Grow Mediums Oh No..BayLee420 Going Hydro

The nice thing about the Top Feeder is that it drains down the roots giving added nutrients. I could use the Top Feed pretty much all the way through. The research is that it's not really needed or diminishes it's usefulness as the roots grow into the oxygenated water. The DIY is really two Hydro systems; DWC and Top Feed. Can't see where it will hurt if the Top Feed is left on and off at intervals through the light ON during most of the grow. Plus I really shouldn't worry about the reservoir water level as much since the Top Feed will also give the girls the nutrients and oxygen needed.

Didn't think of that. Can't hurt at all to get a little more food to roots.
Looks like someone did their homework [emoji851]
 
Didn't think of that. Can't hurt at all to get a little more food to roots.
Looks like someone did their homework [emoji851]
I have spent more time on this subject than anything. There is so much info out there on Hydro. Most of it can be confusing BS. A lot of the info that I found useful was University papers on commercial Hydro where it's very accurate science. Doing a small DWC/Top Feed is more forgiving. I lost a bean last night. I haven't lost a bean in years. I'm very excited, but nervous about this new journey.

It's like putting out an event and everything goes well. Then there is a small issue that screws up the whole night. 99% is nothing, but that 1% can ruin your day.
 
[HASHTAG]#2[/HASHTAG] made it through her first 24 hours in the DWC/Top Feed. The TopFeed is set for one minute every three hours while lamp is ON. The reservoir water level is just touching the bottom of the 5" net pots. The water is bubbling like a pot of rapid boiling water.

The new [HASHTAG]#3[/HASHTAG] Amnesia Haze Autoflower bean is resting on top of my hot water heater closet. It's in a covered 16 oz. deli cup. Temps in there is 78F. Should be popping sometime this weekend. That will give her less than a week younger than [HASHTAG]#2[/HASHTAG]. No biggie. Weighed the rockwool this morning and it is still at 26 grams.


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Nothing to report. All's well. [HASHTAG]#2[/HASHTAG] is going along nicely. I did give 1/8 of the West Coast Horticulture Grow A & B nutrient and a full dose of Photosynthesis Plus from MICROBE Life. It's a beneficial bacteria of 2 select photosynthesis bacterial strains and 4 Bacilius strains; an eco system in a bottle. Healthy roots means less chance of "bad" bacteria overtaking the "good". Also, every time I put my hands in the water being used or moving the air stones around; I wash my hands up to my fore arm. Any bacteria on your hands will be transferred into the reservoir's eco system. I wash my hands now even before I check the DIY DWC Top Feed. Taking no chances.
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Amnesia Haze Autoflower [HASHTAG]#3[/HASHTAG] is three days and no pop. I like that; early pop can be trouble. Looking for a five day pop. Then she'll go in ASAP. Reservoir change is Wednesday, maybe she'll be ready to go by then.

I had to switch the lamp to the 400W HPS; it's on at the 250W now and the lamp is 18" above the Hydro setup. For some reason my MH lamp(s) will not ignite when the lamp is switched on. Going to bring the MH bulbs (they are in need to be replaced anyway) to the Hydro Store and see if they will ignite.
The reservoir's water temp is 62F-68F. Grow area is 78F-82F. Perfect conditions.
 
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Amnesia Haze Autoflower [HASHTAG]#3[/HASHTAG] popped last night. There was small sign of popping when I went to bed last night. When I got up this morning. She popped into a three inch seedling. The tap root is sticking out of the bottom of the rockwool. I put here in her the 5" net pot; she's in the DIY DWC now. The cotyledon was or is a very light green.
 
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The two Amnesia Haze Autoflower.
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[HASHTAG]#2[/HASHTAG] popped last Sunday (one week). She went into the DWC/Top Feed on February 14th. She's been in now for five days.
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[HASHTAG]#3[/HASHTAG] is only two days old. She's doing fine. The double drip is just an experiment.
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Girls all together now.


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Did the 1st reservoir change last night. The girls started on 1/4 strength of West Coast Horticulture A&B. They got 1/2 strength 50ml (10ml per Gallon) last night along with 1 teaspoon each of Floralicious Plus, Rapid Start and SuperThrive (as pH DOWN). The Photosynthesis Plus (60ml) as a beneficial bacteria was added as well.
Nutrient solution was pH'd at 5.7
Tap water that was aerated for 8 hours: PPM 95
Nutrient solution: PPM 675
675 PPM-95 PPM=580 PPM
Reservoir temp: 65F-68F
Grow area temp 72F-80F

Hope this is the way to go. Any advise is welcome.
 
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Sounds good brother but i suspect that going half strength already might be too much for them. Theyre all still roughly 7-10 days old?
I would bet money that 500- 600 ppm will burn them at that age.
I know it would with my nute range anyway, what you think @dcat0921 @Wile e Peyote any other dwc growers wanna chime in
 
Did the 1st reservoir change last night. The girls started on 1/4 strength of West Coast Horticulture A&B. They got 1/2 strength 50ml (10ml per Gallon) last night along with 1 teaspoon each of Floralicious Plus, Rapid Start and SuperThrive (as pH DOWN). The Photosynthesis Plus (60ml) as a beneficial bacteria was added as well.
Nutrient solution was pH'd at 5.7
Tap water that was aerated for 8 hours: PPM 95
Nutrient solution: PPM 675
675 PPM-95 PPM=580 PPM
Reservoir temp: 65F-68F
Grow area temp 72F-80F

Hope this is the way to go. Any advise is welcome.
Never used them nutes but as a rule of thumb I use 1/4 strength the first week then bump it up by 0.25 ml per ltr each week till I get tip burn then back off a bit [emoji106]

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