Grow Mediums Hydro friends, what do you think of this system?

[Gadgetguy]

Looks like a perfect fit for my 24"x48" space with an LED light.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GFBKLZW...20&ascsubtag=4a251a2ef9bbf4ccc35f97aba2c9cbda

Looks to me to be a simple drip system? What would be best to run in this system? Coco, Rockwool cubes/hydroton, or all rockwool?

I've never grown hydro but I'm getting an itch to try it. Been doing soil for 6 years or so.

I was thinking of going with the basic General Hydroponics feed schedule (not as strong). I have a well so I was also planning on going with an RO system to start with 0 or low ppm water.

Any tips or direction towards a better system for a 24"x48" floor plan with a 60" height would be great. I'm not opposed to building something but there is no room outside of the tent for a reservoir.

Thanks in advance, you guys/gals rock!

:tiphat:

 

[Roark]

I think coco would clog that system if you didn't put something in there to screen it out. If it were me, I'd go leca balls or recycled glass things.

 

[Roark]

Yup looks cool. leca/hydroton for sure.

 

[Gadgetguy]

Thanks for your input.

A few quick questions if you don't mind...

How often should I be doing rez changes? I've read that when you've had to top off 50% of the volume of the rez with ph'd water it's time to change and add fresh nutes

Would a water pump suffice to remove all the old water or do I need to physically remove the unit from the tent and pour it out/rinse it to remove salts etc.?

Do I need to rinse the pots with hydroton/plants with fresh clean water before I add new nutes to keep salts down etc.?

Temps, what is the highest temp I should allow in the tent? What is the lowest temp? In winter keeping the tent at whatever temp I want will be super easy, in summer I may have to go back to soil plants as it's not a big enough operation to warrant running A/C

Thank you for your input

 

[natertots]

I do rez changes every 7-10 days. Found it alot easier to keep root rot and algae away. Where I live I think the algae doesnt need light lol. I end up getting about 90-95% of the water out then run 5 gallons plain water threw system drain and fill. They say keep ur water in the 60s for temp but mine runs about 75 cause I keep house cold lol. Temps in my closet where plant lives is 85 ish if I leave curtains closed all day (I have a small fan bringing in cold air from outside closet) which ive been doing lately because my cotton candy plants seem to love it.

 

[Gadgetguy]

Good info to have. This will definitely be a new venture for me... hopefully I don't kill too many plants. If I run autos I will need to find a plant that finishes pretty short. If I go photoperiod plants I'll have more control... we'll see what happens. If all goes well I'll be ordering the RO system next week, then the hydro system two weeks after.

 

[Gadgetguy]

I'm probably going to be ordering this soon and hopefully be up and running in 4 weeks or so.

Does anybody have a recommendation for a simple nutrient line I can start out with? Maybe a 3 part thing. Also anything else I should pick up? Will be getting a ph pen and tds meter. I used Clear Rez in my cloning machines back when I still used them. Should I get something similar for the hydro system to keep bacteria down etc.?

 

[Gadgetguy]

Bump... also to ask a question.

Looking at RO systems. Most of what I see comes with a 3 gallon or so storage tank and a little tap for the sink. Budget is a concern... How on earth do I come up with the 21 gallons it takes to fill the thing with a little sink tap? Just start filling a barrel over the course of a few days?

I definitely can't afford an entire house RO system, yet. Just trying to see what you guys do. I don't see myself buying 21 gallons of distilled water once a week at the grocery store lol.

I love having well water for everything.... but this

 

[pop22]

get a 30 gallon trash can and use it as a storage res for RO water.

 

[strakey]

I would go with a line of nutrients designed for hard water such as canna line. It would save you the cost of transportation and purchase of your water as well as cut down on the calcium supplements. You should do fine.