Working calculators
Nutrient PPM by StageRight nutrient concentration for plant lifecycle. DLI by Crop and LightDaily Light Integral target for your crop and light setup.Guides
Plain note about money: Some links are affiliate (eBay Partner Network). Small commission, doesn't change your price.
Gear actually worth buying
Smart eBay searches we'd start with ourselves. We earn a small commission on qualifying sales through these links; the price you pay is the same whether you use them or go direct to eBay. Full disclosure.
3-part nutrient solutionGeneral Hydroponics Flora Series is the most widely documented system โ easy to find feeding schedules for almost any crop. Start with manufacturer ratios.
Digital pH meter + calibration fluidBluelab and Apera make meters that stay calibrated. Cheap pens drift within weeks. Keep calibration solution on hand.
Rockwool / starter cubesRapid Rooter plugs for seeds; 1.5-inch rockwool cubes for clone starts. Pre-soak rockwool to pH 5.5 before use.
Full-spectrum LED grow lightQuantum board LEDs (Mars Hydro, Spider Farmer) run cooler and more efficiently than blurple panels. 240โ300W covers a 4ร4 tent.
Net pots + grow media3-inch net pots with clay pebbles (Hydroton/LECA) are the default for DWC and Dutch bucket systems. Rinse clay pebbles before first use.