first hydro Lowryder#2 in rockwool drip system questions.

antismoker420

Active Member
Well this is gonna be my first indoor hydro grow(ive grown outdoor before), and im just trying to figure out the last little bits of info that I feel im kinda fuzzy on.

K so im using a 600W HPS, with a Rockwool medium to begin with, then Hydroton, Advance Nutrients SensiGrow and SensiBloom, Dr.Hornsby Big Bud Liquid, B-52, Overdrive, Wet Betty, CarboLoad and Botanicare Sweet, with a drip system setup on 18/6 lighting. Im gonna grow 5 Lowryder#2 plants. Im starting with lowryder because i havent grown hydroponically before, so this would be a good start i figured, and they take up very little space and finish fast.

I also know that with lowryder, you got to go easy with the nutes, so im gonna gradually build up once i start feeding them the nutes after the first or second week. I'm going to start the feeding at about 200PPMs, and then finish off at about 1400PPMs (maybe 1200PPMs just to be safe). Because im using liquids instead of powder for nutrients, will salt build-up be a big problem? And if so, should i plan on flushing the system out frequently so nothing clogs?

Ok so im starting the seedlings in RW, then transfering them to a bigger RW slab, and then finally moving them into Hydroton where theyll finish off.

Now as for the RW drip schedule, im gonna have to test out the system and figure out how long it takes each of the different RW sizes to soak, and then how long it takes them to dry. But is their a general time on how long usually the drip system is on and off for when using RW so i can kinda use that as a starting point when testing my system out?

Once i figure the feeding schedule out, when feeding the seedlings, i'm gonna have one drip feed, but im debating on whether to increase to 2 drip feeds per RW once i transfer them to bigger slabs, and then increase to 3 once i put them in the Hydroton? Or should i have a drip ring once i put them into the Hydroton? Suggestions?

When im about to transfer the RW slabs into the Hydroton, should i put them into net pots, or just put them in the Hydroton?

Once i transfer them into the Hydroton, should i continue drip feeding over the RW, or should drip over the Hydroton so it spills onto the RW?

Finally, i was wondering if the drip system is gonna be enough to keep the plants healthy and the roots moist, so they don't dry up? Or should i incorporate one other method as well? Im just worried about the roots drying out.

OK so that's about it with the questions, so if anyone out there could help me out that'd be dope, and if there is anything valuable i should know before i start, please let me know.

Ill start posting pics once i start.

If all goes well, my next hydro setup will be 10 Super Silver Haze, and 10 Blueberry.
 

yerba

Member
I am using a rubbermaid tub and had the bottom of the pots touching the waterline and then the drip on top. Before you put the rockwool with the plant into the hydroton i think you just submerge the rockwool into water twice a day and put them under 24 hours of light. Not sure because I got mine as clones and put them straight into setup with 18 and 6 hours.

The drip system can go 24 hours once in the setup because the plant will use as much as it needs and the rest will drip off. as long as it is wet you will not need another water source like mine, but my roots look really healthy sitting in some water with some oxygen bubbles on them. I just have one drip feed per rockwool, but would recommend a ring or doubling up if you dont put roots in water.
 

asap

Active Member
Ths is the same system im going to be using on my White Widow, I'm a week into it and I'm manually watering the seedlings at the mo (just water no nutes), and have just put the small 1" cubes into bigger 4" cubes. Will be good to see others views and tips.
 
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