Rockwool, DWC/Bubbleponics

**Guilt** · 05-04-2010, 08:07 PM

I got some 10" net pot lids for 5 gallon buckets that I wanted to use... The same method in the stores is using drip rings for watering the rockwool. Is a drip system the only way to keep the rockwool moist? I imagine keeping the water raised up 1/4 way up the rockwool cube even with bubbles would cause too much water saturation? Does anyone have any experience using this method? If this doesn't work out, I will most likely just keep 2-3 plants going in these buckets and continue with smaller net pots instead of these cool 10" lids.

Maybe someone has another idea of how to support the plant without rockwool in such a large space? Hydroton doesn't give the plant very much support without the rockwool cube. Should I say fuck it, and just let the roots grow and support the plant by the netpot?

**wiseguy316** · 05-04-2010, 08:12 PM

If a plant was started in a 1 in cube of rockwool once it has roots coming out you transplant that into you net pot with hydroton and it will have plenty of support. Some don't even use the rockwool if they have rooted clones, just right into the hydroton and it's fine

**Guilt** · 05-04-2010, 08:41 PM

But the question wasn't just if I can root in rockwool lol. I have both size cubes already... I am only questioning the watering method. A bubbler without a drip water system. I do not want to saturate the rockwool like I said before. The only way I see not saturating the rockwool is either spraying it, and I think building a sprayer is useless for a single bucket when I can easily make a dripper without any effort.

-- TO SUM UP THE QUESTION:
With a bubbler - should rockwool be a medium without sprayers or a dripper? The rock wool should not be touching the water. RIGHT?

If the ROCK WOOL IS NOT SUGGESTED FOR THIS ROUTE THEN WHAT OTHER METHODS OF SUPPORT ARE SUGGESTED?

**ColoradoLove** · 05-04-2010, 08:52 PM

It sounds like what you're describing is DWC. Ditch the watering ring and let the bubbles do their thing. Here's a link for water heigth and other DWC info

Putting bubbles in your 'ponics

I have the 10" netpots and don't really like them. They weigh a lot when full of wet hydroton and it's kind of hard to pry them off due to the weight and little 1" rims. I'm going with the 6" netpot lids next time. Just my 2 cents though

**Guilt** · 05-04-2010, 09:02 PM

Very cool, that is exactly what I wanted to know, I am currently using 2" net pots drilled into 2" holes supported by neoprene collars, but because I don't believe they exist, or I cannot find them for over 5" pots. The collars support the plants very well, but for a mother, I am not sure if this 2" is big enough to support it all the way through, it might start to tip when it's bigger and I will have to support the net pot. The 10" bucket is much better in my opinion supported by a larger cube and ht. Thank you very much Colorado Love!! And just for the record, I am also in Colorado. Are you in Denver? I am in Western Slope near Delta.

**ColoradoLove** · 05-04-2010, 09:19 PM

I'm up in the mountains. They make those lids in 10" 8" and 6" and then you can buy plain lids and cut them for smaller netpots. So you're correct that they don't exist. At least to my knowledge either