Looking for opinions, please!

In a couple of weeks we will have a 4x5 area with a 1000 hps ready to go.

Currently we have a 3x3 flood tray with 2 400 watt HPS. The tray has a cover and uses 12 square pots with hydroton that have slots for the roots to grow through (Emily's Garden pots). It works OK, I guess. The most we ever got was 1/2 lb at any one time.

I would like to see a much better yield under the 1000 watter, and I am not sure what type of setup to use. I was thinking another flood tray, but without a cover so I can get more plants into the tray than 12. I was also thinking of individual 5 gallon buckets with the net covers- DWC style.

We only have a little experience with DWC- it seemed to produce a lot, but the buds were not very dense (Strawberry Cough). I was thinking of the buckets because we like to grow several varieties at time, and it seems individual buckets would be good for 5-6 strains (each variety getting what they need, instead of all the same in the same tray).

So, I guess the question is- what system would be more productive? What would be more practical, etc. Has anyone tried both and scientifically determined what works better?

Any opinions will be greatly appreciated!

are you growing for fast production or quality smoke for yourself? supersoil will produce the best results for quality smoke, but DWC is a no brainer. Supplement c02 for denser buds

Well, I'd like a balance I guess. I do not want to go back to soil. We are a collective, so we have great genetics. We really want to utilize the space as efficiently as possible. Faster turn-around, higher yields. I don't want to replace my flood and drain tray that uses the 400 watt lights, I just want to put the best hydro solution under the 1000 watt hps.

I think you're putting too many plants in a 3x3. The most efficient 3x3 I've seen is from turbo6shooter, if you look that name up. He's using a 600w in a 3x3 with 4x 15 gallon pots of coco.

I'd recommend either using as many 7 gallon or higher pots that will fit of coco. Or can use 25% light warrior / 25% ocean forest / 25% happy frog per bag of coco and then use CNS17 nuteline, which is a great one part and is very easy to mix. That mix, CNS17 grow / bloom, Hydroplex, Gravity, and Bud Candy would work good. Could also use Organa Guano, Open Sesame, Beastie Bloomz, and foliar feed, but would be good without.

and then, you know, co2 and a dehumidifier and all that jazz will help if you don't have it already.

Yea, I just don't want to do soil anymore. I am just looking for the most efficient way to go. We want large production in a short time. Huge pots are the opposite of we want to accomplish- don't want to veg for a long time

Thanks for the suggestions! But ... What would be a better and quicker producer- flood table or individual DWC 5 gallon buckets?? Something else, maybe?

DWC and flood tables will produce at the same speed. If you want a sea of green, like it sounds you do, a flood table will work good. Just follow Al B Fucts instructions, though I'd recommend Canna Aqua nutes so it maintains pH, and ramp up - as I think Al B recommends using a high (forget exact # but think 1400) PPM or something the whole way, but that'd burn the shit outta a lot of plants. That will have you using A LOT of clones, though.

You can get a nice table from www.greners.com.

Thanks, I read a lot on here about how DWC is the fastest. I will probably stick to flood and drain, however. It seems appealing to have individual buckets only to dial in to that specific plant's needs- without affecting others. A tray will probably be less work in the long run. Anyone else have an opinion on this?

VICTORYGARDENSHYDRO said:

supersoil will produce the best results for quality smoke

Click to expand...

How so? I'm just curious.

Tstat said:

Thanks, I read a lot on here about how DWC is the fastest. I will probably stick to flood and drain, however. It seems appealing to have individual buckets only to dial in to that specific plant's needs- without affecting others. A tray will probably be less work in the long run. Anyone else have an opinion on this?

Click to expand...

Thing is, if you don't plan on vegging at all, you don't need 5 gallon DWC buckets. It would just be a waste of space. You're better off just setting up a couple of tables and having each table assigned to one strain.

Yea, that make sense. I would probably veg for a week or so, depending on the strain...