Hydroponics Question and Answer NewGrowth Style

NewGrowth

Well-Known Member
I have a question for you I am setting up a flood table and I'm going to grow white widow and kc 33 what type of medium is the best to use
Hydroton provides excellent root zone aeration, the draw back is that it must be flooded more often than some more absorbent media such as rockwool.
 

mightyboogie

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by mightyboogie
hallo
i have 6 mother plants under flourescent in clay pebbels pots.they are almost 8 weeks old and i noticed that roots comming out of the pots are drying...
i top feed them 3 times a day...
should i feed them more times to avoid the roots to dry or 3 times a day is fine???
tnx


You will need to feed them more often hydroton does not retain water well. What kind of set up do you have?
well i use a top feed system (6 pots with clay pebbles on a hydro tray...but i use this only in the veg room for mother plans.
i have another room with an aero flo 20)
so should i start feeding my mother plants more times a day?
tnx:weed:
 

Bullethead21

Well-Known Member
Hi there! Awsome thread!

I got one for ya. My plants are ranging from 2 to 4 inches and have roots through to the bottom on the net pots and some roots are hanging in the water even on most all of the plants. This is a Bubbleponic type system. Feed tube going to net cups and airstones for oxygen.

My question is I started these plants in rock wool cubes and then buried them in hydroton rocks leaving the rock wool cubes just a little below the top level of the net pot......and since my plants seem to have a decent root system now, how and when can I loose the stinky rock wool cubes?

Cant i just use the hydroton rocks? How do I get the cubes out without disturbing root system very much? Is there a method or can I just pull out the soggy rockwool in pieces? I think or it looks like if I remove a few or most of the rocks I could get to the cube really easy and using a blade and some needle nose carefully pull the rock wool cubes out....is this bad idea?

Thanks in advance!

Also, could you kindly describe the exact steps of cracking the seed in a wet, warm dark paper towel all the way to putting the cracked seed in a rock wool with hydra rocks (like how long or how far cracked before moving seedling from paper towel to rw cube and rocks in the system, and then steps during, & after the seedling pops his little head up through the wool..LOL)

Im pretty sure I got this part down, I have been practicing on cheap seeds getting them to crack and I can do that part just dont know all the "other" details and would like to hear it from someone with experience that has done it before. This would be my actual first time so technically Ive never done it yet on this new system..just a few practice runs to make sure everything works and I can take measurment and PH stable my water ect..ect..

This is all new really .Ive have been reading and reserching for months, even taking notes ...lol Me and the wife always grew our gardens outside in the backyard, even growing up...best tomatoes still to date grown by my dad using garbage and stuff as fertilzers out in the backyard garden....but Ive always wanted to venture into growing hydroponics..so I leaped and this is my new hobby now!

This thread has answered so many questions already that I have had. I am about to go actaully buy some real seeds so I wanna make sure this time I do everything properly and correct, which is why I was posting asking about the steps to take with the seeds. I want to get off to a good start right off the bat.! Thanks so much again !

PS-Im also working on a little "pocket seed cracker" Im experimenting with making for less than 20 dollars, maybe even 10 or less if I can figure out the slight getting heat issue im having in design, so to speak. So far it works really well, I just need to work out some minor kinks and I will post and share.

REP++
 

NewGrowth

Well-Known Member
well i use a top feed system (6 pots with clay pebbles on a hydro tray...but i use this only in the veg room for mother plans.
i have another room with an aero flo 20)
so should i start feeding my mother plants more times a day?
tnx:weed:
If they are showing signs of needing more water then yes. I flood hydroton every 2-2.5 hours and not before lights out.

Hi there! Awsome thread!

I got one for ya. My plants are ranging from 2 to 4 inches and have roots through to the bottom on the net pots and some roots are hanging in the water even on most all of the plants. This is a Bubbleponic type system. Feed tube going to net cups and airstones for oxygen.

My question is I started these plants in rock wool cubes and then buried them in hydroton rocks leaving the rock wool cubes just a little below the top level of the net pot......and since my plants seem to have a decent root system now, how and when can I loose the stinky rock wool cubes?
Why do you want to remove the cubes? I've been smoking but I can not think of a reason the cubes would need to be removed.

