I"m new here, but I get to contribute where I can
I saw a video that i'll post about a guy who suggests using a net that you buy where they sell paint it's used to filter paint and you can actually put that in the bucket and then fill the perlite in after. Problem Solved
Right now i'm researching LEDs until my eyes bleed because I don't want to go out and buy 16-20 MH, HPS, Ballasts and housings for the bulbs just to upgrade to LED later. The energy savings on our operation when we open up will be huge but the costs of the equipment up front are also huge. Why did you go with that LED and not another one? I like to do my homework as to why others made their purchase.
Thanks for the tip and welcome, but I used one of those paint strainer bags in my previous grow's bucket. And the problem with it was that roots grew right through the bag and started to clog up the drain in my system. It wouldn't be good to have a clogged drain in this, because you can end up with your res water all over your floor. So that's why I modified my system to intentionally allow roots to grow through the bottom of the bucket through all the holes I drilled in it. There's no secondary drain to clog up. And instead of the flimsy strainer bag I glued metal screen door patches to the bigger 1" holes that I drilled. The roots probably won't be able to grow through them now, but we'll see. Anyway, this overall method of letting roots grow through works for all the people who use Waterfarms.
For info on different LED grow lights, the following thread has a whole long discussion about it. They like these panels in particular:
Apache Tech, Radiant, Area 51 - 5 Stars *****
California Light Works, Hans Panel - 4 Stars ****
ProSource, Grow Blu - 3 Stars ***
Black Dog - 2.5 Stars **1/2
Black Star, Hydrogrow, Stealth Grow - 2 Stars **
ProGrow, Ebay Junk - 1 Star *
* The list might have been refined since this. Read the thread here:
https://www.rollitup.org/led-other-lighting/633304-if-you-new-led-want-143.html
I chose the Area 51 because of all the detailed info about it posted on the manufacturer's web site and because of the rave reviews other growers on riu have been giving it. And the company is great at answering questions. He'll also give you a volume discount if you buy a large quantity of panels like you seem to need. I got mine wholesale for promising to write journal for my grow, just honestly reviewing it. But you have to be an established user of riu or another grow journal web site who has a history of getting along well with others.
From now on I'll add a little Cal/Mag every time I change the water. And I won't be afraid to raise the nute concentration a little more than I have been.