Drip question?

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Nastydroaste

Well-Known Member
Ok, I just wanted to know, how much water should be coming out of each drip nozzle, and how long a day. Right now its a steady flow of water, i dont know if I need to adjust the nozzles or something so its only a drip. Or is it fine to be a steady stream. Also, how do you get the water to drip evenly from each nozzle, it seems that mine emitors are putting out different amounts. Im gonna be growing in lava rock.
 
HiGHLiFE28

HiGHLiFE28

Well-Known Member
your pumps spread is the reason it spews more is diff places. run pump during lighting hours stream is fine.
 
tems

tems

Well-Known Member
Nastydroaste said:
Ok, I just wanted to know, how much water should be coming out of each drip nozzle, and how long a day. Right now its a steady flow of water, i dont know if I need to adjust the nozzles or something so its only a drip. Or is it fine to be a steady stream. Also, how do you get the water to drip evenly from each nozzle, it seems that mine emitors are putting out different amounts. Im gonna be growing in lava rock.
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So you've set up your drip setup to run all day long?
 
Al B. Fuct

Al B. Fuct

once had a dog named
Drip rings are a good thing.



Buy or DIY, just some flexible tubing with a bunch of 1mm holes and a tee fitting.

Drip rings allow you to water just the pellet media around the plant, important if using clones in RW cubes. Cubes must not be kept saturated. Pellets are the best medium for drip systems as they tolerate frequent watering.
 
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Nastydroaste

Well-Known Member
i looked at the perlit at walmart, and the stuff just crumbles up. Is it ok to use it when it act this way. I mean, I thought lava rock was leaving to much residue, but perlite seems like it would be way more residue.
 
Al B. Fuct

Al B. Fuct

once had a dog named
Nastydroaste said:
i looked at the perlit at walmart, and the stuff just crumbles up. Is it ok to use it when it act this way. I mean, I thought lava rock was leaving to much residue, but perlite seems like it would be way more residue.
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Yep, the stuff does tend to escape pot drain holes.

Two possible solutions; either drop the pot in a knee-hi stocking or pack about 25mm of rockwool floc tightly in the bottom of each pot. Water will pass through either with no trouble but should keep the media in the pot.
 
la9

la9

Well-Known Member
would aquarium rocks be better
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you can use hydroton, pea gravel and probably even cut up straws. All you are looking for is something that drains well and gives room for oxygen to the roots and doesn't change the PH. If you get aquarium rocks, know what you are buying because if you get dolomite or something similiar it will change the PH.

If you wanted to try something, just soak it in water and check the PH and then in 24 hours check the PH again and if it's unchanged and in the correct range you are good to go.

I think I'm going to try some cut up straws this week, should work great.
 
tems

tems

Well-Known Member
If using perlite drop a layer of newspaper down in the pot first. I saw Jorge Cervantez do it for a soil grow.

I personally use hydroton and rock wool. Make sure you rinse out the hydroton in water to get the dust and residue off. It'll mess with your ppm and ph if you dont.
 
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Nastydroaste

Well-Known Member
yea, I just dont have access to hydroton anywhere around here. Im thinking ill just put some perlite with aquarium rocks on the bottom. Sounds good, but will it drain all the water, or will it have alot of retention.
 
la9

la9

Well-Known Member
Perlite will drain and if you want you can just use straight perlite, mix in some vermiculate if you want. That is a popular option.

You adjust the drip to drainage you get.

You'll probably want to put it on a timer instead of dripping all day.
 
Al B. Fuct

Al B. Fuct

once had a dog named
tems said:
If using perlite drop a layer of newspaper down in the pot first. I saw Jorge Cervantez do it for a soil grow.
Click to expand...
I don't think I'd put any newspaper in a recirculating hydro op. It'll go to bits when wet and potentially wind up in the pump. Interesting idea, though.
 
N

Nastydroaste

Well-Known Member
yea cool, right now ive got everything down exept for my studid tray. Im using a mortar mix tray from lows. I installed a really good drain and lift one side to creat a downhill effect, but the stupid water doesnt roll down good. Where can I find a good tray
 
la9

la9

Well-Known Member
The tray you have is pretty decent.

You might go and get some ebb and flow fittings I think they are around $7.

You can find another rubbermaid container the the tray fits into and then drill a couple holes in the tray and then it will drain down to the reservoir.
 
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