nutrients help

[sidefx]

in a hydro system how often do u add nutrients to the water, do you top up everyday, or only at water change, how can u tell how much of the nutrients your plants are using?
i herd they absorb the water and nutrients at different rates.

i'm also gonna buy 1 or 2 big wattage reptile UVA/B bulbs to sit in between the plants. anyone tried adding reptile lights ?

 

[MrEmo]

reptile lights are a waste of money.

change the nutrient solution every week. this stops bacterial buildup and "nutrient lock" - an imbalance in nutrient constituents as the plants take what they need and leave behind what they dont. top up water as required.
it is worth investing in an EC meter to measure electrolyte levels, as well as a pH meter. never ad more nutrient than recommended (unless you increase the concentrations very slowly over time). investigate the requirements of the strain you are growing - some prefer to be kept slightly hungry.