GB Winter Greenhouse 2014-2015

adower

Well-Known Member
Hey can I flood N drain Perlite buckets or will it float ? How much does the bucket fill on the flood ? Thank you :mrgreen: got a 36 site coming in .:bigjoint:
Negatory. Unless you want to pick up a ton a perlite off the ground.

If you're running an ebb and flow the perlite will get sucked back into the reservoir and get stuck in the lines and pumps.
 

TWS

Well-Known Member
Not sure what that is.

using a smart pot/cloth pot inside of the screen pot so the perlite don't get into the system. I don't think the flood will float the 2 gal smart pot with perlite. Im trying to stay away from hydroton . They F&D coco pots so what's the diff ? might be able to flood less a day ?
 

adower

Well-Known Member
using a smart pot/cloth pot inside of the screen pot so the perlite don't get into the system. I don't think the flood will float the 2 gal smart pot with perlite. Im trying to stay away from hydroton . They F&D coco pots so what's the diff ? might be able to flood less a day ?
Why don't you want to use hydroton? The perlite is porous so its going to hold on to nutrients and cause PH swings. When you flood the buckets the perlite is going to rise regardless. You could always try to fill a buck and see how much the perlite rises when you flood as a gauge.

I've never seen anyone flood/drain coco. It's usually top fed. I suppose you could use a smart pot as a filter/screen so that no perlite/coco goes back in. However, once you get your plants going and it might not work are you going to want to have to try and replant?
 

mikeykrinshaw12

Well-Known Member
Why don't you try lava rock instead TWS?

Or, coral if you wanted to go exotic. you would have to sterilize if you gather yourself.

What you use depends entirely on how The "36 site" is designed. With that information (knowing exactly what your working with) it would be much easier to help guide you along.
 

TWS

Well-Known Member
gonna have to try a pot first then:mrgreen:. Perlite isn't any more pourice than hydroton ? They say it is inhert ? I have read all kinds about Coco buckets on flood trays ?

Hydroton is heavy and harder to clean than perlite and perlite easier to hand water in a vegg room. .
 
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TWS

Well-Known Member
I like the rock better but still. reusing it is harder work. Probably gonna end up using one or the other for better anchoring reasons anyways.
 

mikeykrinshaw12

Well-Known Member
from experience- coco swings like crazy if it isn't properly mixed with ph regulators. was a hassle, and I didn't like it.

Yes- follow your own advice. Try a few different things and see what works best.
 
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