Gel Beads

[Klone00]

I've seen some old post about the hydro gel beads but nothing recent or with results. Has anyone used them as your grow medium in a RDWC set up?

 

[Renfro]

I've seen some old post about the hydro gel beads but nothing recent or with results. Has anyone used them as your grow medium in a RDWC set up?

Why would you have grow medium in a RDWC? Basically water is the medium.

 

[Klone00]

Why would you have grow medium in a RDWC? Basically water is the medium.

In place of clay pebbles or whatever in a net pot. Still using a reservoir and everything

 

[Renfro]

I wouldn't want the base of the stem to stay wet all the time. Once the roots are in the water there is no need for medium except to hold the plant upright.

 

[Klone00]

I wouldn't want the base of the stem to stay wet all the time. Once the roots are in the water there is no need for medium except to hold the plant upright.

That was my main concern, not having any kind of "dry zone"
Thank you!

 

[Airwalker16]

Hydroton clay pellets are used solely as an anchor for the transition from root zone to the base of the stem.
Gel beads would cause major rotting issues but even more so, wouldn't be able to hold up the structure as well.

 

[Klone00]

Since I have you both haha
Thoughts on the design set up?

 

[Airwalker16]

I've seen some old post about the hydro gel beads but nothing recent or with results. Has anyone used them as your grow medium in a RDWC set up?

BTW, those beads are actually made for soil to help during summer or during long bits of away time for houseplants as a slow release of water over an extended time. NOT hydro in any way.

 

[Klone00]

BTW, those beads are actually made for soil to help during summer or during long bits of away time for houseplants as a slow release of water over an extended time. NOT hydro in any way.

Right, I didn't think they were intended for such just considered the possibility.

 

[Airwalker16]

Since I have you both haha
Thoughts on the design set up?View attachment 4568113

Makes zero sense to me man, you need a well drawn out, easy to visualize drawing for any help. All I gathered was 275gal res and a 40gal container for your 4 plants which will likely hold 20-25gals to account for net pots.
All I know, is you need a far less sized reservoir. 100gal MAYBE.

 

[Klone00]

Makes zero sense to me man, you need a well drawn out, easy to visualize drawing for any help. All I gathered was 275gal res and a 40gal container for your 4 plants which will likely hold 20-25gals to account for net pots.
All I know, is you need a far less sized reservoir. 100gal MAYBE.

Ya sorry, that was my scratch notes. The only reason I have it that big is because I have 2 of these....
2" bulkheads out/in the 40gal. The out flow does not have power, just a 2" outflow to an over flow box where the pump picks it up, runs through a radiator style chiller w/ 1"PVC and into the 275gal. The other pump w/ valve splitter and 2 leads (one to the 275gal and the other to the 5gal mixed nutrients bucket, for controlled mixing) runs through the chiller and then from 1" up to 2" PVC and through the bulkhead. Make any more sense?

 

[Airwalker16]

Ya sorry, that was my scratch notes. The only reason I have it that big is because I have 2 of these....
2" bulkheads out/in the 40gal. The out flow does not have power, just a 2" outflow to an over flow box where the pump picks it up, runs through a radiator style chiller w/ 1"PVC and into the 275gal. The other pump w/ valve splitter and 2 leads (one to the 275gal and the other to the 5gal mixed nutrients bucket, for controlled mixing) runs through the chiller and then from 1" up to 2" PVC and through the bulkhead. Make any more sense?

Kind of. I just don't understand the need for an overflow and a pump to pick up water, also 2"piping for a pump to feed?
Just draw it out much more detailed with a side view too. Make it understandable and write your letters legibly.