Nft watering
- Thread starter mrje
- Start date
Jahulath
Member
You need the water on always. There are two schools:
A) You switch it on and you are done
B) You spend $$ on a controller that runs on for 1 minute off for 2 (or 5-15, 2-4,6-9, 1.8-2.3, etc etc)
With A you are reliant on your pumps quality.
With B you are reliant on your pumps quality when it is used outside of manufacturers intent but your res may be a couple of degrees cooler and the quality of the timer.
Personally I am firmly in camp A but either way the roots must be wet - ALWAYS.
A) You switch it on and you are done
B) You spend $$ on a controller that runs on for 1 minute off for 2 (or 5-15, 2-4,6-9, 1.8-2.3, etc etc)
With A you are reliant on your pumps quality.
With B you are reliant on your pumps quality when it is used outside of manufacturers intent but your res may be a couple of degrees cooler and the quality of the timer.
Personally I am firmly in camp A but either way the roots must be wet - ALWAYS.
superstoner1
Well-Known Member
the secret to nft is the roots need time between waterings to get o2.
superstoner1
Well-Known Member
been using my cap recycle timer for over 4 years and never a problem the secret is to use it as a trigger for a relay, not overloading it.
dbkick
Well-Known Member
I had a problem with changing the timing and having to reboot(unplug) it or something , can't remember the details but it cost me. titan is my choice in timer.
ringlead3r
Active Member
the water flowing over the roots 24/7 has plenty of o2 as long as your tank temp is correct
superstoner1
Well-Known Member
but allowing the roots the breath lets them grow healthier. i tested many different time patterns from 30sec on to 30 mins on and found that root mats at harvest were nearly twice as thick with lower run times.
Jahulath
Member
Honestly if SS1 says so then I'm going with him - this person can grow and is one of the few with a full NFT system on show! Just a shame I don't seem to be able to find a suitable timer for the pump D: plenty of time for that and I'll have to get through mauling my first grow anyways.
303
Well-Known Member
What kind of pump will you be using? I notice after time, or even out of the box. When I turn mine off (they run 24/0), and turn back on, once in a while one won't turn on, I give it a slight tap and it fires back on. Now if there was a timer and it didn't come back on with me not being there.... Done deal. I like them always on, I haven't noticed any sort of difference whatsoever having them 1 min on 2 min off. Whats the point there's still moisture and water flowing thru it for at least 5 mins until it has completely drained. K.I.S.S.!!
Jahulath
Member
My thoughts exactly, I'll start messing around with timers once my jars are full from my first grow (Ok my second, I'm bound to fuck up somewhere)
If we are doing these then I'd like to also apply P.P.P.P.P.P.P. (AKA "All the P's") "Proper planning and preparation prevents piss poor performance" if I (and the OP) can stick to these then I think we'll be ok
