should have taken pictures more for if anyone else is in the same boat,
but this is what happened over the past week
i got to check the EC/pH monitor/controller, and notice the EC rising by 100-200, i'm like wtf...
I know the top off is more diluted than what is in the system at res change, confused, i decide to add another 4 gallons of 0 ppm water to the top off res.
Next day, i check, and still the EC is high....
i'm like WTF?!?!?
I notice that the top off is still full at a time when they should be drinking at least 2-3 gallons a day.
finally, I check under the hood...
DAMN TOPOFF FLOAT VALVE IS CLOGGED!!!
I pull the line out of the top off res, blow in like a whore lol, and I see it's running again
I check 2 hours later, and the system is topped off and at the right level. cool
two days later same shit as above, so immediately i look and AGAIN the float top off valve is clogged.
I pull out of the system and see it flowing like a mo-fo, so wtf, it's the actual valve.
I take it apart and to the sink
I soak in some alcohol and rinse, and still not happy with it. I notice that while this takes a 1/4" line, there is only a pin sized hole for the water to flow through when open, not even big enough for a toothpick i tried to stick through to see if clogged.
this is where i would have taken a picture for other DIY enthusiasts (probably everyone here) like myself
I break out the man drill and open that fucking hole up to almost the full 1/4"
I check and the valve still seals when in the up position.
I reinstall it and now she flowing good! damn good! and checked later and 100% stopped when it should.
mystery/problem solved!
this was also right around when i noticed some funny leaves on one plant, i believe this was because of the lack of fresh/top off water, water was very low those 2 days, less than 1/2" above the pumps... real low. so thats why the EC shot up and i think the solution got a little toxic which caused the deficiencies. at least that's what i believe lol