Bubbleponics or am i just getting ahead of myself

[Michael Phelps]

I started with DWC/bubbleponics. I got tired of maintaing my water level everyday so i made a flow and drain/dwc/bubbloponics system. Now all i have to do is keep an eye on the rez and wehn it gets low to where my water pump is exposed i just refill her up! Water level stays the same at all times where the plants are. I have it hooked up in my veg room now since the weekend and it is running sweet. In the rez i have a airstone and i have 2 more stones in the tray with the plants so i all ways have a good supply of oxygen in the water. Since this was my first grow i did some things that i will not do again like my plants are all different sizes and they got my tent looking crazy (i am in my 4th week of flowering also). I have 2 White widows that veged for 9 weeks and 1 was topped and 1 was not so 1 is smaller than the other, but that will let me know the difference in yeilds. I also have 2 more WW but they only veged for 4 weeks. I had to get a stand to get them up to the light. I also have this bubblegum plant that if it giets me an ounce id be happy cause i did her badly in her life! I am going to build the same syytem for the tent this weekend. I swear when i get stoned i come up with the ideas! Once i get this thing set up i am going to put in the screen and try to get everything even in there.

I kinda went off subject but yeah i never used soil and never plan to. Hydro is a lot less work when you hook it up right. And plus id rather spill water than a lot of soil! And i spill all the time.....

Ya im sure one day ill upgrade for sure, but i think its probably better for me to keep it simple and learn more about hydro before i build something technical.

Btw your right, id def rather spill water.

 

[Michael Phelps]

So far ive had to adjust my ph usually about every 12 hours, but ive started getting measurements under control, generally i have to add 1 to 1 1/2 table spoons of ph down every 12 hours and that keeps it in the 5.8i range. Ive been carefull not to have the changes be to durrastic though.

I do think im going to buy a ph meter next check though, seems like its probably more effecient then test strips

 

[roomsupervisor]

So far ive had to adjust my ph usually about every 12 hours, but ive started getting measurements under control, generally i have to add 1 to 1 1/2 table spoons of ph down every 12 hours and that keeps it in the 5.8i range. Ive been carefull not to have the changes be to durrastic though.

I do think im going to buy a ph meter next check though, seems like its probably more effecient then test strips

A. I run a ph of 5.8 only durring the first 2-3 weeks of veg then slowly ramp it up for a few weeks, then bring it back down and start flushing
B. It could mean your girls are suckin more nute than water which would drive up the ph up.
C. I think you should pick up some spray nutes for your foliage and try that as well.
D. Look for a PDF called How-to Hydroponics. Goto page 34 and start reading (if you cant find it i'll upload it for you and pm you a dl link)
E. This shit IS a weed and as long as there's light and water and resonable temps it's hard to kill

 

[imabeast]

Just bag seed for now, being first grow and all. I've got about 2-3 inches of sprout.

 

[Michael Phelps]

A. I run a ph of 5.8 only durring the first 2-3 weeks of veg then slowly ramp it up for a few weeks, then bring it back down and start flushing
B. It could mean your girls are suckin more nute than water which would drive up the ph up.
C. I think you should pick up some spray nutes for your foliage and try that as well.
D. Look for a PDF called How-to Hydroponics. Goto page 34 and start reading (if you cant find it i'll upload it for you and pm you a dl link)
E. This shit IS a weed and as long as there's light and water and resonable temps it's hard to kill

alright ill keep the ph thing in mind. The thing is the girls just barely cracked there shells today, so i havnt added any nutes yet, I read that rockwool has a high ph, i did soak the cubes in 5.0 ph water for 24 hours but i think that might be whats bringing it up, either way i woke up this morning, it had been about 8 hours since i checked the ph, i checked it and its the same as it was 8 hours ago so i think it might be under control alittle more.

I have fox farm trio pack, grow big hydro, big bloom, and tiger bloom, im pretty sure i can do a foilar feeding with those once the plants get alittle bigger.

 

[Michael Phelps]

Just bag seed for now, being first grow and all. I've got about 2-3 inches of sprout.

oh nice nice, i have a bag seed in soil right now, its a good 18in tall, i think im gonna start flowering it soon.

 

[roomsupervisor]

I read that rockwool has a high ph, i did soak the cubes in 5.0 ph water for 24 hours but i think that might be whats bringing it up

The saving grace with rockwool is the same properties that made LEGO's our favorite toys as kids. I switched over to STG about 6 months ago and will NEVER go back to anything else. Use the rockwool you have now then try the Sure To Grow.
Check-out the STG Storm series inserts...they are AWESOME!

