O so tempting Hydroponics!

[Dnutz]

Okay so i recently watched the "I Grow Chronic" video, and i am really impressed with his simple set up and what he got from it! now im not very familiar with Hydroponics or the terms im seeing used on here like ppm? I have no clue what nutes are good to use in a hydro system also...i plan on completely copying his exact set up since it is so simple and makes perfect sense to me. If I could get a quick brush up on terms associated with Hydro growing and the pros vs. cons of growing dank in hydro vs. soil, i would really really appreciate it! Thanks all :)

[Weedhound]

Well I'm a big hydro fan so here is my list:


PROS:
1. Plants do very well in hydro if taken care of correctly
2. Plants will grow faster in hydro than in soil
3. much more control over environment
4. better yield per plant (my opinion only)
5. less diseases and pest problems (generally...again imo)
6. more stealth than outdoors
7. easier to pinpoint and fix problems with plants
8. You can grow your plants anytime of the year....not just summer


CONS:

1. the expense....and besides just getting started equipmentwise the environmental control so highly prized is expensive..the nutrients and additives as well as lighting, temp control blah blah
2. Often more height and space concerns than outdoors
3. more daily work required to keep plants healthy and happy.....you can't go off and leave hydro for a few days....certain things must be checked at LEAST daily.
4. when there is a problem your plants can crash and burn very quick
5. Unless you have tons of indoor space it's much easier to grow lots of plants outdoors rather than a few plants at a time in hydro (assuming you are going for quantity)

[Dnutz]

I plan on either sectioning off a part of my basement, or using my 5x5x8 closet. So space really isnt too much of an issue. and i plan on flowering 5 plants at a time with 5 clones vegging. How expensive does it actually get? I plan on using a 400 watt HPS for flowering and a 125 watt Metal Halide for vegging. i plan on using a 20 gallon rubbermaid tub as a reservour.

[rhizome]

The big pro for me-
I only had to haul the hydroton up the stairs once.

[rhizome]

If I could get a quick brush up on terms associated with Hydro growing
The Growing Edge Hydroponic Basics - Glossary of Terms (http://www.growingedge.com/basics/glossary.html)

[Weedhound]

Well if you are growing inside anyway the cost is less.....you will be paying for temp control, lighting yadda yadda anyway. That's the expensive part and it depends on how crazy you want to get with enviromental control so you are mostly talking electricity costs.

I don't know the layout of your basement...do you have access to water easily because you do NOT want to be hauling water for hydro up and down the stairs....you'll go nuts. And do you have a spot to dump your used water down there as well?

[Weedhound]

If you are going to do vegging and flowering at the same time you will need two different lighting locations plus lighting setups. Another thought.....more for hydro than soil is that the type of water you use can be an issue. Many folks' tap water does not allow for a stable ph in hydro applications---with ph being an extremely necessary factor for success. In that case (and better to know sooner than after the fact) you may need to invest in an RO water filter.

Research is your best friend here. There's nothing worse than only being half prepared for trying to grow. Good luck. :)

[LOC NAR on probation]

Do a search on hydro grow cabinets and see all the hook ups. You need total control of enviroment. It's a blast once you start.

[Dnutz]

I plan on using my 5x5x8 closet with a corner sectioned off for vegging. Im making the flowering part of the room completely light proof too. I do have a floor drain just around the corner and i plan on using distilled water only...i have alot of crap in my tap water in my area, so i figured it would be the best to use distilled...

I also have another question, will the temps from the light keep it warmer then it should be (around 85 degrees F) or just right, or lower then what it should be? The closet is insulated if that helps. I plan on running an intake and exhaust duct with a squirrel cage fan and a small carbon filter. Also ill put a small oscilating fan in both sections of the room.

[Weedhound]

That sounds like enough for perhaps 2-3 flowering plants space if you split it in half. Five flowering plants would probably need the entire thing. Heatwise it is going to kill you with the insulated cabinet and I'm not sure a squirrel fan is going to cut it......you are going to need something good to pull the hot air out and something else to bring the fresh air in. Otherwise the space will bake.

Take a look at some folks on here's grow logs.....these plants really explode during flowering. You will NEED space.

[Weedhound]

PS Growroom temps should be in the 70's F, not 80.s. ;)

[Dnutz]

im actually not gonna grow in my cabinet, i decided on the closet for sure. my closet will work perfectly because it is right next to the wash room and the vents run outside and right next to the closet, so i will just have to put in a section to connect to the outside vents and blam! haha but ya and intake wont really be that hard i dont think, i got a plan for that already :). and 75 is probably the ideal temp right?

[Weedhound]

i've been taught that you want to keep things below 80....there is talk that keeping temps below 75 will produce more females. The cooler your room in general the better. My room can get down to about 65 but I never let it get above 76 or so. Keep in mind this is the ideal you want to aim for....not necessarily the reality of things. But definitely below 80....yes.

My particular list to grow a nice healthy and producing plant consists of these basics....

the right soil and nutes (or hydro setup as it were)
correct lighting (lighting includes being able to lightproof and control light timing)
correct ph (easier in soil than in hydro)
correct room temp and ventilation

and obviously a seed or clone or something that actually is or will be a marijuana plant.

There is tons more to growing if you want to go all out including extra C02, suppliments, additives, pruning, humidity but to me these are all extras that are not needed for growing......but sure can make your grow better. My list is more what your plants will need to survive without curling up and croaking off; the things that are absolutely necessary to a successful grow.

[Dnutz]

alright sweet! that helps alot! I plan on using a hydro system just for the fact that it makes sense to me. This may get nuked and i hope it doesnt, but would you happen to have any proven genetic seeds that i might be able to purchase from you?

[Weedhound]

There are several places that I have bought from that will ship (quietly) to the US. I personally bought some from marijuanaseeds.nl (read quick before nuking occurs) and got my seeds fast and for a good price. All I have planted from them so far has sprouted fine. There is also a website somewhere that rates the seed shops....probably can find it on google. I really suck at trying to attach links to my threads....i always screw it up so believe me better for you to do a search.

[Scarlet Sky]

i know of some... i'll have to find them though, email me at [email protected]

and now your thread realy is in danger of being nuked. sorry, trying to help ya :)

[Weedhound]

Scarlet....one day.....I want some of them beans of yours for me. How's them sucker-footed friends of yours? :D

[Scarlet Sky]

the females will hopefully be shipped tomorrow. tell your freind dnutz to email me, i'll shoot you one too...

[Dnutz]

hey scarlet, i sent ya an email.

[Scarlet Sky]

i sent you one back