Grow bags vs Smart pots vs Ebb and flow buckets

I am building a DIY drip hydro system. I have everything I need minus the pots. I can't decide between grow bags, smart pots, or Ebb and flow buckets. So i figured I'd ask the RIU community on there opinions.

I will be using Hydroton as my medium and GH floranova as nutes...


So anyone with some decent knowledge or experience feel free to chime in.

Peace,
Natty

I would go with ebb flow system. It is really the most reliable and simple way to grow hydro IMO.

know of a cheap site that has them. I will need quite a few of them.

thanks for the response ak

or any DIY ideas would be acceptable

GH and Hydroton basically scream Ebb & Flow. I'm biased, look @ grow journal in signature. Its a little old though, now up to 54 pots and the system runs like a champ. Ask any questions you can, there's a LOT of E&F'ers here!

DIY idea: aquahub.com's controller kit for Ebb & Flow and then make your own buckets. Easy as shit!

with the buckets. could I take buckets with lids and just cut a hole in the top for a net pot?? and what would be a good size net pot??

Is the Ebb and Flow the same as the Ebb & Gro? Custom Automated Products? I believe it is. Can anyone tell me how important it is to use lids for the buckets? I'm using a coco/hydroton mix. 80/20. I'm going to run straight hydroton next round. I don't like coco in this system.

Flow, Grow, Gro, Flo, E&F, Ebb & Flo all the same. I believe (I may be wrong), that Ebb & Flow is the correct term, and "Ebb & Gro" is a CAP Marketing name for their Ebb & Flow Bucket Systems. Toss the Coco, you dont need it in an E&F Hydroton setup, so your on the right move there.

A good net pot size for what, for growing in veg or flower? I veg in 1 gallon buckets, then transfer them to 2.5 or 3.5 gallon buckets on day 1 of flowering...........

usplastics.com for buckets if your making your own system with more than 30 buckets. If less than 30 just buy a kit pre made, its faster and easier.

i will need about 64 pots. I am takings clones and directly flowering them.

I am confused though in the aspect of the following:

If I have a 3 gallon bucket w/ a lid and a net pot. can I just fill the 3 gallon bucket with medium and attach the fittings and it will still flood and drain.

or will i need to to cut a hole in the lid. attach the lid, and slide a net pot filled with media in the center hole?

Here is a DIY bucket ebb and flow system. The 'controller' costs about 15$

[video=youtube;EVPGy6GBaNg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVPGy6GBaNg[/video]

So how necessary is it to use a lid on the buckets? Thanks for the info on making my own Ebb and Flo bucket system. Much better than buying the expensive system from CAP. is it possible to not flood during dark hours? How many times should I flood during veg and flower? That's my only real big question.