Reusing runoff water in coco

So let's imagine I am growing in 3-5 gallon fabric pots, with coco/perl.

I am watering, putting in, let's say 1.2EC, and the runoff is somewhere from 1.1-1.3EC.

Now I know that I can not use that runoff water over and over because (i assume) it will have exudates that you can't allow to build up over time.

But what about reusing that runoff water just once or twice? or do I just water the garden outside with it?

LoveBudz420 said:

So let's imagine I am growing in 3-5 gallon fabric pots, with coco/perl.

I am watering, putting in, let's say 1.2EC, and the runoff is somewhere from 1.1-1.3EC.

Now I know that I can not use that runoff water over and over because (i assume) it will have exudates that you can't allow to build up over time.

But what about reusing that runoff water just once or twice? or do I just water the garden outside with it?

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Id suggest if you want to go this route just ditch the coco and run just straight perlite in a recirculating system

bk78 said:

Id suggest if you want to go this route just ditch the coco and run just straight perlite in a recirculating system

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It's an interesting suggestion, and I'd be prepared to try it. Thanks.

I've heard of using straight perlite before, but I was nervous that it may not be stable enough as a substrate, and as the plant got larger, maybe it could fall over.

Or am I just dreaming? will the whole root ball be so solid that it will be nice and stable?

What about Hydroton balls? (I ask because I have a large unused bag of them)

Thanks again for your input.

LoveBudz420 said:

It's an interesting suggestion, and I'd be prepared to try it. Thanks.

I've heard of using straight perlite before, but I was nervous that it may not be stable enough as a substrate, and as the plant got larger, maybe it could fall over.

Or am I just dreaming? will the whole root ball be so solid that it will be nice and stable?

What about Hydroton balls? (I ask because I have a large unused bag of them)

Thanks again for your input.

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You can grow in perlite, or hydroton. a support system is always good to put in place for growing big fat colas

I did it for several runs using 50/50 coco perlite and a recirculating res. Changed water every week, topped with ro water. If in flower I had to watch and change the res out sooner when ec started to rapidly climb. They did well, I just switched to sips this round to see if I liked or could tell the difference between hydro and mostly organic soil grows. I used a recirculating res back when I grew tomatoes so it’s what I knew, it’s very common in large hydro tomato ops, look up Dutch bucket tomato growing (that’s where hempy bucket ideas were derived from) and bato buckets, they work well.

drain to waste.
recirc complicates and can have you chasing your tail.
runoff is for plants in the yard.

J. Rocket said:

drain to waste.
recirc complicates and can have you chasing your tail.
runoff is for plants in the yard.

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Says everyone that’s never tried recirculating res. If you’re chasing your tail you’ve already got problems. There wouldn’t be entire well established industries in hydro based on recirculating res if it didn’t work. I didn’t say it was easier, you still have to change the res, but to say it doesn’t work is pure stupidity from someone that has probably never tried, and if they did they were not smart enough to learn the plants and signs of what they need.

Hook Daddy said:

Says everyone that’s never tried recirculating res. If you’re chasing your tail you’ve already got problems. There wouldn’t be entire well established industries in hydro based on recirculating res if it didn’t work. I didn’t say it was easier, you still have to change the res, but to say it doesn’t work is pure stupidity from someone that has probably never tried, and if they did they were not smart enough to learn the plants and signs of what they need.

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yes, because thats exactly what I said.
dont be a douche.

My opinion, best use of runoff is on outdoor ornamental plants or lawn. Doesn't seem to hurt, can't tell if it helps but at least this way you're only "polluting" your home soil and not the municipal water or sewer system

Same here. I also use run off on outdoor ornamental plants. My take on the recirculating vs drain to waste is this. I started in hydroponics using a recirculating system for several years using perlite, rock wool, and hydroton. Dialed it in really well. Grew many batches that way and then I tried drain to waste. No ph or ppm fluctuations meant less maintenance for me so it was a no brainer with the added benefit of always fertigating with a well balanced npk solution.

Recirc works fine with coco. I used it in a greenhouse one season. 3 plants 20 gallon res. Dumped res when it got down to 3 gallons and refreshed with nutes/water. Nothing fancy either 3gallon pots. 40deg days, middle plant made a lb. Best way maybe not. But doable.

Could use rockwool cubes too like captain’s style