looking good!! well done sir.
thoughts:
1. i usually dont' worry too much about the lower leaves. your new growth looks great, healthy and green
2. fill up the rest of the net pot with more hydroton. be gentle wehn you put it in so you don't damage the stem
3. next time use smaller net pots. those big ones are overkill. i like the heavy duty 5 inch ones. you might need to buy lids for a 5gal bucket and cut out a hole.
4. set your water level about an inch or so below the netpot. you want to have the bubbles bursting so they keep the roots wet but it will force them to grow longer to reach the water.
keep doing what you're doing.
Ay I appreciate that man, and I hate that I can't post on here more(cut my Internet to save a lil money) so I try and use the opportunities I have access to WiFi to post the pics i've taken so u have to excuse me for the delays. I definitely see your reply backs and add all the advice u give into the routine I have going, I just can't always get round to replying but your takes are without a doubt noted and appreciated. Salute to u my man.
But things have been going great, my roots have finally touched the resevoir and i've gotten the ppm up to 450 and the ballast up to 1000w. I love how little maintenance is required when the roots finally hit the water, so much so that I took a little 3 day vacation for Easter and everything was all good when I got back haha.
One quick thing, I've noticed is that my first set of leaves have now turned completely yellow and are dying, is it safe to cut them off at this point?
When will it be safe to start cutting lower leaves and possibly using them as clones?
My goal is to always have one 'from seed' plant and 5 clones in the garden at all times.
I've added a few pictures of my progress thus far....