For the Ebb&Gro population .........

[tinytoon]

I will bring it back once and awhile but right now I'm working on a new one that should have everyone falling on the floor with laughter! :thumbsup:

[Zeffer]

I'll go with TinyToon on every word !

Yeah, pH stuff is a bit tricky with ebb&flo. Turns out those Rapid Rooters
i used for germination which got put right into the hydroton, are breaking
down into other micro/waste material and this doesn't allow the roots to
drink the nutrients readily...Action taken... flush flush flush ....Put a hose
extension on the return line, ( under the hood ) under reservoir lid, and into
a bucket or out a window....
As for the spare parts idea ! Well, TinyToon being automechanic knows
the power of this. Spare parts are a must. I have every-piece
of my ebb&fafafloy system, except the float switches. Extra everything. Back-Ups. As for the flood safety systems..." whats in your wallet !"
..Not much, so make your own out of stips of wood and thick liner for the
floor. If your system has 3-6 pods then you don't need more than,
30 - 35 gal. Easier to keep that amount contained until you get to see it.
So, far I've replaced one float switch. It was one of the fill float switch and
not the shut off ! Maybe someone has come up with a back up, stop fill,
float switch , on theirs control res. ??
But yeah, you gonna have solutions for your problems if you stick witit !

My PPM's don't raise these day cuz'n their in flower, so it goes down.

pH goes up, if i let the hydroton go to long without flushing !

One of the quick and easy ways to check ones plant condition with
ebb&flo is lifting the hydroton buckets up and checking the root
system. The best way to see how your plant's health is doing.
Then, notice the water they are sitting in ! ? All that decaying roots and
other matter are blocking your plants from drinking water first, nuitrients
second. That's why flushing is really tops props, in good healthy plants.

The other reason for flushing and replacing the water ( big res.) is because
as the stuff in the wet buckets / liner buckets, continues multiply,
plus with addtion of any sweets you may tease the ladies with !
adds to the break-down of your water supply, which all right if you watch
it, and attend to it...and still the PPM's are still normal no gains,
but as time goes on it could start to form a different, a solid material
we see as floating algae, tan colored goo ! Plants can not take this
form of nutrient, even though it's the same thing they live on !
So, that stuff and stuff we can see, unless under high magnification, are
preventing the plants from using up nutrients.
Ok, went on way to long here.

On this Thanksgiving Day, we are thankful for TinyToon.


TinyToon

[Zeffer]

MasterTooner, good evening 2U... I also have done this procedure
with the bucket levels and have discovered the efforts
are not worth the benefits. If i may pilot ! !
I have found, if one flushes the hydroton, by pouring pH treated water
into the hydroton buckets on a regular basis, after a couple of flushes, which can be done in one setting / flushing, that now the extra clean water seating in the liner buckets is actually beneficial to the plants health. There's something uniquely inherent, to this growing medium ( hydroton ! ) that does not allow rot out of the root system.... if the water is flushed on a regular schedule ! So, we hydroton users, have to check the roots, on a regular bases, til, we get a " feel " for the tolerance, or balance between plants,
nuitrients and water.

Personally, I've loved the experience so far. Um-a - first-timer with this
hydroton ebby & fafaflouey system and there are lessons at every turn. A total evolution of the entire hydro-grow system the G-Room is self, as one learns and grows from our rewards of our passions!

on slide dobro,
Zeffer

[Zeffer]

Greetings, ....nylon window screen....Please don't do this to your plants !
I did it and regretted it. Here's why. Those nets are NOT going to stop ROOTS.
Again, roots in water, especially hydroton ( medium ) hydroponics water, are not in danger. What happens with the addition of a mesh screen is,
it collects decaying matter, nutrients and rotting wants a piece of the action.
The addition of a mesh screen blocks the fafaflowy of the water and
nutrients, so you might wanna consider flushing with the pH, treated water.
Water that has a pH. around the high 5's to 6ish. Once the drain water,
pH. stablizes around those #ers ( 5 - 6ish ) then go back to the
nutrient schedule you have going.... But the flush idea is the most
important function of this hydrosystem...
I'm thinking of building something, that attaches to a pump / suction
to the drain / fill hoses, of the ebb & flo sytem.
But for now, i just keep my attention to the pH, PPM's and all the basics.
I have switched to the HPS setup for this flower phaze !
" She wore Lemon " as they say !

pH balanced,
Zee

[Zeffer]

Ok, real quick then i go practice slide yeah,

Action for cleaning / clearing lines. Cut a length of out-dated cable for your,computer cable project days. Attach a piece the length of your hoses, to unclogga ! Put one end in a electric drill and the other in any hose you suspect is cloggedda and rotor-reuters away ! Flush and watch all
the debris, nuitrients that have solidified on the walls of the hoses drain away !

burn,
practice,
zeff

[avon211]

Thanks for all the info zeffer very helpful. I changed my res and put plain ph water in for 1 day to hopefully flush my nutes out. My ppm started at 225 now up to 450. Just changed over to flower 12/12. No nutes yet but tomorrow will add nutes per schedule.

[Zeffer]

Hello Avon211,
I been in flower transition for 2wks now. During this phase
the pH, is much more active than in the 24 hours light-time. I'm finding
the big reservoir, goes " sour " within 24-48 hours ! Now, this has alot to
do with the respiration, the plants are doing at this time. The things that
contribute to this are, the HUMIDITY in the " G-room "
TEMPS. = lights and ventilation

Plus, the type ( strain dominance ) of your plants ! In my G-Room they are,
Sativa dominant, so my setup is to have the lowest HUMIDITY possible.
Keeping them on this " edge " is risky and uses more
of everything ( water & nutes ), cuz'n, THAT, is what makes the big reservoir
go " sour " ! When the plants aren't perspiring, they are dumping hydrogen ions
into the water, causing the raise in pH uh!

toke,
practice,
Zeffern

[tinytoon]

Avon your water starts at 225ppm??

[avon211]

Thanks again zeffer. Tiny yes my water is well water which is very hard. Lots of Iron in it. I had a water softener added to take the red out of my water. My toilets and tub would have a light reddish tint to it. I use salt brine tank which cycles twice a week. My water is as good as bottled water. Yes my ppm start around 200-225ppm. Is that a concern buddy?

[LOC NAR on probation]

Way Toooooo much salt !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get an R/O filter please.