General Hydroponics "WaterFarm Complete" HELP

KushLuvR

KushLuvR

Active Member
Wus up my fellow MJ growers and smokers. Im new to the growing scene and Im thinking of getting the WaterFarm and giving it a try. Ive seen other posts on other sites with information but can't seem to grasp how to actually plant a plant in the " hydroton" things. Im a idiot to growing plants and hydroponics so can someone plz give me a little run down on this and also some pro n cons of using this system to grow.

:bigjoint:
 
420pharms

420pharms

Member
i use waterfarms modified with air stones, they are productive 3/4lb yeild is size of plants that i get i think they would support 1lb plants if u have space. i think the c.a.p. ebbngrow may be a better system it recerculates, waterfarms dont
 
captiankush

captiankush

Well-Known Member
420pharms said:
i use waterfarms modified with air stones, they are productive 3/4lb yeild is size of plants that i get i think they would support 1lb plants if u have space. i think the c.a.p. ebbngrow may be a better system it recerculates, waterfarms dont
Click to expand...

What do you mean waterfarms don't recirculate?? They aren't drain to waste as the nutes drain back into the rez and then are recirculated back through the system.



To the OP,

If you are going from seed, I strongly advise germinating the seed in rockwool, its fairly straight forward, soak the seed for 24 hours then plant the seed into a 1 inch rockwool cube that has been premoistened. Once the seedling sprouts, plant that bad boy in your waterfarm and your off. Of course, there is alot more to it but thats the basics.

BTW, take a look at the grow log in my sig, I am running two waterfarms right now.

good luck.

CK
 
KushLuvR

KushLuvR

Active Member
Thanks for the reply 420 & Capt,

Im new to the whole growing scene so i suppose I need the "How to Grow Weed" For Dummies book lol.

I have the seeds Germinating right now so I guess another day or two and they will be ready to go.
*Im using the paper towel under a bowl method*

I actually just bought some rapid rooter starters for when I transplant into the waterfarm. Are these cool to use?

Ive done my research on lighting and Ive decided to go with some 75watts CFL's until I get into the Veg stage. Is this a good way to raise the seedlings?

I had 2 going in soil last week and come to find out I used a lighting that was too hot! Anyone heard of the Phillips Plant Light? Anyway it sucks and of course i learned that the hard way by coming home to a burned up seedling. (The funeral was beautiful by the way lol)

Also just bought some PH Test Kits as Ive noticed others on here comment on PH alot. From what I understand we want the PH to be steady between 6.5 and 7!! Good or no???

What advice can you guys give me as far as how to know how much Nutes to use once the roots reach the water below? The last thing I want is to burn them up from too much or to short stick them by not enough. Im sure this differ's depending on the strain..or does it? The seeds im using are from a stash ive kept over the past few months..some are purp but most are reg's...Btw is there anyway to know a strain by the seed?

I know ive asked atleast 50 questions in this post so who ever decides to answer, just know its very much appreciated!! :bigjoint:
 
KushLuvR

KushLuvR

Active Member
Capt,
Damn bro those pix are f'n amazing! i think I got wood from lookin at her! lol

What kind of daily/weekly maintenance should you be ready for when growing with the waterfarm?

Also the pix attached are of the lighting im using for the 1st stage. What do you think?
 

Attachments

captiankush

captiankush

Well-Known Member
KushLuvR said:
Thanks for the reply 420 & Capt,


I actually just bought some rapid rooter starters for when I transplant into the waterfarm. Are these cool to use?
Click to expand...
I have never used rapid rooter but arent they a peat based cube? if so I wouldnt use it in hydro, the organic peat will break down and prolly give you some clogging in the feed line
KushLuvR said:
Ive done my research on lighting and Ive decided to go with some 75watts CFL's until I get into the Veg stage. Is this a good way to raise the seedlings?
Click to expand...
I use regular floros for mommas and veg, the ones I use are t5's


KushLuvR said:
Also just bought some PH Test Kits as Ive noticed others on here comment on PH alot. From what I understand we want the PH to be steady between 6.5 and 7!! Good or no???
Click to expand...
If you can afford it, I would suggest getting a digital PH meter from Hanna, you can find them on ebay or online, just google hanna ph meter. They also make a combo ppm/ph meter. I dont use the ppm meter because I use RO (0 ppm)but to each there own. Hydro nutes should be ph'd at 5.8- 6.0 and for soil the ph of your nutes should be 6.5-7.0.



