Hydroponic Growers Group!

[IGH]

My fellow bucketheads and builders!

been doing tons of research and pondering remedies for my cluster F of a tent arrangement. this thread has been a good help hearing what others try and likes n dont likes and why.
ive decided on another major overhaul. major.

i ordered zippers, and the entire wall on the right side will be able to open.
site space will be moved from center to the right side half of the tent.
equipment on left wall stays in place.

im also building a new system. i want a racecar. hydro is expensive to run, so efficiency is important. up to this point ive been filling 5x5 with 4 plants and 8-10 week veg, and 8 plants at 6-7 week veg.
the plan is to build a 12 site system that will accomodate a 4x6 canopy space that will fill n flip in 4 weeks, and still maintain my harvest weights. (4×4=1lb+, 5×5=1.5lbs+).

individual square bucket sites...no more tubs and round buckets. everything will fit within the growspace out of the way, and i will have WIDE open access from both sides to do my work.

the 2 grows presently in the tent went 12-12 this past weekend, so i have plenty of time to get it all together and ready to install as soon as those come down.

thats the plan. will update with pics n progress.

 

[DankwingDuck]

You can’t clone an auto so it had to come from seed

 

[FlyingDutchPaddy]

So farmerjim , If i'm understanding you correctly, you would seem to agree with the idea.
In hydro or DWC systems plants can also be 'growth limited' by the working water volume of the tote.

smaller tote, roots can't grow as big due to space constraints, smaller plant... growth limited by volume roots can develop in.
big tote, roots can really spread out in the larger space, bigger plant... potential for plant to overtake the grow space if left untrained

with the assumption that lighting conditions are equal.

Does anyone have any experience with growing in a smallish RDWC system and top-fed DIY 10-13 Gal totes in the same lighting conditions, possibly over multiple grows?

 

[Baphomatt]

DankwingDuck - Good catch, thanks! Senior moment. (I guess technically you *could* clone an auto, but you'd probably have a 6" tall stem with one node and a 3" flower!)

 

[SinsemillaScientist]

I do believe ive found a product that knocks out root rot and its various counterparts. And it only cost me 5 bucks! I also run sevral large aquariums and when algae breaks out i use algaefix its doesnt alter ph, its safe for plants and animals and it knocks out alage in a day! Good for in a pinch without sm90!

 

[alltatup]

Scientist, you might want to re-think that: there's dangerous stuff in your product: http://www.koiphen.com/forums/showthread.php?62264-AlgaeFix-active-ingredient-LC50-data

 

[Farmall]

So this is my 3rd post of beginner questions and I am thinking about going with a full hydroponic system when the time comes. I had asked this question elsewhere in the forum but since all of you are hydro guys, the answer might be right in front of me. I saw what appears to be a recirculating system that top feeds the buckets for 15 minutes every hour and drains into a 5 gallon bucket with an air stone under the net pot. An overflow strainer is mounted to retain about 3 gallons in the bucket and the rest of the solution is returned to a 17 gallon reservoir with air stones and a water pump. 24/7 on the air.

my question is... is this how a system like this will operate throughout the entire grow period? I am aware of solution changes and maintenance over the course of time but I have read top feed is good to start but then I’d would question how do the plants continue to be fed fresh nutrients if the top feed of solution is discontinued?

Also, what can be done to clear up something called Botrytis... apparently from excessive rain or dampness ( sorry that it’s not a hydro question)

 

[DankwingDuck]

Once the roots grow down into the bucket they are submerged in the water . The top feed ring is for the seedling prior to the roots growing out on the net pot and into the bucket below.

 

[SinsemillaScientist]

It's not a perfect fix, but i use a 1/8 dose on my plants and 1/2 dose in aquariums, it will knock out any beneficial bacteria as well sadly. But its gentle enough that my guppies or aquatic sword plant arent affected. Pictures to come afterall scientists experiment right?

 

[Farmall]

Thanks DankwingDuck...I seem to be missing something.... is it not necessary to refresh the nutrient solution by filling and draining from the reservoir Tank then a week or so later change the entire solution and keep the process going? I seem to be not understanding : once the roots are established the same old air stone water just gets refreshed weekly or so?..... lost for sure

 

[LurkingInTheGrass]

Have a look here. I pretty much followed the guide
Http://www.growweedeasy.com/high-yield-bubbleponics-technique



Yes - you need to refresh your reservoir (drain and refill) every week to ten days, all the way through the grow.

Once the roots get into the aerated nutrient solution, you take the top feed off - they get everything they need from below

 

[Baphomatt]

Any of you hydro folks have any experience with O2 emitters?

 

[FlyingDutchPaddy]

Hi Farmall,

What I noticed with top fed watering is that the plant will grow a dense root system in the container the plant is held in, spread out beyond the container and the roots that find the water below will continue developing into a big "root ball".

if you were to discontinue the top fed water and feed the bucket itself, the roots in the water will continue to soak up the nutrients in the water.
I don't know what happens to the roots in the container if they will dry out, but theres nothing wrong with continuing the top feed of water throughout the grow.

 

[FlyingDutchPaddy]

O2 as in, Oxygen that we breath and the plants make for us?
or did you mean CO2, Carbon Dioxide?

 

[Baphomatt]

O2. They replace air pumps/stones.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kjPcrCwgGIoO2.

 

[alltatup]

Baphomatt I just looked this product up: it looks intriguing, and I'll bet it works way better than air stones. I'ma have to save up for one...

 

[Trichomefarmer88]

I would just like to share my monster gorilla glue #1 that I've been growing... i honestly believe this is the biggest plant I've grown myself in doors!! I have her in a 5x5 tent and she takes up a good 3x3 area of it! Running 1000watt hps light ( eye hortilux super hps) witch honestly i believe has been out performing any other bulb I've tried! The hype is real!!!!! Lol i also switched my flowering fed from general hydroponics maxibloom Lucas formula, to advanced nutes ph perfect base, with bud blood powder, big bud powder, overdrive, hydrogaurd, photosynthesis plus, oh yeah, and general hydro cal magic.. i will run additives back to back, not all at once lol... also just using homemade dwc buckets! Works great and all the plants seem to love it

 

[alltatup]

She's really lovely!!

 

[LurkingInTheGrass]

I can't remember where, right off, but I read about a guy who found a medical O2 pump - and was using it, with great success

If I can find the link, will post it

 

[IGH]

well, i said i would update.

the room is still a mess from setting up the last 2 grow spaces. ugh. gotta clean that up today, parts for the new rdwc been coming all week and i already have everything for the manifolds.
had a couple issues in the tent this week. had a small leak in one of the round head buckets. no more round buckets after this.
also lost 25% of the purple kush canopy. 10 days into 12-12 and found out 1 of 4 was a boy. im over it already. and im confident i will still get a dry pound from that 4x4 space. grower woes hahaha!
a few shameful pics, but hey, this is a starting point.