Newbie seeks hydro help

[jarlaxla]

So, I'm thinking about trying to build a small(ish) hydro setup and had some general questions.

What size pot (or basket,net,ect.) will I need? I will be starting from seed in a rockwool cube and then placing the cube into pearlite or something of the sort in a flood and drain type of system. I just don't want the little guys too crowded if I'm putting them into individual pots anyway.

Also, how much room should I allow for height and width on each plant? For example, it 1' between pots a decent amount or should it be closer to 2'? I know this is mainly dependent on strain, but a nice general guideline would kick a lot of ass.

Here is a general idea for what I'm wanting to build.

http://homeharvest.com/homeharvest2000pics/GenHydroaeroflow60Picture.jpg

Only difference is that instead of aero, I would want to angle the "tubes" slightly downward towards my reservoir, pumping water in at the high end and letting it run down and drain back into the reservoir.

Any help, advice, tips or anything else anyone can give me before I tackle this mission would be awesome.

 

[dustyD]

seems to me a setup like that would not be capable to even grow a plant thro flowering, but im not sure the smallest pots ive used for hydro are 6in pots the plants reached about 4 1/2 feet tall around 3 feet wide

 

[jarlaxla]

So at about 3' wide I'm guessing 2' between the center of each pot would give enough "elbow" room.
Since I'm building my own setup I can use whatever sized pot I need to, just curious what would be the best size to use.
Also, after reading this... https://www.rollitup.org/hydroponics-aeroponics/303281-deteriming-witch-method-hydro-best.html
it seems that drain and flood isn't what I was wanting to do as much as NFT.
Is there any other advice that you (or anyone) could throw my way?
The more I know, the better the grow after all

 

[gcvt420]

I grow in 'fence post' systems like that for both veg and flower. Both systems use 2" net pots and the flowering system has the holes spaced 7" apart. I begin flowering when the plants are 12" tall. Works like a charm.

I take it you've seen http://www.stinkbuddies.com

 

[jarlaxla]

Actually no, I've never been there but definately going to check it out lol.
Is a 2" pot really big enough? That seems really small to me.
Mind if I ask what strain you grow and how much harvest you get per plant by chance?
Would having them about 1' apart work for both flowering and veg?
I don't have enough room for two seperate systems.

 

[Rusty Crutch]

Is a 2" pot really big enough? That seems really small to me.

"Its not the size of the pot. Its what you do with it that matters."

 

[jarlaxla]

lol so would it work starting in a rockwool cube and placing that in pearlite, from seed in a 2" pot?
or would that work at all

 

[gcvt420]

Actually no, I've never been there but definately going to check it out lol.
Is a 2" pot really big enough? That seems really small to me.
Mind if I ask what strain you grow and how much harvest you get per plant by chance?
Would having them about 1' apart work for both flowering and veg?
I don't have enough room for two seperate systems.

Definitely read every word on that website - TONS of good info there on the type of system you want to build. The size of the netpot is not a big concern...it's all about what happens underneath the netpot. I've grown 5-foot plants in 2" netpots - not by choice, but it worked without issue. The netpot essentially just holds the plant upright - the real magic happens downstairs, aside from lighting of course, with water and nutrients and oxygen.

I have too many systems running to give you an accurate account of my yields. Frankly it's hard to keep track. All I can tell you is that I concentrate mostly on 'U2 Kush' and 'Mendo Purple' strains. The U2 is a fat plant and needs more space than the thinner Mendo Purple. With 1-foot spacing, you should be fine.

 

[jarlaxla]

Do you think a system built in a similar style would work for a NFT system?
I heard aero is pretty unforgiving