Need help with coco-hydro set up feed schedule!!!

So I have a quick question that I'm sure someone here may be able to give input on. I just crafted a homemade hydro system that uses small net pots which are filled with coco. They are being fed from the top via a pump (sort of like a drip feed system but the net pots hang over a reservoir similar to DWC). Right now I have nothing inside the set up as I just finished it. However, I am unsure of feeding schedule for such a set up!!

I plan to put some seeds into the coco and letting them germ and run inside the system for a while (possibly and hopefully until harvest if the roots have enough room). The water lines running to each pot don't necessarily "drip" however, they just dispense water at a gentle yet rapid rate (IE- "not dripping"). This is what scares me as I planned to run the system 24/7, now I am scared this will kill the plants.

Top of system, lines run to each small net pot filled with coco, have foam inserts to cover the coco which I may or may not use:


Bottom of system (dark picture, hard to see anything):


Side view kinda:


Again sorry for the dark pictures.

So long story short. How long do I feed these things? I was gonna run the water 24/7 but then since I am using coco instead of hydroton I am worried in rotting the roots due to the coco holding to much water.

I also have another pump with two outlets and two air stones that I am putting in to add oxygen and whatnot to the water. So question is, how long do I leave the water running for that is running top-down through the coco? Or should I just say screw coco and grab some hydroton?

Edit: and before I make a switch to hydroton, you must know that I LOVE coco. So I'd much rather go this route.


Thanks in advance for any advice!!

Only water enough to keep the coco moist. hand water just enough to keep it moist until your roots hit the water. At that point they should take off. prob don't need the top feed.

budleydoright said:

Only water enough to keep the coco moist. hand water just enough to keep it moist until your roots hit the water. At that point they should take off. prob don't need the top feed.

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I like the idea of top feeding though

I've used top feed systems for soil grows. VERY similar in design to this set up except the lines ran into smart pots instead of a reservoir and whatnot.

Eh I'll figure it out, or I will start another hydro system using feed lines going to 4x4 RW cubes or something. I really want to start getting into hydroponics since soil is great to me but I want to try something new to compare my soil grows to.

Either way, I'll get something basic up for the time being. May try and start some clones off my friends mother plant to put into it just because i can test it out at starting clones and plus his mother plant is so beautiful and lush I wouldn't mind having 6 of em to work with.

Will get pics upon updates. Can't get to get home and start working on things.

Also, Just finished my co2 generator. Made a basic one out of a 2 liter bottle and whatnot. It's currently running on my friends plant in his room. When I return home I'll make another one for my box.

For co2 generators I'm assuming you are to run them during veg and/or flower right?

Oh you can still top feed, just not required and not recommended until that baby is well rooted. Coco holds a lot of moisture and your hunch is correct it will rot the stem. Once it takes off though you could run your drip line 24/7.

I run co2 from start to finish from a tank in a sealed environment. If you are venting ambient levels are fine.