Hello, how's it going all? I've been vegging for 4 weeks now, the roots are in deep water. I'm considering removing the pump and feeder tubes. Alot of different opinions on this subject.
IF you do not remove it permanently, then remove and clean it and put it back.
A water pump can harbor dead debris, dead roots, mushy yukey stuff and crap that really screws up the pH. Give your water the sniff test to determine if the water pump is spoiling the water. It should smell like fresh cut iceberg lettuce or alfalfa sprouts, and not stink bad. Most all water pumps have a filter in them that needs cleaning after two weeks, or get the pump out of there after 3 weeks.
After the first two weeks, and then daily, your pH should and will climb from 6.0 to 7.0 in about 18 to 24 hours because the plants are eating the nutes and the water is going down, and becomes more acidity. If the water jumps from 6.0 to 8.0 in a day, or worst, in 8 hours, you have a serious problem, and 99% of the time it is dead debris, dead roots, dead pieces of roots or leaves in the water. And the water pump can hold and hide that crap. Get the filter in the water pump cleaned after two weeks, or after the roots are int he deep water, or get that water pump out and the pH will be more stable.
My concern is about the rockwool, with no feeder tubes won't the rockwool completely dry up or will the plant itself keep the rockwool moist?
After the first two or three weeks, forget that rockwool cube all together and do not give it another thought.
Also this is my first DWC grow and i have a question about changing from grow nutes to flower nutes. I'm using stealth hydro nutes by the way. When you switch to flowering nutes do you use a full dose the first time or work them up to full dose?
I am starting 12/12 tonight in my grow at my DIY Tutorial, I wish you'd follow along with me.
I
did a few grows that I started 12/12 and BLOOM nutes at the same time. I have since come to believe in starting 12/12 and still use VEG nutes for two days, then change 100% to BLOOM nutes.
Either way, you use 100% full strenght dose.
I will start 12/12 at 7:30 pm tonight and Saturday, two days later, do a Drain and Replinish with BLOOM nutes.
I also have an outdoor plant however it's been like 40 degrees F in the morning here for like a week. Is that to cold? Kinda bummed because it's a sativa and appears to be a late flowering variety (viper was the strain) not suitable for this climate.