Hydro, DWC & recirculating guide

Start with the growing system

Hydroponic growing puts the nutrient solution at the centre of the grow. The feed is not an occasional extra: it is how the plant receives mineral elements. In coco, water and nutrient management also matter, but the medium interacts with calcium and magnesium. Soil adds another variable, because existing fertility differs from one mix to another. Start by identifying the actual system rather than applying a schedule simply because it worked for somebody else. A useful UK hydroponic nutrient range should make its intended uses clear and explain how vegetative and flowering feeds differ.

Why a two-part base matters

Monkey Grow A+B supplies all 17 essential macro and micro nutrients tailored for vegetative growth. Raised nitrogen with moderate phosphorus and potassium supports the leafy stage. Bloom A+B changes that balance for flowering, with lower nitrogen and raised phosphorus and potassium. The separate A and B parts support stability and shelf life. Part B contains beneficial bacteria and stimulants intended to increase the availability of mineral elements. This hybrid mineral and bio-stimulant approach is part of the system, not a reason to skip the feeding chart.

Build a kit around actual needs

A straightforward starter kit is Grow A+B, Bloom A+B and Root Shoot. The base nutrients address different stages; Root Shoot supports roots. More experienced growers can add Boost, Stress and one flowering programme: PK 9/18 or Resin. Mag Cal belongs in the conversation for coco, soft water and RO water. More bottles do not automatically create a better grow. Choose a product because its role is understood, and keep the schedule readable. The best hydroponic nutrients in the UK are not established by a universal ranking here; this is a guide to evaluating the system for your own grow.

Check the programme before you start

The Monkey feeding chart is written as a ratio per 10 litres of water. Its headings distinguish vegetative growth, bloom and flush, and the programme toggle selects PK or Resin. Before measuring anything, check that the week on the screen is the week you intended. A veg week and a bloom week can share a number but involve different base feeds. The chart’s ranges should remain ranges in your notes. A displayed interval does not mean that the website has secretly chosen one precise value for your crop. Read the full row and the surrounding programme rather than lifting a number out of context.

The calculator is a convenient way to change reservoir volume without changing the underlying chart. Enter litres, choose the week and programme, and read the millilitres for each included product. If you double the water volume, the confirmed amounts double; if you halve it, they halve. A product without a confirmed dose is not automatically assigned one. This simple boundary is important: arithmetic can scale an instruction, but it cannot supply missing product guidance.