1st DWC grow, need some advice...

I am not completely new to growing, but it has been about 8 yrs and Im new to using a bubbleponics system and have a few questions. I bought all the supplies today and put together my system. Im going to be using 2 black rubbermaid totes with six 4" net pots in each. I will be using about 8 gallons of water in each tub. I started germinating my seeds today, so in a couple days when they pop Ill be ready to rock and roll.

What Im having trouble deciding is what nutes would be best for my grow keeping these things in mind: NO organics, b/c Ive heard bad things. I DO NOT have a ppm meter yet, so I need something that will be easy to use without having to worry about my ppm too much.

Any and all suggestions will be considered, appreciated and +rep'd. Throw me some ideas and nute recipes please guys. Thanks in advance.

What's up Timmy !?
I recently made the switch to DWC myself.
Easy nutes that are time proven and been around the longest : General Hydroponics FloraMicro, Grow and Bloom.
I only use the Micro and Bloom, as most ppl do to, b/c there's plenty of Nitrogen with those 2 in combo without the need for the FloraGrow.
A ppm and ph meter is a must though !!
As important as the nutes themselves !
Also, if you can locate some coolers on sale, I'd switch over to those.
Save yourself some probs with heat and them totes.
2 members, Weedler and BeaverHuntr, use the 5gal work/sport cooler buckets for their DWC.
Check them out too.
Good grow vibes to you !

ppm meter is a must as flo said.dont waste your time guessing what your ppm is get yourself a meter before getting started you wont regret it. good luck

snocat said:

ppm meter is a must as flo said.dont waste your time guessing what your ppm is get yourself a meter before getting started you wont regret it. good luck

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p.s dont forget about a ph meter needed tool

Thanks for responding so quickly guys! I do have a PH meter, just no ppm meter. I ran out of funds quickly with all the other stuff for the set up. I do think I will switch to the cooler though as you suggested Flo Grow. Its been almost a decade since Ive grown, wish I would have had this site back then! You guys are awesome and im just blown away by all the useful info on here and how helpful everyone is. I wont be adding any nutes just yet, so hopefully next week Ill have a little extra cash to spend on a decent ppm meter.

PPM meter can be purchased on Ebay for $20 shipped. You won't need a PPM for the first 1-2 weeks just because most if not all of us always start with PH'd tap water until the seedling can handle 1/4 strength nutes. Which by the time you reach that stage you will have the extra cash for a meter.

Timmy22 said:

Thanks for responding so quickly guys! I do have a PH meter, just no ppm meter. I ran out of funds quickly with all the other stuff for the set up. I do think I will switch to the cooler though as you suggested Flo Grow. Its been almost a decade since Ive grown, wish I would have had this site back then! You guys are awesome and im just blown away by all the useful info on here and how helpful everyone is. I wont be adding any nutes just yet, so hopefully next week Ill have a little extra cash to spend on a decent ppm meter.

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Switching to the coolers was a great idea I use the 5 gal sport drink coolers myself and if you veg with florescents your water temps wont change at all at least mine didnt once I set at 68 degrees it was good till next res change. Now I'm flowering with a 1,000W HPS and my water temps are rising a bit more but still cool enough to prevent root rot ...

Weedler said:

PPM meter can be purchased on Ebay for $20 shipped. You won't need a PPM for the first 1-2 weeks just because most if not all of us always start with PH'd tap water until the seedling can handle 1/4 strength nutes. Which by the time you reach that stage you will have the extra cash for a meter.

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What weedler said is right when you transition to vegging with nutes start 1/4 strength regardless, if you dont you will get nutrient burns on your leaves

BeaverHuntr said:

Switching to the coolers was a great idea I use the 5 gal sport drink coolers myself and if you veg with florescents your water temps wont change at all at least mine didnt once I set at 68 degrees it was good till next res change. Now I'm flowering with a 1,000W HPS and my water temps are rising a bit more but still cool enough to prevent root rot ...

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Are you using the insulated lids that came with the cooler? I am not and I have had to place frozen bottles in once daily to keep it below 70. I can drop it down to 64 and it will rise by the next day to 69-70 F.

Weedler said:

Are you using the insulated lids that came with the cooler? I am not and I have had to place frozen bottles in once daily to keep it below 70. I can drop it down to 64 and it will rise by the next day to 69-70 F.

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Yup I use the lids I figured I would have no use for 6 five gallon coolers so I took a jig saw to them ..

Yeah I'm going to cut into mine just was too far along to switch to net pots instead of lids...


Sorry for the hijack Timmy. We are here to help!

Yeah Timmy weedler and Flogrow and myself will answer any questions ..

Anyways Weedler yeah I have 5.5" net pots I just traced the circle and cut the hole then foil taped the shit out of the lids.

Not at all Weedler! I appreciate you guys stopping in to share your knowledge with me. Anyone have any experience with going straight to 12/12 from seed? Im just curious about how much less time it takes and how much yield you lose doing this.