First Time Top Feed Dripper Hydro System!
- Thread starter KTOWNGUY
- Start date
KTOWNGUY
Well-Known Member
Thanks guys, yeah this is my first time using hyrdo and im really stoked, I think I made 1 mistake though thats not going to effect it but I will change next time. Im using rockwoll instead of hydroton, I want to use the hydroton so that there is no risk or root rot. Although its turning out good and im really on top of the root rot possibility I want to switch to hydroton medium next time so they dont reatain much water.
I will continue to keep posting picks every week untill its finished and then ill post some bud pics afterwords. Next Im going to be doing OG KUSH and Im adding 1 more setup (table) to the room bumping it up to 3 tables.
I will continue to keep posting picks every week untill its finished and then ill post some bud pics afterwords. Next Im going to be doing OG KUSH and Im adding 1 more setup (table) to the room bumping it up to 3 tables.
Roseman
Elite Rolling Society
I'd suggest rockwool cubes in the hydroton rocks. it is what I use.
Rockwool is made by melting a combination of rock and sand and then spinning the mixture to make fibers which are formed into different shapes and sizes. The process is very similar to making cotton candy. The shapes vary from 1"x1"x1" starter cubes up to 3"x12"x36" slabs, with many sizes in between, which makes rockwool one of the most versatile growing mediums.
The advantages to rockwool are many, however there are several disadvantages to this type of growing medium as well. The pros and cons are listed below.
Advantages of Rockwool
Disadvantages to Rockwool
Rockwool is probably the most popular growing medium on earth. Rockwool was originally used as insulation and was called "Mineral Insulation". It was developed for gardening in Denmark and is used extensively around the world for "Drip-Style" hydroponic systems.
Rockwool is made by melting a combination of rock and sand and then spinning the mixture to make fibers which are formed into different shapes and sizes. The process is very similar to making cotton candy. The shapes vary from 1"x1"x1" starter cubes up to 3"x12"x36" slabs, with many sizes in between, which makes rockwool one of the most versatile growing mediums.
The advantages to rockwool are many, however there are several disadvantages to this type of growing medium as well. The pros and cons are listed below.
Advantages of Rockwool
RETAINS WATER - Rockwool holds an incredible amount of water which gives you a "buffer" against power outages and pump (or timer) failure. You want your rock woll saturated and it saturates well, plus hold air too.
HOLDS AIR - Rockwool holds at least 18 % air at all times (unless it is sitting directly in water), which supplies the root zone with plenty of oxygen. This means that it is practically impossible to over-water rockwool.
COMES IN A VARIETY OF SIZES AND SHAPES - From 1" cubes designed for use in propagation, to 3"x12"x36" slabs capable of holding the root systems of huge plants, rockwool comes in dozens of shapes and sizes making it a versatile growing medium. Rockwool also comes "Loose" so you can fill pots or containers of any size.
CLEAN AND CONVENIENT - Rockwool holds together very well so it can't spill. Rockwool also comes wrapped in plastic, which makes it easy to handle and keeps evaporation to a minimum.
Disadvantages to Rockwool
NOT ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY - Rockwool is hard to dispose of, if buried it will last indefinitely.
DUST AND FIBERS ARE A HEALTH RISK - The fibers and dust from the rockwool are bad for your lungs. Wear a dust mask when handling it dry, to prevent problems. Soaked and Saturated, it is safe.
pH PROBLEMS - Rockwool has a high pH which means you have to adjust your nutrient solution low so that the root zone is neutral. Rockwool is also susceptible to pH shifts meaning a bit more routine maintenance to keep the pH levels correct.
LONG PRE-SOAK PERIOD - Rockwool should be pre-soaked for 24 hours before use. Most other growing medium only needs to be well watered.
Getting Started with Rockwool
Before you use rockwool you must first soak it in water adjusted to a pH of 4.5 to 5.0. You should soak the rockwool for about 24 hours. To soak rockwool cubes use a bucket or other water tight container, just put the cubes in the water and let them float around. To soak the rockwool slabs cut a hole in the bag around the slab and pour in pH adjusted water until the slab is totally saturated, let soak for 24 hours Then cut drainage slits in the bottom.
Using CubesRockwool cubes come in many different sizes. There are two sizes of "starter cubes" that are designed for propagation. The 1" x 1" x 1 1/2" and the 2" x 2" x 1 1/2" cubes are not wrapped in plastic and are normally used for starting seeds. The 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" cubes are wrapped on four sides with plastic to slow evaporation and are used primarily for taking cuttings.
The 3" and 4" cubes can be used as the primary growing medium or in conjunction with other growing mediums. For small plants a large cube may be all the growing medium that you need. For larger plants these cubes are used as an intermediate medium that gets transplanted into a different type of growing medium as the plants grow.
The larger cubes come with or without a hole that is designed to fit the 1" cube. With the hole you can easily transplant the 1" starter cube into the larger cube simply by inserting it into the hole.
The 3" and 4" cubes can be used as the primary growing medium or in conjunction with other growing mediums. For small plants a large cube may be all the growing medium that you need. For larger plants these cubes are used as an intermediate medium that gets transplanted into a different type of growing medium as the plants grow.
The larger cubes come with or without a hole that is designed to fit the 1" cube. With the hole you can easily transplant the 1" starter cube into the larger cube simply by inserting it into the hole.
KTOWNGUY
Well-Known Member
yeah thanks thats the plan man Im just using the rockwoll cubes in bigger rockwoll blocks. But hey its my first time but it was tricky figuring out a good watering schedule right. Hey one question though like when u leave ur pumps on with the hydroton 24-7 or just when the lights are on??? With the rockwoll i had to start out just a couple feeds a day but now im up to whenever the lights are on, but since they hold so much water i dont worry about feeding them when lights are off..
KTOWNGUY
Well-Known Member
KTOWNGUY
Well-Known Member
OKAY SO THIS IS LIKE 17 DAYS INTO BUDDING>.>
Im STOKED. Only Like 3 and a half more weeks and itll be done
Im STOKED. Only Like 3 and a half more weeks and itll be done
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KTOWNGUY
Well-Known Member
OKAY SO HERES 4 weeks of bud this was like 3 days ago So right now i got like 11 days left give or take a day or two. The left table is only 3 weeks bud so they have an extra week. (BETTER CLOSER PICS COMING SOON)
