Switching from ebb and flow to top feed, rockwool

Does anyone know of any adverse effects if I was to switch from ebb and flow to top feed (drain to waste) using 6x6x6 rockwool cubes? I like flood and drain in my veg room, but I want to build my flower room differently.

I read somewhere that dead root matter on the top might cause issues?? Any input would be appreciated.

I've never run rockwool, but if I did....


I use them for my coco dtw.

WavyJ said:

Does anyone know of any adverse effects if I was to switch from ebb and flow to top feed (drain to waste) using 6x6x6 rockwool cubes? I like flood and drain in my veg room, but I want to build my flower room differently.

I read somewhere that dead root matter on the top might cause issues?? Any input would be appreciated.

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I’ve almost exclusively grown with rock wool. My first few gross were too feed into a 4” cube sitting on a grow slab, had about 12-13. They’ll do just fine. I’ve read somewhere recently ( I still need to do more research) but theres people that say top feeding like that produces better than flood and drain.

I converted a flood and drain table to dtw top feed but used fabric pots filled with grow cubes (rockwool) and hydroton (~75/15 mix). Honestly I liked flood and drain better, mainly bc all the irrigation involved was a pain. Anyway you can lay a coco mat under the rockwool cubes and the roots will grow into it but if you don't, they'll just air prune.

you can switch to drip anytime during the grow. drip DTW is much better and uses less nutes than E&F; unless you have a ton of small plants your moving around often

RDWC,Its that airstone sitting right under the net pot that makes it so much better.

top feed will give you better control over salt accumulation in the rockwool, which is the main problem of flood an drain method

in flood and drain the salts are not totally rinsed during the irrigations, and have tendanci to be sucked to the top, causing problems

top feed will also give you better control over drybacks, which is what you want by using 6" blocks

prefer PC drippers from reputed agriculture brands (netafim..) over floraflex