1st DIY Hydroponics Build; Mike Huntherz

[Michael Huntherz]

I guess this is bubbleponics? Top-fed RDWC? I am making this shit up. I have a control reservoir on the left with a very small return sump, which is split four ways into three little drippers buried in the hydroton (pulled out to show in one photo) of each bucket. Each grow bucket also has an airstone which are attached to a sizeable airpump rated for a 60-100 gallon aquarium. I repurposed a few Blumat parts I had laying around for the drippers.

Thoughts?

 

[Airwalker16]

Sorta an rdwc.

 

[JohnDee]

Hi Michael,
I think it will do the trick. Nice job.

I do hydro and am currently building a new room. Debating over DIY vs store bought. Never having done DWC all I can do is to comment on all the root rot issues guys tend to have with it. That worries me but also since DWC is reputed to be very fast growing with good yields...many total newbies undertake it. And maybe that's why we see so many failures.

I was reading a thread recently that mentioned a good organic fungicide. It is linked in this RUI thread...
https://www.rollitup.org/t/replacement-for-hydroguard.946533/

Seems like an inexpensive alternative that could be used regularly throughout a grow.

While you're still in the early stages here...try and make sure you include an easy mechanism for res draining, cleaning and such. Maintenance issues are often the downfall of a system.
Good luck,
JD

 

[Michael Huntherz]

Hi Michael,
I think it will do the trick. Nice job.

I do hydro and am currently building a new room. Debating over DIY vs store bought. Never having done DWC all I can do is to comment on all the root rot issues guys tend to have with it. That worries me but also since DWC is reputed to be very fast growing with good yields...many total newbies undertake it. And maybe that's why we see so many failures.

I was reading a thread recently that mentioned a good organic fungicide. It is linked in this RUI thread...
https://www.rollitup.org/t/replacement-for-hydroguard.946533/

Seems like an inexpensive alternative that could be used regularly throughout a grow.

While you're still in the early stages here...try and make sure you include an easy mechanism for res draining, cleaning and such. Maintenance issues are often the downfall of a system.
Good luck,
JD

I have a ball valve and a little spout at the end of a section of flex tubing, coming off the "downstream" side of the control reservoir. I drain and fill using a few 7 gallon jugs I use for aquariums. Thanks for your thoughts, man! I use liquid chlorine bleach in my dripper reservoirs, using it in the RDWC system too, seems to work pretty well so far, the plants are throwing new nodes daily, I'll get a picture up later today. I'll check out the beneficial bacteria stuff, I'm pretty familiar with how that works due to the aquarium game, too, but I'm not sure I want to run biologically active hydro solution just yet.

 

[JohnDee]

I'm not sure I want to run biologically active hydro solution just yet

I understand Michael...I don't use it but mostly did E&F and now am looking at DTW top drip hydroton. More like waterfarms. But DWC is a totally different animal.

Your res change plans sound totally workable. Hope it all works great for you. Oh...and your little one...she looks nice and green and healthy.

Sounds like you're a man with a plan.
Carry on dude.
JD

 

[Michael Huntherz]

Thanks JD, here are some shots of them. When I set it up they had no roots showing outside of the 1.5” rockwool they were cloned in. Pretty happy with the progress.

 

[JohnDee]

Lookin' good Mike...
Nice looking little roots poking through. They sure seem happy.

I do rockwool into hydroton too and have always had good luck. I'm toying with the idea of using 4" cubes and just plopping them on top of hydroton after a short veg. Saw something similar and it seemed to work. Just not sure if I could veg enough in those cubes to make it worthwhile. I'd have to cover the rockwool to keep algae down. Those 4" cubes are pricey though... lol
JD

 

[Michael Huntherz]

Lookin' good Mike...
Nice looking little roots poking through. They sure seem happy.

I do rockwool into hydroton too and have always had good luck. I'm toying with the idea of using 4" cubes and just plopping them on top of hydroton after a short veg. Saw something similar and it seemed to work. Just not sure if I could veg enough in those cubes to make it worthwhile. I'd have to cover the rockwool to keep algae down. Those 4" cubes are pricey though... lol
JD

I am running some six inchers in the big tent right now, small plants, but I have seen pretty good sized plants finished in 4” cubes, using dtw on timed drippers. Like 36-40+” plants. I am using Blumat gravity fed drippers in soil and rockwool at the same time, because zfg. I put 4 barely rooted clones in 6” cubes at 12/12 on the drippers to see how well they grow with blumats, they are doing well despite all the shade the bigger plants are throwing. I think rockwool and passive drippers might be the best way for me down the road, but I like trying new things.

 

[JohnDee]

I have seen pretty good sized plants finished in 4” cubes,

Do you mean in a freestanding 4" or one sitting on a larger bed?

I know what you mean about trying new things. But there are extremes: I remember this British guy (can't recall his name) but he was a real mad scientist into vertical and stadium...all NFT. Very complex installations. Not for me.

I'm an old fart and want a basic easy to tend garden. I'm thinking I may even throw a tomato plant or two into the mix.

I'll definitely keep you in mind as a source of rw info as I progress. Some people hate rockwool...just don't understand that.
Later,
JD

 

[BleedsGreen]

I think these will work out great for you! If you have the time and enjoy tinkering DIY is a great way to go and you learn so much through the process.

