AlphaPhase
Well-Known Member
Honestly, I've been starting clones at 1ec (700ppm or 500ppm depending on which meter you have). I've been getting deficiencies if I start any lower. Start floods for every 3 to 4 hrs
Cleaning Hydroton 101
- Thread starter AlphaPhase
- Start date
docter
Well-Known Member
Seriously even I know what that shit is and I live in a shoe.
GrowerGoneWild
Well-Known Member
A bit off topic from the OP but whatever..
Tough question to answer. Alot of factors to consider, like genetics, lights, etc..
Generally speaking, I would start at 800-1000 PPM, with in the PH range of 5.6-5.8. However I prefer to use top flood, and I cycle that 1-2 min on, 30-60 min off, somewhere in that range. Remember, hydroton can hold a bit of moisture, so in an ebb and flood situation, I would flood every few 3-4 hours. But remember that roots like to seek moisture, and shy away from dryness so dont get too carried away with long off times.
s0p3rsa1yan
Active Member
Theres a product called root devil.
It seems to work great and fast.I myself considered to threw away my hydroton and buy new. I got frustrated when i tried to clean it. I dont live in the US so it will cost more to ship. But i think i can DIY somthing like it. It looks like just a bucket with a net and another bucket under it with a hole to suck the air threw.
It seems to work great and fast.I myself considered to threw away my hydroton and buy new. I got frustrated when i tried to clean it. I dont live in the US so it will cost more to ship. But i think i can DIY somthing like it. It looks like just a bucket with a net and another bucket under it with a hole to suck the air threw.
DirtyMcCurdy
Well-Known Member
Yep. Perlite in 5 gallon paint strainers is my next medium. Cheap as shit and also light weight-easy on the back.
hotrodharley
Well-Known Member
Check out volcanic pumice too.
Mithrandir420
Well-Known Member
The trick to easy cleaning hydroton is to wait about 3 days after last flood to shake out the hydroton. I grow in pots on trays in the hydroton. I shake the pot to loosen it up then pull the rootball out and gently shake it out over my storage tub. If the rootball is not too wet and not too dry the rocks come out really clean. After that I rinse in water a couple of times and reuse. If they are really dirty I will use a little bleach in the rinse.
smokefacekillah
Well-Known Member
I always rinse the fuck out of mine with tap water most of the salt build up doesn't stick I might just soak them in dish soap for a bit but I believe if you run enough hot water thru them you can get most of the salts off or if you have a power washer I'd imagine you could clean a lot more a lot faster just put some wholes in bucket and run it under a tap
TO add I've been using the same hydro ton for about 2 years with really no issues at all
TO add I've been using the same hydro ton for about 2 years with really no issues at all
hey alpha sorry to bug you again. but i had a question about using the flood and drain botanicare tables with netcups in the table covers so the netcups are suspended in the air and the roots can just grow freely in the table... if i wanted to clone/veg in the aerocloner when would you add hydroton to the net pots in the aerocloner? would you just keep hydroton in the netcup from the start or is it bad to start a clone in hydroton?... would it be too much shock to add hydroton to the netcup a week before flower (only plan on rooting/veg for 2weeks total) or should i just not add any hydroton when rooting/veg in the aerocloner and just add hydroton to the plants when i put them in the flowering table/netcups? whats your thoughts man?? appreciate any input, thanks!!!
AlphaPhase
Well-Known Member
I've never vegged in an Aero cloner before, I could see issues happening once adding nutrients because the water Temps might get too warm and cause issues. Plain water is much more resistant to pathogens, but once nutrients are added, pathogens are introduced much easier.
But if you don't run into any issues vegging in the cloner, what I would do is let the clones root, then when they have some roots maybe a couple inches long, gently place the hydroton in the net pot with the clones, then put back in the cloner until you're ready to flower. This should reduce stress and also the roots will take hold of the hydroton for support prior to flower. The plant will have no transplant shock from this other than adjusting from Aero to flood and drain. Hope this helps. @jronnn
But if you don't run into any issues vegging in the cloner, what I would do is let the clones root, then when they have some roots maybe a couple inches long, gently place the hydroton in the net pot with the clones, then put back in the cloner until you're ready to flower. This should reduce stress and also the roots will take hold of the hydroton for support prior to flower. The plant will have no transplant shock from this other than adjusting from Aero to flood and drain. Hope this helps. @jronnn
Alaric
Well-Known Member
I see no reason why the method Alpha suggested wouldn't work.
