I am trying to decide which type of set-up to use. I have read about each, but do not quite understand some things. Like with NFT and DWC, the roots are basically in the water at all times. Flood and Drain is not! So, which is best? Or recommended by most? Maybe if anyone here has exp. with comparing two of these, could you please share with me some advice on which one would be best for a first-timer?
Nft, flood and drain, or dwc
- Thread starter Beelow
- Start date
I am trying to decide which type of set-up to use. I have read about each, but do not quite understand some things. Like with NFT and DWC, the roots are basically in the water at all times. Flood and Drain is not! So, which is best? Or recommended by most? Maybe if anyone here has exp. with comparing two of these, could you please share with me some advice on which one would be best for a first-timer?
drgreentm
Well-Known Member
well i have done dwc and ebb and flow flood and drain is my current setup it all really depends an what kind of system suits your needs like scrog, sog etc that will determine allot with dwc i got great root growth, quick growth all around a great system but took up a little to much space for just 5 plants so i went to ebb & flow getting 11 in a 2x4 tray. i love my ebb systems though easy water changes easy cleaning and what not just my personal experience.
Thanks for reply drgreentm! this might sound stupid, but why did the dwc only hold 5 plants compared to 11 with ebb and flow? I thought dwc would actually take up less space?
drgreentm
Well-Known Member
no problem it just the way i made it it was actually for my vegging plants before i went to the numbers of plants i am actually at now the only thing about the DWC was the water changes where a bitch untill i started using a submersible pump and a 5 gal bucket to empty it other than that like i said it is a great system what number of plants are you planning for if i could ask?????o and the pics one is of the DWC systems i used and the other is of the ebb tray i am currently using
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choempi
Well-Known Member
I like flood and drain. Seperate res makes easy maintainance, pump and or timer failure is not as big a deal as it is in NFT, DWC or Aero (in fact it is a huge disaster in those methods). If you have a failure of those in flood and drain: rockwool can meet the plants needs for at least a day or 2, and you can easily flood by hand if needed. Also flood and drain means your pumps will run at most only 3 times a day at peak of cycle, while the others need to run continuously= more stealthy and less power consumed, less evaporation, less wear over time on pumps.
Nice pics dude! I will probably start out with about 6, i have been following "Dadios flood and drain", and thought about trying something similar. I don't know what strain/strains i will try yet, still just trying to soak up all the info i can before i start. I am thinking of building a 4x4x8 closet having seedling/veg area in the bottom with 600w flowering in the top. I do not know what size fan or carbon filter i will be using, any suggestions?
choempi
Well-Known Member
Not to start seeds or clones in (meaning the STG 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 cubes) the material in my experience is hard for the roots to get a good start. I start in 2 x 2 rockwool cubes, and then nest in the bulk STG media in containers.
drgreentm
Well-Known Member
six would be a good start and like you said take in as much info as possible its the best thing when starting out.
agreed rockwool holds to much water for clones i havent had the worst luck with rockwool and seed. i have been checking out your thread about the bleach instead of h202 and it is some dam good info i will prably be getting on that thread soon again good info thanks. and for the cloning this is what i do rapid rooter then transplant to rockwool works good for me.
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drgreentm
Well-Known Member
i would say try for one strain first then introduce another in later i would recommend white rhino nirvana seeds has some if you are going to do multiple strains just make sure they are around the same height and flowering time other wise when you have to flush one the other may need to go for a few more weeks and that can be a pain in the ass i am at this problem now i grow white widow or rhino not sure got the seeds from a friend who said they where widow but look to me like rhino first pic is of nirvana's rhino second is of mine pretty identical right. WR is a good strain short with fat colas the third pic is my two best still four weeks to go.
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thanks man! i read some of the reviews on WR seems everyone likes it. In an est. 8wk harvest time, how long should i normally veg before introducing flowering?
zem
Well-Known Member
i like this guy, +rep describes what i do, in SOG used to love DWC,now i grow bigger fewer plants from seed and love flood/drain
drgreentm
Well-Known Member
my plants are on 4 week intervals my widows finish in 8 weeks perfect. i veg them till they are about 10 to 12" they hit right around 2.5' in the first 3 weeks of flower then get some nice cola's
Thanks drgreentm, OH another thing i am totally clueless about are "NUTES", how much does a small grow normally use? should i buy in quarts/gallons? Also which brand you recommend? Thanks for all of your help man and merry christmas.
drgreentm
Well-Known Member
hey man merry x mas to you too hope you have a good one. for the nutes i use flora nova grow for my vegging plants and flora nova bloom for the flowering ones with house and gardens bud xl additive works great for me prably be a good nute to use if you are just starting out seeings how its a single part solution if you are going with a small grow the 1 L bottle should last a while i get gallons just cause i have allot of res's 2 25 gal's and a 20 gal in veg i think the 1 L bottle is about 25 or 30 bucks.