Quote Originally Posted by reefbeaver
my questions are...
1. How much flow do I need to each plant, each basket has about one gal of hydroton, and I plan on using 1"x1" rockwool for the seedlings. Do I need direct water flow on the block of rockwool or just near it, I feel like I gonna flood these guys.

2. Whats average H20 temp need to be.

3. What nutrients do I need to buy for veg/flower/flush/RO water ect.

4. How often do I need to do a h20 change, once a month, more/less and do I need to flush every time I change h20

5. Off subject question...do you tie down your plants or prune.

Thanks for the help, I will try to post some pics of the setup soon my digital camera is not working at the moment.
A-1: You are using Rockwool so be careful of over watering. You don't need to water directly on the Rockwool. Rockwool is more for fill & drain type systems drip systems have a tendency to over water them. Instead of regulating your flow you should try to regulate your water cycle. Grow rocks will not hold much water but the Rockwool will so be careful. Try to feed them 15 on 45 off to start that may work out better for you.

A-2: The cooler the water is the more oxygen it can hold, 68f is right on the best temperature not to cold and not to hot but will hold a lot of oxygen. You don't have a chiller to keep the water that cold so just do your best. If the water temperature gets to hot (like over 79f then at least add some air stones to raise the oxygen level.

A-3: Nutrients depend on how much control you want to have. No matter what you use you will need a good Ph pen and TDS pen they are very important. I like to use the GH 3-part NPK nutrients. Blood bud the first week and then again the last 2 weeks of flower just to make big buds. You use Big bud after the first week and stop it the last 2 weeks then use blood bud again. Maintain the proper temperature and RH levels then use enhanced CO² and you will finish faster and grow larger.

A-4: You do a full water change every 7-10 day's with out fail or you will fail. If you run low on water you just add PH adjusted water to bring the level back up to normal until you change it again. You don't need to start with 30 gallons try 5 at first but you will probably use up about 10 to start then add back another 5 gallons to make it to the 10 day mark. That will save you nutrients and water cost.

A-5: those are techniques for growing to control height issues. A cropped plant will have more bud areas then a single cola plant but they will be smaller. You will get more weight in the overall if you crop but you will also need to veg longer to give the plant time to recover properly.

Don't forget if you are using only RO water then you need CalMag Plus to make up for what the RO process removes from the water the plant still needs and does not get from a full NPK formula.


Happy growing.