Hydroponics

JJARTS

JJARTS

Member
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp said:
How important is it to everyone to use a PPM meter? Ive never bothered with it, even my PH tests were done with Hagen test tubes, but Im thinking about getting a PPM tester, its from Amazon, apparently though its accuracy can be off by 10%, Does this seem important? Ive had great grows not even testing the PPM, but for $20 I figured id give it a shot.
Click to expand...
Be carefull with cheap meters, that most of the time giving you false numbers and this hurt more than help. My hanna meter was broken at a time my economic was in resecion and I tried one of thoses yellow meters, and it made my crazy, that was a pack of two, one for ppm and another for ph, and the ppm one give me the reading but the number were the half of the real one, and the ph meter read 9.8 in the tank but I got a sample from the tank with a cup and the meter red 5.7, and was the same meter and the same water....
 
powerslide

powerslide

Well-Known Member
wilson68 said:
With timed dripper systems and flood & drain systems does the medium ever get dry? I ask because my reading suggests that cannabis medium should get dry between waterings. At least that's my perception of the information. But if there is simply a timer and no micro-management of the grow it would seem that the soil is likely to be always wet. Soil that's always wet = overwatering, which we all know is "bad."

Please help me with this apparent contradiction. Thanks.
Click to expand...
No it shouldn't ever be "dry" They cycle it because it doesn't need to be drenched 24-7. And the longer you run the pump the hotter it gets and the harder it is to keep the liquid cool.
 
Jerseykushface

Jerseykushface

Well-Known Member
My rdwc waiting for the silicone to dry so i can test it im not really sure how ima drain it when it's time to clean my buckets and change my res if you see anything missing lemme kno 20160715_163120.jpg 20160715_163107.jpg
 
blackforest

blackforest

Well-Known Member
Jerseykushface said:
My rdwc waiting for the silicone to dry so i can test it im not really sure how ima drain it when it's time to clean my buckets and change my res if you see anything missing lemme kno View attachment 3733428 View attachment 3733429
Click to expand...
Nice rdwc setup. Looks nice! I drain mine by putting in a small pump into the control bucket and just pumping it down the drain. If I'm just doing a rez change, I don't worry about the residual water left over and if I need to empty the entire thing, I pump the water out then use a shop vac (wet/dry) to suck out the remaining water. Actually works really well. Are you going to use an air pump, or just waterfall method? How about a chiller? I would suggest wrapping your pvc pipes and buckets because they allow a lot of light to make contact with the water and it will cause pathogen issues. I used panda film for my pvc pipe and have black buckets. When I modified my system and put the control bucket on the outside of my tent, I noticed a glow coming from the pvc. I then realize the pvp pipes were acting like giant glow sticks which made keeping bacteria under control a more difficult issue with a chiller and hydroguard. I personally would put duct tape around the clear tubing as well. Need to keep the water system super dark. Looks great, I hope you grow some monsters!
 
Jerseykushface

Jerseykushface

Well-Known Member
blackforest said:
Nice rdwc setup. Looks nice! I drain mine by putting in a small pump into the control bucket and just pumping it down the drain. If I'm just doing a rez change, I don't worry about the residual water left over and if I need to empty the entire thing, I pump the water out then use a shop vac (wet/dry) to suck out the remaining water. Actually works really well. Are you going to use an air pump, or just waterfall method? How about a chiller? I would suggest wrapping your pvc pipes and buckets because they allow a lot of light to make contact with the water and it will cause pathogen issues. I used panda film for my pvc pipe and have black buckets. When I modified my system and put the control bucket on the outside of my tent, I noticed a glow coming from the pvc. I then realize the pvp pipes were acting like giant glow sticks which made keeping bacteria under control a more difficult issue with a chiller and hydroguard. I personally would put duct tape around the clear tubing as well. Need to keep the water system super dark. Looks great, I hope you grow some monsters!
Click to expand...
Awesome dude! All great points and i will tend to those immediately
And yes i will be using airstones also.. im mimicking @medgrower1 on YouTube i thought it looked pretty interesting.. and i was also thinking shopvac if i really felt the need to really clean out each bucket .. which i hope not because their practically siliconed onto the grommets..
 
