The Best Just Got Better
At Drip Hydro, we’re always listening, learning, and dialing in our formulas based on what happens in real gardens—not just the lab. After years of commercial use, thousands of tissue and drain samples, and direct feedback from growers pushing the limits, it became clear: Base A was performing so well, it was sometimes too efficient.
Today, we’re announcing a key upgrade to our flagship FLUID line:
Base A is now shipping as 4-0-2 (instead of 5-0-2). This change is live and rolling out to all Drip Hydro retailers and GrowGeneration stores.
Why Change a Winning Formula?
The answer: because success doesn’t mean we stop improving.
Our chelated micronutrients (like manganese, molybdenum, and iron) are highly bioavailable and keep your plants’ root zones firing on all cylinders. They don’t add nitrogen—but they supercharge your plant’s ability to use every bit of nitrogen that’s present.
- Chelated micronutrients boost nitrogen metabolism.
Manganese and molybdenum, for example, drive key enzymes that convert nitrate into forms the plant can actually build with. More efficiency means more growth… and sometimes, too much of a good thing. - Chelates keep nutrients open and available.
By preventing lockout—even as pH drifts—iron, zinc, and copper stay accessible. Healthy roots mean better nitrogen absorption. - Higher bioavailability, more uptake.
Our chelated micronutrients reduce root zone competition and salt stress, letting your plants draw in a balanced feed profile with nothing holding them back. This made Base A incredibly effective—but also meant some strains began to show signs of excessive nitrogen consumption (like dark leaves or minor clawing), even when following the chart.
What’s Different? What’s Not?
We lowered total nitrogen by just one point: from 5% to 4%.
That’s it. The rest of the formula—the calcium, magnesium, potassium, and fully chelated micronutrient suite—remains exactly the same.
Feed charts, dilution rates, and pricing? All unchanged.
| Feature | Old Base A | New Base A |
| NPK | 5-0-2 | 4-0-2 |
| Chelated Micros | ✓ | ✓ |
| Calcium, Mg, K | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dilution Rate | 6–13 mL/gal | 6–13 mL/gal |
| Container Sizes | Qt–330 gal | Qt–330 gal |
Bottles now clearly say “4-0-2”—that’s how you’ll know you’ve got the new batch.
What Does This Mean for Your Garden?
- Even cleaner, more balanced growth:
Less risk of clawing, burnt tips, or overly dark foliage—especially in mid-flower. - No guesswork:
You do not need to change your chart or dosing. Just keep running your program. - More control:
If you need a little more N for a hungry cultivar, simply bump Base A by 1 mL/gal at a time. - Proven in side-by-side trials:
We ran the new formula in 12 commercial facilities. The result?
• 14% reduction in excess leaf nitrogen
• 75% fewer N-toxicity events
• 3% yield increase from healthier canopies
Base A 4-0-2 FAQ
OVERVIEW
Q: Do I need to update my feed chart or program?
No. The change is seamless—keep doing what works.
Q: Did you change anything else?
No. Only the nitrogen level. All micronutrients, calcium, and other ingredients are unchanged.
Q: Is this the same for outdoor and indoor?
Yes. The new formula supports high-performance gardens in any setting, including large-scale outdoor runs.
Q: How do I know I have the new Base A?
Check the label. Bottles now read “4-0-2.” Any 5-0-2 left on shelves will be sold through first, then gone for good.
Q: Why not just lower the dose of the old Base A?
Because that also reduces your micronutrients. With 4-0-2, everything stays balanced.
FORMULATION CHANGES
- What changed in Base A?
The nitrogen content dropped from 5% to 4%. The NPK is now 4-0-2 instead of 5-0-2. Everything else, including calcium, magnesium, potassium, and chelated micros, remains the same. - Why did you reduce the nitrogen?
After years of tissue, feed, and drain analysis, plus direct grower feedback, we discovered that Base A’s chelated micronutrients were making nitrogen so bioavailable that some cultivars experienced nitrogen excess, even at standard feed rates. Lowering nitrogen creates a better balance without sacrificing vigor. - Was ammoniacal nitrogen changed too?
Yes. The reduction from 5% to 4% adjusted the nitrate-to-ammoniacal ratio slightly. The new formula still emphasizes nitrate for clean uptake and maintains stability. - Did the source materials change?
No. All premium inputs and chelation agents are unchanged. Only the total nitrogen was reduced to improve the overall balance. - Will this look or mix differently?
No. You’ll see the same clarity, solubility, and stability in your tanks as before. - Is this version still fully chelated?
Yes. Base A continues to deliver chelated copper, iron, manganese, and zinc, supporting optimal metabolic function and nutrient uptake.
PERFORMANCE & RESULTS
- Will this affect plant performance?
Yes—in a positive way. The new balance prevents clawing, dark foliage, and nitrogen toxicity, while still supporting lush, healthy growth and strong yields. - Will this affect my veg performance?
No. You still get robust vegetative growth. Most cultivars perform just as well or better, especially with less excess nitrogen. - Is this better for automation or drain-to-waste systems?
Yes. Lower nitrogen helps reduce salt buildup and maintain cleaner lines, especially in recirculating or automated fertigation systems. - What if I need more nitrogen for certain strains?
Just bump Base A by 1 mL per gallon at a time until you reach your desired response. - Do I need more CaMg now?
No. Calcium and magnesium levels in Base A haven’t changed, and there’s no increased demand with the new NPK.
USAGE & COMPATIBILITY
- Should I adjust my feed chart or dosing?
No changes are needed. Start with your usual Base A rate and adjust only if your crop demands it. - Will feed charts change?
No. All existing Drip Hydro feed charts remain current and accurate. - Do I need to update my SOPs or feed tracking?
No updates are necessary unless you specifically record the NPK by number. - Can I mix Base A 4-0-2 with other brands?
We recommend using the full Drip Hydro system for the best, most consistent results. - Should I switch anything else in my program?
No. Keep running Base B, Flex, CaMg, and Flow as before. - Does this change affect total nitrogen across the full FLUID lineup?
Only Base A was adjusted. Nitrogen from CaMg and other products remains the same.
LOGISTICS & IDENTIFICATION
- How do I know if I have the new formula?
Look for “4-0-2” on the bottle label. Distributors and retailers are shipping first-in, first-out, so the old formula will be phased out. - Did the price change?
No. You get the same value and pricing as always.
RATIONALE & STRATEGY
Why not just tell growers to lower their dose?
Because reducing Base A’s dose would also lower the amount of chelated micronutrients, calcium, and other essentials. The new 4-0-2 ratio keeps the rest of your feed balanced while fine-tuning nitrogen for today’s high-performance gardens.
The Takeaway
Base A 4-0-2 is the product of real-world results, deep science, and our commitment to making sure “good” keeps getting better. If you’re already running Drip Hydro, you’re about to experience even more balanced growth, with less work and fewer surprises. If you’re new to Drip, now’s the best time to see what a dialed-in formula can do.
Check your next shipment, read the label, and keep growing forward.
Questions? Reach out or check our resources for more info.
Ready for the next level? Base A 4-0-2 is here.
