Hydro Questions: Help!!!

[MaryjaneMenehune]

Alright, I know that there are a whole crap load of posts on hydro, but I have a few specific questions I was wondering if anyone could help me with:
(my system is a 18 gal rubbermaid bin aerated by air pump and bubble stones with 1 net filled with vermiculite/perlite mix(but planning on starting few more plants) and my nutrient supply is limited to shultz plant food and molasses, i know it's bad, but the little guy is growing so far)

1. The growspace I am using gets plenty of air, but it may be a little too cool. What is the minimum temp for growing? Also, i bought an aquarium water heater, i figure there wont be any problem with it as long as the roots dont get too close... assuming it is fine, what is the optimum temp?

2. BIG issue- nutrient supplies- apparently there are no garden supplies stores around my town for like 50 miles, so I have no idea what I can use to supplement feeding nor do I have access to a ppm meter or any fancy gadgets. How much plant food or molasses should i administer and how often? What the F can I substitute for nutrients? atleast temporarily, which leads me into my next question...

3. Anybody know a reputable site to order pretty inexpensive supplies with an emphasis on discreteness? (thats not asking too much)

4. not related to hydro, but ive also got 6 other plants in soil, can cooler climate stunt their growth or induce high levels of stress? if so, what can i do about that because i am running them under a flourescent light that stays pretty darn cool (please keep cost in mind for this question)?

any other tips you might think of, just let me know as any advice will be most appreciated...(ill try to get pics soon)
---MJmenehune
:rasta: <-----me after you lend a guiding hand

MaryjaneMenehune Reviewed by MaryjaneMenehune on 02-03-2006. Hydro Questions: Help!!! Alright, I know that there are a whole crap load of posts on hydro, but I have a few specific questions I was wondering if anyone could help me with: (my system is a 18 gal rubbermaid bin aerated by air pump and bubble stones with 1 net filled with vermiculite/perlite mix(but planning on starting few more plants) and my nutrient supply is limited to shultz plant food and molasses, i know it's bad, but the little guy is growing so far) 1. The growspace I am using gets plenty of air, but Rating: 5

[MaryjaneMenehune]

The seedling in the hydro is probably going to drift on up until she reaches the seedling in the sky, the heavens, the resiny gates. I think she is beyond repair and i feel this hydro setup would definitely do alot better with actual nutrients as opposed to whatever i had leftover to give it. (I am still interested to see if anyone has created a system with common household items or options not commonly thought of)
I'll just start a new one with the appropriate materials...i've learned my lesson. It will go better second time round, but still wondering if anyone knows any good sites... i've been to www.ecogrow.com , but didnt know if that was the best or even all that good...

I diagnosed the plant as hitting a lucky patch of nutrients and feeding off of whatever the cotyledons provided for a little bit, than losing strength due to nute defficiency (obviously). ONe thing that I am unsure of is whether to put any water into the perlite/vermiculite mix to add moisture in a bubbling system or to just let it get all it's moisture from the bubbling water.... ----------> QUESTIONS: For an aerorated water set-up like i've got, is it better for the container to be shallow or deep?
----------------------------------> How far can the plants be from the bubble stone?
finally,------------------------------> how close can the plants be to one another in order maximize yeild without compromising lighting? (4 25 watt 4100ks with reflectors)

[MaryjaneMenehune]

damn it, i said "how close can the plants be to one another in order maximize yeild without compromising lighting?"
I meant to say I have 4 four-foot 32 watt bath and kitchen (4100k?) with reflectors... how close should lights be from plant/each other?

[turtle420]

Bumping it man...

I'm reading, I'm trying to answer your Qs... it's just that I'm not that experienced... but let me see if I can answer some of the questions...

[BloodShot420]

1. Its better to be too cold than to hot - heat is much less expensive than chillers and such. depending on what kind of system you are running temps should be between 62-ish and 68F... thats for DWC - any higher than that and you'll get root rot, which sucks ass. I think other systems may be more flexible, not sure how flexible in terms of too cold though, never ran into that problem myself.

2. You need hyroponic nutrients, and at least a method of checking the ph... the nutes you can kinda guess with, but if you give them too much - you'll never REALLY know unless you have a TDS pen. setting up a successful hydro system cant really be done with things around the house like a soil grow. Some may say you can, but then I'll just put some emphasis on SUCCESSFULL..

3. i dunno if we are supposta give out addys here, cuz I'm kinda new... so fuck it - i'll claim ignorance. discounthydro.com is good - very dependable and discreet. Sometimes people on ebay sell shit for cheaper though... and when in doubt, and on a budget... froogle.com

4. wal-mart sells small thermostatically controlled electric heaters for $20 I have one for my office... they work well. put the ventillation on timers, so there is no fresh cold air coming in during lights off... they dont need it then.

hope that helps! :thumbsup:

[MaryjaneMenehune]

Here are some shots of the little fella...perhaps she hasn't met her fate afterall?
the first is of her underneath the light in bin.
The second is of one the soil grows, it is sprouting it's second set of leaves there if you look closely. (too droopy or ok?)
The third is of the hydro plant and basket removed from its bubbler. it is hard to tell from the pic but there is some red and white (almost looks like crystals) on the edge of both of the leaves and then they are mostly green on the inside portion. the hydro is about three days younger(or so) then the previous soil shot so it isnt abnormally stunted...or is it?
The fourth is of the soil group under light.
the last is of one that looks kind of yellowish, any suggestions?

[MaryjaneMenehune]

so, things i have to add to my grow...fan, mylar, nutrient stockhold, Co2 (suggestions will be most appreciated) and larger tub... i think that's everything, let me know if you think of something else.
my special nutrient formula
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[Gen]

Mary, very inexpensive and free fertilizer is urine. dilute 1:10 or more. 1 part urine:10 parts water. If you have nothing else. It worked for thousands of years before we had monsanto making our fertilizer.

[BloodShot420]

looks like they're gonna live... i'm not sure whats up with the droopy leaves... sometimes thats from overwatering though. dont kill'em with kindness.

[MaryjaneMenehune]

One other question I have is:
What should I do about lighting cycles/ running the "dwc" (what does this mean again) during the off hours? I'd like to run both the hydro and soil on a 18/6 to save electricity costs and still veg...but should i turn off the air pump too? I haven't been but i don't know if this is wrong or even if its okay to turn it off for very long at all...

oh 'snap', one more i just thought of
what kind of system for production of co2 should i be looking at? and plants only need/absorb co2 during the lights-on period, right?
and another:
ppm meter: ebay?

oh yeah...in response:
i had just finished flushing the soil on that one to get the ph right...hopefully it will bounce back
start ferting soil when three pairs of leaves (not cotyledons), correct?

and should i increase humidity levels in grow room or leave them be?