Problem with CAP Ebb & Gro

This is my first foray with the C.A.P. Ebb & Gro bucket system. I noticed that the farther the buckets were from the controller, the smaller my plants were. I found the tubing connecting the buckets to the controller had become plugged with roots. I removed the fittings and pulled the roots out. I suspect this fix is only temporary, tho. My concern is if I make this a weekly task, the fittings/grommets will eventually start leaking. I was wondering if I placed pieces of copper plated scrubbing pads in the little well where the grommet enters the bucket would stop the roots from growing into the tubing. What would be the effect of the copper in the hydroponic solution? Anyone have a fix for this problem?

bump

I don't know, but I run an ebb bucket system too and it sounds like a good idea. Let me know how it works. Aluminum scrubbers might be better since it won't rust /tarnish. The only thing I can think of is it will reduce water flow causing a longer flood and drain time.

AlphaPhase said:

I don't know, but I run an ebb bucket system too and it sounds like a good idea. Let me know how it works. Aluminum scrubbers might be better since it won't rust /tarnish. The only thing I can think of is it will reduce water flow causing a longer flood and drain time.

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The roots almost completely stop the flow, so..............I want something the roots won't grow into. Fiberglass screen doesn't work. I thought toxicity of the copper might inhibit root growth, but am concerned copper in the hydroponic solution may poison the entire plant.

Well then use a plastic scrubber instead of a copper one.....duhhh

What about something like a bowl screen, or cut a window screen out into pieces and glue it to your flood/drain inlet/outlet?

ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssuck.

Alienwidow said:

Well then use a plastic scrubber instead of a copper one.....duhhh

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Mesh won't stop roots........duhhhh

Alr

AlphaPhase said:

What about something like a bowl screen, or cut a window screen out into pieces and glue it to your flood/drain inlet/outlet?

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I already have window screen in the bottom of the inner bucket. Didn't stop the roots at all. For now, I'm going to just pull the fittings out once a week and clean out the roots until harvest. Depending on the results of my harvest, I may try building a doughnut shaped tray so I can continue using my vertical setup. I can turn an airpot inside out and use that around the drain/fill fitting. The three plants not stunted by lack of solution seem to be doing well.

Red1966 said:

Mesh won't stop roots........duhhhh

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Really? Is your google broken? You cant find somthing as tightly woven as the brass pads your talking about?

Alienwidow said:

Really? Is your google broken? You cant find somthing as tightly woven as the brass pads your talking about?

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Yes, really. Weave is not focus, material is. Copper, not brass. You don't seem to be interested in helping. Just trolling. So I'll just assume you have nothing worthwhile to offer.

Red1966 said:

Yes, really. Weave is not focus, material is. Copper, not brass. You don't seem to be interested in helping. Just trolling. So I'll just assume you have nothing worthwhile to offer.

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Well if you dont want to look for a solution i cant help you. China makes billions of dollars worth of plastics a year, id figure that theres something out there to plug your hole with.

Alienwidow said:

Well if you dont want to look for a solution i cant help you. China makes billions of dollars worth of plastics a year, id figure that theres something out there to plug your hole with.

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You weren't helping, or even trying to help. I'm not trying to plug a hole, I'm trying to unplug a hole. Perhaps you should stick to the politics forum.

Red1966 said:

You weren't helping, or even trying to help. I'm not trying to plug a hole, I'm trying to unplug a hole. Perhaps you should stick to the politics forum.

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I never post in the political forum. Ever. I know what your problem is. Thats why i suggested a plastic solution to cover your holes with, i wasnt talking about plastic butt plugs, i was talking about a plastic mesh plug to cover the hole so roots dont go through it, why will woven or porous plastic not work as well as brass?

Nylon stocking maybe?

stick your tiny dick in there.

Tiny dicks should also do the trick.

Alienwidow said:

I never post in the political forum. Ever. I know what your problem is. Thats why i suggested a plastic solution to cover your holes with, i wasnt talking about plastic butt plugs, i was talking about a plastic mesh plug to cover the hole so roots dont go through it, why will woven or porous plastic not work as well as brass?

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Considering the roots have already grown through a fiberglass window mesh, it seems pointless to do the same thing again but expect a different result. Once again, copper, not brass. Copper has a degree of toxicity, plastic does not.

Red1966 said:

Considering the roots have already grown through a fiberglass window mesh, it seems pointless to do the same thing again but expect a different result. Once again, copper, not brass. Copper has a degree of toxicity, plastic does not.

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Well then have you considered using brass?

Have you tried making a multi layer mesh screen? Possibly the overlaping and criss-crossing holes would be enough to stop the roots..