Just a thought

So I know everyone says you can't do recirculating irrigation with coco because the main concerns of media draining into the reservoir but even more importantly the increase in EC that would occur as higher EC runoff would be added back into your system.

Coming from a background hobbyist in aquaculture I started thinking about biological filters in aquariums. I'm thinking recirculating irrigation with a recirculating biological filter of proper size would be a significantly positive addition to any irrigation system. You could breed all the bennies you want and would have complete control. Too much nitrogen? Add more nitrafying bacteria. To much potassium or phospherous? There's bacteria for that. Want clean water and great nutrient uptake? Add beneficial baccilus. It's a breeding ground for bennies.. Bioballs as shown in the picture below could be utilized either in pvc or some other pass through container.

You most definitely can recirculate with coco. Have fun keeping the reservoir stable day in and day out. If it’s the cost of nutes in a drain to waste system that has you thinking this I’d suggest you switch to a soil grow maybe?

If you do decide on this, please start a journal, as I’d really like to see how this goes.

bk78 said:

You most definitely can recirculate with coco. Have fun keeping the reservoir stable day in and day out. If it’s the cost of nutes in a drain to waste system that has you thinking this I’d suggest you switch to a soil grow maybe?

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I guess it would be beneficial to someone who can't drain or in commercial application where waste irrigation is an environmental concern. Plus you get great bennies!

rootforme said:

I guess it would be beneficial to someone who can't drain or in commercial application where waste irrigation is an environmental concern. Plus you get great bennies!

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At this point you may as well just run RDWC or soil no?

Not sure why people want to make their life more difficult, when it could just be easy?

bk78 said:

If you do decide on this, please start a journal, as I’d really like to see how this goes.

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I see the most benefit in a rdwc. Root rot wouldn't stand a chance..

bk78 said:

At this point you may as well just run RDWC or soil no?

Not sure why people want to make their life more difficult, when it could just be easy?

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I really like deep water culture but the amount of water I was using and the size of plants that I had and the inadequate setup for water changes made me switch. But it's possible with bio filtration media like posted above that you may not ever have to do water changes.

This is definitely interesting. How do you prevent, say nitrafying bacteria, from going overboard?

lusidghost said:

This is definitely interesting. How do you prevent, say nitrafying bacteria, from going overboard?

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If it goes overboard then I would suggest changing out your bio balls and maybe going to a smaller filter so there's less media.

rootforme said:

If it goes overboard then I would suggest changing out your bio balls and maybe going to a smaller filter so there's less media.

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I've never heard of any of this. Do you have a link to an article or something? I'm currently growing in rockwool and have been considering a recirculating system.

This is also massively transforming your nutrients into form that the plants can uptake it. Should see significant increase in plant growth.

rootforme said:

This is also massively transforming your nutrients into form that the plants can uptake it. Should see significant increase in plant growth.

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Cmon man

lusidghost said:

I've never heard of any of this. Do you have a link to an article or something? I'm currently growing in rockwool and have been considering a recirculating system.

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There's no article it was just an epiphany I had yesterday.

bk78 said:

Cmon man

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Depending on your carbon source, this could be true for it at least.

bk78 said:

Cmon man

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I'm assuming you knew that it's the bacteria that breaks down your nutrients into forms that the roots can uptake?

The more beneficial bacteria breaking down those nutrients the more nutrients you have to uptake in the roots.

rootforme said:

I'm assuming you knew that it's the bacteria that breaks down your nutrients into forms that the roots can uptake?

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His point was that's typically an organic situation. Liquid nutrients are usually already broken down. If not our hydro plants would be in trouble.

rootforme said:

I'm assuming you knew that it's the bacteria that breaks down your nutrients into forms that the roots can uptake?

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The question you should be asking yourself for a why you aren’t already having rapid growth in coco?

bk78 said:

The question you should be asking yourself for a why you aren’t already having rapid growth in coco?

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Who said I wasn't?

rootforme said:

Who said I wasn't?

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Well considering your limping your current grow to the finish line, and had to ask “how much longer” in week 5? Just a thought?