New to hydro...

I've never grown anything hydroponically before and I was wondering if i could get some info because im looking to start.

I want to set up a hydroponic grow system but I'm not sure of everything I will need. Could anybody help me out and list everything required for a basic hydro setup?

one love,
ganjafarmer

welcome to the forum. Other than water there is not any one list. We have threads to make your own hydro set up if you like. You would have to choose a method, drip, flood and drain, dwc, nft, aero. The system may determine the medium you are going to use. Just saying a list for hydro is not going to be enough information for us to help you, soo.. whats your plan. How much space, budget etc. then we might be able to help. VV

Do some reading.

Here is some hydro info.
Hydroponics - Cannabis Culture Forums
The threads with the stars have good info.

look for a hydro store near u

ok well to start i want to go with the flood and drain method. I plan on setting it up in a closet (hopefully), and as far as budget goes I have like $300-$400 that i can spend right now. any help?

VictorVIcious said:

welcome to the forum. Other than water there is not any one list. We have threads to make your own hydro set up if you like. You would have to choose a method, drip, flood and drain, dwc, nft, aero. The system may determine the medium you are going to use. Just saying a list for hydro is not going to be enough information for us to help you, soo.. whats your plan. How much space, budget etc. then we might be able to help. VV

Click to expand...

ganjafarmer1016 said:

ok well to start i want to go with the flood and drain method. I plan on setting it up in a closet (hopefully), and as far as budget goes I have like $300-$400 that i can spend right now. any help?

Click to expand...

300-400 might be a little tight unless you already have your lamps. You could probably go complete DIY and get by for that. Home improvement store for res, table, bulkhead fitting, tube etc etc... eBay (be careful)for the lights and ph/tds meters. A couple things you MUST have no matter which way you go would be a good digital PH meter, digital TDS meter, quality lighting and air circulation. Check out youtube lots of good informative videos on getting set up. (I grow chronic 1-9)

What size closet? You said flood and drain so I assume a walk in closet as you ll want at least room for a 3x3 table which is about as small as they come in table setups..For this you need
1 3x3 table roughly $110
1 200gph pump $25
1 table drain $5
1 set table over flower with risers $5
6 feet of 1/2 inch hose $7
square pots however many plants you will have max is 12 at $.60 so $7.20
4x4 rockwool cubes for a dozen about $14
2 inch rockwool cubes $8
hydroton $12 for 10lb bag
35 gallon res $8
either a made stand or bought stand for table from $30-$100
at least 400 watt switchable light preferably digital $99- $180
1 intake fan $50
1 exhaust fan $50
1 oscalating fan $20
nutes $50-300
digital ph pen $30
ppm/tds meter $50
ph up and ph down about $20 for both

This is the basics of a simple 3x3 flood table setup.If the closet is bigger then adjust table and res size.If its not 3x3 then a fllod and drain table wont do for you and Id look a aero or dwc bubbler setups which are smaller and alot cheaper

Indeed.

I'm also inerested in flood and drain, but right now I'm growing in DIY DWC which cost me very little and was easy to set up.

I'm loving it and I'm really glad I used this system for my first hydro experament.

Read Earls threads on DWC and Hydro

cool thanks man, i think i have the money to get everything so i'll let you know when almost have everything

FilthyFletch said:

What size closet? You said flood and drain so I assume a walk in closet as you ll want at least room for a 3x3 table which is about as small as they come in table setups..For this you need
1 3x3 table roughly $110
1 200gph pump $25
1 table drain $5
1 set table over flower with risers $5
6 feet of 1/2 inch hose $7
square pots however many plants you will have max is 12 at $.60 so $7.20
4x4 rockwool cubes for a dozen about $14
2 inch rockwool cubes $8
hydroton $12 for 10lb bag
35 gallon res $8
either a made stand or bought stand for table from $30-$100
at least 400 watt switchable light preferably digital $99- $180
1 intake fan $50
1 exhaust fan $50
1 oscalating fan $20
nutes $50-300
digital ph pen $30
ppm/tds meter $50
ph up and ph down about $20 for both

This is the basics of a simple 3x3 flood table setup.If the closet is bigger then adjust table and res size.If its not 3x3 then a fllod and drain table wont do for you and Id look a aero or dwc bubbler setups which are smaller and alot cheaper

Click to expand...

there are smaller tables than 3x3... a buddy has a 2x2 tray with a 20 gal res under a 400W HPS and puts in 4 plants at a time and gets 8 to 10 oz.

also, for ease and efficiency, i use 4x4x3 rockwool cubes on top of a 1" thick coconut mat. i have reused the mat for 3 rounds so far and hope to get a few more rouns out of it. just clean all the roots off it and bleach it and rinse well to get the funk out.

DIY systems are OK, but there is nothing like a good botanicare tray - sturdy, easy to clean, durable.

as for reservoirs go to some type of feed store - we have Murdochs here in the west (kind of like a home depot for ranchers) and they sell a 50 gallon rubbermaid stock tank. same low profile as a grow store res, but only $65 and much more sturdy. plus there aren't any ridges in the bottom, so if you use a sump pump to drain the res, you get ALL the old nute solution out.

basic shopping list:
tray, fill and drain kit, reservoir, pump, hose and clamps, light, growing medium, nutrients, hardware(misc hooks and chain, etc), pH test kit, and of course, clones or seeds!

Earl said:

Do some reading.

Here is some hydro info.
Hydroponics - Cannabis Culture Forums
The threads with the stars have good info.

Click to expand...

definately gonna try the floating clone thing!!!