Looking for Feedback / Advice - Page 2

bigwheel · #11 05-04-2008, 04:32 PM

Thanks for all them good tips there MD. Appreciate it. Why not just do a few Hempy Buckets? Thanks.

Big Wheel

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdgcmd

Ok ok I will try and help you out the best I can. IMHO I would not use the rubbermaid bin for multiple plants in DWC. Why... simply because if one plant has a difficiency will have to remove one of them to treat the sick one. I know this doesn't sound so bad but what about in 6 weeks when their the roots of each plant tangle up, then what do you do. Again this is just my opinion. I have seen DWC roots fill up 7 gallon buckets, and I mean FILL. Another reason is just think of all the nute you will need for a 25 gallon tote, compared to 2-3 5g buckets.

As far as lights go I have better luck with high power CFL's. I have bought the 100w CFL's that say they equal a 200w incandescent, and for only 8 bucks at my local wally world. CFL's are cheap enough and plenty bright enough to grow plants, get three 100w bulbs for two plants. 1000bulbs.com has cheap ones as well and million to chose from so go and look there.

For your nutes I can personally attest that GH three part works GREAT in DWC and there is loads of info on those nutes. I am referring to nutrient tables and ratio amounts as well as GH boosters. If you are looking for something that works great and super easy to use look into DutchMaster ONE series. You will need 2 bottle... one for veggin and one for flowering and thats it.

I have always used Hydroton in my DWC systems and I never PH balanced anything. I don't think that I had any PH problems as the GH nutes are PH balanced and as long as your water is about 7PH then the nutes drop it to about 6.8 and that is about where it seemed to stay. I did eventually buy a cheap TDS and a cheap PH meter off eBay. They both work just fine but need to be calibrated about every 3-4 days so about twice as often as a good one.
As for the netpots just keep your eye open for anything that might work. Walk up and down the Walmart housewares department, and the hardware department as well. I know that I see things that I think I can use for something all the time.

mdgcmd · #12 05-04-2008, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigwheel

Thanks for all them good tips there MD. Appreciate it. Why not just do a few Hempy Buckets? Thanks.

Big Wheel

Well I don't need the bucket anymore. I am an aero grower... a "TRUE AERO GROWER" No aero/NFT hybrid I mean the real deal.

To be honest though I have had only a few fully successful grows despite growing for well over 3 years. Robberies, seem to be the number one reason for failure, but having to move, and paranoia has played a part on several occasions.

hugetom80s · #13 05-06-2008, 09:21 PM

Thanks for the advice mdgcmd, really good points.

Everything I've read suggests that Hydroton is pH neutral, so it's good to hear that you've had the same experience. All things considered it just seems like a hard-to-beat hydroponic medium. Much easier to keep in place (since you don't have to have small holes to keep it from falling out), re-usable if you clean it properly, and so on.

I'd thought about the CFL's, but it just seemed to me that if I went that route I'd end up using a ton of them. How does 2-3 100w CFLs compare output-wise to, say, a 2 or 4 foot double bulb fluorescent fixture (like a shop light)?

Also, I hadn't thought of the issues with root entanglement with a DWC set-up. Honestly I think on this grow I'm still going to go that way simply because I'm just going to have a couple kinds of lettuce, some collard greens, spinach, and maybe basil. (I'm leaving the training wheels on the bike, in a manner of speaking.)

Though I do have an idea for solving that particular problem... I'll have to see if I can make it work. Maybe I can come up with a new design.

massbaster · #14 05-07-2008, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdgcmd

Ok ok I will try and help you out the best I can. IMHO I would not use the rubbermaid bin for multiple plants in DWC. Why... simply because if one plant has a difficiency will have to remove one of them to treat the sick one. I know this doesn't sound so bad but what about in 6 weeks when their the roots of each plant tangle up, then what do you do. Again this is just my opinion. I have seen DWC roots fill up 7 gallon buckets, and I mean FILL. Another reason is just think of all the nute you will need for a 25 gallon tote, compared to 2-3 5g buckets.

cut your bad plants or males as close to the roots as possible. add Hygrozyme to your res and in a few weeks the rotting dead roots leftover will be chemically broken down by the hygrozyme into useful food for your other plants.
just keep eye on ppms.

hooked.on.ponics · #15 05-09-2008, 08:05 PM

That's exactly what I do, except I use SensiZym from AN. I've found it works at least as well, if not better. Plus I prefer to buy my nutrients and stuff in larger quantities, and SensiZym has a much longer shelf-life.

Gotta remember, this stuff has got enzymes in it (thus the "zym" part of the name) and it's basically organic materials. If it sits around too long it basically dies.

So yeah, bit of an Advanced Nutrients fanboi here, but I I'd recommend SensiZym over Hygrozyme unless you just can't get your hands on AN stuff where you live. Worth every penny IMO.

GreenHog · #16 05-11-2008, 10:07 PM

Pea gravel or aquarium rocks a 1/4 in. diameter works just fine in a dwc. Cut a small hole in the top of the lid so you can use a turkey baster to water the plants until the roots hit the water. Or you can have a higher water level, about 3/4 of the way up the pot and run it that way until the roots propagate down into the mix.