blackforest

blackforest

Well-Known Member
Jerseykushface said:
Awesome dude! All great points and i will tend to those immediately
And yes i will be using airstones also.. im mimicking @medgrower1 on YouTube i thought it looked pretty interesting.. and i was also thinking shopvac if i really felt the need to really clean out each bucket .. which i hope not because their practically siliconed onto the grommets..
Click to expand...
Glad to help, I went through all the issues with a diy rdwc system myself. Make sure you use a sterilizer or a beneficial to keep root issues under control. A wet/dry vac is a must for a hydro grow, also, imo. I used some 2" rubber couplers from lowes to join the system, so each bucket can be removed if needed and can break down quickly too. Just got to block all the light and keep the water temps low (mid 60's). I used to have round 5 gal buckets, but they were prone to leaks with uniseals, they did work though. I changed to 8 gal square buckets recently and put the control bucket on the outside of my tent along with the air pump, water pump and inline water filter so I can access all of that without opening the tent up. Here's an image outside of the 4x8 it's in now.
IMG_4849.JPG

Here they are currently. Sinmint
IMG_5049.JPG

Control bucket on outside
IMG_5050.JPG
 
Jerseykushface

Jerseykushface

Well-Known Member
blackforest said:
Glad to help, I went through all the issues with a diy rdwc system myself. Make sure you use a sterilizer or a beneficial to keep root issues under control. A wet/dry vac is a must for a hydro grow, also, imo. I used some 2" rubber couplers from lowes to join the system, so each bucket can be removed if needed and can break down quickly too. Just got to block all the light and keep the water temps low (mid 60's). I used to have round 5 gal buckets, but they were prone to leaks with uniseals, they did work though. I changed to 8 gal square buckets recently and put the control bucket on the outside of my tent along with the air pump, water pump and inline water filter so I can access all of that without opening the tent up. Here's an image outside of the 4x8 it's in now.
View attachment 3733498

Here they are currently. Sinmint
View attachment 3733499

Control bucket on outside
View attachment 3733509
Click to expand...
Plz explain what Is a beneficial or a sterilizer and how do i do it or when
 
Jerseykushface

Jerseykushface

Well-Known Member
blackforest said:
Glad to help, I went through all the issues with a diy rdwc system myself. Make sure you use a sterilizer or a beneficial to keep root issues under control. A wet/dry vac is a must for a hydro grow, also, imo. I used some 2" rubber couplers from lowes to join the system, so each bucket can be removed if needed and can break down quickly too. Just got to block all the light and keep the water temps low (mid 60's). I used to have round 5 gal buckets, but they were prone to leaks with uniseals, they did work though. I changed to 8 gal square buckets recently and put the control bucket on the outside of my tent along with the air pump, water pump and inline water filter so I can access all of that without opening the tent up. Here's an image outside of the 4x8 it's in now.
View attachment 3733498

Here they are currently. Sinmint
View attachment 3733499

Control bucket on outside
View attachment 3733509
Click to expand...
And your set up looks great.. goals..... i wana get mine like that but with ten buckets.. after i practice hydro and get down the fundamentals i will probably make that next step to 10 square 8 gals
 
blackforest

blackforest

Well-Known Member
Jerseykushface said:
And your set up looks great.. goals..... i wana get mine like that but with ten buckets.. after i practice hydro and get down the fundamentals i will probably make that next step to 10 square 8 gals
Click to expand...
I love hydro, I think it's a lot of fun and easy once it's dialed in. Lots of great info in the hydroponics dwc section if you are ever looking for specific help. Can't wait to see what it does for you!
 
