rockwool or other?

[pudder]

I havnt seen anything else about this or maybe I wasn't looking in the right places.

is there anything else that can be used instead of rockwool. I have to order rockwool and have other stuff availible in my area. I have everything else set up and ready to go but need either rockwool or another medium. anything else that I can use with ok results?

thanks Pudder

pudder Reviewed by pudder on 10-12-2007. rockwool or other? I havnt seen anything else about this or maybe I wasn't looking in the right places. is there anything else that can be used instead of rockwool. I have to order rockwool and have other stuff availible in my area. I have everything else set up and ready to go but need either rockwool or another medium. anything else that I can use with ok results? thanks Pudder Rating: 5

[Illusion]

i have the same issue right now... rockwool is currently being shipped...
if you cant purchase rockwool locally-- im taking it you probably wont be able to purchase anything else... like rapid rooters or oasis cubes..

I have read things about PH problems with rockwool and it might be a better idea to use the rapid rooters/oasis cubes... But i've already ordered my rockwool so... thats what im using and hopefully you can feel comfortable in using it too :-D

we should keep eachother updated on questions, it sounds like we are pretty tied as far as our grow set up and knowledge obtained...

hope that slightly helps! :thumbsup:

[pudder]

yeah souns like we are on the same page and problem. I already have 10 plants n soil and made room in another room for 6 plants hrew hydroponics. just need rockwool or something else. let me know how things turn out.

for anyone else reading this. what else can be used. even something makeshift like other things besides group cubes or the stuff that was previously mentioned.

[Illusion]

I heard styrofoam can be used... Thats pretty easily obtainable.. I dont know what PH problems would come along with it though... Im planning on doing about 6 plants hydroponically...

Pudder, what kind of light are you using? HPS? whats the wattage? Just curious...

[pudder]

yeah that may work. never though of that hold water and is pourous depending on mak and brand. get the large ball foam which has holds and shit all threw it for the roots to grow.

any other ideas? trying to get as many as possible so I know what the options are ya know.

[Illusion]

Okay so ive read about styrofoam

You basically cut out room for your transplants, and the styrofoam will float..
So you want to cut out a circular disk that will fit the 5 gallon bucket...

When the water level drops, the styrofoam will drop too, and when it rises the plant will rise...

I think that's a pretty flawed system though.. And personally if I were you, I would seriously just wait however long it takes to get your rockwool and hydroton (expanded clay pebbles).... I'm absolutely positive it will be worth the wait in the end...

[xcrispi]

To start / germ beans in like starter cubes ? Or as an actual medium to fill the entire system with ?

What type of system are we talking about ?

Rockwool stays way too wet in my opinion if used exclusively / by itself as a medium , not to mention crazy p/h issues w/ it even when it's pre soaked prior to use . I like hydroton = kiln fired clay balls = coo-coo puffs . You can wash and reuse them over -n- over too.

We need more info.
Peace
Crispi :stoned:

[pudder]

oh and about the light I bought 1 400 watt hps with lamp setup and ballast got it for 40 bucks off a friend. needs new bulb though which I am getting tonight after work. my other setup I just have 3 cfls total of around 50 watts.

[Illusion]

Yeah I only have a 1x250 watt HPS.... Im broke and have to make it work with 6 plants (I know that about impossible) CFL Supplement lighting for me, eh?

xcrispi- Do you exclusively grow in hydroton- What to you start the seedlings in/germ them in?

more info, like crispi said

[pudder]

well. I was thinking of bubbler system with the baskets and such. I have seen the coo-coo puffs before but I have seen people place the rockwool in the center after the roots have shown threw. this is what I planned on doing. new to growing so getting as much info and trying others setups this is pretty much what I am doing.