First of all: the values ​​described in the following table should be treated with caution. Of course, even within the same order, down to the genus, the differences are enormous. What a healthy tomato produces in an allotment garden can show serious deficiency symptoms in a hydroponic system with the same pH and optimal Ec value - and vice versa. There is no way around testing and closely observing the plant depending on the chosen nutrient composition.

The pH and EC values ​​are the most important things in hydroponics. Every plant has a unique pH and EC value. In order for it to thrive, they must be in an ideal area. You can measure these values ​​using either test strips or a digital meter.

The pH value indicates how acidic or basic a nutrient solution is. The values ​​are defined on a scale from 0 (acidic) to 14 (alkaline). 7 is pH neutral. The pH value of the nutrient solution influences the availability of the nutrients. Some nutrients are more readily available under alkaline or acidic conditions. Since every plant has different nutrient requirements, every plant in hydroponics has its optimal pH value.

The EC, PPM, CF (Electrical Conductivity) value, on the other hand, describes the electronic conductivity of a solution. This provides information about the amount of dissolved salts. Nutrients break down into ions. The ions conduct electricity due to their positive and negative ions. The more conductive the nutrient solution is, the more nutrients are present in the nutrient solution. Some plants prefer a high concentration of nutrients and some prefer a low one. Too many nutrients are toxic. Too few nutrients lead to deficiency symptoms. This value alone has no meaning as to the necessary composition of the fertilizer. See the article about fertilizer.

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