Hydroponics

firsttimeARE

Well-Known Member
So I am running a RDWC system and found my pH runs a tad on the lower side. I just checked mine today after adding 5 gallons to a low reservoir last night and it was at 5.83. What is a simple way to raise it slightly because I have gotten some brown/yellow spots on the leave this past week. I read in the group that you can use drain cleaner? Is this true? What is the safest and easiest way to accomplish what I need? Thanks. I also use liquid Fox Farm for my nutes.
5.8 is fine for hydro. Why do you want to raise it? Drain cleaner? Wtf? Post pictures of the spots
 

GrowTime38

Well-Known Member
Here is the link to my original post. One of the pics that were posted. Yeah I searched in the forum pH up for hydro and someone said they use sodium hydroxide (drain cleaner) for their pH up and I think an acid for the pH down. Seemed odd. I did see this issue prior to knowing what the issue was. The reservoir was low and I didn't test the water inside before adding 5 gallons. Ran it overnight and tested pH before posting earlier. I am usually at the 5.8 mark after it is all mixed.

 

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Don't Bogart

Well-Known Member
Check for mites also, (webbing around some leaves). I use chelated lime w/ potassium hydroxide 2/1. But since I don't do Hydro I'm not too clear on nutes that way.
 

Plut

Member
Hello there guys!

I'm Christina, I'm from California and I'm starting on this. I still haven't decided how to carry on my projects, but hydroponics have actually called my attention. Could you tell me the advantages and/or contras of growing hydroponics????
 

GrowTime38

Well-Known Member
Hello there guys!

I'm Christina, I'm from California and I'm starting on this. I still haven't decided how to carry on my projects, but hydroponics have actually called my attention. Could you tell me the advantages and/or contras of growing hydroponics????
Faster nutrient uptake and can be controlled for each plant. This usually yields more faster. The downside is that they can be damaged easier, more prone to temp changes and water changes.
 

Plut

Member
Faster nutrient uptake and can be controlled for each plant. This usually yields more faster. The downside is that they can be damaged easier, more prone to temp changes and water changes.
So, i guess the environment has to be pretty well-controlled for this system to work, right? some advice on what should I be more careful about?
 

Don't Bogart

Well-Known Member
some advice on what should I be more careful about?
Basically plow through these posts. The pinned ones are full of info. Youtube hydro and not just pot. You got to be a little anal with a touch of OCD.
A lot of people are proud of their setups so there are ideas galore. Start small, ( I suggest). Out in Cali your probably surrounded with hydro farms. Take a tour.
 

GrowTime38

Well-Known Member
Basically plow through these posts. The pinned ones are full of info. Youtube hydro and not just pot. You got to be a little anal with a touch of OCD.
A lot of people are proud of their setups so there are ideas galore. Start small, ( I suggest). Out in Cali your probably surrounded with hydro farms. Take a tour.
Great suggestion if they allow it. Here on the East you don't get many of those opportunities
 

Don't Bogart

Well-Known Member
Here on the East you don't get many of those opportunities
When you said I'm from Cali I took it that you were writing from there. If your hear on the East you can still find places that will take you around for a look. Some are offering jobs. Personally I've yet to do it myself. For me, I do aquaponics. They're not as popular.
Here. I queried hydroponics in New Jersey, New York, and Virginia. These are big, commercial.

Youtube,for the virtual tour is your best bet. Lots of setups that could fit your needs. Instructions, design ideas. My go-to when I was putting my setup together.
 

GrowTime38

Well-Known Member
When you said I'm from Cali I took it that you were writing from there. If your hear on the East you can still find places that will take you around for a look. Some are offering jobs. Personally I've yet to do it myself. For me, I do aquaponics. They're not as popular.
Here. I queried hydroponics in New Jersey, New York, and Virginia. These are big, commercial.

Youtube,for the virtual tour is your best bet. Lots of setups that could fit your needs. Instructions, design ideas. My go-to when I was putting my setup together.
There is a very large grow in Newark NJ. All indoor and not the usual in these parts. I was responding to Christina who said she lived in Cali. All good though.
 

Davo68

Active Member
Faster nutrient uptake and can be controlled for each plant. This usually yields more faster. The downside is that they can be damaged easier, more prone to temp changes and water changes.
Hello there guys!

I'm Christina, I'm from California and I'm starting on this. I still haven't decided how to carry on my projects, but hydroponics have actually called my attention. Could you tell me the advantages and/or contras of growing hydroponics????
Hey Christina
I switched to DWC a few grows ago cuz the plants grow faster. In soil I would veg for 6-8 weeks with DWC, 4-5 weeks. Potency is also claimed to be higher with hydro.
 

Don't Bogart

Well-Known Member
I was responding to Christina who said she lived in Cali.
See! This is what drugs do to you. Skulking around in the dark. Money changing hands on the sly. I should go back to dealing with upright legal stuff like Percocets, Valiums, oxycontins/oxycodons made by reputable people who are holding higher standards for us. You can see and hear how wonderfully they work for me......myself........................................and I.
 

Plut

Member
Hey guys sorry, I had COVID i literally would love to have died xD if you didn't have it, i hope you don't!

Now, i'll get up to the date with your answers, you're so kind!

