Hydroponics

Question for all the hydro vets out there. this is going to be my fourth grow. I use a single unit top drip waterfarm and a six pot rubbermaid that has top drip/dwc (six pot) every grow I struggle with the same problem and that is how often to set my timers for feeding. I have alternated between Hydroton and nothing else except the root plug that I started the seed in and rockwool. It always seems like I am either over watering or underwatering and I would like to correct this problem for my next grow. Can anyone suggest a good media for my plants that I can use in conjunction with the hydroton which Ive always liked using? Wouldnt mind using rockwool again but I always have problems with green slime or white stuff growing on top of the cubes (im guessing from the lights hitting it and probably overwatering the rockwool) any help would be much appreciated.

If you are doing DWC, once the roots reach the water there is no need to top feed... IF your roots are in the water... just turn it off...

you can also cover you pots with white plastic... reflects light back to the plants and prevents algae... like these pots...

GypsyBush said:

If you are doing DWC, once the roots reach the water there is no need to top feed... IF your roots are in the water... just turn it off...

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Thanks was hoping youd respond lol. But as for until they reach the water what would be the best route to go? should I start in rapid rooter plugs then transfer to hydroton in the net pots? if so how often do you recommend having the drip come on? If I germ in rockwool in my heated humidity dome (just thought id add that info in there) then put in net pots with hydroton how often should I drip?

Oops didnt see that before i replied. Panda film right?

GypsyBush said:

If you are doing DWC, once the roots reach the water there is no need to top feed... IF your roots are in the water... just turn it off...

Click to expand...

also in a ten gal res do you think that two 14 inch bubble bars is enough?

Yes panda film...

There is no sense in transplanting the RW (RockWool) into the Hydroton until you see roots...

Then, make sure the RW stays DAMP, never soaked, and adjust your Drip System away from the RW.. so that you can water the Hydroton, without getting the RW soaked...

Wet RW is a HUGE problem and should never ever be wet... only damp...

Clone and cube (what I did) should weigh in between 25 ~ 40 grams...

If you can't keep from soaking it, I would recommend the Rapid Root plugs, but they can't be soaked all the time either...

Niko Bellick said:

also in a ten gal res do you think that two 14 inch bubble bars is enough?

Click to expand...

Should be if you have an appropriate pump...
and remember... the bigger the res... the more stable it is...

GypsyBush said:

Yes panda film...

There is no sense in transplanting the RW (RockWool) into the Hydroton until you see roots...

Then, make sure the RW stays DAMP, never soaked, and adjust your Drip System away from the RW.. so that you can water the Hydroton, without getting the RW soaked...

Wet RW is a HUGE problem and should never ever be wet... only damp...

Clone and cube (what I did) should weigh in between 25 ~ 40 grams...

If you can't keep from soaking it, I would recommend the Rapid Root plugs, but they can't be soaked all the time either...

Click to expand...

Thank you, I think I will go with the rapid root plugs and just lengthen the hose on the drip to go a few inches into the hydroton so it sits by the roots when it waters.

GypsyBush said:

Should be if you have an appropriate pump...
and remember... the bigger the res... the more stable it is...

Click to expand...

I'll make sure It's an appropriate pump. Thanks for the help bro hopefully I'm done with the majority of the trial and error for this next grow.

I have a prob with a hydro sysyem. there is all these little white guys swimming around my res. I'm using canna nutes any advice would be great.

Clean and sterilize it ASAP!!!

and you can always make sure to use NON-organic nutes and H2O2... the best way to keep everything at bay....

Thank you Gypsybush, any idea what they may be called?

Not Pot..!!! lol....
I have no idea bro...!!! gotta pic?

dcyans said:

Depends on the system bro I've done plenty of no flush grows and believe me I was dead against it for a long time until I started using Lucas's formula and recommended addbacks. you would think of course that some of the element salts would build up to toxic levels but it really doesn't come into play as you would thing when you properly manage your nutrient solutions. I will still recommend especially for beginners res changes every two weeks but not before that is only wasting nutrients as well as adding extra waste to the environment.

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Flushing is a benefit used to excrete the waste of toxic salts and extra nutrients, which in turn will help your plant(s),you might not think your plants have a lot of salt buildup until after you flush, you realize how much they had based on how much better your plants flourish. It is a good idea to flush your hydro system every two weeks and add new water, no exceptions,your plants will appreciate it. Another thing is the salts and nutrients we get out of the environment like; zinc,copper,iron,potassium,mag.,sulfer.potash,nitrogen, etc. None of these elements are harmfull to the environment,where do you think we got them from? So don't think by dumping your unecessary nutrients and salts outside you are harming the environment at all. Oregon, the ChRonIc StAte.

irish farmer said:

I have a prob with a hydro sysyem. there is all these little white guys swimming around my res. I'm using canna nutes any advice would be great.

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If I remember right its been a while since I had them,they are called aphids, and what they do is attach to your root system slowing and eventually stopping nutrient absorbtion. Go to your local hydro shop and ask them about it,they should have something to treat aphids. They multiply rapidly so you should get on it right away.

Thank's everyone, I dont have a pic I'l try get 1 later.

I have a pretty decent hydro set up at the mo. Plants 5 weeks old and already 30'' high and over two feet wide. By the look of it, I'm hoping to see 10-15 ounce. I would suggest hydro to start off as it requires alot less effort than soil. If flushed properly, hydro can be just as tasty as soil grown.
It's the store of nutrients in the plant that gives hydro it's bad name for taste, but flushing makes the plant use it's back log of nutrients and or root stimulant. Clean fresh pure taste of bud. mmmmmmmmmmmm.

How do i decide how much water i should have in my rez?? I understand the larger the more stable but then the more nutes i'm using, so do I just find a happy medium?

Also when I add mycorrhizae to my rez's is that one of the first things that goes into the rez?

right now I have Canna Nutes, superthrive(when needed) and mycorrhizae, between that and h202 solution what else will I really need nutrient wise for supporting a healthy ebb & flow rez environment?

PPM/EC levels- Is it absolutely necessary to buy an EC meter or can I get away with watching my PH?

Thats a shit ton of Q's so if anyone can answer any of those that would be fantastic!

Thanks!