Looking to go hydro

[Nieto]

I've grown several crops in dirt and would like to try some form of hydroponics next. Been thinking of a DWC or some form of Hempy bucket (is that really a hydro even?) However the one thing I have never gotten my head around is when changing the water/nutrient solution, how do you manage with the mess of lifting up the lid and the plant(s) with it? Sounds maybe silly but this is what I have been wondering about maybe there is a really simple answer to this?

Anyhoow, as I was also thinking about Hempy Buckets, what size would be the smallest viable option for autoflowers? I have a small grow space, and one thing I'm planning is to have a perpetual style autoflower grow, I could probably fit 6 x 2 gal containers in my closet.

A lot of rambling, sorry and thanks in advance

 

[7CardBud]

For a first run I would suggest a buffered soilless mix like Berger BM6, Sunshine#4 or Promix HP, just for ease of use. With a short auto grow you probably wouldn't even need to pH the nutrient solution. 2 gallons should be plenty for any auto flower.

 

[xtsho]

I've grown several crops in dirt and would like to try some form of hydroponics next. Been thinking of a DWC or some form of Hempy bucket (is that really a hydro even?) However the one thing I have never gotten my head around is when changing the water/nutrient solution, how do you manage with the mess of lifting up the lid and the plant(s) with it? Sounds maybe silly but this is what I have been wondering about maybe there is a really simple answer to this?

Anyhoow, as I was also thinking about Hempy Buckets, what size would be the smallest viable option for autoflowers? I have a small grow space, and one thing I'm planning is to have a perpetual style autoflower grow, I could probably fit 6 x 2 gal containers in my closet.

A lot of rambling, sorry and thanks in advance

Have an extra bucket already filled with fresh nutrient solution. Pick the plant in the net pot up out of the old bucket and stick it in the new.

 

[rkymtnman]

hard to go wrong with hempys. they are simple hydro but work well. 2 gal would be fine for pot size

 

[Nieto]

Have an extra bucket already filled with fresh nutrient solution. Pick the plant in the net pot up out of the old bucket and stick it in the new.

Thanks, it's obvious now that you said it

 

[rkymtnman]

Thanks, it's obvious now that you said it

and the hempy you don't have to change out nutes. just feed til runoff

 

[ProPheT 216]

Dwc is easy-to-use

 

[Nieto]

Maybe I'll go with Hempys. Is an ec-meter essential? I have money for a ph-meter,but not both..

 

[ProPheT 216]

Maybe I'll go with Hempys. Is an ec-meter essential? I have money for a ph-meter,but not both..

Not really, it's nice to have for dwc to see if they r eating nutrients or just drinking the water. But you'll be ok feeding ¾ to ⅘ of recommended feed without it. You should get one when u can tho

 

[PJ Diaz]

Disagree. Both EC and PH meter are essential for any hydro grow, unless you've been doing it for years and have your ratios all dialed in.

 

[ProPheT 216]

Disagree. Both EC and PH meter are essential for any hydro grow, unless you've been doing it for years and have your ratios all dialed in.

I only ec when I think I'm having an issue. But I suppose I've been doing this for quite awhile

 

[Bucsfan80]

I have an empty bucket and put it in it while cleaning and changing rez. I also have a pvc thing I built and attached to lid. I usually do rdwc but have been lazy this run. Having an external rez makes it real easy tho.

 

[Drop That Sound]

It is easy and cheap to do res changes without removing the lids for DWC.

Just drill a hole in the side of the bucket/container/res, add a rubber grommet, and put a barbed elbow fitting through it. 1/2" would be fine.

Cut and hook a piece of matching sized tubing up to the elbow fitting sticking out, so that is long enough to go above the water line or lid when it is pointed upwards. Simply twist it back down towards the side to drain the res by gravity alone, or use a pump to both fill or suck out and drain through it. Put a barbed coupler fitting on the end of the tubing too, so you can hook up a longer hose to the containers if needed.

Some people like to use clear tubing, so it acts as a water level indicator as well, but I don't like too. Getting light into a stagnant area like that will grow scum. You could use clear, even on a small section, and wrap it up when not looking though.




Having a control res is the best though..

 

[Bucsfan80]

It is easy and cheap to do res changes without removing the lids for DWC.

Just drill a hole in the side of the bucket/container/res, add a rubber grommet, and put a barbed elbow fitting through it. 1/2" would be fine.

Cut and hook a piece of matching sized tubing up to the elbow fitting sticking out, so that is long enough to go above the water line or lid when it is pointed upwards. Simply twist it back down towards the side to drain the res by gravity alone, or use a pump to both fill or suck out and drain through it. Put a barbed coupler fitting on the end of the tubing too, so you can hook up a longer hose to the containers if needed.

Some people like to use clear tubing, so it acts as a water level indicator as well, but I don't like too. Getting light into a stagnant area like that will grow scum. You could use clear, even on a small section, and wrap it up when not looking though.




Having a control res is the best though..

That works if your not sitting right on the ground.

 

[Drop That Sound]

Or have a floor drain hole..

 

[Bucsfan80]

Or have a floor drain hole..

That too lol.

 

[myke]

Two totes hooked together via bulkheads and hose works well,small pump to move from one to another quite simple.

 

[rkymtnman]

Is an ec-meter essential? I have money for a ph-meter,but not both

in hydro, yes.

buy some ph drops and an EC meter ($30 or so) instead. then buy a pH meter when you can afford it.

a mechanic needs proper tools to be successful.

 

[amneziaHaze]

I've grown several crops in dirt and would like to try some form of hydroponics next. Been thinking of a DWC or some form of Hempy bucket (is that really a hydro even?) However the one thing I have never gotten my head around is when changing the water/nutrient solution, how do you manage with the mess of lifting up the lid and the plant(s) with it? Sounds maybe silly but this is what I have been wondering about maybe there is a really simple answer to this?

Anyhoow, as I was also thinking about Hempy Buckets, what size would be the smallest viable option for autoflowers? I have a small grow space, and one thing I'm planning is to have a perpetual style autoflower grow, I could probably fit 6 x 2 gal containers in my closet.

A lot of rambling, sorry and thanks in advance

i usually have 1 more hole in the bucket you can use it to check nutrient level and you can siphone old nutes from it. other option is to have your bucket a little bit off the ground maybe on wheels.and put a tap at the bottom of the bucket then just open the tap and drain it all.

 

[Nieto]

So I'm making a list of what I need, I'm gonna get a cheap ec-meter and ph-drops. I'm gonna use hydro pebbles up to the drainhole, and rest of the way coco (I can't stand working with perlite, makes me cough and sneeze).

What about nutrients? Would Canna Coco a+b work? Plus their Calmag Agent? P+K when flowering? Or which generally available and economic nutrient line would be good for coco?

Thanks again!