First Time Hydro Help

WebbOmNom

Member
Well winter is fast approaching and i need some help with my first hydro system. My budget is $50 give or take some, not including lights. I've waded through countless forum posts and i'll i have gotten is confused. I know a little about Bubble buckets, DWC's, and the ebb and flow bucket system like this: http://theweedscene.com/hydroponic-bucket-system/, but for 2 plants. But my whole problem though is that i want to support 2 mother plants, not clones. In the future i will build a system for cuttings from these plants, but that's down the road. I really like the bucket systems, and anything with those would be good. The top drips, or bubble buckets also look really good, but then again I've heard they can't support mother plants. So my whole question is what system can i build for around $50, and can support mother plants. I would rather have something simple, but if a little handwork is required for a really good system, i wouldn't care. Also, any info about how to use nutes with the system you recommend would be very much appreciated. Thanks!
 

dwc rebel

Member
Well winter is fast approaching and i need some help with my first hydro system. My budget is $50 give or take some, not including lights. I've waded through countless forum posts and i'll i have gotten is confused. I know a little about Bubble buckets, DWC's, and the ebb and flow bucket system like this: http://theweedscene.com/hydroponic-bucket-system/, but for 2 plants. But my whole problem though is that i want to support 2 mother plants, not clones. In the future i will build a system for cuttings from these plants, but that's down the road. I really like the bucket systems, and anything with those would be good. The top drips, or bubble buckets also look really good, but then again I've heard they can't support mother plants. So my whole question is what system can i build for around $50, and can support mother plants. I would rather have something simple, but if a little handwork is required for a really good system, i wouldn't care. Also, any info about how to use nutes with the system you recommend would be very much appreciated. Thanks!
how big of a grow space? you can buy a nutrient kit like technaflora or general hydroponics ($35-$50). DWC is simple
 

WebbOmNom

Member
Basement space im gonna use about 5'x5'. Starting small. And i can watch it everyday. Most people say DWC so i figure im gonna go with that, it seems really simple. Now when i would mix in my nutrients how often would i need to replace them? Id buy a nutrient kit liek the one above, would it have directions on when to replace? Also, would i have to drain the water and replace in a DWC?
 

Warlock1369

Well-Known Member
There are tons of ways to build a DWC. Each have there own method. Look in the sub forum listed on the top of the hydro section. Find one that best fits your needs. If you ask 100 people here you will get 100 different ways.
 

dwc rebel

Member
Basement space im gonna use about 5'x5'. Starting small. And i can watch it everyday. Most people say DWC so i figure im gonna go with that, it seems really simple. Now when i would mix in my nutrients how often would i need to replace them? Id buy a nutrient kit liek the one above, would it have directions on when to replace? Also, wouyeld i have to drain the water and rplace in a DWC?
yeah man the nutrients come with directions. empty resivour every week to ten days and wash it also.
 

WebbOmNom

Member
Im guessing i would just take the netty pot with the roots coming out of it, and put it in an empty bucket while i clean the main?
 

paxneotech

Well-Known Member
for momz i would do soil. Less work....really...but for hydro i would go for the bucket....but again, momz in soil and thats that. Hydro nutts?Itried from GHE, Advanced Nutrients, now im doin Atami B-Cuzz (witch is a $ saver)
 

Bigz2277

Well-Known Member
If you can check on them daily Go DWC. DWC works great for mother plants in my opinion. You take cuttings from her and within a week those cuttings will be regenerated.
I would recommend you get a couple of the lids with the netpots built in (just makes it easier) - 5-7$ each
2 g gal lowes or home depot buckets - 3$ each
2 outlet airpump without the control valve (will always push maximum, Why would you want to turn a small airpump down o_O?)
2 1 inch round airstones - 2$ each; or 2 petco airstones (these are harder to get proper coverage) - 1.5$ each
1 10 liter bag of hydroton pebbles - 10$
34$ for that simple setup. another 10$ and pick up some aluminum foil tape and tape the shit out of the buckets to lightproof them.
You can pm me if you have any other questions. Take it easy, grow green!
 

lvtokerr

Active Member
for momz i would do soil. Less work....really...but for hydro i would go for the bucket....but again, momz in soil and thats that. Hydro nutts?Itried from GHE, Advanced Nutrients, now im doin Atami B-Cuzz (witch is a $ saver)
if your balling on a budget check out the K.I.S.S. nutrient method. Or if you want to be a little more fancy check out the lucas formula. 50 bucks isnt much room to work with. ph pens start out at fifty bucks and youll def need one and a ppm pen for bubble buckets. I would recommend a soil grow as you dont need the ph and ppm pens. Then after that youll have your fee wet and prob some more dough saved up for the hydro gear.
 

Taurich

Member
My advice would probably to build a bigger bankroll before diving into hydro.
You don't have the budget to buy a flood and drain system, which only really leaves DWC as a viable low capital setup. But even that would be a struggle on $50, you'd barely get you a litre (quart) of nutes and H2O2, let alone growing media, pesticides, fans, PH up/down and the assorted meters you'll need to maintain a plant for any lengthy amount of time.

Waiting a couple weeks for some extra cash is going to save you so much headache time and money in the uture
 

Bigz2277

Well-Known Member
Where can I find nutes for that price? I spend about $500 a grow on nutes!
If your area is similar to his then you are just wasting money on nutes. Only grows i have seen to use that much nutrients in one cycle is hundreds of plants.
 

WebbOmNom

Member
My advice would probably to build a bigger bankroll before diving into hydro.
You don't have the budget to buy a flood and drain system, which only really leaves DWC as a viable low capital setup. But even that would be a struggle on $50, you'd barely get you a litre (quart) of nutes and H2O2, let alone growing media, pesticides, fans, PH up/down and the assorted meters you'll need to maintain a plant for any lengthy amount of time.

Waiting a couple weeks for some extra cash is going to save you so much headache time and money in the uture
No i know that, i meant just for a system, disregarding the grow room, nutes, lights, etc.
 
i also have a question i have a top feeder with resivoir and dip sticks i was wondering would it be good to use with rapid rooter and hydroton for my grow.have 400 watt hps bulbs will that be good for autoflowering strings.
 

playermic

Well-Known Member
If you want 2 mother plants Id assume you want larger plants. if thats the case go w/ the bucket drip system, the 3-5 gallon buckets have plenty of room for your roots, whereas the ebb n flow systems have much smaller containers and cost 5x more.
 

bluedreamzy

Active Member
check out my mobile hydro scrog.. 5 gallon rubber maid -10 bucks, concrete mixing tray-$10,couple 1x3's-$5,ebb and flow fittings-$10.. tubing -couple bucks.. 50 dollar budget is kinda crazy lol you can spend 50 on just nutes.. lol ive spend 4-5k on my set up. YOU GET OUT IF IT WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT!!
 
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