Hydroponics set up?

I decided to try hydro growing after a few good grows in soil. I have a set up similar to this one, plastic tote, water pump, air stones, and the irrigation distributor, http://www.stealthhydroponics.com/product.php?xProd=16&xSec=53 (the one that plays on the video) I want to know if I need to set up a timer on the water pump to allow the rockwool, and hydroton to dry then turn on again? I am not using a dripper, just an open hose. I have tried two different times and my seedlings die each time. I have the pump set up to be on 24/7 and the hose is directly on the side of the rockwool cube through the net pot. The water level sits about a foot below the bottom of the pots. With the air stones on 24/7 also.

Thank you in advance for any advice

Also I have been on this forum for four days and did not find any info, I apologize for any re posts.

you need to let the rockwool dry out.... just get rid of the submersible pump... keeep the air pump and airstones. the roots will grow into the water and not die. this is called deep water culture (DWC) google that and read up on it you will have beautiful plants

Would I need to raise the water level up to the bottom of the net pots. I wait till the seeds sprout at least a 1/4 inch then put them in the rockwool cube and hydroton. Will I need some kind of sprayer system, the way I have it set up now is the water is about 12 inches from the bottom of the net pots.

if your gonna do that just hand water them when they need it untill the roots grow down out of the net pot.... this shouldnt take too long. then yes raise the water level so the roots are in the water... the airstone will put o2 in the water then your plants will start growing faster once the roots are in the water..... there is tons of info on this system around here... go to the hydro forums and look around there is a dwc thread.... google it .. there are tons of videos on youtube...... this is an easy method to growing and it works great for cloning too.. you will have success

Thank you very much you are very helpfull, nice bull dogs you have there. I have looked around but just can not find small details on this. Do I have to stop using nutrients when the roots reach the water? At that point do I just rely on ph balanced water and the proper light cycle, maybe some foliare spray. When do I use the bloom nutrients?

Hiya, I thought this might be a good spot to ask my question.

I am about to embark on my 1st grow, and have decided to just go balls in and do hydro, w/an ebb and flow system. Do you think this would be a good system with good yields or should I look at some other system??

Danke!

EL95 said:

Thank you very much you are very helpfull, nice bull dogs you have there. I have looked around but just can not find small details on this. Do I have to stop using nutrients when the roots reach the water? At that point do I just rely on ph balanced water and the proper light cycle, maybe some foliare spray. When do I use the bloom nutrients?

Click to expand...

no you want to use nutes when the roots hit the water.... your bucket is your res. its filled with your nutrient/water. your roots are going to be growing under water the whole time. it wont need any foliar spray. you dont use the bloom nutes till there bloomin... i find a link for you real quick to show you what the hell im talking about

here watch this its one of the first to pop up when you google it. [youtube]DZwQlItvZ-A[/youtube]

Thank you very much for your info. and your patience. You have been very helpful, the video put it all into perspective with the system I have, again thanks a whole lot.