First Hydro Attempt DWC Autoflower

[Che'Michael]

hey all

I've had some fish tanks and decided to convert a 5 gallon brew bucket (over 6 gallons with bottom spigot to drain res)

An air pump and tubing with air stones.
A small 10 gallon tank inside the tank filter which works as a pump pumping water into my net pot.

Grow it clay pebbles soaking
Rock wool cubes
Currently 450viparspectra (going cob soon)
A slew of seed choices


Now the good:

genetics @mephisto
Brand new batch nutes with calmag and hydroguard
1 year Experienced soil grower who always has too many girls going at once because of add and adhd self diagnosed.
Over 45

The bad

Always growing too much shit. With dwc I have one bucket. That's it. I can't imagine having more than one or two being that they get so big.
Assortment


Issues

I want to start the seeds in a towel and then transfer to Rockwool and then the net pot. Is this a preferred method? Would dropping the seed right into the Rockwool be better ?

How about nutes. Plain water for the first 2 weeks? Then 1/4 strength and then up as we go? I don't want to screw this one up

Anyone use superthrive In their dwc? Good/bad?


Any other advice would be helpful as I think I have most things checked

 

[PapaEmeritus]

I don't grow DWC, but I've germed seeds in both rockwool and in paper towels then moved it to rockwool, and I think either method would do you just fine. Just depends what you're more comfortable with.

Good luck!

 

[Simplicio]

hey all

I've had some fish tanks and decided to convert a 5 gallon brew bucket (over 6 gallons with bottom spigot to drain res)

An air pump and tubing with air stones.
A small 10 gallon tank inside the tank filter which works as a pump pumping water into my net pot.

Grow it clay pebbles soaking
Rock wool cubes
Currently 450viparspectra (going cob soon)
A slew of seed choices


Now the good:

genetics @mephisto
Brand new batch nutes with calmag and hydroguard
1 year Experienced soil grower who always has too many girls going at once because of add and adhd self diagnosed.
Over 45

The bad

Always growing too much shit. With dwc I have one bucket. That's it. I can't imagine having more than one or two being that they get so big.
Assortment


Issues

I want to start the seeds in a towel and then transfer to Rockwool and then the net pot. Is this a preferred method? Would dropping the seed right into the Rockwool be better ?

How about nutes. Plain water for the first 2 weeks? Then 1/4 strength and then up as we go? I don't want to screw this one up

Anyone use superthrive In their dwc? Good/bad?


Any other advice would be helpful as I think I have most things checked

You and I are doing similar same things, except that I've got a recirculating system.

A major reason not to plant them in rockwool from the start is that you might need to wait a week or so to see whether they'll sprout.
With the paper towel method, you usually know in a day or two.
If 100% germination were guaranteed, we'd all be better off just planting in rockwool.

Plain water might not be enough for a full 2 weeks. Too much nutes, too soon, can harm the plants, but 100 ppm or so probably won't.

My experience is that too much nutes and too low pH are the greatest dangers.

 

[c@b420]

Subbed. What I just did was soak mine in a shot glass til a little tap root came out. Then I put it in the root riot and in my bucket covering it so humidity forms. Had her sprout in just a day or two... ph'd plain water should be good for now for sure. In my previous experience, using r/o water off the bat caused them to get deficiencies.. I'm using ph'd tap water at first this time til the tap root hits, and she's looking great.

https://www.autoflower.org/index.php?threads/61158/

 

[PickleRick]

Hey man! Pulling up a chair :smoking:

I'm sure you're already on top of this, but be sure to cover all the sides of the glass so you don't have any light leaks in your tank.
Just started my first DWC grow myself about a month ago, you can check it out in my signature.

Happy growing and good luck!

 

[Che'Michael]

I'm actually using a 6 gallon beer brewing bucket. The fish supplies are from my fish leftover supplies. Either way nothing changes

Do i need a ec or tds meter to read ppm? Or what's the other options

 

[Simplicio]

I'm actually using a 6 gallon beer brewing bucket. The fish supplies are from my fish leftover supplies. Either way nothing changes

Do i need a ec or tds meter to read ppm? Or what's the other options

Yes, you need to be able to read ppm and/or ec. (They are directly interconvertible PPM = 500*EC for most of us). Blue Lab brand is excellent, but expensive.
You also need to be able to read pH. Meters are easier, but can be expensive, especially really good ones like Blue Lab. Strips or indicator liquids are cheaper alternatives.

 

[epenguin]

Good luck chum !

 

[Chris Stroupe]

hey all

I've had some fish tanks and decided to convert a 5 gallon brew bucket (over 6 gallons with bottom spigot to drain res)

An air pump and tubing with air stones.
A small 10 gallon tank inside the tank filter which works as a pump pumping water into my net pot.

Grow it clay pebbles soaking
Rock wool cubes
Currently 450viparspectra (going cob soon)
A slew of seed choices


Now the good:

genetics @mephisto
Brand new batch nutes with calmag and hydroguard
1 year Experienced soil grower who always has too many girls going at once because of add and adhd self diagnosed.
Over 45

The bad

Always growing too much shit. With dwc I have one bucket. That's it. I can't imagine having more than one or two being that they get so big.
Assortment


Issues

I want to start the seeds in a towel and then transfer to Rockwool and then the net pot. Is this a preferred method? Would dropping the seed right into the Rockwool be better ?

How about nutes. Plain water for the first 2 weeks? Then 1/4 strength and then up as we go? I don't want to screw this one up

Anyone use superthrive In their dwc? Good/bad?


Any other advice would be helpful as I think I have most things checked

I have had 100% germination by putting seeds in damp paper towels folded up in Ziploc bag in dark warm area. Usually they pop within 48 hours but also depends on your quality of seeds. I would stay away from super thrive in the beginning and keep things simple. Good luck I'm tuned in to your grow bro!

 

[Che'Michael]

I'll be 100% ready for the Mephisto battle. Beans arrive today as well as the rest of nutes. I have no ec meter yet. I'll get that. My water is very decent. Not too many ph our local water. I got the kit anyway and will actually try and keep it within certain ranges for best nutes uptake.