KushLuvR said:
What advice can you guys give me as far as how to know how much Nutes to use once the roots reach the water below?
Click to expand...
The plants will need dutrients before the roots hit the res, I suggest using half the recommended dosage listen on the waterfarm feeding schedule, I follow it and its works well.

KushLuvR said:
The last thing I want is to burn them up from too much or to short stick them by not enough. Im sure this differ's depending on the strain..or does it?
Click to expand...
Different strains will have different tolerances for nutes, just remember to slowly up your nute concentration and watch closely for the tell tale signs of nute burn (yellowing leaf tips)

KushLuvR said:
The seeds im using are from a stash ive kept over the past few months..some are purp but most are reg's...Btw is there anyway to know a strain by the seed?
Click to expand...
No, its impossible with seeds, its hard to tell strain even with photos of adult plants

I know ive asked atleast 50 questions in this post so who ever decides to answer, just know its very much appreciated!!

:bigjoint:[/QUOTE]
 
KushLuvR

KushLuvR

Active Member
420pharms said:
i use waterfarms modified with air stones, they are productive 3/4lb yeild is size of plants that i get i think they would support 1lb plants if u have space. i think the c.a.p. ebbngrow may be a better system it recerculates, waterfarms dont
Click to expand...

Hey 420, What were the steps you took when u added the airstones? Where'd u get them and how u put them on. I knew this would be helpful so ive put it on my list to do once I actually get the waterfarm. Thanks bro!! :bigjoint:
 
captiankush

captiankush

Well-Known Member
KushLuvR said:
Capt,
Damn bro those pix are f'n amazing! i think I got wood from lookin at her! lol
Click to expand...
Many thanks, appreciate the compliment

KushLuvR said:
What kind of daily/weekly maintenance should you be ready for when growing with the waterfarm?
Click to expand...
My weekly maintenance is pretty simple, just have to be consistent. Every week, I do a complete res change. I also flush my hydroton during this time. I suggest buying a 5 gallon bucket and putting your plant in the bucket while doing the rez change. Make sure to fill the bucket about 3/4 full of room temp water, while doing your change let the feed pump run nonstop, this will flush the media, removing excess salt buildup.

Now, take you rez and empty it, make sure to thoroughly clean it out. I use antibacterial soap but you must make sure to completely rinse any soap residue out when done. After I get the soap out I then wipe down the inside and outside of the res with a isopropyl soaked cloth and let it air dry. Once air dry I fill my res with 2 gallons of RO then add the nutes to this as well as 1 tbl of hydrogen peroxide per gallon, PH the mix to 5.8 and replace the plant.
KushLuvR said:
Also the pix attached are of the lighting im using for the 1st stage. What do you think?
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, I tried CFL's once and ended up with burned plants from the heat, ever since then I have sworn by the old school t5 floros, almost no heat, you can get the fixtures cheap as well as the bulbs.

Also, I foudn the easiest way to route the airstone into the waterfarm res is through the level indicator, just put the stone in the res and route the airtube up and out, no drilling, no fuss.

Hope this helps.

CK
 
420pharms

420pharms

Member
captiankush said:
What do you mean waterfarms don't recirculate?? They aren't drain to waste as the nutes drain back into the rez and then are recirculated back through the system.

i should have stated it better so what i ment was that wf dont fully recerc. like ebb and flow i run 18 currently and the gravity feed from the main res. is stagnent can be and should be modified gh makes a kit that helps its like the nute drip sys. but placed inside control unit, many things good about it , but like anything could be improved

To the OP,

If you are going from seed, I strongly advise germinating the seed in rockwool, its fairly straight forward, soak the seed for 24 hours then plant the seed into a 1 inch rockwool cube that has been premoistened. Once the seedling sprouts, plant that bad boy in your waterfarm and your off. Of course, there is alot more to it but thats the basics.

BTW, take a look at the grow log in my sig, I am running two waterfarms right now.

good luck.

CK
Click to expand...
i dont have alot of exp. so good luck
 
captiankush

captiankush

Well-Known Member
KushLuvR said:
Capt,
Thanks, All very helpful.

What does the Hydrogen Peroxide do?
Click to expand...
From Wiki cause I am lazy...

" Some horticulturalists and users of hydroponics advocate the use of weak hydrogen peroxide solution ("Spanish water") in watering solutions. Its spontaneous decomposition releases oxygen that enhances a plant's root development and helps to treat root rot " (cellular root death due to lack of oxygen) and a variety of other pests.

Basically, its good preventative care.

CK
 
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