Quantum Boards Grow

[PetFlora]

Hey Cap, great stuff as always. Recently I read a thread about eliminating air stones from my rez. I replaced it with a small lp pump, but it overheated the water running 24/7, so I put it on a timer 3 minutes on/10 minutes off. Growth is considerably better, but pH still jumps a full 1-2 points/24 hours

 

[ttystikk]

Here's an interesting read about increasing oxygen in hydro. I know I saw problems with a smaller bubble cloner many years ago, with straight tap water I had massive ph spikes after a few days and was constantly adjusting ph back down. Possibly because the res was so small combined with been in a hard water area.
Anyway the above posts made me look for some more info.
http://www.just4growers.com/stream/hydroponic-growing-techniques/airing-out-the-truth-on-dissolved-oxygen-in-hydroponics.aspx

He missed a big one, well known to those who run aquariums; waterfalls. These not only increase DO by increasing the effective surface area of water in contact with air, but also stir and agitate the reservoir they're placed in, resulting in good mixing and nutrient diffusion.

 

[ttystikk]

Hey Cap, great stuff as always. Recently I read a thread about eliminating air stones from my rez. I replaced it with a small lp pump, but it overheated the water running 24/7, so I put it on a timer 3 minutes on/10 minutes off. Growth is considerably better, but pH still jumps a full 1-2 points/24 hours

Waterfalls reduce this problem by allowing water to evaporate, thereby controlling temperature rise.

 

[PetFlora]

Waterfalls reduce this problem by allowing water to evaporate, thereby controlling temperature rise.

I agree, but in a small system like mine, it's hard to do as the lid must be sealed off due to F'ing mosquitoes getting in and laying eggs

 

[ttystikk]

I agree, but in a small system like mine, it's hard to do as the lid must be sealed off due to F'ing mosquitoes getting in and laying eggs

Waterfalls churn the water's surface and drown them, solving this problem before it starts. Mosquitoes need stagnant water and waterfalls are the antidote.

 

[PetFlora]

Waterfalls churn the water's surface and drown them, solving this problem before it starts. Mosquitoes need stagnant water and waterfalls are the antidote.

Hmmmm. Having dealt with this first hand the larvae are down on the bottom. Had to use fine screen filter to scoop them out. This might be resolved running the pump 24/7 but again, running a pump constantly adds heat to the rez. Do you have experience/thread you can direct me to?

 

[ttystikk]

Hmmmm. Having dealt with this first hand the larvae are down on the bottom. Had to use fine screen filter to scoop them out. This might be resolved running the pump 24/7 but again, running a pump constantly adds heat to the rez. Do you have experience/thread you can direct me to?

Larvae drop to the bottom whenever they see a potential predator; they'll drown if they have to stay down or if they keep getting churned under.

Indeed I do run my circulation pump 24/7 because the water always needs oxygenation and agitation. If you're concerned about heat, use a small pump.

 

[PetFlora]

Larvae drop to the bottom whenever they see a potential predator; they'll drown if they have to stay down or if they keep getting churned under.

Indeed I do run my circulation pump 24/7 because the water always needs oxygenation and agitation. If you're concerned about heat, use a small pump.

I am using a small pump 150 gph

 

[Shugglet]

I am using a small pump 150 gph

What kind of pump? May want to try an aquarium circulation pump if you arent already. I use one that moves ~800gal/hr at only 6w power.

 

[PetFlora]

What kind of pump? May want to try an aquarium circulation pump if you arent already. I use one that moves ~800gal/hr at only 6w power.

It is, but my rez is only ~ 2 G

 

[indianajones]

It is, but my rez is only ~ 2 G

well there's your problem. doesn't take many btus (relative to what even
a small pump puts out) to heat up 2g of water

 

[sixstring2112]

Maybe you guys could start a new thread on this...dont go chasin waterfallz...,you know the tune,now go on git!!!

 

[captainmorgan]

Have you tried growing without the airstones? Our well water is already 8.2+. On the other hand, I like the idea of keeping everything aerobic.

The website also says "don't use anything but our super-duper magic blend in the Hydro-Wick". Any thoughts?

OK, now I get it - the 3 gallon vs. 6 gallon refers to the reservoir, not the bag.

I've run without stones and didn't get near the root mass which will affect yield.
Do yourself a favor and buy a RO unit, you can get a good smaller unit for $150 or less.
If you go on youtube you will see many people trying different things with octopots, I know people who run them with 5 gal buckets instead of the fabric sleeve. It may take some experimenting if you alter it.
Nope, the res on the large octopot holds around 3 gal.

 

[captainmorgan]

In my limited experience with hydro it's best to KISS.
RO water is best, you don't have to test your water and adjust your feed to allow what's already in your water.
Added air is great but watch out for too large of a air pump, it can heat the water, it will also speed up oxidation in some products.
Careful mixing products from different brands, it can cause ph spikes, some products are not meant for hydro.

 

[Stephenj37826]

Clean Grow is a sponsor here. If not running beneficials the Watermax product will keep your res sparkling. @PetFlora

Also run water pump/air pump on recycle timer. 30 secs on 1 minute off.

 

[PetFlora]

well there's your problem. doesn't take many btus (relative to what even
a small pump puts out) to heat up 2g of water

I know. checked, it's an EcoSmart 132 (132 gph), but the plant is looking really good, better than the previous 2 grows using air stones. My mind is officially blown

First pistils 1/13, so 12 days OMG

 

[Fastslappy]

In my limited experience with hydro it's best to KISS.
RO water is best, you don't have to test your water and adjust your feed to allow what's already in your water.

RO is not expensive either U can buy the parts & DIY really cheaply the membrane & filters are the most expensive part
the filter housing & membrane housing r cheap & then u add a stop cock drain to adjust resistance/flow & sum plastic pipe fitting
get at least a 50 to 75 gal a day membrane I get my best exchange & flow rate outta that size
it's fill a 5 gal carboy in about 3 hours , the drain cock is best as u can power flush between carboys for a few minutes to clean the membrane do that & they last years
if u can build a light u can pumb a ro

 

[PetFlora]

RO is not expensive either U can buy the parts & DIY really cheaply the membrane & filters are the most expensive part
the filter housing & membrane housing r cheap & then u add a stop cock drain to adjust resistance/flow & sum plastic pipe fitting
get at least a 50 to 75 gal a day membrane I get my best exchange & flow rate outta that size
it's fill a 5 gal carboy in about 3 hours , the drain cock is best as u can power flush between carboys for a few minutes to clean the membrane do that & they last years
if u can build a light u can pumb a ro

I would have bought the 100 gpd but they weren't offering it. Easy to bypass the mineral cartridge which is for drinking water. Adding sea mineral salts is vastly superior https://www.amazon.com/iSpring-RCC7P-AK-Permeate-compatible-Alkaline/dp/B005LKKMYS/ref=sr_1_34?ie=UTF8&qid=1466169520&sr=8-34&keywords=reverse+osmosis

 

[nogod_]

As a CA native, when folks recommend these cheapo units with shitty recovery <10% it makes me cringe.

I would have bought the 100 god but they weren't offering it. Easy to bypass the mineral cartridge which is for drinking water. Adding sea mineral salts is vastly superior https://www.amazon.com/iSpring-RCC7P-AK-Permeate-compatible-Alkaline/dp/B005LKKMYS/ref=sr_1_34?ie=UTF8&qid=1466169520&sr=8-34&keywords=reverse+osmosis

 

[PetFlora]

As a CA native, when folks recommend these cheapo units with shitty recovery <10% it makes me cringe.

Units with booster pumps have very good product to rejection production