 

[roomsupervisor]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yy5kJwdMv8&feature=player_embedded# since i love youtube

 

[Michael Phelps]

^ Just checked out that video, seems like a good product for sure! Have you tried this?

 

[Michael Phelps]

Okay so i have a question for everyone, i know you are supposed to add 1/4 nutes when they get there first true set of leaves, now the question i have is, does this mean 2 true leaves? or 4? also how big should these true leaves be?

 

[Michael Phelps]

Bump, okay so i really need a question answered,


i know you are supposed to add 1/4 nutes when they get there first true set of leaves, now the question i have is, does this mean 2 true leaves? or 4? also how big should these true leaves be?

 

[snutter]

So far ive had to adjust my ph usually about every 12 hours, but ive started getting measurements under control, generally i have to add 1 to 1 1/2 table spoons of ph down every 12 hours and that keeps it in the 5.8i range. Ive been carefull not to have the changes be to durrastic though.

I do think im going to buy a ph meter next check though, seems like its probably more effecient then test strips

Dude, you are having to add WAY too much PH down. I don't understand what is going on with your system that this is happening, but you need to figure it out. I use maybe that much pH down for a 12 gallon fresh batch of nutes, and I never have to add it again. As my plants take in the nutrients and water, my pH goes down. The pH of my water here is 7.2, so when I add fresh water, it brings my pH right back to where I like it...about 5.4. Anyways, my point is, no one should have pH fluctuations like that. Try to see if you are doing something that is cause the issue for you....

 

[snutter]

Bump, okay so i really need a question answered,


i know you are supposed to add 1/4 nutes when they get there first true set of leaves, now the question i have is, does this mean 2 true leaves? or 4? also how big should these true leaves be?

wait for 4 leaves and go ahead and start with the 1/4 strength nutes.

 

[crackerboy]

If you are using powder ph up & down than this could your problem. I used the ph powder from stealth hydro and I had the same problems. Just go to your local grow store or online and get the liquid. I only have to adjust my ph once a week now.

 

[Michael Phelps]

Dude, you are having to add WAY too much PH down. I don't understand what is going on with your system that this is happening, but you need to figure it out. I use maybe that much pH down for a 12 gallon fresh batch of nutes, and I never have to add it again. As my plants take in the nutrients and water, my pH goes down. The pH of my water here is 7.2, so when I add fresh water, it brings my pH right back to where I like it...about 5.4. Anyways, my point is, no one should have pH fluctuations like that. Try to see if you are doing something that is cause the issue for you....

Snutter i def appreciate all the help you have been giving me and if you can keep helping me through the grow that would be great, i think its finally under control, i don't know what it was but it stopped, Ive maintained the same ph for the past 48 hours with very very little fluctuation, i havn't had to use any ph down for the past 48 hours. I think it was because i had those feeder tubes shooting water straight on my rockwool which ive read has a high ph and i think thats the reason my ph was rising so much but it seems to be under control now.

 

[Michael Phelps]

If you are using powder ph up & down than this could your problem. I used the ph powder from stealth hydro and I had the same problems. Just go to your local grow store or online and get the liquid. I only have to adjust my ph once a week now.

I actually have the liquid from general hydroponics.

I think it was your post about a month ago that kept me from getting the stealth hydro ph up and down...

If it was you, thanks!

 

[snutter]

Excellent job on figuring out your pH problem, MP!!! I believe you go it right. I'm very glad to hear that you no longer have insane pH swings!! Good job.

-S

 

[imabeast]

Lets see those babies, A picture is worth a thousand words. Plus it will help us assist you w/ any probs that might arise. BTW I had the same prob with PH while using rockwool. I guess the water eventually flushes all the extra PH out. Keep up the good work, and we look forward to seeing some pics.

 

[jnos45]

Bubbleponics is so easy a3rd grader can do it. I use 1/2 gal and 1 gal milk jugs with crush gravel as my medium. I have aquarium air pumps, tubing and air splitters to deliver oxygen to the roots. I'm harvesting every month and get 1 - 2 ozs a plant. And I'm using 400 watt mh/hps lights. 24 hr lights during veg(usually 2 weeks) and 10 on 14 off for flowering. I've got my flowering time down to 6-7 weeks. My cost: $150.00 for each light and airpumps and tubing. My rewards "SMOKIN".