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A quadgrow feeding question please

Penny_ForthemPenny_Forthem Posts: 433
edited June 2022 in Problem solving
I find the quadgrow feeding instructions very poor indeed.
I have been using a proprietary food, as I am just perplexed by the ambiguity of the instructions.
For quadgrow experts, please can you clarify

The QG reservoir contains 30 litres - I take it that is one tank and that you're actually using 60 litres to fill the dual system.
So, to each tank, you're adding  30 x 6 mls of A and the same of B  i.e. 180mls of each.

Any advice gratefully received @BenCotto (I seem to remember you use them)
T.I.A.



Beautiful North Wales - hiraeth
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  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,814
    I think the reservoir means both tanks as they should be interconnected so they should hold 15 litres each. A quick bit of maths will confirm their approximate capacity (lengthxwidthxdepth) or just do a trial fill with water.
  • REMF33REMF33 Posts: 720
    The old style was 30 l for one biig tank so I was assuming 30l in total - they would be much bigger if they were 30l each. I am not sure quite how to do this either. I used to make up enough for 30l in a watering can with some water and just add the whole lot in everytime I filled up the tank (having let it almmost dry out). But with the new system, and the tanks being connected, not sure what to do. I suppose half in each. Although the tanks are connected, I still need to fill each one as if I start filling one, after the water goes over the connector, the second one does not catch up with the first very quickly. Not sure if that makes sense...!
    Anyway that would be 90ml of each type for one small tank. I had a just with 180ml marked up in permanenet marker for the old design (which I am still using as well)!
  • Penny_ForthemPenny_Forthem Posts: 433
    We syphoned the water out using our solar pump and yes, 30 litres between the two tanks. Thanks.
    90 mls per tank as @REMF33 said.
    Thanks both
    I watched a YouTube vid with Eli and Kate, but even that just reiterated the instructions (though she did say she's had lots of questions from puzzled people!) 
    Beautiful North Wales - hiraeth
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,580
    edited June 2022
     I use a small measuring cap, possibly from liquid washing powder or maybe off a liquid fertiliser. I fill up a standard size watering can, add one capful of A and one capful of B to the can and then pour it into the reservoir. Repeat a few days later when the reservoir level is low. As the two reservoirs are linked by a tube you only have to pour water into one chamber but I usually divide the can between the two so there’s no squabbling or sense of favouritism!

    Edit. I have just been out to the greenhouse to check. It is a 2 gallon watering can and the cap came off a bottle of Tomorite. I add 30ml of A and 30ml of B to the can, presumably having worked out at some time in the past those were the correct ratios. My tomatoes’ growth has been so slow this year they only got their first slurp of fertiliser this morning.
    Rutland, England
  • Penny_ForthemPenny_Forthem Posts: 433
    Thank you @BenCotto for the ratios of A & B to a 2 gallon can.

    Beautiful North Wales - hiraeth
  • REMF33REMF33 Posts: 720
    @BenCotto I am not entirely convinced that the water from each tank comingles sufficiently for it to be ok to put all the food in one tank. I usually need to fill both tanks with water separately. I suppose there is no way of knowing, though, other than by doing some experiments with dyed water!  I find it takes a long time for water to get from one tank to another. Could I have faulty tanks/connectors?

    I love the new design for its better stabilty and the tiny bit of added space it gives, but really not sure about the merits of having two connected tanks, at least in the way they are connected.
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,559
    I use the caps from each of the containers A & B . One capfull of each to a 2 gal can. I put water/ feed in both tanks every time, I  don't rely on the link as the roots build up over the season,  no proof that it stops the movement but a strong possibility. 
    AB Still learning

  • REMF33REMF33 Posts: 720
    edited July 2022
    @Penny_Forthem are you using the holiday watering kit (extra tank of water with float)? I am having difficultty setting mine up....

    I hope they are working for you so far. 

    In case this is helpful, if you have problems with them blowing over in the wind, some superstrong velcro between the pots and the top of the tank really helps. This tends to happen when the plants are bigger as being bottom watered, the pots are not as they would otherwise be. (I also top water when it's very windy.)
  • Penny_ForthemPenny_Forthem Posts: 433
    No, not using the holiday kit.

    My courgettes are not happy. They're outside and have a lot of leaf virus and no fruits. Not happy in the quad grow I think.
    Beautiful North Wales - hiraeth
  • REMF33REMF33 Posts: 720
    This is a long shot, but does anyone a) have the holiday watering kit for the more recent Quadgrows and b) if so do they have the instructions for it? The online ones from GS have, of course, gone and I am not sure I kept hold of the leaflet. I can probably muddle through but would prefer something to refer to if possible.
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