New to hydroponics and growing overall!!

Hello all. I'm a very green grower and just can't seem to figure it out. Lots of questions. My first grow was in soil and it went ok but I hated hand watering. I got interested in hydroponics because it benefited my schedule.

I'm still waiting for my 4x4 flood table do go no I have a dozen spread in 3 2x4 storage trays under a 1000w hps. Currently in week 2 of flower. I'm using 4x4 rockwool cubes this time. 15g in the res with pump and stones. I'm having to hand feed since It's 3 trays instead of 1 so I'm lost.

My questions are:

How much water?
Do I cover the cube with water?
How often and how long?
Should I put something between the cube and the tray?
Why does pH fluctuate so much?
When do I need a net?
Why are the lower leave so yellow?
How many "bloom enhancer's" is too many?

I have been filling them up enough to go up about an inch on the cubes. There's 2 3/4" holes that allows the water to drain so the water only sits about 2 minutes.

I appreciate you all in advance.

I’ll be honest I don’t even know where to start.

I guess maybe with. Most people who do flood and drain with rockwool flood multiple times during lights on. You need to automate and ASAP

Those have more issues then just watering but I’m not the person to assist you with that

That's what I was afraid of..

ToFarGone said:

I’ll be honest I don’t even know where to start.

I guess maybe with. Most people who do flood and drain with rockwool flood multiple times during lights on. You need to automate and ASAP

Those have more issues then just watering but I’m not the person to assist you with that

Click to expand...

Any recommendations on the hydro pros? Also just a simple question if you don't mind. How do I get stalks thicker on plants?

Stuntedgrower813 said:

Any recommendations on the hydro pros? Also just a simple question if you don't mind. How do I get stalks thicker on plants?

Click to expand...

If I were you I'd consider moving to soil for the rescue. I grow hydro only starting in NFT and am now in Coco/Perlite and there's just a lot to learn moving to pure hydro. Even moving to coco/perlite would give you a little more buffer. Then if you wish to move to a recirculating hydro system, do your research and get setup first. I hope you make it to the finish.

You are concerned about bloom boosters and stalk size while your plants are dying, focus on the basics.

curious2garden said:

If I were you I'd consider moving to soil for the rescue. I grow hydro only starting in NFT and am now in Coco/Perlite and there's just a lot to learn moving to pure hydro. Even moving to coco/perlite would give you a little more buffer. Then if you wish to move to a recirculating hydro system, do your research and get setup first. I hope you make it to the finish.

You are concerned about bloom boosters and stalk size while your plants are dying, focus on the basics.

Click to expand...

My first try was in soil and they were a lot bigger at this stage than these are. I'm strictly going of hearsay and got turned on to hydro for "easeability" if you will. I finally received my 4x4 table so I'm running an ebb and flow set up atm. This is what they look like now 3 weeks later.



I'm still not sure what I'm doing but no turning back now. Only have 3 weeks left at this point. I'f i don't get it figured out I will most likely go back to soil my next try.

Stuntedgrower813 said:

My first try was in soil and they were a lot bigger at this stage than these are. I'm strictly going of hearsay and got turned on to hydro for "easeability" if you will. I finally received my 4x4 table so I'm running an ebb and flow set up atm. This is what they look like now 3 weeks later.

View attachment 4466853View attachment 4466851View attachment 4466854

I'm still not sure what I'm doing but no turning back now. Only have 3 weeks left at this point. I'f i don't get it figured out I will most likely go back to soil my next try.

Click to expand...

Ok a table, pump and the ability to recirculate are key. Rockwool is fine. You need to make sure you have a TDS/PPM meter and a pH pen. You need pH Up and food grade Potassium Bicarbonate for pH down. You need basic nutrients. I use General Hydroponics 3 part Flora Series (because when I first started growing they were the only hydro nutrients available). I've used others but I have so far not found anything better. But use what works for you. Just know your PPM and pH.

I add Silica in Veg and GH CaliMagic in Veg and Flower and those are all my additives. Keep it simple the fewer variables the easier things are. I started in NFT rails with a 10 gallon recirculating reservoir I changed weekly and topped up daily. I went to coco/perlite so I could have a bit more of a buffer and flexibility, ie you can't move your plants in their rail. I didn't see any decrease in yield etc...

What are some other tips,
1. When in pumped hydro always have a spare pump. When you need one you usually don't have time to go get one.
2. Keep a spare light bulb too.
3. When you move a clone to Rockwool don't put it in the hole provided, make a new tighter one and put it in there
4. Get Rockwool slabs to sit your 4x4 cubes on.

Looks like you survived and based on your questions I was concerned so congratulations, good job.

Thank you. Just called my garden store and ordered a few slabs. I have a long way to go to get good at this. I am currently using the emerald harvest 2 part with all the extras they sell. Should I stop using this brand? My first grow was soil like I mentioned before and I used GH Flora duo 2 part and they were way bigger than these. Should I go back to using GH? It was a lot easier to do but a completely different way of growing. I'm at a split in the road. I really enjoy the table but if ebb and flow isn't the way to maximize my yield then I'm willing to make changes.