Whats up RIU, I have been reading over alot of hydro sticky's and really liked it. I have been studying all aspects of hydroponics and am familiar with the basic principles. I have come with idea similar to RDWC with an eb&flow principle that I would like to run by all of you to get your input.
after reading Odin2u's post " the top third of the roots of the cannabis plant needs oxygen. The middle third needs both oxygen and water. Only the bottom third is satisfied with a liquid diet." and understanding the efficancy of oxygenated roots. I figured if you take the set up of eb& flow bucket system (for this example lets say a 4 bucket & res. set up) place air stones at the bottom of each 5 gallon bucket and run it continuously. when the pump turns on for the flood as the buckets fill w/ nute/water it becomes airated (Air stone in res. optional). When the pump turns off the solution returns to the res. the airstones continue to feed oxygen to the roots.
Thats the basic principle it. I tried to take all of the pros & cons of all the hydro methods and come up with a system that is just as efficant w/ less money. for example: should the power go out gravity then becomes your pump. your going to loose the airation but placing the res above or below buckets during the cycles will still allow you to feed your plants till you can get back up and running.(granted the ease of this is going to depend on the size of your garden). Now w/ the eb&flow your roots are not constantly sitting in the water so the potental for slime/salt build up is lowered. this system also since resembles the RDWC its 1 res to ph and temp.
To be clear this is not an idea I am trying to market or have any1 finance for that matter. I'm a low budget grower w/ a close co-op looking to become more efficant. To me the reason growing is so addicting is because the trail, error, & experimentation process is a high in itself. Any input would greatly be apreciated