I need some info/help

[Handypants]

I want to try a hydro set-up (I have lights covered)

4-6 plants (give or take)

I've read a bunch of stuff on this forum but have a simple question.

It there a good (or even excellent) "kit" or system that will get me up and running? Let's say money isn't a problem.

What would YOU get for yourself?

Thanks for any response!

[SunLake]

What kind of area are you working with? You may be suprised to find that you can easily grow 36 plants using hydroponics in a 5 x 5 area (that's what I'm doing). If money is no object it really comes down to the quality of water you want to provide your plants... I use Reverse Osmosis and it takes approximately 1.5 hours to make 5 gallons water. So unless you want to forgo RO and use reguar ol water and risk lower yeilds or even illness, you need to consider the water situation. storage, production, etc.

[Handypants]

I have a small area 2' X 5' but I also am not worried about mega yield. Just enough to medicate myself - maybe a little extra to share with a friend.

We buy RO water and I have considered installing a RO for the house.

I am shooting for best quality more than anything. Expecting that I will learn along the way and things will get better and better.

[tinytoon]

Easiest and probably most forgiving would be DWC. 5 Gal bucket (or even 3 gal if perferred), Bucket Basket lid, lil Hydrotron, airpump and couple air stones and your running. I have been doing E&F for over a year and a half (yup still a noob), and have been real succesfull at it but recently decieded to stick a clone in a DWC bucket and see what happens. So far I'm sold!! Most important thing you need is a GOOD PH pen.

[Handypants]

Now I have a question or two:

DWC - means?
E&F - again - no clue

I hear ya on the rest. I have a local hydro shop I'm going to hit - maybe I need to read a book. (UGH homework)

Thanks

[Handypants]

DWC = deep water culture

(doing some homework now)

[Handypants]

Ebb and flow

I've been wondering what those meant.

Thanks for all the info!

[tinytoon]

sorry bout not saying what the terms were. Everything besides the nutes, Hydrotron and Bucket Basket can be purchased between Walmart and HD/Lowes which makes it even more affordable. Lowes has there own dark gray colored bucket with there logo on it which is (as far as I can tell) pretty much light proof.

[Loafyboy]

DWC buckets are also great if you have a tall grow area (remember, the bucket stands over a foot high before your plant even starts). I have been growing 4 and 5 foot plants in mine under a 250w HPS (2.33' wide x 1.5' deep x 7' high grow area) and pulling 6+ ounces each time, and it's great quality stuff too! Like tinytoon says, pH is an important factor, as is a good air pump. :thumbsup:

Other than that, it's cheap and easy to maintain! :jointsmile:

[Handypants]

I have over 7.5' (I currently dream of something 4') so I should be rockin!

I should have it easy because I don't need a large yield.

I now have a to do list!

(including a little homework)

*high fives*

[68camaro]

have you looked into whats available?
so many aspects of hydro. have you grown before?
dont want to scare you but you need to know a few things and id like to give a helping hand. if you dont mind that is. feel free to ask away.
what kind of test equipment do you have?
what ph are you thinking of running the water and neuts at, then what strength are the neuts.?
again no scare all info i ran into my first grows!!
till later.
68

[Handypants]

We have two local shops.

The one I have visited has their stuff on a site - AHLgrows dot com.

That might effect what I end up getting. Meters TDS/EC and PH - I won't buy junk. It would help if I know I have to invest in top of the line or not.

I've looked at "Sunlight sheds" and a few others but I don't need to be that elaborate.

I have grown outdoors and in with good luck and fairly good results. I think the hydro makes sense. So here I go!

As far as TDS/EC, PH? I figured I'd find them online. I have been a mad scientist for years - self-taught - so none of the details will scare me off.

The beauty is that I don't need to end up with much so I really want to learn to get some high quality (so far the best I've grown has been about a 7 out of 10). I learn pretty fast but expect to be low on the curve until I get some of the necessary parts and pieces.

From what I've read so far TDS 1700-2000 to start PH 5.8?

I really appreciate all input - even things you might think are obvious or dumb. I'm such a smarty-pants that I miss some of the most obvious things - I have to stay open minded to learn and move forward.

[tinytoon]

there are a good number of self contained tents out there that work very well or you could dedicate a room to your grow it is up to you. Hanna makes very good and reliable pens so that would be a good name to search and can be bought off E-bay even. TDS that you put up looks high to start. also how do you plan to start? Germ seeds? have access to clones? Another thing to read a lil on would be nutes. I myself have used nothing but GH 3-Part and they are even nice enough to give someone starting out mixture ratios right on the label for the different grow stages :thumbsup:
I understand the HUH Homework part but believe me take a lil bit of time and do a lil research and it will save on some headaches later when your not sitting in front of the puter waiting for somebody to reply to your Help!! Post :jointsmile: