Water pump runs after the roots hit water..???

I've done this 3 times. I had tremendous luck the 2nd time growing a 6ftR and leaving the pump on through the whole grow. Is there any neg or pos to turning it on or off after the roots hit the water.

I was gonna ask the same question anybody

no you dont have to run the pump as long as the water that it is sitting in is getting aerated by a pump and a airstone but it would be alot more helpful if you were to tell us what kind of system are you growing with?

SlickRickMcgee said:

I've done this 3 times. I had tremendous luck the 2nd time growing a 6ftR and leaving the pump on through the whole grow. Is there any neg or pos to turning it on or off after the roots hit the water.

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SnOoPXIV said:

no you dont have to run the pump as long as the water that it is sitting in is getting aerated by a pump and a airstone but it would be alot more helpful if you were to tell us what kind of system are you growing with?

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It's the standard Bubbleponics. I added 3 stones and a additional airpump.

some folks would say drop the drip, and some say leave it. Experience shows close to the same results either way. If you have good bubbles and strong rooting strain then no need for drippers after roots touch, but its not gonna hurt 'em either. So go with your guts, and let your plants tell you what they want.

in reality there is no reason to use a water pump for dwc. until roots hit the water level, just top feed/water. i have air pumps allready, who wants to plug in another electric device?

loolagigi said:

in reality there is no reason to use a water pump for dwc. until roots hit the water level, just top feed/water. i have air pumps allready, who wants to plug in another electric device?

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I went out and bought a pump and manifold and never used it. Too crowded in the tank, yet another thing to power and/or fail or clog, and clean, ,etc.
The bubbling action gets good moisture all around the hydroton in the net pot - if not, just raise the water level until it does. I had FANTASTIC results on my first grow. And I did not do any supercropping, FIM-ing, or cutting ANYTHING off at ANY time. good thing too, because the lowest 2 branches ended up producing about 2/3 of the bud.

You can always hand-water from the top if you are that concerned, but from my experience, the moisture level is plenty sufficient for good growth. Dealing with all that extra gear is not worth any benefit it MAY provide, like a little bit faster initial growth.

loolagigi said:

in reality there is no reason to use a water pump for dwc. until roots hit the water level, just top feed/water. i have air pumps allready, who wants to plug in another electric device?

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Hey loolagigi, long time!

you are absolutely right, you don't need the water lines for dwc, they only serve to give the roots a kick start getting to the water. I've heard they can give you a 3 or 4 day head start, but when you consider the length of the entire grow that 3 or 4 days is pretty insignificant.

I'd say the worst I've heard with leaving the pump in the res is the heat it can add to your res temps. I wouldn't hesitate to use the water lines again for another grow, but I'd definitely get the pump out after the roots hit the water. As someone mentioned earlier there is little difference with it in or out so it would seem there is no reason to leave it in. Another down may be the roots clogging up the pump. They will grow right into the water pump and it can be a problem to get it all cleaned out for the next grow.