I am a new grower and my plants are about 12" tall. I transplanted about 10 days ago. I decided to fill up the reservoir with 1/2 nutrients and check the air pump lines going into the bottom of my buckets. I blew like hell and no air would go through the lines. They are stopped up. I have no choice but to ride it out and see what happens. I don't even think the roots have reached the bottom of the pot and have taken root. The only thing my pump is successfully running now is a line going into my holding tank. I don't understand why my plants have not taken root and drinking the nutrient/water. Any ideas? At the store, I had them to custom-build and ordered a grow tent for me complete with set up. I am using coco coir, perlite, and clay pebbles at the bottom of the 3.9L grow pot. I am wondering why my healthy plants are not taking root and drinking nutrients?
Do you have the 6mm or the 9mm lines? The reason I ask is that the 6mm lines can clog easily when using the wrong type of nutrients. But if its your first time using them, the lines should be brand new and clear of all debris; did you purchase the system used? This is where I get confused. Also, you said you filled it with "1/2 nutrients", but did not indicate what KIND of nutrients. Were they organic, or chemical fertilizers? Unless you have the 9mm lines on the system, the 6mm can get gummed up really quickly by using the wrong sort of nutrients. Also, you said you blew through the lines and no air went...there is that small valve that opens/closes the line for emergency shut off. Ensure that's open. And if you have the 6mm lines, I'd order the 'accessory kit' that upgrades the system to 9mm.
I own a hydroponics shop and sell these units. Not on here very often, but it was crappy weather and nobody's coming in the store, so here I am lurking the forums, reading about peoples experiences with these...but when you first transplant into them, water from the top LIGHTLY; you don't want the plant to dry out and wilt on you, but you also don't want to feed it so much that the roots have no reason to go searching for water....make the plants feel the need to drive their roots downward and you should see water uptake rather soon.
