New to hydro

[The_Dude]

I know that there are several different ways to grow using hydro, but curious as to what yields the best results. I was thinking about using a 37 gallon plastic rubbermaid bin with net pots and hydroton. If there is a better way, I would like to know before I start buying all of the ingredients. Any help is really appreciated.


One more thing, I am in need of beans, so if you can recommend a strain that gives you a nice high without the couch lock that would be great. I smoked some master kush last week and really enjoyed that.


Cheers!

 

[SoOLED]

this is a very long and complex, explanation likely touching on all types on systems.

are you super new, like this is your first system?

 

[The_Dude]

This is, I understand how most systems work. I want to do the best I can, I am used to growing in soil and this is my hobby/medicine.

 

[The_Dude]

I have already purchased a huge premium bin, net pots, two air stones, hydroton and promix. But I also have 5 gallon buckets. From what I have been told deep water culture is best. But I know there are different ways to do it.

 

[The_Dude]

One other thing, I built my LED lights for this grow. I saw your name was SoOLED. I am gonna try with warm white 100w LED COB's, they are so freaking bright, I'd rather stare into the sun for 5 sec than look at this thing. Just 1 COB produces over 65,000+ LUX. Wish I could measure PAR, but have no way of doing so at this time.

 

[toaster struedel]

i did the dwc thing, its good and yields are awesome but its more work than ya might think,and alot of room for user error. i made the switch to ebb flow buckets and havent looked back. i keep my moms in dwc, but ease of use and less labor intense, has me wishing i made the switch years ago.

 

[The_Dude]

What nutes? I have been told that using AN and checking ph/temp, it's almost impossible to fuck up. I have not purchased the AN yet, cause I have another friend trying to talk me into Cyco, and I wanted to do some research. My bio bro says fuck Cyco and use AN, they are the only ones who have won cups, blah blah.

 

[toaster struedel]

I use GH flora series, I have used dyna gro as well. Things you want to watch in DWC are temps,ph,mechanical failure on your air pump and air stones, and rapidly dropping Nute levels. I think it's a lot easier to monitor and control. With a tri meter and a 40gal Rez.

 

[kachiga]

i did the dwc thing, its good and yields are awesome but its more work than ya might think,and alot of room for user error. i made the switch to ebb flow buckets and havent looked back. i keep my moms in dwc, but ease of use and less labor intense, has me wishing i made the switch years ago.

I am learning ebb and flow currently using it. I read you don't even need air stone, and you can (not says no you should) run res hotter. Since you pull fresh air with every pump and fill.

 

[toaster struedel]

I am learning ebb and flow currently using it. I read you don't even need air stone, and you can (not says no you should) run res hotter. Since you pull fresh air with every pump and fill.

I was told the more air in your Rez the better. I run a 70 lpm. With 2 air stones.

 

[MoodyShoes]

I run 5 x 11 gallon oxy dripper units and average between 6-10oz per plant. If you want big plants, then big units are needed to allow for a large root mass, but that doesn't necessarily equal more yield than lots of smaller units....it's just easier to maintain. You do need to veg for longer in larger units though, so it's all relative.

 

[kachiga]

I was told the more air in your Rez the better. I run a 70 lpm. With 2 air stones.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebb_and_flow

Check out under Aeration in ebb and flood systems, I see people say they done test with and with out saw no difference. DWC 100% need. Again just stuff I am reading and learning. I have a eco plus running and it's kinda annoying so was researching.

 

[toaster struedel]

I would think with no air settling would occur with the nutes. I get some settling now with 2 air stones. Depends what chemicals you use I guess. Air would still have benifits of keeping nutes from going stagnant prematurely and to mix when adjusting ph or EC.

 

[kachiga]

I thought about that, but they have fans you can put inside there to mix, so no noise. Also you are ebb and flow, so it does get mixed every fill. There is also something some one talked about was a water fall, have it pump water up let it fall in the res, said you can replace a air stone like that.

But I also seen people say they do no airstone just fine, I was thinking about trying it since I seen a bit on it now.

 

[slyone]

Go with the setup you have in mind, grow what you can, the best way you can. When you feel you are getting good results as you have the basics of growing your meds down tight, then move to another method of growing and see how it fairs... Only with practice and real world growing experience will you gain the knowledge.. I have grown in soil, DWC and ebb & flow so far but my choice of preference would be ebb & flow with hydroton clay pebbles... No mess, no fuss.... I am thinking of getting my bubble buckets back out as I also had very good results with DWC... Personal choice really....