To those using a drip system feed question?

[kathleenbilly]

Hello to all those looking in,

I have searched to try and find the answer but have found nothing I can be 100% sure of.

I have a drip system i used to run it for 12 hours continuously when the light is on feeding nutrients which drains away back into the tank below to be re-used. When the light goes out i do not pump any nutrients to the roots at all so for 12 hours it gets nothing. Now before i go on this have worked with good results and i have not had any problems.

However i'm sure this is not the perfect way to feed the roots like 12 hours WITH NO NUTES although the dark period can't be good can it ?

I have now changed it to 24 hours constant as a half an hour on and 15 mins off.

So just want to ask those that run the same systems how are you doing your times. My question is based on that it is not good to saturate the roots with water/nutrients contantly as they need oxegen any advice or pointers on this appreciated.

KB

 

[bongspit]

Hello to all those looking in,

I have searched to try and find the answer but have found nothing I can be 100% sure of.

I have a drip system i used to run it for 12 hours continuously when the light is on feeding nutrients which drains away back into the tank below to be re-used. When the light goes out i do not pump any nutrients to the roots at all so for 12 hours it gets nothing. Now before i go on this have worked with good results and i have not had any problems.

However i'm sure this is not the perfect way to feed the roots like 12 hours WITH NO NUTES although the dark period can't be good can it ?

I have now changed it to 24 hours constant as a half an hour on and 15 mins off.

So just want to ask those that run the same systems how are you doing your times. My question is based on that it is not good to saturate the roots with water/nutrients contantly as they need oxegen any advice or pointers on this appreciated.

KB

I run my pump all the time until my plants were big enough that the roots were big enough to hang down in the reservour. I run my air pump 24/7...

 

[kathleenbilly]

Well given what your saying by me pumping nutrients even in the dark period i have improved my system then?

However i read somewhere that they don't take much nutrients when in dark period so can you tell me why the need the supply at this time if you know the answer ????

 

[mobby420]

what medium are your plants in ?

 

[kathleenbilly]

They are in rockwool and 4 inch pots foot high above the bottom of the tank with the sprinklers hit the pots/rockwool the main roots then sit at the bottom of the tank with the drip drains about an inch high off the bottom so i would say there is always a little bit of water that sits in the bottom.

 

[billybob88]

in my drip system with hydroton i feed for 15 minutes every 3 hours. i only feed when the lights are on. the roots are fine especially in rockwool for 12 hours in dark. i dont suggest watering during the night cycle.

 

[kathleenbilly]

Thank you i have my answer at last !