Hydro Systems

I'm ready to make a move and buy everything I need for my first grow setup. I'll be using a Homebox XL, and a 600W Lumatek with an air cooled reflector. I still need to to decide on a few more pieces.

1. I need a complete hydro system. I don't have the confidence in my abilities to put together one myself, so I'll need to buy something ready-to-go. I'm willing to pay a little more for conveneience.

I was thinking about the Waterfarm, Aeroponic Eight, or the Turbogarden Top Feed. I know they're all different types of hydro, but I can't decide. I'd like to go the aeroponics route, but that may be too advanced for a newbie grower like myself. What do you guys think? Please help.

2. I'll need a circulation system that move enough air to pass through a HEPA filter first, then cool the light, then exit through an odor filter. I have no idea what would suit the Hombebox XL. I'd like to get everything from Cheaphydroponics.com if possible.

Those are the two things I need the most help with. I think I can figure the rest out. My total budget for everything (except seeds) is about $1,100. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Please let me know if I need to provide any more information. Hopefully I can order everything by tomorrow!

get a big ebb flow system and keep the water barrel outside for convinience. those systems are legit as fuck. they are super simple!

donkeyballs said:

get a big ebb flow system and keep the water barrel outside for convinience. those systems are legit as fuck. they are super simple!

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Would that be a problem with 90+degree summer days? I'll probably connect an air conditioner to the intake fan(should be able to get by without the HEPA), but won't the rez get too hot? My grow site will be an outside utility closet. It will pretty much be whatever the temp outside is. I can cool the tent, but the room is too big to economically cool.

Is this what you're talking about?

Hi,

From personal experience, one of the first factors I would look at in a hydroponics setup is the location of the water. Having a central reservoir that pumps water to other areas, as compared to individual buckets holding water, is a lot more convenient in regards to maintaining nutrient, pH, etc, levels.

As for what type of hydroponics... I remember reading a study that was concluded at a university in which variable levels of oxygen exposure to the roots were measured and compared. They concluded that over-air exposure could possibly stunt root growth, thereby hampering the plant from reaching its full potential. If I remember correctly, the ideal exposure time was something like 5 minutes every hour. Given this, I would go with a ebb and flow system in which a full flow is maintained for 55 minutes every hour.

Would that be a problem with 90+degree summer days?

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Regarding your hot summer days, it's really dependent on how your house temperatures. Do you have air conditioning and keep your house <~75 degrees? Is the grow room in an unconventional area, such as the attic? As long as you maintain a good temp in the grow room itself (which you should do anyways), the water temp is not a prob. In worst case scenario, you can purchase a water chilling system which you could integrate into whatever hydro setup you land on.

yes thats a very nice system . I bought a hydro farm only too turn around 2 months later and make it a reciculating system which is what your showing on this. I had 2 buy all new buckets pipes hoses abunch of shiy and it works awesome.I think you be very happy this system your showing,that control bucket keep every thang moving. nice! just remember its easy too over water with hydro. and lets get it on.

and too add about the water chiller you can get later but it sure makes things better,but everything is fine without it ,it just makes it better

Cheers, folks. I'll consider that big bad boy. What about air circulation? I'm really clueless about that mess.

Question about the Ebb & Gro, how do I grow seedlings in that thing? Perhaps not at all? Also, how much Hydrotron am I going to need for 10 2 gallon pots? One more question(sorry), does the ground have to be perfectly level for ebb and flow systems(probably a dumb question)?

you need net pots you can pick from different sizes 3" 5" and bigger and when you order ask how much hydroton they will take.It doesnt have to be totally level because you have a controller bucket that moves things around.which the water farm doesnt have.I would tell you how to make 1 on your own which is total cost about $250 but you can get this ebb&grow and learn from it.it is easier just too buy it.

purplehaze2 said:

you need net pots you can pick from different sizes 3" 5" and bigger and when you order ask how much hydroton they will take.It doesnt have to be totally level because you have a controller bucket that moves things around.which the water farm doesnt have.I would tell you how to make 1 on your own which is total cost about $250 but you can get this ebb&grow and learn from it.it is easier just too buy it.