Cant i just use the hydroton rocks? How do I get the cubes out without disturbing root system very much? Is there a method or can I just pull out the soggy rockwool in pieces? I think or it looks like if I remove a few or most of the rocks I could get to the cube really easy and using a blade and some needle nose carefully pull the rock wool cubes out....is this bad idea?
Still not sure why you want to remove the cubes . . .:weed:

Thanks in advance!
I guess . . .:confused:

Also, could you kindly describe the exact steps of cracking the seed in a wet, warm dark paper towel all the way to putting the cracked seed in a rock wool with hydra rocks (like how long or how far cracked before moving seedling from paper towel to rw cube and rocks in the system, and then steps during, & after the seedling pops his little head up through the wool..LOL)
This one I can answer . . .
1. Place seeds between two layers of damp paper towel
2. Place this is a plastic bag to retain moisture
3. Place in a warm spot
4. As soon as the seeds crack usually 24-48 hours place them in the pH adjusted rockwool cubes
5. Ensure the cubes are damp not wet
6. Seedlings should show in 24-48 hrs some plants are slower . . .

Im pretty sure I got this part down, I have been practicing on cheap seeds getting them to crack and I can do that part just dont know all the "other" details and would like to hear it from someone with experience that has done it before. This would be my actual first time so technically Ive never done it yet on this new system..just a few practice runs to make sure everything works and I can take measurment and PH stable my water ect..ect..
Sounds good, just don't over wet the rock wool keep the seeds and seedlings warm and moist until they begin to develop their first set of true leaves.

This is all new really .Ive have been reading and reserching for months, even taking notes ...lol Me and the wife always grew our gardens outside in the backyard, even growing up...best tomatoes still to date grown by my dad using garbage and stuff as fertilzers out in the backyard garden....but Ive always wanted to venture into growing hydroponics..so I leaped and this is my new hobby now!
If you are a gardener you will catch on really easy, hydroponics is very simple. I love to garden myself, nothing like growing your own fruits, vegetables, herbs, ect.:weed:

This thread has answered so many questions already that I have had. I am about to go actaully buy some real seeds so I wanna make sure this time I do everything properly and correct, which is why I was posting asking about the steps to take with the seeds. I want to get off to a good start right off the bat.! Thanks so much again !
Sounds good keep us posted :peace:

PS-Im also working on a little "pocket seed cracker" Im experimenting with making for less than 20 dollars, maybe even 10 or less if I can figure out the slight getting heat issue im having in design, so to speak. So far it works really well, I just need to work out some minor kinks and I will post and share.

REP++
I would like to see that
 

Bullethead21

Well-Known Member
Thanks for answering all those questions. I dunno why, I just thought for some reason the rock wool should come out at some point...gonna have to re position one or 2 of them a lttle higher so they dont get so wet...there is a feed tube pumping in the water so at some point they are gonna be soaked on the bottom where the feed tube comes in....thats the part I dont like so much so far about this sytem...

SH told me the tube should but up agaisnt the bottom of the rw cube in the net cups.......


That sound about right?

That an already I am seeing slight little brown formation buildup of some sort around the inside of the tank where my 6 gallon water line mark is....guess thats algea growing? Anyway to treat that other than draining tank and cleaning and refilling or is that about it?

Thanks again!
 

liltree1

Active Member
I am using the aerogarden, i have a relly nice setup, i removed the hood and set up some clamp lights, with cfls and started flowering, they are about 3 weeks in and they are doing great, i had to scrap a male plant, but i have 2 fems, i see buds everywhere, is there any way to speed up the flowering process
 

NewGrowth

Well-Known Member
Thanks for answering all those questions. I dunno why, I just thought for some reason the rock wool should come out at some point...gonna have to re position one or 2 of them a lttle higher so they dont get so wet...there is a feed tube pumping in the water so at some point they are gonna be soaked on the bottom where the feed tube comes in....thats the part I dont like so much so far about this sytem...

SH told me the tube should but up agaisnt the bottom of the rw cube in the net cups.......


That sound about right?
Is this a top feed system? On a flood table the water level should only come to about an 1.5"-2" below the the bottom of the cube.

That an already I am seeing slight little brown formation buildup of some sort around the inside of the tank where my 6 gallon water line mark is....guess thats algea growing? Anyway to treat that other than draining tank and cleaning and refilling or is that about it?

Thanks again!
Algae is not brown that is bacterial build up. You need to add H202 to your rez to prevent that. The bacteria compete with the roots for oxygen and can promote root rot. A sterile nutrient solution is ideal. :peace:
 

Bullethead21

Well-Known Member
This is not a top feeder its on eof those Bubbleponics. Its a 10 gallon tank I think, and I use 6 gallons of water in it. The pump pupms the water through tubes up to each net pot. Then there are airstones in the tank also.

