What are the recommended safe dyes to use in reservoirs?

[Alienpus]

I want a dye that will not be absorbed by the plants and can accumulate a little without toxicity, ideally without staining roots. I need very little, a few drops per 100 gallons . Pond dyes seem safe but I need more than one color. Aniline dyes are toxic. I'm assuming food coloring would be OK but it seems some colors or formulations may be absorbed through the roots. Some nutes are dyed, anyone know what kind they use? Maybe specified on the label.

 

[SmokyMcPot247]

Hey alien can you fill me on this dye I am just curious what does the dye do and please dont just say dye!

 

[Alienpus]

I buy my nutes in 5 gallon buckets and transfer them to 2l bottles but they are clear and I have different custom PH adjustment solutions for the doser also clear. I also supply these solutions to a buddy of mine, sometimes the sharpie wears off or I am stoned or distracted so I wanted to color code everything.

 

[Ascended]

You could likely get away with using blueberry juice or even beet juice to colour the nutes, but no matter what you use you are likely going to find it will affect the taste profile in an unexpected if not unpleasant way.

 

[Alienpus]

Yeah, I was hoping to find a dye with molecules large enough to not be absorbed, some nutes are dyed I assume they are not absorbed

 

[Kushtie]

Little coloured plastic beads in the bottles? Hopefully they should be big enough not to get absorbed

 

[Alienpus]

Little coloured plastic beads in the bottles? Hopefully they should be big enough not to get absorbed

Wow this is such a good idea, different colored glass marbles at the bottom of each bottle. This is an even better solution then dye thanks.

 

[Kushtie]

Wow this is such a good idea, different colored glass marbles at the bottom of each bottle. This is an even better solution then dye thanks.

No worries bud, happy to help.

You could make up your own code with different colours to represent different additives and numbers of the same colour to represent the strength of them.

 

[SmokyMcPot247]

I was going to suggest color coded straws. Throw one in each container w/ a reference chart. They have neon colored ones that would be quick to spot!

adding to this! they also come in large quantity for cheap so you could even throw them in every time you supply your friends w/ nutrients they can use it to identify as well.