Some questions about the DWC system

[Mr. Ganja]

I've seen many of you fellas using the DWC systems and I think it's nice and plan on using it in the near future when I have have my own growroom.
Anyways, I was wondering. How does the system work for really small plants? And by that I mean seedlings that have just been germinated in rockwool and are ready to be transfered.
Wouldn't a week old plant have very little root clusters? How would the water being splashed by the airstones be able to penetrate though the 4-6 inch worth of claypebbles and reach the small root clusters?
Does the water level have to be set so high, even to the point where it submerges most of the hydrotron? Then will it be able to splash the roots of the young plant?
I know this is a stupid newbie question, but I'm a bit buzzed right now and I was itching to ask.

[turtle420]

How would the water being splashed by the airstones be able to penetrate though the 4-6 inch worth of claypebbles and reach the small root clusters?
I wonder the same thing, believe it or not.

[elcheapo]

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong as this is really just my theory. I believe that you could submerge the net pot just a little to allow the wicking action of the medium to feed the roots. I know this works with perlite but I've never used Hydroton before. The splashing from the bubbles may also be sufficient but then again I'm not sure. You could possibly even thread a wick throughout the pot which in turn is submerged in the nutrient solution.
These are just some of the ideas I've come up with before attempting DWC myself. They may not be plausible.

[latewood]

all you have to do is get the netpot right above the water, bubbles bubbling and believe it or not, all the hydroton gets wet by transference and the roots will seek out the wetness...Do not put netpot in water because everything will stay too wet...all you need is damp. HTH, lw

[MaryjaneMenehune]

Well, I don't necessarily agree with that statement...I have had some seedlings in perlite with the roots completely submerged under water: the plants seem to do fine as long as the roots get enough oxygen without much contact with light. The way I look at it, a mature plant is going to have its roots dangling in the water, and as long as there are no signs of overwatering, you are doing fine. I feel it is completely easy to start in perlite if you have never attempted a hydroponic grow before. You can grow in a quart sized paint bucket, just drill some holes in it (it may be ghetto, but it is the same basic principle as a netpot). Once the seedlings mature to the point where they need nutrients, throw them into your dwc system and watch em grow. :)

[latewood]

sure you can, but...
My root system will kick your root system's ass, because my root system had to work to get fed as opposed to just laying in solution...this is 'old school' DWC knowledge, sorry

basic dwc principle...establish a strong root system by encouraging roots to seek out the readily available nutrients...OH yes, you are right about this...Oxygenated nutrients.

It is different once plant is mature and wants to uptake nutrients at a faster rate...:thumbsup:

matter of fact: I have clones rooting in dwc as we speak...and I had to take a gallon of water out of rez because the netpots were too wet. not enough oxygen to the small interior root system! Now I have white fuzzy's :dance: starting to pokeout all over.

I agree about rooting in perlite...If you followed my grows, you would see that I am almost finished with the 2nd generation of clones in a system I built...using perlite as a medium, all they way.

and ghetto, Hell ask anybody around here...I have built and grown hydro in just about everything you can Imagine.

I made a great set of bubblers out of empty distilled water jugs and grew lbs. out of them over 2-3 grows, until I evolved beyond them...I use them for vegging, sometimes.

Well, I've got to go dig a spliff out of my gooey buds and contemplate your doubting my word on this?:smokin:
Perhaps you should research this a bit...I am sure you will be able to find confirmation of my theory.

In the words of the immortal "Donnie Baker"..."I gotta go"

[MaryjaneMenehune]

Hey,
Let me preface my comments with a few quick words... I commend you on your knowledge.
I wasn't saying you should do it that way, I'm saying that a plant will still grow under those conditions. Weed is a weed. I just like the ease of just throwing it in a tub of water and forgetting about it.
But, you learn something new everyday. I'll make the growing medium damp for my next try. I'd like the best results if at all possible for a fool like me. :D
I'm starting a new growlog if you want to help add some pointers. :thumbsup:

[latewood]

One big happy family...I just hope we all learn and grow together, spiritually and become better people as well as better grower's...
I appreciate the fact that you challenge methods/concepts.
Reminds Me of ME...LOL goodluck, holler at me, when you post...Lots of good happy growers helping each other out...Here at Cdot

I also, have said many times myself..."It is a weed!!!"
Just let it grow...The KISS method works best most of the time.

PS...I am not always right...there, I said it...lw

[Mr. Ganja]

What sized airstones would you dudes reccommend for something like a 20 gallon rubbermaid plastic box? I plan on using the Elite 802 airpump. :D
Thanks for clearing up that for me, much love to all of you guys.

[The White Snoop]

I would use the air tube things. They work great and never clog or need replaced.

[latewood]

One big happy family...Like this; We all learn and grow together, spiritually in cooperation here, sharing each others knowledge...teaching aspiring grower's...
sometimes not in such a friendly manner, unfortunately!
But, We are working on that!

I appreciate the fact that you challenge methods/concepts.
Reminds Me of ME...LOL goodluck, holler at me, when you post...Lots of good happy growers helping each other out...Here at Cdot

I also, have said many times myself..."It is a weed!!!"
Just let it grow...The KISS method works best most of the time.

PS...I am not always right...there, I said it...lw

[MaryjaneMenehune]

What sized airstones would you dudes reccommend for something like a 20 gallon rubbermaid plastic box? I plan on using the Elite 802 airpump. :D
Thanks for clearing up that for me, much love to all of you guys.

I've used a similar sized pump for a 5gallon dwc, but I would recommend upgrading to bigger pump for that size container, or maybe even two pumps. In my knowledge, it seems that the more tiny bubbles, the more your plant will feel fine.

[latewood]

In a big rez like that, I would use a dual outlet airpump with 2-14" bars from Wally's...Total cost for lots'o'bubbles...
20-25 bucks...

My hydro store has these 2, 3, or 4 foot flexible air diffuser's
they are new on the market I bought 3 or 4 for around $5 bucks apiece.

I have not found the need to buy any high dollar airpumps yet. All mine from Wally's, no problems, still use the 1st one I bought. lw

[LiquidMagik]

Well, I keep hearing clones being used in DWC, but you can use seedlings as well? Like as soon as they pop via the paper towel or rapid rooter method, I can pop them right into my DWC? Also, I had heard that before the roots get through the net pot, that you should have a small section of the net pot submersed under water (so that the bubbles are still able to splash the roots) and that when the roots come through the net pot, then you should lower the solution appopriately. Is this correct or no?

[latewood]

no...keep water below netpot...bubbles will wet medium plenty...If you submerge roots when young and weak, they will drown.

Yes, you can put seed in rapid rooter and right into bubbler, mist daily, plant will grow.

I have done alot of dwc experiment's with and without netpot's, but I love rapid rooters; Because you can place them anywhere you want...and without some of the hassles of rockwool.

I just germed a couple of c99xNL5 in Rapid rooters and after they showed roots...I placed them in 5" netpots filled with hydroton.

here are 3 pix from new grow report I am working on c99xNL5...It show putting rapid rooter into hydroton...

hope this answers your query. lw