My new grow :)

[SAP420]

anything I can do about algae growing on the hydroton.. I usually just wash it off when I do my weekly nute flush and change.

[Weedhound]

That stuff CAN cause issues if it gets thick enough......I didn't have algae problems with hydroton but I don't use it anymore.

For algae there are a couple things you can do.....either cover your medium to block the light (you can use a plastic plate turned upside down and cut in half OR add hydrogen peroxide at 2 teaspoons per gallon every other day. Using H202 carries its own issues so look into it first.....it's much easier to cover the medium but make sure you allow for air flow and breathing room between your cover and the medium and drip rings.

PS...There is no such thing as too much oxygen in your solution.

[SAP420]

Here is a newer progress pic so far. The back left corner plant is taking off like a mother. I'm suspecting this one to be a male.... possibly.

[herbie the love bud]

Everything looks good. WH is spot on though about recirculating, you simply need a controller and to recirculate. You are going to have a hell of a time in full bloom topping your water off and also something no one mentioned, individually checking your pH and ppm. You dont need to buy GHs controller either, it can just be a 5 gal bucket or something.

[hatecable]

the point of the recirculating system is so that all the plants get the same nut solution, water lvl, ph and you can control everything from 1 res instead of checking up on the 4 individually. I think is mainly a time and maintenance saver. At least that is what I think i understand about it. If they are different strains you'd probably like to fine tune the individual WF's in case some are growing faster than others and what not. I have tried to learn some about the system even though Im just growing 1 plant from a feminized seed in a WF.

[herbie the love bud]

yep, that is pretty much it, and it allows you to have a good supply of nutes and not have to change out as often.

[SAP420]

Yeah I know what you mean about the bloom phase... I had to top those bitches off before when my last batch went into bloom. I usually had to top off about a gallon a day per farm. I usually will add 1 gallon to each one and also add one full dropper of ph down to each gallon added. I got the right touch for the ph levels here in my area. Seems that 1 dropperfull of ph down works for each gallon. I may look into getting a controller but for now I will have to do it the not-so-easy way. I usually have no issue doing it this way so far. thanks for the input and more pics to come as it goes. So Herbie, maybe you can direct me on how to set up a recirculator using a 5 gallon bucket? Thanks!

[SAP420]

Okay, this is exactly 2 days later after the last pic post. They seem to be doing well. My only problem is with the back right plant. It is growing way slower than the other 3 but I may need to flush it and up the nutes to early growth feed not sure. I think it has a nitrogen deficiency because the lower 2 leaves are a really light yellow although the new growth is green seems stumped with the grow. Any ideas?

[SAP420]

Oh yeah .. here is my new 6" fan for air movement. Do you think it should be right on the plants or just high above is fine?

[herbie the love bud]

just as long as the leaves sway a bit.