Help me out, if you will

I posted part of this in another thread, but would rather have an actual thread in the proper place, so I stand a better chance of getting help. I'm designing my first jump into hydro, and I could use some set-up/design help.

What I have:
1) 66gph pump to leave in the resevoir for oxygenation
1) 190gph pump that i need a reducer for to fit my tubing, to supply my plants
100ft of 1/4inch water line, 10 drippers, 1 end cap, a few t's and couplers
3 mortar boxes, but i only plan on using one
1 30 gallon rubbermaid tote for a resevoir
my current close sided dirt containers
1 4ft 4 bulb T8 fluoro fixture
1 400w MH ballast n bulb, that is getting a custom reflector


What I'm thinking:

I'm thinking of switching over to net pots, with hydroton in them. Can I get away with just hydroton, or do I need rockwool cubes for the plants to be in? I'm thinking 6, maximum 8 in the mortar box, and lining the bottom of the box with a sheet of cocomat.
I know I'm going to need a timer for the pump that delivers water and nutrients to the plants, what sort of intervals are recommended? I'm also torn on scrogging it or not, but that may wait till I get it dialed in first.

I'm prbably going to go with advanced nutrients, but i know FF has a "starter" kit available for 40 bucks, that should last one or two batches.

I am mimicking this off of an old thread I lost the link to, where the guy had this same setup with more lights and more rooms for a perpetual grow, so mad rep if you can find that thread as I havent come across it again.


In soil, i'm able to keep my room around 50% humidity, but pushing 90 degrees at the hottest point of the day, so I will also have beer or wine fermenting to release CO2 to combat the higher temps, by at least making the plants like it. Honestly, this strain from Jamaica seems to love the higher temps.

Any ideas, modifications, or advice is greatly appreciated. i've been reading and studying hydro setups for years, and am now ready to take the plunge because I'm just sick of dealing with dirt, and my new job allows me flexibility and the ability to spend lots of time with the plants.

Peace, Love, and Dope <3

Wow, this is beginning to remind me of real life. I talk, and have important things to say/ask, yet no one listens. Any advice or even a "hey thatr won't work" would be appreciated. Hell, check out the soil grow of this strain to see if its even worth takin hydro.

only thing i see that i would worry about is the 90 f temps, that is gunna make your res temps too hot . it wont matter if you have a chiller or put your res in another room. you want to keep your water under 71f if you can.you are going to need more co2 than that to help with temps so dont count on the beer and wine to help much.i do dwc so no tubes but i have put clones right into the rocks and it is fine without rockwool.I tell people if they want to try hydro start with dwc in a 5 gal bucket, if you like it then move on to flood and drain or bubbleponics but dwc is as easy to set up as dirt is and no timers or tubes or extra res just water and a air pump.good luck and get busy.peace

I had considered DWC, as I've seen good results on the forum, but local growers I know both personally, and 2nd hand from the local hydro shop, despise it. I personally know 2 people who stopped mid grow, and switched over to a flood and drain from DWC. My issue with DWC is the expense of getting so many airstones and pumps up and running, where as a drip system I already have the stuff for. Most f my 5 gallon buckets have holes in them already from past outdoor grows and tomatoes.