initial grow inquiry

Well this is my first post. I finally gave in and created an account after reading posts for quite awhile now. (It sucks that my laziness didnt allow me to view all of the great photos here. I have been missing out lol)

Anyway, so I have a few questions about my initial grow. Well, i have done a few simple grows in soil in my backyard and garage, but I decided to get serious this time.

I bought the Ebb & Gro 12 Site Hydro System with 12 - 2 gallon planters and a 55 gallon reservoir. I plan to use 1 - 1000hps for light, and I'm going to be using hydroton for media.

I am interested if anyone has any experience with this system and if they can recommend a good nutrient solution I should go with.

Another question I have is how long should I let them veg. before I begin to flower? I am going with an indica strain and I know 2 gallons isn't the largest container, so my concern is them becoming root bound before flowering. I'm not going for sog or anything, ofcourse...so I don't mind letting them veg. for awhile to obtain a nice yield.

Also, for the size of the planters, how long would any of you consider vegging and flowering them for? I know it all depends on the exact strain, but just curious.

I also plan on vegging 24/0, let me know if any of you disagree on this one.

Thanks in advance to all of you!

Don't know a thing about the ebb and grow. How long to veg is your choice I veg about two months or two feet tall. I'm doing a 4 footer and don't like it my self. if you start flower with a 2' plant it will finish at about 4'. I veg with 6500k flours or a 400w mh. I think mh is by far the best veg light. I have allways used 24hr light in veg. So thats what I do.

Here's a pic of the system

I know what the system is just havent used one. I just started paying with a dwc bubbler setup. Kind of the same thing but only kind of. Didn't like it at first but after getting rez temps down the plant is doing well. I got some stuff called rockwool magic a and b it is a local product made in tacoma wa. I think. The local hydro store had it and the guy said he liked it as well or better then foxfarm nutes. It's my first go so I can't compair to anything. the other bubbler clones went to coco. had all sortes of issues to beging with but even the bad ones are shaping up.

I started out using that type system years ago. Works very well for the most part, but it does have its downsides. The pluses are, the plants will stay very close to the ground, making the job of lighting the plants somewhat easier if headroom is an issue. Downside is, using hydroton is great the first time around, but after that, especially regarding cleaning/rinsing it, it's a pain in the ass. Also, it's hard to get a consistent reading regarding pH and nutrient solution strength when the system is not a true recirculating system. Definitely make sure to use Hygrozyme, as root rot is very common is these type systems, and I've seen it first hand myself. Nowadays, I use a recirulating top feed drip system using rockwool cubes/slabs, and it's SO much better (as far as I'm concerned).

I have a 3 gal rez for the roots with 2-18 air tubes and a 5 gal below that pumps water to the top and then drains back to the bucket below. Thought it might help to add the extra rez. now I think I should jst use a 5 gal bucket for each plant. I had a plan but with the clone not working out as well as I had hoped i need to start a new plan. At least I still have a mom growing. this is the set up.

Just snaped a pic so this is it now. Along with the clones from the bubbler.

Stumps, what size are those pots? