First grow-help me decide setup

[sensiskraP]

Have been lurking for quite a while now here and on IC, and am feeling like i have a good base of knowledge, but still have a long way to go.

I could really use some experienced input on deciding what type of system to run. For simplicity purposes im leaning towards an ebb and flow table, but have read some bad stuff about rock wool and ph problems. Ideally i would like to setup a biobucket system but am a little height restricted, and don't think it will fit. the third option i have been considering is the PVC pipe garden, but again read bad things about root rot problems. .

very briefly my space is approx 2' by 5' and about 7' tall. Lighting will be 600w electronic HPS system, and fan/blowers have been bought.

I have a system designed in my head that would fit in my space, but want to run it by some experience growers first. Basically its a constantly circulating ebb and flow tray, 8" netpots would have the little rockwool starter cube surrounded by media (thinking lava rock, like biobucket). Then the water level in the tray would be adjusted to just below the rockwool, keeping a portion of the lava rock submerged.
For aeration, and not sure why this isn't used, im planning a venturi valve on the res pump. This is a fishtank thing, where you add an airline into the suction side of the pump, and it constantly injects air into the water as it is sent to the tray.

so what do you gurus think? tray, pvc, or custom system?
thanks

[ProGroWannabe]

Well, it sounds like you've done your research---more folks need to be like you---congrats on that!

I'm doing some major renovations on my room too. Like you, as soon as I figure out exactly how I wanna do it. I have a few "must have" variables in my quest for the perfect room for me. But if I were in your shoes, I'd really think hard about DWC.

My Reasoning:
If this is your first grow, you don't want to complicate matters----at all!
NFT is supposedly a little picky--so it might not be the best for your first time.
PVC....the idea IS good. Almost an infinite number of setup possibilities. However, these are also "usually" a variation of NFT or aeroponics, so we're back to the complication issue again.
In a truly custom system, you have to account for many things if your venturing into new territory. So, it stands to reason that one should ideally possess experience on at least "some" level before building one to allow for the not-so-obvious issues that should be addressed in the building process---that way you can engineer the build with countermeasures in place.Now, with all that said, don't let my opinions keep you from doing anything that you truly wanna do. Thats the beauty of growing.....do it however the hell ya wanna do it!:thumbsup:
I understand your reluctance to grow in soil...I don't like it either. I grow coco, but see myself leaning more and more towards hydro or aero. I, myself, needed to make the transition gently from soil to hydro. I felt if I jumped right into hydro, I'd have too many problems. So, I softened the move by going to coco first. It is a hydro process, but still allows a small degree of buffering. Anyhow enough about that--thats not what your asking.

If I had to choose between the systems you posted as possibilities, I'd go with buckets. If they start to get too tall, you can always LST them to keep their overall height manageable. Plus, with buckets, there is no permanent install in your room. If you wanna change to another type of grow later on, all you have to remove are the buckets:D.
Plus you'll have the element of more experience on your side to help in the decision making process.

I'll stop preachin now.....good luck!

[PlantBoxer]

I ran a hybred (hurtback) BIO set up a few years ago, and would suggest to a new grower to not follow that route. You need a good meter, and to really be able to read plants in all their stages, and their definicies.

Bubblers are a great way into hydro. Tables are awsome also, I got killer bud pics from running a full blown KFB set up for a couple of years.

BUT now, IMHO, nothing beats the eas of coco coir, PBP nutes, Liquid Karma, Cal-Mag, Kool Bloom, Black Strap Mollassas, in 4 gallon buckets. I just built an auto watering resy, and life got so easy!!