RangiSTaxi
Well-Known Member
chunky pumice sand is even better than hydroton, but may not be available in your country, perlite is finer but another option.
Sick of Root Rot can I convert my RDWC to some other system?
- Thread starter fartoblue
- Start date
rob333
Well-Known Member
i run the perlite it aint half bad i have also seen rockwool cubes in a ebb to very will in a 4 big ones in a square and 2 big ones on top
JSB99
Well-Known Member
Lots of people, including myself, don't have issues with root rot. This isn't by accident. There are practices and techniques that help prevent it. Don't toss your setup because of this, learn how to use it better. If you pick up a guitar and try to play it, switching to a different guitar when you can't play the first won't make you play the second any better. You can have root rot in any hydroponic system.
fartoblue
Well-Known Member
Hello Lads, sorry for the delay in replying and many thanks for all of the feedback. I do think this system (so far) is actually better than my RDWC disregarding root rot.
I am loving the rockwool mini cubes (croutons) They are quite expensive but I buy them in a big sack. They are almost impossible to over water I have left my sprinklers on by mistake overnight twice and it didn't phase the plants at all. There is so much airspace between them. The reason I didn't use clay pebbles is transplanting would be almost impossible. One thing I have learned regarding the Mini Rockwool is they do need to be quite root bound before transplanting. I did put a 2 " layer of clay pebbles in the bottom of the final 20 litre pot.
My main concern was the roots growing through the bottom of the pots and into the feed solution this has in fact happened even though there is a 5-6" air gap. Luckily the roots are snow white and so healthy and strong it actually could be helping. I have no airstones but the water recirculates 24/7 with a good pump and waterfalls into the epicenter tank which is outside of my grow room. The plants are also watered from the top foe 30 minutes 4 times per day so this also creates a waterfall effect as well as completely flushing the plants at each watering. I also know that whatever is in the reservoir (PH -EC) is exactly what is in the rockwool medium for the plants to feed on.
No joking lads this system is the business I don't think anyone else is growing like this exactly, it is a glorified version of Capt'n Style.
I will keep you updated on the grow and promise to log in more often to keep up to date.
I am running live by the way with beneficials. Feeding at 1.0ec just now 2 weeks into 12/12 may up it to 1.2- 1.3 as we go on.
Once again thank you for taking an interest and for taking the time to post your thoughts and advice. Advice is always appreciated.
I am loving the rockwool mini cubes (croutons) They are quite expensive but I buy them in a big sack. They are almost impossible to over water I have left my sprinklers on by mistake overnight twice and it didn't phase the plants at all. There is so much airspace between them. The reason I didn't use clay pebbles is transplanting would be almost impossible. One thing I have learned regarding the Mini Rockwool is they do need to be quite root bound before transplanting. I did put a 2 " layer of clay pebbles in the bottom of the final 20 litre pot.
My main concern was the roots growing through the bottom of the pots and into the feed solution this has in fact happened even though there is a 5-6" air gap. Luckily the roots are snow white and so healthy and strong it actually could be helping. I have no airstones but the water recirculates 24/7 with a good pump and waterfalls into the epicenter tank which is outside of my grow room. The plants are also watered from the top foe 30 minutes 4 times per day so this also creates a waterfall effect as well as completely flushing the plants at each watering. I also know that whatever is in the reservoir (PH -EC) is exactly what is in the rockwool medium for the plants to feed on.
No joking lads this system is the business I don't think anyone else is growing like this exactly, it is a glorified version of Capt'n Style.
I will keep you updated on the grow and promise to log in more often to keep up to date.
I am running live by the way with beneficials. Feeding at 1.0ec just now 2 weeks into 12/12 may up it to 1.2- 1.3 as we go on.
Once again thank you for taking an interest and for taking the time to post your thoughts and advice. Advice is always appreciated.
Last edited:
fartoblue
Well-Known Member
Thanks for this JS I haven't actually scrapped my RDWC just added to it and removed the airstones. In all truth I just didn't like the RDWC disregarding all of the problems I had.
fartoblue
Well-Known Member
Just getting over our last 3 day heatwave mate, just about killed us off. This is us last March (my house).
Last edited:
rob333
Well-Known Member
U no I love the Brits use have that weird sense of humour we have Aussies if I was to throw a reply to a yank like I did to u all hell break lose glad u could see I was taken the piss hopefully it should cool down we have had shit weather to still cold as all my seedlings went to head lol