Hello all. I’m looking for some input on a system I just built from spare parts. Im fairly new to hydro so all tips are appreciated. I have 12 5gal buckets with 4” net pots that I’ve cut rock wool cubes to fit in. The net pots only hang about 4” down into the buckets. So far it seems good, I just transplanted the clones into them but I want to catch any issues before they happen. I’m thinking I’ll flood once a day until they get bigger and then maybe twice a day? Also should I add any media under the rock wool or can the roots hang down into the bucket that far? Anybody have any luck with a similar setup?
Ebb and flow. Rock wool in 4” net pots and 5gal buckets.
- Thread starter Abones
- Start date
In case anyone runs into this, first grow with homemade system seems to be working fine, I filled the buckets with hydroton, added a blue lab guardian, and just switched to flower. Maybe a grow journal when all is done.
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harrythehat
Well-Known Member
Personally I would flood many more times 6 times an hour would not hurt they will grow quicker
flood once daily your more likey get root rot
the power is in the flow
Thank you.
flood once daily your more likey get root rot
the power is in the flow
Thank you.
I just upped it to 4 times during 12 hours lights on and one time when lights off, from 3 times during the 18 hour lights on.
harrythehat
Well-Known Member
when it shows an improvement try upping it again you will see another improvement
Major Blazer
Well-Known Member
@Abones Having actual first hand experience with rockwool in an ebb/flow setup (multiple runs), I will tell you that the advice you've been given here completely contradicts my experience with this kind of setup. To start with, the idea behind rockwool (and most hydroponic media) is to have a wet and dry cycle. Not bone dry of course but ~50% dry which I'm at least 100% sure your new clones aren't managing to do in a matter hours or even days at this stage. In the early stages of my watering cycles (with clones), I could go quite a bit of time. You want to encourage root growth and introduce air into the root zones. If your blocks are drenched 24/7, you will not accomplish that.
Not gonna lie either, not the best choice of rockwool for that setup but you can probably make it work. If the roots make their way it into the buckets, you're going to want something in there too.
Not gonna lie either, not the best choice of rockwool for that setup but you can probably make it work. If the roots make their way it into the buckets, you're going to want something in there too.
What I did after the initial post is fill the buckets to the bottom of net pots with expanded clay, flooding to about 1” up the Rockwool twice a day until they dropped down, then flooded Just below the net pots 3 times a day, then 4 now 5 during lights on and one when they are off
