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Hydroponic Nutrients & Additives

Nutrients are the layer growers reach for first, and the layer with the least room to fix a problem caused somewhere else. These guides cover choosing between 2-part and 3-part systems, comparing the major nutrient brands available in Australia, understanding EC and dosing by growth stage, and diagnosing deficiencies correctly before adding more product.

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Premium Crop Solutions (PCS) Nutrients Australia: Complete Range Guide
Quick Answer: Premium Crop Solutions (PCS) Nutrients PCS is a professional nutrient range built with high-grade mineral inputs and manufactured in Adelaide, South Australia. Positioned to match the quality of expensive imported nutrient brands, without the import price tag. 10-product range: Grow A&B, Bloom A&B, Seaweed, Cal-Mag+Fe, Enzyme, Fulvic, PK Plus, and Quality Enhancer. Suitable for hydroponic, coco, and soil cultivation, built for both commercial and hobby growers. Available in commercial quantities on request, contact us directly to arrange bulk supply. PCS's own feeding chart is a ceiling, not a... Read more...
Fulvic Acid in Hydroponics: What It Does, How It Compares to Humic Acid, and How to Use It
Quick Answer Fulvic acid chelates mineral nutrients and improves how efficiently they move through the plant once absorbed. It has a genuine but limited pH buffering effect, softening swings rather than replacing a dedicated pH corrector. Fulvic acid has a smaller molecular structure than humic acid, making it more mobile within plant tissue, while humic acid works more at the root zone level. Add it after your base nutrient, alongside other additives, no special mixing order required. Chris Brubeck. Reviewed August 2026. Fulvic acid gets recommended constantly in hydroponic growing... Read more...
Silica in Hydroponics: What It Does, Which Form to Use, and How to Add It Correctly
Quick Answer Silica strengthens cell walls, thickens stems, and builds a physical barrier against pests, heat stress and fungal pathogens. Potassium silicate needs the plant to convert it before use, mono silicic acid is already in a form roots can absorb directly. Add silica to your reservoir before anything else, it needs to dilute before your base nutrient goes in or it can react and precipitate out of solution. Research backs the pest-resistance claims for spider mites specifically, the picture is weaker for thrips and silica does nothing for fungus... Read more...
Why Are My Hydroponic Leaves Curling or Clawing?
Curling leaves can mean several different things depending on direction. Here's how to tell nutrient, heat and root causes apart. Read more...
Cal-Mag Deficiency in Hydroponics: Causes and Fixes
Quick Answer: Cal-Mag Deficiency in Hydroponics A combined Cal-Mag problem shows as interveinal chlorosis on older leaves alongside distorted, weak new growth, since calcium and magnesium move through the plant differently. Interveinal chlorosis means the tissue between the veins turns pale while the veins themselves stay noticeably greener. Reverse osmosis water and naturally soft tap water both carry very little calcium and magnesium unless the base nutrient or an added supplement accounts for it. High-intensity LED lighting increases overall growth rate and nutrient demand, which can expose a marginal Cal-Mag... Read more...
How to Mix Dry Nutrients (And How to Make a Bulk Stock Bottle)
How to Mix Dry Nutrients (And How to Make a Bulk Stock Bottle)
Dry nutrients are cheaper and last longer than liquid, but weighing out 0.3g by hand every few days gets old fast. Here is how to mix dry powder correctly, and... Read more...
Best Hydroponic Nutrients Australia: How to Choose the Right System for Your Grow
Quick Answer: Best Hydroponic Nutrients Australia Best for beginners: Dutchfest Grow and Bloom A+B or THC Grow and Bloom A+B. Best for coco coir: Dutchfest Coco A+B or GT Coco A+B, both with elevated calcium and magnesium built in. Best for DWC and recirculating systems: GT Optimum Grow and Bloom, built for continuous recirculation. Best for AutoPot: Byron Bay Gold Slab of Gold, a structured 3-stage schedule suited to infrequent top-ups. Best value: Dutchfest or Premium Crop Solutions (PCS), made in Australia with high quality inputs. Managing EC correctly at... Read more...
The Real Order of Priority in Hydroponic Growing: Environment, Light and Nutrients
The Real Order of Priority in Hydroponic Growing: Environment, Light and Nutrients
Quick Answer: The Real Order of Priority in Hydroponic Growing Pot size and root zone come first. An oversized pot is just as limiting as an undersized one, and a... Read more...
Hydroponic Nutrient Deficiency Chart: Identification Guide Australia
Hydroponic Nutrient Deficiency Chart: Identification Guide Australia
Quick Answer: Hydroponic Nutrient Deficiency Identification Mobile nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium) show symptoms on older lower leaves first, since the plant relocates them to new growth. Immobile nutrients (calcium,... Read more...