YES----you can veg in an aerocloner----here's the method I use:
2' x 2' Botanicare tray with a 7 x 7 hole pattern (holes drilled with a 1 3/4" hole saw). By making the holes smaller than those 2" neoprene inserts----I was able to eliminate net pots. These plants were under a 2' x 2' T5 light fixture.
Here's what they looked liked before being moved to the veg tubes. Yes-----sometimes the roots would tangle a little----but no biggie---just pull them apart.
As far as nute temp-----I ran the pump 15 sec on----15 minutes off. Never had any root problems and never any transplant shock.
For a rez I just used a garbage can---worked fine.
This is what the complete system looks like X 2.
Something else you can do without net cups----since the stems are just supported by the neoprene inserts the plants can be adjusted up/down to achieve a level canopy.
Any, my 2 cents,
A~~~
AlphaPhase
Well-Known Member
Awesome tutorial Alaric
Gijonas, Hydroton cost me almost $40 a bag, and it takes 2 bags for 10 plants. It adds up and it's kind of hard to throw away 200 pounds of hydroton every month. Wish I could though lol. When I used small net pots I uses to throw it away becausei only used a handful of hydroton per plant.
Gijonas, Hydroton cost me almost $40 a bag, and it takes 2 bags for 10 plants. It adds up and it's kind of hard to throw away 200 pounds of hydroton every month. Wish I could though lol. When I used small net pots I uses to throw it away becausei only used a handful of hydroton per plant.
I would never re use it. I always buy new. I get it for 30$ at my local store.
AlphaPhase
Well-Known Member
Why not use something like rockwool then? I wish I could throw it out but I like to recycle. 40l bags are $37 at my local store, it's enough for 5 ebb buckets, so 8$ per plant. Rockwool would be much cheaper for ya. Just a thought
AlphaPhase
Well-Known Member
Here's something to think about.
30x2=60
60x12= $720 annually
In 10 years you'd have saved $7200
In 50 years, a lifetime of growing, that is $36000 (minimum, much more if you use more)
That's a chunk of retirement funds right there
30x2=60
60x12= $720 annually
In 10 years you'd have saved $7200
In 50 years, a lifetime of growing, that is $36000 (minimum, much more if you use more)
That's a chunk of retirement funds right there
dbkick
Well-Known Member
Most hydroton I've dealt with the initial cleaning is a bitch.
I found sunleaves rocks and never looked back, 20 bux for a 65 pound bag . The initial cleaning is much much easier than hydroton, rinse once, repeat, done.
I've never seen any hydroton rinse out so easy and the fuckers roll around a lot.
I do ebb and flow Buckets so rock wool is not an option for me. I don't want to chance losing a crop to bad hydroton so buying new is peace of mind for me.Why not use something like rockwool then? I wish I could throw it out but I like to recycle. 40l bags are $37 at my local store, it's enough for 5 ebb buckets, so 8$ per plant. Rockwool would be much cheaper for ya. Just a thought
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AlphaPhase
Well-Known Member
I hear ya. Have you tried suspended net pots? It's actually been the best way I've utilized my ebb buckets and eventually I'd like to get back to growing that way. You can either get a 2-3 gallon net pot bucket lid or make a lid like I do which use 5" net pots. It leaves the roots suspended and you can then flood every hour since there is no medium being flooded. The growth is so much faster, more yield, no salt build up, the positive factors are great. The only thing I couldn't figure out is how to veg like this separately. I've used dwc to veg and get some nice roots then transfer the net pot into the bucket lid but this was just a pain to do and took up too much room. Give it try sometime if you veg and flower in the same system, you'll love it.