I wonder if I should drain completely your saying and fill it back up with h202 solution and just water or should I add back the nutes also?

I have to add about 1/6 tsp per gallon of water..thats seems like alot....I have 6 gallons of water in the tank......
 

NewGrowth

Well-Known Member
This is not a top feeder its on eof those Bubbleponics. Its a 10 gallon tank I think, and I use 6 gallons of water in it. The pump pupms the water through tubes up to each net pot. Then there are airstones in the tank also.

I wonder if I should drain completely your saying and fill it back up with h202 solution and just water or should I add back the nutes also?

I have to add about 1/6 tsp per gallon of water..thats seems like alot....I have 6 gallons of water in the tank......
I don't measure nutes in tsp/TSP or H202. The correct concentration of 35% h202 is 1.7ml/L. Add the h202 nutes all together. The problem with those bubbleponics and rockwool it they have those top dip feeds. Remove the drip feed it will promote root rot and over saturate the rockwool. It also does not encourage downward root growth.
 

Bullethead21

Well-Known Member
Ok, so basically your saying get rid of the pump pumping the water through the feed tubes into each net pot? I have 3 large airstones all with thier own air pump in a 10 gallon tank so its bubbling like crazy in there anyhow, That would solve my rock wool getting to wet issue also. Most all the roots of the plants are in the water anyhow and the ones that are not are so close to water at this point that they are getting splashed by bubble water for sure so this sounds logical to me.

Thanks for your information and help!

Oh onm the h202 mix...Im not sure what your mean. I have 3/5 solution and 6 gallons of water. Your saying use 35% with a 1.7ml to one liter ration of h202 to water correct?

Sorry Im a newb there and not usndertanding the mix part.
 

NewGrowth

Well-Known Member
Ok, so basically your saying get rid of the pump pumping the water through the feed tubes into each net pot? I have 3 large airstones all with thier own air pump in a 10 gallon tank so its bubbling like crazy in there anyhow, That would solve my rock wool getting to wet issue also. Most all the roots of the plants are in the water anyhow and the ones that are not are so close to water at this point that they are getting splashed by bubble water for sure so this sounds logical to me.

Thanks for your information and help!
Yep I don't know why they made those systems with a drip feed. The pump heats up the nutrient solution too.

Oh onm the h202 mix...Im not sure what your mean. I have 3/5 solution and 6 gallons of water. Your saying use 35% with a 1.7ml to one liter ration of h202 to water correct?

Sorry Im a newb there and not usndertanding the mix part.
Yep the ratio is 1.7ml H202 per liter of nutrient solution :peace:
 

Bullethead21

Well-Known Member
Thanks again NewGrowth bud! I got it now!

Didnt even think about the heat generated by the pump...Duh! No wonder my tank level temps rise for no apparent reason after just 2 days after I just changed the tank..its back up to 72F to 75F.....

Hey about these Ionic nutrients you swear by, will they work in a Bubbleponic system like mine? I would like to try these nuts since you have been using them for so long with such good results, I also like the fact you change the N-P-K during stages deal.......
 

Bullethead21

Well-Known Member
Hey NewGrowth bud and others;

Im devisng/converting a water cooling PC system from a PC ( happen to be a system engineer by trade and have worked on PC's for 25 years now) to cool the tank water in a DWC system or a Bubbleponic system.

It could be mounted eiteher externally on the outside of the tank or say on a nearby shelf or something. Just so your close enough by max 6 feet.

The pump is 12Vv DC so any cheap 12V (300 to 800mA) DC output wall adapters like chargers can be used. YOu just splice two wires together and presto you can plug in your water cooling pump to any househole 110 outlet. SO that solves getting power easily and cheaply to the pump.

The other part is mounting the small radiator that these PC cooling kits come with and a 12v DC fan thats mounted to the back of the radiator to cool the water pasing through it, the fan im using is a nice 4.5 inch thermaltech fan. Same deal on wireing, can be mounted on the outside of the tank or on a nearby shelf that max 6 feet away. If you have a pc cooling kit you will have everything you need beside the cheap 12v DC adapters (you will need 2, one for the fan and one for pump). If you dont and are peicing this together, and 120mm pc fans will work. The larger the better to cool the small radiator, which you might have to order most likelt but they are cheap. Buying a complete PC ware cooling kit might better cheaper..will ahve to doa cost comparison of buying a kit or building from parts.....hmmmm

So now you just run the tubes, You got instake tube that sucks water in from the tank, runs and cools the water through the raditaor, then out the other side of the radiator and back into the tank wit the chilled down water. Put the pump on a timer or whaterv leave it runnig 24/7 to see how your tank temps do.

