Please help with bubbleponics system!!!

redfoxx · #1 09-17-2007, 06:35 PM

Hi everyone, I need some urgent help with my bubbleponics system. I've got it a week ago and followed all the instructions and posts here. I germinated my seeds, checked water for Ph and it's at 6.4, temperatures are at 68-72F, 50% humidity. I checked the seeds and they seemed to have rotted.

Others are not showing up and it's been 5 days already. I added a very weak nut solution to 6 gallons as Roseman said to do in one of his posts, but I didn't soak the rockwool. Water I'm using is Brita filtered tap. I've just ordered a water monitoring kit that'll tell me the EC/PPM levels of nutrients in the water. Why did the seeds rot? What is the best way to make them sprout using rockwool? Do i need to soak the rockwool first? Do i keep the seed in the rockwool in darkness until they sprout or can I put them under my CFL right away? Help appreciated!

potroast · #2 09-17-2007, 11:29 PM

I've never used a Brita filter, but if it uses salt to filter the water, (like a water softener) then the sodium will kill plants.

HTH

redfoxx · #3 09-18-2007, 04:44 PM

I think Brita is fine because i water basil/celantro with it and they looked great. I think I confirmed the problem might have been the seeds themselves. I decided to clean the system today and pulled out all rockwool cubes. Only 1 seed gave a long root inside the rockwool and that was an Afgaani i got from a different pack. My other seeds were freebies so I think that might have been a problem. I'm now sprouting inside rockwool cubes underneath a clear plastic saucer with good roots which gave great tap roots. Praying for them to sprout in a day or so, put em in the treated cubes this morning. Keeping them warm and dark.

justintime4420 · #4 11-19-2007, 10:08 PM

i have a similar system and just put the seeds right in the cube. one thing i did differant then what was advised by people on this site and others was i ouyt the seed way down in the cube and then took an ey dropper and put a few drops of water down in there. I also noticed that by taking some duct tape and taping off all seems and edges it really keeps the system sealed tight, like a dry pussy!

1puff2puff3puff · #5 11-19-2007, 10:18 PM

It seems like you ph is too high for hydro, its suppsed to be between 5.2 to 6.2. I dont know about the britta water, but any kind of drinking water is bad. I started off with spring water and found it was better for my soil grow (between 6.2-6.

but with my RO water i havent had to adjust my ph NOT ONCE!!!! I germed using the paper towel method and when they got the root i put them in dry rockwool and put in the system, 2 days later, i had babies!!!

TheLegend1023 · #6 11-20-2007, 10:13 AM

i planted my seedlings in rockwool about 3 days ago i placed them in a bubbler system and they already sprouted and are 2 inches long! Im only using 1/4 strength nutes and i have the PH at 5.8 - 6.0

I also soaked my rockwool in water with the PH adjusted to 5.0 - 5.5 for 24 hours.prior to planting the seedlings!

(be sure to give the cubes a couple of hard shakes before planting the seedlings. you dont want them too wet.)