Grow Mediums How to avoid drowning seedlings in dwc?

[Animatey]

Hey guys,

Is it possible to drown seedlings in (bubble bucket/top fed) dwc? I have one hooked up and the rockwool is fairly drenched...

I have a ton of bubbles going in the bucket, so I was under the impression that it would be OK to have the rockwool soaked as long as newly oxygenated water was coming in...

How dumb am I?
Am I drowning a seedling if the rockwool is soaked?
How soaked is too soaked :\ ?

Thanks for any replies!

 

[Grey Bear]

If the roots are growing out of the rockwool you are ok.
I don't immerse my rockwool.
I have the rockwool sitting on a bed of hydroton that is immersed.
that way the rockwool stays pretty wet but can drain.
If your rockwool is not swimming your seedling is probably fine.

ps pics always help when asking questions

 

[Muddy]

I agree, the rockwool shouldn't be in direct contact with the water. Having constantly soaked rockwool can eventually lead to root rot. The bubbling action inside your bucket will put enough moisture out to keep it moist. The net pots I use have a raised area in the center to set the rockwool on. When placed at that height they are about 2" above the water level. If you are using standard net pots without a raised center, then just lay in hydroton to set them on as gtron suggested.

 

[Animatey]

Thanks guys! With your comments I think I have found a happy place for the little lady!

I should have mentioned that I had a top feed DWC. So I have a tiny pump in the bucket that recircs water from the bucket up into the basket.

I had the line like straight into the rockwool, and it was too much. I moved the line out a bit so it was just barely getting the rockwool, and now everything seems to be working. The little plant has it leaves up like it's happy so I think that is a good sign ;p