@Davo68 Thanks for the info there! And in counterpart, would you say there're some disadvantages even if smaller than the benefits? I mean, nothing can be perfect, right? Even pot makes you cough lol xD

@Don't Bogart Thanks, thankss, thankksss i didn't even know i could take a tour like that, i'm actually not currently in California but once i get back home i will definitely go for those, meanwhile i'll check the digital ones, thanks again... And about what you do.. how did you get into aquaponics (i had to google it)??? I mean that's awesome, it would be lovely, to raise some fish while growing your own plants!! Do you think it's better than just hydro? OR has its downfalls? i guess it's harder to maintain....

@GrowTime38 thanks, i hope i can find some that allow it, i'm open to as many suggestions as possible lolthanks for all your help!
 

Don't Bogart

Well-Known Member
Do you think it's better than just hydro?
It just different. And maybe yes a little harder. My advantage is that I've been raising, and killing ;), fish for many years. So that part I've got a handle on.
You will kill fish. I've wiped out whole tanks. Start with something cheap like goldfish feeders. I paid 50 cents a pc.
Also most of the nutrients used in hydro can't be used in aqua you'll kill the fish they're too toxic. You lean more organic.
Some of the advantages are your less likely to have root rot. The water to the fish is cleaned so no water changes or at least it's reduced. I've got mine running with an overflow aquarium so my wife and I sit and watch the fish. Very soothing.
Plants grow like crazy. Also just like hydro you got to watch your nutes. I use aquarium test kits to gauge nute levels. So I can test for the big three as well as calcium, iron, boron and others. Also test for ammonia and PH. Ph is running 6.0-6.4 the fish don't mind it.
I'm raising some algae eaters. Started selling them to a local pet shop.
I personally think you will have better, healthier plants. Tastier too.
 

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Davo68

Active Member
It just different. And maybe yes a little harder. My advantage is that I've been raising, and killing ;), fish for many years. So that part I've got a handle on.
You will kill fish. I've wiped out whole tanks. Start with something cheap like goldfish feeders. I paid 50 cents a pc.
Also most of the nutrients used in hydro can't be used in aqua you'll kill the fish they're too toxic. You lean more organic.
Some of the advantages are your less likely to have root rot. The water to the fish is cleaned so no water changes or at least it's reduced. I've got mine running with an overflow aquarium so my wife and I sit and watch the fish. Very soothing.
Plants grow like crazy. Also just like hydro you got to watch your nutes. I use aquarium test kits to gauge nute levels. So I can test for the big three as well as calcium, iron, boron and others. Also test for ammonia and PH. Ph is running 6.0-6.4 the fish don't mind it.
I'm raising some algae eaters. Started selling them to a local pet shop.
I personally think you will have better, healthier plants. Tastier too.
Awesome setup Don’t Bogart!
 

Davo68

Active Member
I agree with VAjohn.
Preference of your plants tells you when and how often to change the reservoirs. If you take ph and ec readings daily and adjust as needed you can probably get by changing the reservoir every few weeks.:peace:
 
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Davo68

Active Member
Hey guys sorry, I had COVID i literally would love to have died xD if you didn't have it, i hope you don't!

Now, i'll get up to the date with your answers, you're so kind!

@Davo68 Thanks for the info there! And in counterpart, would you say there're some disadvantages even if smaller than the benefits? I mean, nothing can be perfect, right? Even pot makes you cough lol xD

@Don't Bogart Thanks, thankss, thankksss i didn't even know i could take a tour like that, i'm actually not currently in California but once i get back home i will definitely go for those, meanwhile i'll check the digital ones, thanks again... And about what you do.. how did you get into aquaponics (i had to google it)??? I mean that's awesome, it would be lovely, to raise some fish while growing your own plants!! Do you think it's better than just hydro? OR has its downfalls? i guess it's harder to maintain....

@GrowTime38 thanks, i hope i can find some that allow it, i'm open to as many suggestions as possible lolthanks for all your help!
Plut Yes there are disadvantages to hydro. For myself I check the ph and ec daily which isn’t necessary in soil and can be more time consuming. Things affect your plants more rapidly in hydro so they need more monitoring. The initial setup costs for hydro are also higher than soil but of course that can be made up over the course of several grows.
Glad you that you are back from COVID.
☮
 

DrHill

Well-Known Member
Hey I need help if someone could point me in the right direction of what I’m doing wrong.
this is my first RDWC grow. Have been using supersoil with success prior to this.

planted these 4 clones about a week ago and they all have rooted well into the buckets (except for the smallest one pictured; no roots coming out of the bottom of the basket yet)

they all were doing pretty well initially, and started to look like this yesterday so i did a complete reservoir change just using hydroguard& general hydroponics flora trio and their moderate feed schedule. measured for 20 gallons. (4x 5gal buckets) Also have 5 gal. reservoir

ph = 6.2
Water temp = 74 degrees
Tent temp = 77 degrees
Relative humidity = 44%
Ppm = 430
EC = 860

please help, what am I doing wrong??

plants are steadily growing new leaves but don’t look healthy overall. Some Leaves are brittle to the touch.
ligths are migro array 240w and 12” away from plants
 

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