S

southernguy99

Well-Known Member
Jerseykushface said:
My rdwc waiting for the silicone to dry so i can test it im not really sure how ima drain it when it's time to clean my buckets and change my res if you see anything missing lemme kno View attachment 3733428 View attachment 3733429
Click to expand...

Ideally you should be running 1" flex hose for drain , it also gives flexibility to move your buckets throughout the grow, and a spaghetti line to feed from the top. also the buckets should be 4-6" off the floor. air stones in res.and buckets.no clear hose everything has to be light tight,including the res. also if your temp. in the room runs above 68 you'll need a chiller for the res. just some basics. One question with that setup you are 6 packing the nutrients right.
 
Last edited:
C

ChrisOTK

Member
Newbie question - Im setting up a brand new RDWC in a room that has and 8 ft ceiling. I want to make sure I can utilize as much of the space as possible so am looking to go with a low profile 10g bucket for each plant. If its an 8 inch to 10 inch bucket, will that leave enough space? I know the roots will be able to grow laterally, but the bottom of the net pot will be only a couple inches above the bubble stone. will that present problems? one other question. If I have 6 10 gallon buckets, is a 30 gal res too small? should it be 60? thank you for any help!
 
Bareback

Bareback

Well-Known Member
blackforest said:
Glad to help, I went through all the issues with a diy rdwc system myself. Make sure you use a sterilizer or a beneficial to keep root issues under control. A wet/dry vac is a must for a hydro grow, also, imo. I used some 2" rubber couplers from lowes to join the system, so each bucket can be removed if needed and can break down quickly too. Just got to block all the light and keep the water temps low (mid 60's). I used to have round 5 gal buckets, but they were prone to leaks with uniseals, they did work though. I changed to 8 gal square buckets recently and put the control bucket on the outside of my tent along with the air pump, water pump and inline water filter so I can access all of that without opening the tent up. Here's an image outside of the 4x8 it's in now.
View attachment 3733498

Here they are currently. Sinmint
View attachment 3733499

Control bucket on outside
View attachment 3733509
Click to expand...
Is that a blue lab guardian in that control area. And are you using a chiller ? Also do you think a one in return line on a Eco 633 water pump for four buckets w/27 gal. Res. Thanks Bare
 
Jerseykushface

Jerseykushface

Well-Known Member
Bareback said:
Is that a blue lab guardian in that control area. And are you using a chiller ? Also do you think a one in return line on a Eco 633 water pump for four buckets w/27 gal. Res. Thanks Bare
Click to expand...
Of course it will be if it works for mine why wouldn't it work for yours unless I'm totally off track here and your system is bigger than mine and if it is I didn't know that but power to you brother
And I don't know what you looking at or what you think is a control area and no I'm not using a chiller actually I haven't done anything to my plants at all I actually forgot about them cuz I've been so concerned getting my state card so I can go 100 plants legally I completely forgot about my hydro system but if I remember correctly the heavy 16 rep at my hydro store said that I didn't have to worry about heat affecting my roots because whatever their processes when making it they made it where Heat wouldn't be a problem

My res is 55 gallon URS is 27 gallon I use an eco 637 or whatever that number is and it's funny to power my 8 five gallon bucket 55 gallon res RWDC then you shouldn't have a problem unless yours is bigger than mine
 
S

stezzy

Active Member
potroast said:
All right! Hydroponics is what I know, and hydroponics is the way I grow! :bigjoint:

This forum will be great, we can discuss anything hydro. No dirtbags here, We haul water!

We can compare the different nutrient salts, and all of the additives. Plus the kinds of soilless media and what irrigation system is best for each. And of course, pH and TDS measuring equipment, feeding and flushing, etc.

And all the while, we'll make fun of those guys hauling big bags of dirt! :blsmoke:


I can't think of any questions right now, what do YOU want to know?

:mrgreen:
Click to expand...
Hey what's up pot roast, how are you doing man. I'm new to hydro, was ml wondering if you could give me some pointers
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top