How to DIY your own hydroponic nutrients from only raw salts

In this video, I show you how to prepare hydroponic nutrients from all raw salts, without having to use any premixed micronutrient blend. The micronutrients are supplied using low-cost metal sulfates and the metals are then chelated in-situ using disodium EDTA. The solutions are prepared in a 1:100 concentration (1 gal prepares 100 gallons of final solution).

These ingredients, especially those of the B solution when bought in industrial-grade purities, are not adequate for the preparation of more highly concentrated solutions. To prepare solutions above 1:100, higher grade purity inputs, or different inputs altogether, are required.

The formulations for 250mL of final solution are given below:

Solution A (250mL final volume)

Calcium Nitrate (agricultural grade) - 27.368g
Potassium Nitrate - 0.425g
Red food dye

Solution B (250mL final volume)

Magnesium Sulfate (heptahydrate) - 12.677g
Monopotassium phosphate - 4.394g
Disodium EDTA - 1.8g
Sodium Benzoate - 0.050g
Potassium Sulfate - 9.912gg
Iron Sulfate (anhydrous) - 0.163g
Manganese Sulfate (anhydrous) - 0.069g
Zinc Sulfate (monohydrate) - 0.034g
Boric Acid - 0.072g
Copper Sulfate (pentahydrate) - 0.005g
Sodium Molybdate (dihydrate) - 0.003
Green food dye

Please bear in mind that the exact salts above should be used. Adjustments need to be made when the degree of hydration of the salts does not match the example. For example, if you do not find anhydrous iron sulfate but, iron sulfate heptahydrate, you will need to adjust the amount accordingly. If you need help with any such adjustments, please leave a comment below.

These are the target concentrations for the different elements (in ppm):

N (NO3-) - 160

N (NH4+) - 12

P - 40

K - 235

Mg - 50

Ca - 208

S - 141

Fe - 2.4

Mn - 1.0

Zn - 0.5

B - 0.5

Cu - 0.05

Mo - 0.05

Here are some of the glassware and scales used in the process:

(Please notice that the Amazon links below are affiliate referral links. This means that if you click on them I may receive a commission from purchases. There is no additional cost to you, but it helps me to keep posting content for free.)

Class A Volumetric Flask (250mL)
https://amzn.to/3jME8WI

Beaker set
https://amzn.to/3lwdGkw

Recommended scale (+/-0.01, 500g max)
https://amzn.to/2GVBrTW

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