When do you water your hydroton?

Would like to get some opinions on how often and for how long you water in Hydroton.

I am using a Flood/Drain method, I was watering once every hour for 15 min. The local hydroshop suggested 3 times a day. I also have 'Rooter' pots, which are tiered with holes on the underside of the tiers. I was told these will still allow the hydroton to 'wick' water in through the holes. I would appreciate any suggestions/comments/knowledge in this area. If you would like more info see my journal in the signature.

try 15 minutes once every 3 hours, starting when the lights go on.

dont water when the lights are off.

Clown Baby said:

try 15 minutes once every 3 hours, starting when the lights go on.

dont water when the lights are off.

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Not withing an hour of lights on or lights off?

you dont need to water when the lights are off

I flood every 2 hours with the lights on, and once with the lights off exactly in between lights off and lights on again. So it goes like this, lights on at 10pm, lights off at 10am; 10pm/12am/2am/4am/6am/8am/10am/4pm. I use 15 min intervals and I have soaker hose drip rings on each plant so I know they are getting adequate water even when the res is low from all the water they drink =) You can water the crap out of Hydroton, it drains really well so over watering isn't much of a problem, if anything under watering is if you dont flood enough. I have a 70 gal res and its less then half full after a week of the gals drinking in heavy flower.

Bezy said:

I flood every 2 hours with the lights on, and once with the lights off exactly in between lights off and lights on again. So it goes like this, lights on at 10pm, lights off at 10am; 10pm/12am/2am/4am/6am/8am/10am/4pm. I use 15 min intervals and I have soaker hose drip rings on each plant so I know they are getting adequate water even when the res is low from all the water they drink =) You can water the crap out of Hydroton, it drains really well so over watering isn't much of a problem, if anything under watering is if you dont flood enough. I have a 70 gal res and its less then half full after a week of the gals drinking in heavy flower.

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That feels like the issue I have been having. I will start a more frequent watering schedule today. Thank you for the input Bezy.