Plants stalled, new 24-site system/ Advanced Nutrients/ LED's

My roots got too long coming out of the EZ-cloner, so I coiled them up at the bottom of the netpots in my Current culture RDWC 24-site unit, then covered them with Hydroton. The rootballs would have sat too high in the netpot otherwise, I would have planted on a few inches of Hydroton per instructions. The plants now have roots coming from the bottom of the netpot and in the water. But the Hydroton in the netpot is completely dry. The water level is about 1/2 inch below bottom of netpot. If I raise it more to wet the Hydroton, the plants wilt and seem to drown. Plants have been in system for almost 3 months now and the last 2 months have seen NO GROWTH at all. No new roots, or leaves. Seem to have totally stalled and showing signs of different deficiencies. PPM is a little high (350 now) but I'm lowering to 250 when I do nute change tomorrow. Ph slowly rises, but plants aren't uptaking water. Using tap water. RH= 55-60%. Room temp is 75. Still vegging. Using many led's, no hps.

Any advice would be appreciated, but my first concern is that I'm not growing any new roots. And what do you suggest I do about the water level? Do I raise to recommended level and possibly drown plants, or keep where it is and look for other factors holding them back?

Thank you,
Jim

first thing, for future reference it makes little to no sense to veg in a huge uc system. it works soooo much better to make a few 10 gallon totes to veg in and build a healthy rootmass. once the bitches are established, then put them in the big system. you mentioned advanced nutrients, what exactly are you using and how many ml per gallon? what ph are you sitting at? you didnt post any pics under the lid. do you have air going inside each unit? big air helps splash water up to the netpots keeping them moist. you dont want your hydroton completely dry until you have a large rootmass submerged under water.

I would worry more about the serious nute issue you have,along with what appears to be a ph issue.

superstoner1 said:

I would worry more about the serious nute issue you have,along with what appears to be a ph issue.

Click to expand...

thanks for steppin in marv. that is some good advice.

yikes, you need to be in dirt, much friendlier.

my roots did the same thing. I got FOX FARMS micro brew and fox farms root drench, i noticed new growth the next day and after 5 days there was more growth than the whole 3 and 1/2 weeks they had been in the system the stuff is amazing!!!

I would have scrapped them at the two week mark of no growth, let alone two months. At this point those plants are nothing but a liability, unless you are legal.

As a beginner I would suggest finding a fast, high-yielding strain if you are intent on going with hydroponics/DWC. 350ppm 12 weeks in with 3 foot plants...