings, you can mix half and half from each of the bottles, which will give you a more comprehensive solution.

No, not at all. FinalPart® is a formula in its own right. It is a nutrient used at the late flowering stage and is designed to accelerate ripening and increase the content of active principles. It is used on its own and also eliminates the traces of mineral salts that may have been deposited in the plant. More info here.

The correct ratio of TriPart® nutrient depends on the plant being grown and its growth stage. On our website, there are also application charts for hydroponics and for soil, as well as a nutritional programme for some relatively common plants.

The idea of a three-part nutrient was invented by GH in 1976. Each of these three parts has a specific function. By using different combinations of TriPart® Grow, TriPart® Bloom and TriPart® Micro, the grower is able to meet the exact needs of his/her plants as they grow and to make specific adjustments to create suitable nutrient mixtures.
- TriPart® Micro, the base solution of the TriPart®, provides nitrogen, magnesium and calcium, as well as trace elements, which are essential for comprehensive nutrition in hydroponic growing.
- TriPart® Grow contains elements that are essential for the vegetative cycle and, therefore, by adding TriPart® Grow to TriPart® Micro, the plant receives additional nitrogen, potassium, magnesium and sulphur, which stimulates structural and leaf growth.
- TriPart® Bloom contains phosphorus, which is necessary for flowering and fruiting, as well as sulphur for aromas.

The shelf life of the nutrients depends on the conditions under which the products are stored. The nutrients should be stored away from light for optimum shelf life. Therefore, there is no expiry date.

Yes, to avoid precipitation when making your mixtures.

No. This causes the different components to crystallise. Therefore, each nutrient should be poured separately directly into the water.

Yes. Our nutrients are highly concentrated and it is recommended that you shake them before use.

A pH that drops is a sign that there is too much microbial life, not necessarily pathogenic, and dying microorganisms acidify the solution. The simplest way to raise your pH level is with tap water, if it is of an acceptable quality. Otherwise, you can add pH +. Avoid excessive fluctuations in pH and EC.

Follow the instructions on the label. It is recommended that you add pH regulators to the solution in small quantities because they are very concentrated. Add a little bit at a time, mix well and then measure the pH until you obtain the desired level.
Please note that the TriPart® contains regulators in order to make it easier to keep the pH within the optimum range.

As pH is a crucial factor in plant nutrition, it is recommended that you check your pH level every day. There are several factors that may alter the pH level. For example, if your plants are in full growth mode and are consuming a lot of food, the pH will fluctuate greatly, even if you have a stabilised nutrient to begin with. However, you do not have to readjust the pH all the time; you can allow the pH to fluctuate between 5.5 and 6.5.

pH is adjusted by using an acid (pH -) to lower pH or by using a base (pH +) to raise pH. The pH - and pH + are designed for this purpose. These products also contain buffers, which stabilise pH over a long period.

The pH level is important because it affects the availability and absorption of the elements needed for plants to grow. For the most part, nutrients are absorbed in higher quantities when the pH is between 5.5 and 6.5. When the pH level falls outside of this range, some elements are less available, thus resulting in incomplete, or even deficient, plant nutrition.

pH is the measure of the acidity/basicity of a solution.
More precisely, pH is a measure of H+ ions. pH is measured on a scale from 0 to 14. Pure water has a pH of 7.0.
If the pH is less than 7, the solution is acidic. If the pH is greater than 7, the solution is alkaline or base.

"Especially for beginners, and even for experienced growers, we recommend that you empty the reservoir every 10 to 14 days, depending on the size of the plant and the quality of the nutrients used. It is also a good idea to rinse the clay pebbles every time you clean the reservoir."

Yes, we do know of this pathogen. It is best to use Trikologic S as a preventive measure. However, it can also work as a treatment if you stimulate the growth of new roots by using a product like our G.H. Roots at the same time.

"Real" deficiencies rarely occur in hydroponics, assuming that you use nutrients that are specifically formulated for this type of growing and that you follow the growth programmes. Visible symptoms do not always indicate a nutritional issue but are often linked to a change in the plant's environment, which will affect the absorption of nutrients and lead to one or several deficiencies. These are known as "secondary deficiencies".

