First Go With Hydro...

[johnnyrocketfuel]

Well i decided to go for a change and try out a little hydro. This method is new to me and it will be a part of grow number 5. I will be doing a side by side soil grow of the same clones to see the difference.

Here is my hydro set-up.

1. General Hydroponics - Water Farm Constant Drip System. This is a solo system and I am using the included hydro nutz that came with the kit. The solutions are named florogro, floromicro & florobloom. I will get pictures up later this week.

2. 400 Watt Mh for veg & 400 Watt Hps For flower.

3. Keeping the PH between 6.0 - 6.8

4. Grow room temp is between 75 - 82


Questions:

1. Has anyone ever used one of these set-ups?
2. Is a constant drip system a good choice?
3. Should I put an airstone in the bottom of this set-up?
4. Should I run the air pump for the drip system all the time or cycle it.
5. If I cycle it what type of cycle, 1 hr on 1 hr off....

Any help would be very much appricated.

Later,

JRF

[turtle420]

Questions:

1. Has anyone ever used one of these set-ups?
Not me.
2. Is a constant drip system a good choice?
I'm on my grow number 0.14 (still building).
3. Should I put an airstone in the bottom of this set-up?
It can't hurt...
4. Should I run the air pump for the drip system all the time or cycle it.
I would run it 24/7... but wait for advice from the other guys... I'm not sure about that 24/7
5. If I cycle it what type of cycle, 1 hr on 1 hr off....
I cool cycle I've heard is 15min ON, 30min OFF, 15min ON, etc....


Best of luck!

-turtle420 :cool:

[Stormcooker]

WEll here's one thing..........Keep pH between 5.2 and 5.9 not 6-something like you said. Ph becomes very unstable, erratic, and volatile at higher values. Run airstone constantly, and I would drip one hour on, one off.

Ask about using the "Lucas Formula" which is a recipe using those nutrients you have in a specific amount at specific times.

You're off to a good start.

[Zandor]

Like SC said you are thinking the Ph is to high 5.2-5.8 is hydro Ph.
What are you using as a grow medium that will tell you how often you water.

[johnnyrocketfuel]

Thank for the responses,

I have lowered the PH down to 5.5 - 5.8. The grow medium is the clay pellets, they are approx .5 inches in diameter. I am currently running the system 24/7 If I am going to need to cycle it on and off where do I get a timer that will handle that many cycles per 24 hours.

Also, I didn't get much response regarding the air stone. would it be an advantage to airate that water a bit better?

Thanks again.

JRF

[turtle420]

Also, I didn't get much response regarding the air stone. would it be an advantage to airate that water a bit better?

Yes dude... the more air the merrier. That's it. YES, put an airstone in there. Two if possible. 24/7

[Zandor]

Turtle is correct the air stones are fine. You can get timmers that have 15 min cycles at HD or wal-mart try to start with 15-on 30 off then work from there.