Grow Mediums DWC system or Hydro Drip system
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Howdy, HDG 
Qman is right on, Summer heat can be a challenge with DWC and Drip systems. I have a link in my signature to a drip system I made DIY. It uses coolers for the rez, so it helps keep the rez/nutes at a lower temp. So far this year, I've not had problems, though I did have to put in an air conditioner this week, but the rez wasn't showing issues prior.
I love using coco in a drip system- its easy to maintain, and the growth is stellar!
Best to you, and happy growing!
Qman is right on, Summer heat can be a challenge with DWC and Drip systems. I have a link in my signature to a drip system I made DIY. It uses coolers for the rez, so it helps keep the rez/nutes at a lower temp. So far this year, I've not had problems, though I did have to put in an air conditioner this week, but the rez wasn't showing issues prior.
I love using coco in a drip system- its easy to maintain, and the growth is stellar!
Best to you, and happy growing!
When I started talking with the guys at the grow shop I use, they showed me a relatively cheap way to get a feel for it on the simple. General Hydroponics makes a HydroFarm kit that is the drip ring, a water level tube, and some air tubing that you can usually find for around $10. Combine it with a 5 gallon bucket, a 10 inch net pot lid (you need the big lid to fit the ring unless you want to try and cut the drip ring down), and a small air pump and you're good to go. I used a two line pump and also threw a small air stone in the bottom of the bucket to get some extra oxygenation in the res, but the drip ring uses an air lift system so does a fair job of adding oxygen as well. Combines drip and DWC in a micro setup. For a new guy, I fell I got pretty good results with the system and it was easy to use.
However, I'm now losing the drip ring and moving to just DWC with more air stone in the res to create a bubbleponic (or at least I think that's the right term for it) type setup. I found that the biggest problem I had with the drip setup was keeping the drip ring close enough into the grow media to prevent splashing. Different drip systems may or may not have the problem. The solution getting splashed directly on the low leaves (and the whole plant really when still a seedling) just burned the leaves up bad on a couple of them when they were just getting started. So I would say if you do go drip, watch out for the splash.
However, I'm now losing the drip ring and moving to just DWC with more air stone in the res to create a bubbleponic (or at least I think that's the right term for it) type setup. I found that the biggest problem I had with the drip setup was keeping the drip ring close enough into the grow media to prevent splashing. Different drip systems may or may not have the problem. The solution getting splashed directly on the low leaves (and the whole plant really when still a seedling) just burned the leaves up bad on a couple of them when they were just getting started. So I would say if you do go drip, watch out for the splash.
I went for a bubble bucket system. Half way through the grow I put a larger air pump in. More O2 better roots. I hand watered until the roots came threw the net pot.
I've been using a GenHydro WaterBucket for quite awhile...I have the entire WaterFarm, but opt to use the stand alone units. I'm also using coco instead of the dastardly Hydroton. I've modified my grow containers so that the holes in the bottom are slightly larger and I've run an air hose to the rez, with airstone (VERY light bubbling, too much will tear the roots to pieces when they finally fill the rez). I've had two successful grows with weed using this method, have a third thriving in the tent now. I also have two heirloom tomatoes outdoors and I've NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT! My restaurant uses at least two cases of tomatoes per week and I find myself with a surplus!
One problem which I'm still researching is the pH swing downwards! This has happened with EVERY grow. Usually around the transition from veg to flower, and it last a couple of weeks. Daily changing of the rez is required. Somehow, it corrects itself around week 6 or 7 and it's smooth sailing from there. Still trying to figure it out...
