Bubbler System Question

[latewood]

when I used epsom salts...I used about 2 tbs per 10 gallon rez...

latewood Reviewed by latewood on 05-16-2006. Bubbler System Question Been getting alot of good info here, thanks Latewood and all. I have been growing in dirt for sometime now and had a hydro kit that I bought setting around and finally decided to give it a go. Soo... Do I put the Rockwool at the bottom of the net pots let them get wet for a day then put the seeds in the Rockwool and cover them with the little round stone sort of things? I was hoping to start this morning but noticed last night, when I put the stones in first that alot of them fell Rating: 5

[Opie Yutts]

I would do it by not using epsom salts or vinager.

All you need is to keep light out of your nutes, keep them airiated, and use PH up or down.

Soap and hot water to clean stuff, maybe just a tiny bit of bleach.

[RoboGro]

Well, here they are at 2 weeks. Maybe I had my hopes too high but for some reason I expected more from hydro.

2 of the plants in the hydroton stones only, don't look like they're going to make it. One of the larger plants is really starting to yellow and brown on the lower leaves but I read in another thread that that is normal.

I was also reading about the roots not liking light, so I filled the net pots the rest of the way up with hydrton stones to help keep light out of the tank. I changed the water again and went up a little bit with the nutes, but still well below what is recommended.

Oh yea, I'm beginning to see roots on the larger plants. I didn't put quite as much water in as I had before thinking that would make the roots reach for it.

As always, suggestions welcome.

[latewood]

a couple on notes/q's...are you rinsing all the dust out of your hydroton before you use it?

go on ebay and splurge on some ph down at least. 8 bucks.
when you but a pen...the good ones come with calibration fluid. I use Milwaukee...strongly recommended over hanna.

blue lab truncheon is the best under 200 dollars.

ph of lemon juice 2.5 ph of baking soda 9.5 - just a note.

[RoboGro]

I actually boiled water, let it cool a bit then put the hydroton stones in that and washed them fairly well. I realized after my last post that it's one of each that's not looking so good; one it Rockwool and one in Hydroton only.

I'm a freelance programmer and right now the company I'm coding for is way behind on paying. Once they get caught up though my first purchase is going to be a PH pen and PH adjusters. In the mean time, I'm using a spa tester, not as accurate as a pen but I hope close enough to get by for now.

I also want to get some CalMag+ and superthrive as well. This is a fun hobby but no where near as simple as growing in dirt.

Will the PH down keep it down longer then the vineger that I'm using? Would lemon juice be better for adjusting it down?

[Opie Yutts]

Maybe I had my hopes too high but for some reason I expected more from hydro.


Hydro is much better than soil as far as yield vs effort. If you don't experience this you are definately doing something wrong. It is not Hydro,s fault. Give it some time. You should see some amazing results if you are used to growing in soil.

And for me, it is much easier than growing in dirt. No guesswork, bigger, better, faster. However, you have to get the hang of it first. You can't just decide to go hydro, then the weed just magically falls in your pipe.

[RoboGro]

You can't just decide to go hydro, then the weed just magically falls in your pipe.

What??? But I thought...

I'm not blaming hydro, I'm sure it is me. I am learning alot with even more learning yet to come. I think my problem is I spend half the day just staring at them. I do believe it will get better my second time around and hopefully better yet on my third. I just need to get better tools and chemicals. I'm also trying to enjoy the journey more then just thinking about the destination but I can be impatient at times

I can't thank you guys enough either, I wish I could give ya'll a big juicy bud when it's done.

If it ever gets done

[Opie Yutts]

I don't know what to recommend because I've only used one. I can tell you what I use though for flowering, and it is Tiger Bloom by Fox Farm. It's what the hydro store people recommended when I first started. I'm an "if it aint broke don't fix it" kind of guy, and I've always had great results with this nute. No mixing in other stuff. No need to try something different.

[RoboGro]

Hi Guys, would this be a good TDS ppm Meter?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Hanna-TDS-METER-...QQcmdZViewItem

If I'm going to make this work I'm going to have to get better equipment I think. I'm down to 3 plants now. 2 are looking pretty good, although they are real light green in color. The third has been the runt from the get go although it's still hanging in there, not sure for how long.

[latewood]

Hi Guys, would this be a good TDS ppm Meter?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Hanna-TDS-METER-...QQcmdZViewItem

If I'm going to make this work I'm going to have to get better equipment I think. I'm down to 3 plants now. 2 are looking pretty good, although they are real light green in color. The third has been the runt from the get go although it's still hanging in there, not sure for how long.

NO nO No...I bought one of these...read it again.

It's a great deal...BUT, It only reads to 999ppms...that will get you through veg...pretty much. unless you juice them...would be good for seedlings and clones on light nutes, or as a 2nd meter for same reason.

You need on that reads at least 2000ppms or more.
If you can get milwaukee tds or EC meter...you would be better off. hope this helps ya

lw