Should take about an hour to install.

I can povice specidif details if anyone is interested in trying someting like this. AllI am needing is some tubing which Ill pick up today have a demo running by later tonight is the plan.

Peace!
 

NewGrowth

Well-Known Member
hey i was browsing last night on some other cannabis boards and i came across someone talking about these nutrients. have you heard of them, and if so, are they really better than the competition?
Great lakes garden supply
Hey racer, I checked out those nutrients. It seems like everybody in the growing community will tell you a different brand of nutrients is the "best". I think people should just use what works for them.
In my opinion organic and hydro don't mix, I have tried organic nutrients in the past and they are just not worth the hassle for these reasons:
1. Not compatible with h202
2. Often organic compounds are not fully water soluble and leave sediment that clogs drip lines, air stones ect
3. Higher risk of malignant bacterial growth, that can result in root rot

Thanks again NewGrowth bud! I got it now!

Didnt even think about the heat generated by the pump...Duh! No wonder my tank level temps rise for no apparent reason after just 2 days after I just changed the tank..its back up to 72F to 75F.....
That is still an acceptable range for your reservoir temperature above 78 is a concern.

Hey about these Ionic nutrients you swear by, will they work in a Bubbleponic system like mine? I would like to try these nuts since you have been using them for so long with such good results, I also like the fact you change the N-P-K during stages deal.......
Ionic nutes should work in any system. I just built a small 10 plant DWC system yesterday and am running Ionic. I'll be growing a feminized white strain.

Hey NewGrowth bud and others;

Im devisng/converting a water cooling PC system from a PC ( happen to be a system engineer by trade and have worked on PC's for 25 years now) to cool the tank water in a DWC system or a Bubbleponic system.

It could be mounted eiteher externally on the outside of the tank or say on a nearby shelf or something. Just so your close enough by max 6 feet.

The pump is 12Vv DC so any cheap 12V (300 to 800mA) DC output wall adapters like chargers can be used. YOu just splice two wires together and presto you can plug in your water cooling pump to any househole 110 outlet. SO that solves getting power easily and cheaply to the pump.

The other part is mounting the small radiator that these PC cooling kits come with and a 12v DC fan thats mounted to the back of the radiator to cool the water pasing through it, the fan im using is a nice 4.5 inch thermaltech fan. Same deal on wireing, can be mounted on the outside of the tank or on a nearby shelf that max 6 feet away. If you have a pc cooling kit you will have everything you need beside the cheap 12v DC adapters (you will need 2, one for the fan and one for pump). If you dont and are peicing this together, and 120mm pc fans will work. The larger the better to cool the small radiator, which you might have to order most likelt but they are cheap. Buying a complete PC ware cooling kit might better cheaper..will ahve to doa cost comparison of buying a kit or building from parts.....hmmmm

So now you just run the tubes, You got instake tube that sucks water in from the tank, runs and cools the water through the raditaor, then out the other side of the radiator and back into the tank wit the chilled down water. Put the pump on a timer or whaterv leave it runnig 24/7 to see how your tank temps do.

Should take about an hour to install.

I can povice specidif details if anyone is interested in trying someting like this. AllI am needing is some tubing which Ill pick up today have a demo running by later tonight is the plan.

Peace!
Post the link this sounds interesting! I have used home-made water chillers in larger operations but this might be a good way to control temps in a smaller reservoir. :peace:
 

.:SEXISTONER:.

Well-Known Member
hi i am having a problem with one of my babies the leafs are turning white around the out side there is only one plant that is doin this and they are all the same strain. i already moved it away from the rest of them but y could this be happening
 

NewGrowth

Well-Known Member
hi i am having a problem with one of my babies the leafs are turning white around the out side there is only one plant that is doin this and they are all the same strain. i already moved it away from the rest of them but y could this be happening
Have any pictures? Need more info.
Soil or hydro?
Fertilizers?
Soil/Rez pH?
Room temperature/humidity ect.

But a picture speaks a thousand words, hope I can help :peace:
 

.:SEXISTONER:.

Well-Known Member
any way its not hidro they are basically house plants i took the males for a friend and he has no idea whats goin on wit it. it was in a room till a couple days ago when we discoverd its male and none of the females that where in the same room are doing that
 
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