Bunnings Hydroponics: Fertilisers and Starter Kits in Australia
Bunnings Hydroponics: Fertilisers and Starter Kits in Australia
Quick Answer: Bunnings Hydroponics, Fertilisers and Starter Kits Seasol has almost no NPK content (N 0.1%, P 0.01%, K 1.5%) and works as a root tonic and stress reliever, not... Read more...
Epsom Salts for Plants and Hydroponics: Complete Australian Guide
Quick Answer: Epsom Salts for Plants and Hydroponics Australia Epsom salts are magnesium sulphate, they correct magnesium deficiency but provide zero calcium. Classic magnesium deficiency: yellowing between green veins (interveinal chlorosis) starting on older leaves and moving upward. In hydroponics, a dedicated Cal-Mag supplement corrects both calcium and magnesium simultaneously, more appropriate than Epsom salts alone. For sulphur deficiency specifically, Epsom salts are the right answer and supermarket Epsom is the cheapest source. Cal-Mag contains little or no sulphur. LED grow lights increase calcium and magnesium demand because they reduce... Read more...
Terra Aquatica Feeding Guide: EC Targets, Ratios and How to Build Your Program
Quick Answer: Terra Aquatica Feeding Guide. EC Targets Australia The bottle's maximum dosage is a ceiling, not a target. Start at 50 to 60% of the recommended dose and build up based on plant response. Always add TriPart Micro first, then Grow or Bloom, then adjust pH. Adding in wrong order causes nutrient precipitation. EC targets: seedlings 0.4 to 0.6, vegetative 0.8 to 1.4, early flower 1.4 to 1.7, peak flower 1.7 to 2.0. The more dialed in your grow space is for a given cultivar, the higher an EC... Read more...
PK Boosters Australia: Best Bloom Additives for Higher Yields
PK boosters are one of the most debated additives in hydroponics. This guide covers the best bloom additives available in Australia, how they work, and how to use them without burning your plants or wasting money. Read more...
2-Part vs 3-Part Hydroponic Nutrients: Which System Is Right for You?
2-part and 3-part nutrient systems both have their place in hydroponics, but they suit different growers and setups. This guide breaks down the pros, cons, and which system delivers better results for Australian growers. Read more...
Terra Aquatica NovaMax or TriPart: Which Hydroponic Nutrient System Suits Your Grow?
A practical comparison of Terra Aquatica NovaMax and TriPart nutrient systems. Covers mixing complexity, cost per litre, system compatibility, and which is best for beginners vs experienced growers in Australia. Read more...
Pharmaceutical Grade Hydroponic Nutrients: What It Actually Means (Australia Guide)
Quick Answer: Pharmaceutical Grade Hydroponic Nutrients Pharmaceutical grade refers to the purity standard of the raw mineral inputs, not the finished nutrient product itself. These minerals are refined to remove heavy metal contaminants and impurities common in lower, agricultural grade sources. In practice this shows up as more stable pH, cleaner dissolution, and more consistent results batch to batch. The term is genuinely meaningful, but only when a brand can back it up, not every product using the phrase actually sources at this level. CYCO and THC Nutrients are the... Read more...
Natural vs Synthetic PGRs in Hydroponics: What Every Australian Grower Needs to Know
Natural vs Synthetic PGRs in Hydroponics: What Every Australian Grower Needs to Know
Quick Answer: Natural vs Synthetic PGRs for Hydroponics Australia Synthetic PGRs including paclobutrazol, daminozide and chlormequat were developed for ornamental horticulture, not for consumable crops. Paclobutrazol persists in growing media... Read more...
Byron Bay Gold and Dutchfest: Two Australian Hydroponic Nutrient Brands, One Right Choice for Your Grow
A head-to-head comparison of Byron Bay Gold and Dutchfest, two of Australia's most respected hydroponic nutrient brands. Covers A+B base nutrients, coco formulas, bloom boosters and which brand suits different growing styles. Read more...
General Hydroponics and Terra Aquatica: Are They the Same Nutrient System?
Terra Aquatica and General Hydroponics share the same nutrient system design and are functionally equivalent for Australian growers. This guide breaks down the formula comparison, direct product equivalents, and practical tips for switching between the two brands mid-grow. Read more...
How to Grow Hydroponic Tomatoes in Australia
A complete beginner guide to growing hydroponic tomatoes in Australia. Covers the best varieties, EC and pH ranges, LED grow lights, hydroponic systems, VPD, growth timelines and common problems. Read more...
THC Nutrients Australia
Quick Answer: THC Nutrients Australia, Total Horticultural Concentrate THC Nutrients uses pharmaceutical-grade mineral inputs, which is why the dose rate is just 2ml per litre, treating up to 500L per 1L bottle. THC Grow and Bloom A+B is the base program, with both parts mixed equally forming a complete full-cycle nutrient solution. THC Coco A+B is specifically formulated for coco coir with elevated calcium and magnesium built in, so no separate Cal-Mag is required. THC Roid is used from mid-flower to the week before flush, supporting bud density and resin... Read more...