Getting ready to quit for good!

[GanjaDude]

That's a good idea Tinytoon. I think I'll give them 14 days of just water and instead of 10 and take WeedHounds advice and replace the Hydroton with something else like maybe a Bud Blanket. I think I'll give it a try one more time with the 5 plants currently vegging.

[cannakeeper]

Sounds like ur right, too many minerals and prob alot of chlorophyl too. Was the bud n leaf really dark when harvested? Does it make some snap crackel when it burns? That together with the shit taste usually tells all. With good green veg I think 14-16 days maybe a little more of flush would be more beneficial. This usually brings mine to a pale green by finish which really makes for tastier goods. I have also found using a really weak nutient solution for flush one time at veg to bloom nutrient change washes away salts and what not better than that high dollar flush shit. I also think it may not be benefiting you to change tank every other day and have to try and get it ph stable before the next day. Try giving it at least 5 days in between dumping the tank and alow the tank and run-off water time to balance. The black strap is a good idea but I use it as a foliar spray a few times in the 3-4wk of bloom stage. It does have some nutrient values so be really easy on it.(lots of info on here and web) misting with RO water as soon as the light comes on will also help wash out chloro/nutes. Also, have you checked accuracy of tds meter, 110ppm sounds low for tap. But with a good formula the meter isn't a must. BTW I did dirt grows for years but after trying hydro for the first time I think it is much easier. Ha Ha... Ileft this response sit unfinished for too long and others pretty much said the same thing. LOL

[stupids]

A couple harvests ago I had some horrible tasting stuff...unsmokable in a joint...I had to use a bong...it smelled nothing like bud

[Weedhound]

Now my hydro guy told me he didn't think it was wise to go longer than 2 weeks on straight water or it can create other problems in the plant. I would cut your nutes in half for the last week BEFORE you flush, then do your flushing routine for up to 14 days.

[Weedhound]

And damn dude.......if you're going to throw it out send it to me cause I'll sure find SOMETHING to do with it.

[cannakeeper]

Now my hydro guy told me he didn't think it was wise to go longer than 2 weeks on straight water or it can create other problems in the plant. I would cut your nutes in half for the last week BEFORE you flush, then do your flushing routine for up to 14 days.

I agree with the flush, as I stated above, I do this only if solid green vegetation. If the plant is already a more pale lush green, i've found 2wk flush comes out perfect for me. I lean mine out more than most though, kinda like the color of this little guy:smokin:sometimes even lighter. The fan leaves end up light yellow by finish to achieve this. Ultimately it depends on the strain and how it was grown as well as many environmental variables(temp, humidity, or even type of nutes and run time. Women are different from one to the next and respond differently to what you do to them:lol5:, these girls are no exception. Just my opinion

[GanjaDude]

Cannakeeper I think I may try your idea of using the weak nutrient solution as a flush between the veg and bloom change. The plants are dark green when I harvest so I think your on to something. The reason I was changing the plain water every other day on the last 10 days was because I thought since the drip system I use recirculates the water I would be adding the removed salts right back into the plants if I didn't change the res so often. I calibrate both the TDS and PH meters I have so I think the PPM of the water is fairly accurate. I would have went out and purchased a RO system, but I rent the house and didn't want to put a hole in my landlords pipes, plus I figured I didn't need RO water if my PPM was so low.

Weedhound-Last night I ordered a Bud Blanket online. I'm going to get away from Hydroton and see if that helps. I read somewhere that you should cut the nutes back before you get to the flush, so I think I'll try that. Thanks to everyone for the replies, you have given me a bunch of great ideas. I think I was premature on quitting I'm going to keep trying.

[cannakeeper]

I think this whole thread has been enlightening, I too after only one time using clay peb product, don't care for it either. It may have had alot to do with the type of nutes I used, also the first time. I should have known better than to use crystaline nutes on the stuff. I had always used rockwool with hydrofarm crystal. I may have better luck not leaving salt crust on it on the next run since i'm switching to the GH-3 part but still not sure if I want to risk it again. I'm gonna look into this "bud blanket"..never heard of it since I had never swayed from the wool. Is that the same as cocconut mat? I'm steady trying to decide on a better combo to my drip system so I can start my next run.

[GanjaDude]

CannaKeeper sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, work and X-mas shopping. I was researching an alternative medium for my drip system and read a couple of things about this new Bud Blanket. I figure all the Hydroton is doing is covering the roots from the light and providing some kind of base for the rockwool cubes, so the plant doesn't tip over when it gets large. Here is the product description:
The Bud Blanket is used in hydroponic systems that utilize a tray (flood & drain, drip, etc.). It works especially well when growing in rockwool blocks, but can also be used with net pots and other types of containers. Follow these simple directions:

1. Roll the pre-cut Bud Blanket out onto the surface of your tray.
2. Place rooted plants in rockwool cubes, etc. directly on the Bud Blanket.
3. Watch in amazement as the plants root system develops in the high humidity layer that the Bud Blanket creates!
4. Clean up is a snap! Simply roll the Bud Blanket up with roots and all and you're ready to grow again.

I figured there's not much to lose since it only cost $15 for a 48"x48" mat. I should be setting it up this coming weekend.

[cannakeeper]

Cool bro, sounds like the coconut mat i've seen. I am soo undecided and stressed about it. I have read ass-loads of info on the DWC buckets and the convience and simplicity of them so I may lean that way and take my first step away from the drippy way. I have used the 20 gal tank and slab trays style forever and i'm bout over it. Buckets seem to work pretty champ for ALOT of others. I think I will gather some more log formulas/combos info from some of the pros and make a decision by this wkend as well.