1 gal ziplock bags as grow bags?

Ok, so here is the deal. I'm about to build my first grow room. It will be 4x8 hydroton ebb & flow SOG under three 600w Super HPS. I was originally going to just root clones in 1" rockwool, then set those in the hydro without pots. But several RIUers have told me that it really is best to use pots.

The problem is, I'm out of money and can't afford pots. I can afford grow bags, but there isn't a retail outlet near me that sells them, and I don't want to have grow equipment shipped to my home. So I found 1 gallon ziplock freezer bags 30 for $3. I'm planning to use a hole punch to make drainage holes in the bottom, and filling them with pebbles. And I'll pack them into the trays so they hold each other up. The bags are transparent, but packed in tight, no light should get to the roots.

Anybody see any problems with this, or do you think it will work? Comments please.

The roots will eventually fill up most of the bags and you will need to shield them somehow, but besides that they should suffice.

bumpity bump

the only draw back is that some light COULD get through... you shouldn't take the risk. it's not worth all the work and then your plants shitting the bed. get pots or black bags, or solo cups for now then transplant later. bottom line.

but if the bags are tight against each other, how could light penetrate? any more than light could penetrate the hydroton if i ddnt use bags or pots.

light dont matter..its air getting to the roots that matter..theres a couple threads here that proven that is just a myth..
search it if you dont believe me...
your bags will do fine..altho..your roots will fill those bags quickly,might wanna seek bigger bags or trash bags in the future..

I'll only be vegging rooted clones for one week, then going to 12/12.

bumpity bump

It's a good idea cause the bag can easily be transplanted into anything. I could see this going wrong quick for me though by tipping the bag over. Roots will press up against the bag and get exposed to light and roots will die if light hits them constantly.

you could start em in some cheap plastic disposiable pint glasses and jsut use some heavy duty garden bags with a whole punch just take it out and before you unravel it just punch loads of wholes in the bottom and when you open it up it will have loads of drainage in it too and it will be blacked out for the roots to thrive and they wont split there deeper too and you can just rool down the bag to just above the soil and it will act as a rim and keep it sturdy just my 2p

sounds good, ill keep my eyes peeled for a bag that will work well.

just a black bag but for garden waist there great

sort of like the rubble ones

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/10-x-Garden-Rubble-Refuse-Sack-Sacks-Heavy-Duty-633686_W0QQitemZ150334935673QQcmdZViewItem

or i highly recomend this one

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/70-Garden-Rubble-Sacks-Refuse-Bin-Liners-DIY-FREE-P&P!_W0QQitemZ250411171692QQcmdZViewItem

very thick plastic very duriable and that auction has free p&p 17 quid for 70 bags or get like 10 bags for around 2 or 3 quid