Big Mama 8" rockwool blocks

johnny32

Member
Hello,

I was thinking of using the big mama blocks for my next run, and was wondering if anyone has any input on them. This is for ebb and flow tables. On the grodan site it says not to use them like the hugo blocks as the top half will be too dry. Is this true? I used the 6" blocks last time with success but I think the 8" would be better for the root space maybe even more weight at the end.

Thanks,
 

hellraizer30

Rebel From The North
Hello,

I was thinking of using the big mama blocks for my next run, and was wondering if anyone has any input on them. This is for ebb and flow tables. On the grodan site it says not to use them like the hugo blocks as the top half will be too dry. Is this true? I used the 6" blocks last time with success but I think the 8" would be better for the root space maybe even more weight at the end.

Thanks,
How large do you grow your plants?
 

Victom

Active Member
i just harvested from these 8'' blocks..my plants were really huge,and they still retained water for a whole day,i can even push it for almost 2 days...

imo the 8'' blocks hold in water too much..

after this run im going back to 6''
 

hellraizer30

Rebel From The North
i just harvested from these 8'' blocks..my plants were really huge,and they still retained water for a whole day,i can even push it for almost 2 days...

imo the 8'' blocks hold in water too much..

after this run im going back to 6''
This is why i have not tryed the 8 blocks
 

johnny32

Member
i just harvested from these 8'' blocks..my plants were really huge,and they still retained water for a whole day,i can even push it for almost 2 days...

imo the 8'' blocks hold in water too much..

after this run im going back to 6''
What was the difference in size of the plants if you remember. Thanks
 

Victom

Active Member
np..i got some 8''s going in soon..but after that 6''s are next also you get more for the same price.and maybe a bit cheaper
 

johnny32

Member
how often do you guys flood with the 6" grodans?
Ok so, 4x4 table with a 500gph pump I ran it for 4min meaning it took that long to fill up the table. Then the water drained back from table into reservoir another 10min. So all together 14min, 3-4 times a day. Basically it was 4x a day before the bigger a/c. When I put in the bigger a/c the cubes stayed wet longer so I went back to 3x a day. Sorry for the long explanation but at least its in detail. Hope this helps.
 

linky

Well-Known Member
Ok so, 4x4 table with a 500gph pump I ran it for 4min meaning it took that long to fill up the table. Then the water drained back from table into reservoir another 10min. So all together 14min, 3-4 times a day. Basically it was 4x a day before the bigger a/c. When I put in the bigger a/c the cubes stayed wet longer so I went back to 3x a day. Sorry for the long explanation but at least its in detail. Hope this helps.
sheesh.. I have been flooding once every 2 to 3 days, with bucket system, 4 gallon flo n gro.. fills em up.. then drains em out. First week I flood every 3 to 4 days.. now in 2nd week I am flooding every 3 days.. if I do more the plants will get over watered symptoms. I am new to hydro coming from soil and my first run I was flooding 3 - 4 times a day and the plants just looked bad.. took em a week or two to recover in flower now (3 week veg time). I have been watering every two days so far in flower, 2 weeks in right now.. and plants are now starting to look and grow nicely.

The ones I have vegging now (2 weeks in) look very nice with only watering every 3 to 4 days.. I would prefer to be able to water a few times a day but seems the grodans just hold way to much water to do it. Wonder what I am doing wrong with my setup.
 

Crysmatic

Well-Known Member
I'm looking at using rockwool for my upcoming grow. I'd go with the 8" slab over the big mama. the slabs are dual density, so they retain moisture and EC more uniformly along their length and height. Two hugo blocks on a slab can grow monster plants. Thanks for the tip on using hugo blocks for 3' tall plants!

Grodan's site also warn against using ebb and flow. Rockwool works best in drip systems. Water several times throughout the morning until you get 15-30% run off. You can know when to stop watering, because you want the block to lose 8-12% water weight overnight...until the first watering in the morning.
 
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