Quote Originally Posted by SaintAlphonzo
Hi all,

I'm getting ready to start on my first adventure in Hydroponic growing and had some questions that I haven't really found clear answers to. Been growing in soil for a while, but I really want to get away from the mess of dirt.

I have a space that is about 3x3 (a little bigger actually) and currently have a 400W MH. I am going to get a HPS lamp soon, either 400 or 600 not sure yet which one but leaning towards more light (600).

I built an ebb & flow setup from a conrete mixing try that I got at Lowe's, it's about 2x3. I have an 18 gallon rubbermaid container(solid green and light proof) that I plan to use for the resevoir.

I am starting from seeds (will switch to clones when they are ready for that) and am starting them in Rapid Rooter plugs.

I got some 8" net pots which I plan to put the plugs in with clay pellets.

Ok, given the above setup (hopefully this is enough information for starters) I have some questions going forward.

1) Are the pots I got a good size, or should they be a bit smaller? It looks like they are huge compared to what many people here are using.

2) I can fit 8 of these pots in my table which is what I hope to grow once my mother plant is producing clones. Is this too many considering the lighting I have. I'm planning on flowering in the 8-10 inch range (no more than 12") and am growing an Afghani (this time at least) that I have grown many times before which tends to grow 1 big cola and some smaller side branches, but not many and not very bushy.

3) Regarding the flooding schedule. I have a timer that can work on 15 minute increments. I read a post yesterday where stinkyattic said she floods for 15 minutes 6 times per day. Is that flooding only when the light is on, or spread across 24 hours? Any other opinions on the flooding schedule. The guy at my hydro store said he floods seedlings 15 minutes every 2 hours, then switches to ever hour when the plants get bigger. This seems like a lot compared to some reading here, but then again we were talking peppers and tomatoes ;-)

That's all I can think of right now. If anyone has other comments and advice I sure would appreciate it.

Sorry for the long post . . . thanks!
I think your pots are about the right size, and I feel eight plants are about right. I do E&F and run my watering schedule every four hours for 15 min, sounds just right. You will have to be very careful to make sure when you first put your roots clones into the pot that the level of nutes goes high enough so that the roots actually get moisture. Another alternative, would be to place the clone way near the bottom and only fill your pot partially to keep from burying it completely!
SpaceNeedle Reviewed by SpaceNeedle on . 1st time hydro questions Hi all, I'm getting ready to start on my first adventure in Hydroponic growing and had some questions that I haven't really found clear answers to. Been growing in soil for a while, but I really want to get away from the mess of dirt. I have a space that is about 3x3 (a little bigger actually) and currently have a 400W MH. I am going to get a HPS lamp soon, either 400 or 600 not sure yet which one but leaning towards more light (600). I built an ebb & flow setup from a conrete Rating: 5