 

[Michael Huntherz]

Do you mean in a freestanding 4" or one sitting on a larger bed?

I know what you mean about trying new things. But there are extremes: I remember this British guy (can't recall his name) but he was a real mad scientist into vertical and stadium...all NFT. Very complex installations. Not for me.

I'm an old fart and want a basic easy to tend garden. I'm thinking I may even throw a tomato plant or two into the mix.

I'll definitely keep you in mind as a source of rw info as I progress. Some people hate rockwool...just don't understand that.
Later,
JD

Freestanding! (With trellis) It was a dude I met when I first started growing. I have considered putting 4” cubes in a net pot covered with a little hydroton, too. The Netherlands produces many boatloads of exportable food in rockwool, I don’t understand the distaste for it either.

I am not an rw guru, lol, I like to keep it simple too, at least the right sort of simple. My little experiment in this thread may be short lived, but I am having fun. I am middle aged, but old before my time.

 

[JohnDee]

Freestanding! (With trellis)

Excellent Michael...I'm doing a happy dance right now!
Cheers,
JD

 

[Airwalker16]

Thanks JD, here are some shots of them. When I set it up they had no roots showing outside of the 1.5” rockwool they were cloned in. Pretty happy with the progress.
View attachment 4161495

You're on your way. Also, a big wetvac is a great tool in draining systems.

 

[JohnDee]

I am middle aged, but old before my time.

I think Hans Solo said it best: " It's not the years, honey. It's the mileage"

Truly I know what you mean. Been doing carpentry today and I feel like I've been run over by a truck. lol
JD

 

[Lordhooha]

I guess this is bubbleponics? Top-fed RDWC? I am making this shit up. I have a control reservoir on the left with a very small return sump, which is split four ways into three little drippers buried in the hydroton (pulled out to show in one photo) of each bucket. Each grow bucket also has an airstone which are attached to a sizeable airpump rated for a 60-100 gallon aquarium. I repurposed a few Blumat parts I had laying around for the drippers.

Thoughts?

The only issue I see is the air pump. It’s a bit on the small side for growing. ESP when you divide it up like that.

 

[Michael Huntherz]

The only issue I see is the air pump. It’s a bit on the small side for growing. ESP when you divide it up like that.

That pump is rated for fish tanks from 60-100 gallons, it has two outputs, I only split those once.
I'm pretty sure it will sufficiently oxygenate 18 gallons of water, but I am new to 'proper' hydro, so perhaps you're right. The drippers are also oxygenating the water as it recirculates through the system, waterfall-style.

Care to elaborate on specifics of your concern? I'm okay with being totally wrong, that's how we learn new things.

 

[Lordhooha]

That pump is rated for fish tanks from 60-100 gallons, it has two outputs, I only split those once.
I'm pretty sure it will sufficiently oxygenate 18 gallons of water, but I am new to 'proper' hydro, so perhaps you're right. The drippers are also oxygenating the water as it recirculates through the system, waterfall-style.

Care to elaborate on specifics of your concern? I'm okay with being totally wrong, that's how we learn new things.

Oh your good if you have some sort of waterfall. I must have missed that part. For me I do 10 lpm per site min which generally equates to 10 Watts per site give or take. But waterfalls are nice on rdwc setups.

 

[Michael Huntherz]

Oh your good if you have some sort of waterfall. I must have missed that part. For me I do 10 lpm per site min which generally equates to 10 Watts per site give or take. But waterfalls are nice on rdwc setups.

Buried just under the surface of the hydroton are three dripper emitters per plant, running about 75 gallons per hour, divided by four divided by four is 4.73 liters per minute per bucket, plus the bubblers. I think I am okay...until I’m not. Only about a 5.75 watt pump, but with the airstones I think it will balance out.

Thanks for the interest and thoughts!

 

[Lordhooha]

Buried just under the surface of the hydroton are three dripper emitters per plant, running about 75 gallons per hour, divided by four divided by four is 4.73 liters per minute per bucket, plus the bubblers. I think I am okay...until I’m not. Only about a 5.75 watt pump, but with the airstones I think it will balance out.

Thanks for the interest and thoughts!

Like I said though the waterfall is more than enough. Just watch for the rot but I think you'll be fine.

 

[Michael Huntherz]

I updated mah buckets, still using drippers, one little tube per bucket because Blumat distribution drippers are a sick joke, and airstones in every bucket for redundancy. The sump and both air pumps are on a 750VA battery backup. I also insulated everything. Let’s see how big these tiny clones get running 12/12 under a new 600W from here out, using my newly redesigned fertigation (nutrient solution?) system, herp derp, hydroponics is fun and easy.

Total cost for the hydro setup, without fans filters and lights was less than $200, which includes all of the silicone air and water tubing, air pumps, sump, insulation, buckets, lids, aluminum tape, 3/4” barbed tees and rubber grommets, silicone grease, net pots, and hydroton. One might want to get a 150mm holesaw to drill holes for the net pots in the lids, if one did not have one; which would push it all just over two benjis.

Thanks to Home Depot, and D&B Supply!