ebb and flow!!!helppp

hi there ppl need some info on the above^^^,anyways ive done a few basic soil grows and ive been looking into doing something diff i.e the flow system e.c.t i just need some more info on this subject as theres a few thing i dont understand,like ive seen videos off ppl with the ebb flow systems using clay pellets how do you start a plant in it , and if i were to use a cutting would i just move some pellets out the way and place my cutting in the rockwool into the space , also can i grow plants from start to finish or do you only use it for the start of its life am very puzzled lol just trying to learn new techniqes as im growing all the time now and this kind of way looks more efficient than using soil ect, any help or input is appreciated +rep

There are a number of different ways to run ebb and flow.

I root my clones in rockwool, once the roots grow thru the rockwool cube I put them in a net-pot with hydroton (clay pebbles) and put the pot in my flood tray that is also filled 3" deep with hydroton.

You can leave the plants in the same flood table their whole lives, just change lighting when you are ready to flower.

it sounds all complicated when youve always done basic soil grows lol , ive been looking at a basic wilma system for hydroponic begginers are they any good? its a 4 pot system auto feeds or something ,also ive got my eye on a flood and drain table with a 50litre res but im curious about the table when i put my cuttings in where do the roots go ive never seen it done in person just pictures and video clips can you use them for the full cycle also ?

The way I run mine is:

As I stated above with the way I set up - , the roots grow out of the netpot and into the hydroton in the flood tray.

I do clones and seeds right in the hydroton. I hate rockwool, stays to wet.

also say i put a cutting in using a large rockwool cube , what happens when the plant gets big and the roots start outgrowing the rockwool where do the go to ?

where do i get net pots , dont think ive ever seen 1 lol

The home depot by me has them but I guess most people get them at the hydroponics store or online.

just looked them up in google i get ya , lol its taking a while to pic up lol getting there lol just trying to gather as much info as possible before i go and purchase the wrong equipment or something

I place the rockwool cube in my net-pot so that it is just above the water when flooded - the rockwool never gets wet once the roots grow thru.

Right on. I never could get clones to strike 100% with rockwool. Not that I'm in love with clay pellets either. Too bad silica stones are so heavy.

does it matter what size net pot you use for plants e.g for how big the plant gets , say can you use small net pots for any size plant because the roots will leave the net pot anyways so growth wont be stunted am i right or wrong lol

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-NFT-Hydroponics-Gully-2-Kit-SG70-4-Trough-System-/320589141106?pt=UK_HomeGarden_Garden_PlantsSeedsBulbs_JN&hash=item4aa49a1472 check that would it be anygood and also could the plants spend there full life in this?

I've never ran NFT but yes you can go seed/clone to harvest with that setup.

there are so many different real good systems out there.. and i have tried them all..

you can usually make them all from parts bought @ home depot for a fraction of the cost..

personally id rather buy the kit ready ect just incase i get something wrong when im building my own lol

i guess, personally i think most problems in hydro are user issues..
but i have seen some janky DIY set ups

Only Thing I get at the hydro store are nutes.

those clay pellets that you can get do you fill the full top tray around and underneath your cuttings (rockwool)

I don't use rookwool, no need. 2 1/2 inch net pot, hold your clone in the pot and fill in around it with the hydroton. Place it in your cloner and 5-8 days later roots. But if you want to use rookwool for clones and hydroton for your tray then yes the rookwool should be ABOVE the flood line.