My 4 table ebb and flow system

Well here goes my shot at trying to be like Al B fuct, if I am lucky I will do half as well. =) I am trying to recreate Als setup and I have literally all the equip except the sulfer burner.. what I dont have is an ounce of decent knowledge. I am using Bcuzz grow roks, expanded clay pelletets, and then actually planting in a 1.5" rockwool cube inside a netpot which is filled the rest of the way with grow rocks. I found a lot of useful info in a recent thread, however, the thread discussed using only larger cubes and not grow rocks. With my medium how often should I flood the table, and for how long? Also any tips that a beginner wouldnt often know are welcome and appreciated as well

Al has posted that information even though it is not what he uses. He recommends making sure the water level does not get to the rockwool cube one the roots have grown into the medium, and flooding often like 3 or four times during lights on only of course, I think potroast has said as much in his Hydro thread, clay pellets need a fair amount of watering. VV

Thanks VV, I know it is a common problem among newbies to be over zealous and worry about every little thing.. however, I am no exception. I feel like my expanded clay medium is far too dry flooding it only a few times a day and I am concerned that my plants roots will dry out and die.. is there a way of accurately gauging if the medium and roots are recieving enough water/nutes?

Uhhh...if you are not watering enough your plants will look droppy? Is this a trick question?? If you are concerned about the medium why use it. I believe Potroast suggests that the clay pellets are best with a dip system because of the shape of the water running thru the clay. Flood and drain is better with a more dense medium, like rockwool, coco-coir. Clay drains to well and because of the space between the pellets doesn't get the same air movement to the root zone.
I think all of the heavy hitters have addressed clay, a lot of them use it in aero. In that case it acts as an anchor until the roots grow down, and aero puts lots of air to the roots, not the clay. IMO, I have never used it. VV

sadly VV it wasnt a trick question =) I have a massive equipment list but I am a newbie at this hobby so I am still learning the basics. Do you think I would be better off scrapping the pellets and just using something like 6inch rockwool cubes? Also.. what am I supposed to use to ensure the waterlevel doesnt reach the cubes? Do I place the cubes on top of a diff medium? I am sorry if I am coming off as ignorant but I am very green and this is my first run at using an ebb system. Thank you for all your help

ItsTime said:

sadly VV it wasnt a trick question =) I have a massive equipment list but I am a newbie at this hobby so I am still learning the basics. Do you think I would be better off scrapping the pellets and just using something like 6inch rockwool cubes? Also.. what am I supposed to use to ensure the waterlevel doesnt reach the cubes? Do I place the cubes on top of a diff medium? I am sorry if I am coming off as ignorant but I am very green and this is my first run at using an ebb system. Thank you for all your help

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Ok, I misinterpeted the whole thing. Al B Fuct explains how he does this in his journal, so I though you knew how he was doing it. I am going to go out on a limb here and ask you to read my Blues Journal. If you do follow it until I show a plant pulled out of the pot showing the layers, or transplants. They way you insure you don't flood the cube is by not letting the water level get to the cube, you 'time' it so it doesn't. Then check out some grow journals that mention the clay and see what they did. A lot of folks use it, I haven't VV

Thanks again VV, I'm about to read through your journal now. I am hoping to use the ebb I am currently working on to turn these seedlings into mothers, as soon as that is done I have my Omega garden coming tomorrow which I will run with water cooled lights, should be interesting.. a guy with very little knowledge learning two systems at once I am sure I will have more questions to come, and I cant say it enough, I truely appreciate the help.