Therefore, before putting the symptoms down to a real nutritional deficiency, you need to check all environmental factors: oxygenation of the solution, pH levels, EC, temperatures (both external and of the solution), light, condition of the roots or presence of pathogens...

In every case, the treatment is always the same: empty the system and discard the nutrient solution. Fill your system again with pH-adjusted water without nutrients. You could also potentially add a root stimulator to the solution to help the plant develop a healthy root system and provide a leaf fertiliser in the form of a light nutrient solution (the same as that used for seedlings).

It's not necessary because the bacteria in Trikologic S produce enzymes continuously in the quantities needed for your crops."

The best prevention method is to use a balanced and perfectly-oxygenated nutrient solution. Keep your nutrient solution between 18 and 26°C to ensure good oxygenation.
To protect your plants against root infections, use our Trikologic S or Trikologic, which protect the entire root mass with a protective mycelium. They occupy the ecological habitat of pathogens and prevent the pathogens from taking hold.

To stay alive, microorganisms need a porous, moist and oxygenated environment in order for them to colonise. After a number of tests, we recommend that you make a mixture of 70% clay pebbles and 30% coco fibre.
However, in aero-hydroponics, the use of a biofilter is compulsory as the total volume of substrate is insufficient

Yes, of course. There are three mayor types of substrate: those which retain moisture, such as coco fibre, draining substrates, such as clay pebbles, and water, the hydroponic substrate par excellence. Depending on the water retention capacity of the substrate, the time period for which it is necessary to stop irrigation will be longer or shorter. For example, with clay pebbles, you should keep your pump on all the time, whereas you will need to stop irrigation at times with rockwool and coco fibre. Use a timer to make this easier.

Clay pebbles are made from expanded clay, which is of mineral origin, whereas coconut coir is an organic product. More info: clay pebbles ; coco coir

This substrate is made from coconut residues: impurities, short fibres and the soft part of the husk, which are dried and then compressed into slabs, blocks or pellets.

Rockwool comes from basalt, a black volcanic rock found in many regions of the world. The manufacturing process for rockwool is similar to the natural activity of a volcano. The volcanic rock melts in a heated coke oven at 1,460°C. The molten rock is then turned into fibres by wheels turning at high speed.

They are small balls of clay baked at a high temperature, which are used to support the plant. They have excellent drainage properties. Quality pebbles must have a neutral pH (7.0) so as not to increase the pH of the nutrient solution. We recommend that you rinse the pebbles before first use.

No. Water hardness is calculated by measuring its concentration of calcium and magnesium whereas pH indicates the concentration of H+ ions. These two values have no correlation.

This is another critical factor in hydroponics. It is important to know that the warmer the water in your reservoir is, the less oxygenated it is. As high temperatures promote the development of pathogens, you should, as far as possible, keep the temperature of your water between 18 et 26°C. Use microorganisms such as trichoderma harzianum or the Trikologic S mixture of bacteria and fungi to help the roots withstand the heat. When adding water to the reservoir, it is best to make sure it is the same temperature as the water already in the reservoir. Plants do not like change, especially in the root zone."

Chlorine is volatile and evaporates quickly. If your water contains too much chlorine, we recommend that you keep the water in an open container overnight so that the chlorine evaporates and only use the water the following day.

It is vital. It is the hydroponic substrate par excellence.
The hardness of the water (hard water contains a high level of calcium and magnesium) must be taken into account when choosing nutrients. There are nutrient formulas designed for hard water and we recommend that you use these if necessary. To find out about the quality of your water, contact your water provider who will provide you with a water analysis free of charge.
If your analysis shows a calcium content of greater than 70ppm (mg/litre), use TriPart® Micro or DualPart® Grow (hard water) formulas. To ensure the quality of your water, you can also use rainwater or install a reverse osmosis filtration system. In these two cases, mix approximately a quarter-litre of tap water with your filtered water to restore its buffering capacity. Do not use mineral water as it destabilises the nutrient solution and may even be toxic to the plants.
In France, water hardness is measured in TH degrees.