looking to try different media, flo n gro setups

linky

linky

Well-Known Member
I use 6" grodans and perlite right now for media in my flo n gro setups (12 4 gal pots, flood and drain system)

I would like to just use 100 percent perlite but the problem is during the flood stage I think the perlite would move and almost try to float out, have not tried this though to be certain but that would be my guess.

Any suggestions? I don't want to use clay either if that can be avoided.

thanks all
 
JohnDee

JohnDee

Well-Known Member
Hi Linky,
The Flo and Grow systems tend to be root rot prone due to slow drainage...unless modified to 3/4" tubing. You want to use something like hydroton for drainage and aeration. Volcanic rock would work...but almost as much hassle as the clay. I had a system and used hydroton. What's your beef with the clay rocks?
JD
 
linky

linky

Well-Known Member
JohnDee said:
Hi Linky,
The Flo and Grow systems tend to be root rot prone due to slow drainage...unless modified to 3/4" tubing. You want to use something like hydroton for drainage and aeration. Volcanic rock would work...but almost as much hassle as the clay. I had a system and used hydroton. What's your beef with the clay rocks?
JD
Click to expand...
It just seems the clay would be a big hassle, I have 4 flo n gro setups and that's a lot of clay, I guess you can reuse it from the little I have read about it but that seems like a pain in the ass with that much clay. I like the idea of disposing of everything each run and the perlite and grodans are pretty cheap overall.

As far as slow drainage I am not sure.. its all pumped out in under 15 minutes on average, with the setup I have I flood about every 3 hours in flower, only once or twice a day in veg as the grodans hold a lot of water. I was hoping to move to a different media where I could be flooding more often and just dispose of the media when done.
 
JohnDee

JohnDee

Well-Known Member
linky,
You said 15 minutes to pump out...how long was the flood and drain together? That was my issue when I used the system. I suggest upgrading to 3/4' fittings and using preventative measures (H2O2). But that wasn't what you were asking about.

Some people throw the rocks away after a single use. They aren't that expensive. I can't imagine any worse then hydroton. Anyway...I used the rocks and the plants loved them. They aren't that bad...though if you have a spill, the damn things roll all over the place ehich is a hassle. There are a couple of new media on the market. Can't recall names right now. Scour a few online hydro shops. You might find something you hadn't considered. Good luck...
JD
 
linky

linky

Well-Known Member
JohnDee said:
linky,
You said 15 minutes to pump out...how long was the flood and drain together? That was my issue when I used the system. I suggest upgrading to 3/4' fittings and using preventative measures (H2O2). But that wasn't what you were asking about.

Some people throw the rocks away after a single use. They aren't that expensive. I can't imagine any worse then hydroton. Anyway...I used the rocks and the plants loved them. They aren't that bad...though if you have a spill, the damn things roll all over the place ehich is a hassle. There are a couple of new media on the market. Can't recall names right now. Scour a few online hydro shops. You might find something you hadn't considered. Good luck...
JD
Click to expand...

It floods the buckets in about 8-10 minutes I would say, it sits full for another 5 then pumps the water away which takes 10-15 minutes tops to pump out, I repeat this about every 3ish hours in flower with perlite and 6" grodan blocks. I have been using this setup for a year or so now without any problems.. I just want to get away from the grodans and go with something where I can flood much more often.. I don't know if the plants will like that better or not but figured it can't really hurt plus I just want to try something new since I have not tried anything other than what I am using since I started with hydro.

thanks again
 
JohnDee

JohnDee

Well-Known Member
Linky, Some of your roots are staying underwater nearly a half hour. That's the worrisome thing about those systems. Happy you haven't had any problems. One of this new products is called Sure To Grow Here's a vid about it. Not sure about price. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=8&ved=0CIYBELcCMAc&url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htfSFTKA37U&ei=mWngUui2A8vzoASqkoCIBQ&usg=AFQjCNGTFDhj1OsJMBDHDbfR-g6MKIh3Zg&sig2=Of39t0ImeNIW8W8Fo923gQ&bvm=bv.59568121,d.cGU&cad=rja JD
 
Tokendog

Tokendog

Member
I'm new to hydroponics I was thinking of getting the flo and gro system. What are some other nice systems I should check out? I didn't want to build my own but that's an option
 
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