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Ok, thanks. Looks like I'll be going over my budget, so I'll probably buy everything in multiple orders. I think I'll start with the Ebb & Gro and the lighting system. I should be able to get everything else by July, hopefully. That's when I was planning on getting started anyway.

Hi,

I used to help out a gentleman who had the same setup, so I have a bit of experience with these.

Cr8z13 said:

Question about the Ebb & Gro, how do I grow seedlings in that thing?

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You must first germinate your seedlings in some rockwool cubes. Then, when the root structures are adequate, you may simply move the rockwool and all over to the hydro buckets.

Cr8z13 said:

Also, how much Hydrotron am I going to need for 10 2 gallon pots?

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I couldn't say for sure, but most local plant stores (not necessarily marijuana stores) carry 5 and 25 lb bags which are relatively cheap.

Cr8z13 said:

One more question(sorry), does the ground have to be perfectly level for ebb and flow systems(probably a dumb question)?

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I don't remember exactly how it was, but either the reservoir or the timer bucket (though I'm pretty sure it's the reservoir) needs to be elevated slightly above the other. Then, all the rest of the containers need to be level. Otherwise, you will have a 50-gal reservoir flooding everywhere. Believe me, from experience, this isn't fun.

I'm not quite sure you need the controller... All that is needed is two pumps and a timer to hook them into. This website has the same setup, but they mention that the timer is included with the bucket, and allude to the fact that the controller is optional. Again, it's been awhile so my memory is a bit hazy.

Anywho, hope that helps.


-AR

Just an update, I placed my first order today. I grabbed the Ebb & Gro, Hydroton, Lumatek 600W ballast with Lightwave hood, one HPS bulb, and one MH bulb. I also got a seedling tray. Hopefully I'll be able to place my next order sometime in the next week or two for more essentials(Homebox, ventilation, nutes, testing).

Thanks for your input, AdReNaLiNeRuSh. I'm sure I'll be asking more questions about the Ebb & Gro once I get everything up and running.

does anyoen know the dimensions of teh buckets on the WaterFarm?

The waterfarm buckets are like 10-12" sq. and 16" tall (with the inset). I love this system. Easy and productive. One tip before planting: Get a good size drill (1/3" or so) and drill the sh*t out of the red insert thing. Your roots will thank you. While you havethe drill out, drill some holes along the top rb to tie the branches back a bit as they grow.

Another thing I do...which some my argue, is I drop an airstone in the bottom of each bucket and another in the res.

It would be nice if both the buckets and res were a bit larger but you can still definitely get some quantity out of these things.

Another update, I should be receiving my final order on Monday. In that shipment will be all my testing devices, nutrients, Homebox, timers, and other smaller items like a pocket microscope and pruning shears.

I've decided to put everything in my bedroom as opposed to the outdoor utility closet. I realized that it was going to be too difficult for me to manage 100 degree heat. Keeping my box indoors will be a lot easier thanks to a decent window AC unit that I already have. This way I won't have to run another AC outside for the utility closet.

My only concern now is venting the heat from my 600W Lumatek. I have a decent exhuast fan for the Homebox, but I'm unsure of what would be the best place to run my ducting. I was thinking that I would cut a hole in the ceiling inside of my closet. Another option would be to run the ducting into the vent(for central heating that is never used) above my closet. I think I'd like to go that way, but does anyone know if there would be any problems doing so?

The Homebox is completely set up now and my seedlings have been under the light since around 12AM. So far so good. Temps near the tray are no more than 82 degrees. We'll see how those temps fare when another heatwave hits. I won't be putting the seedlings in Hydrotron for a couple of weeks, so right now I don't have the Ebb & Grow connected. Here's a pic(pardon the shitty 5 years-old 2MP digital cam):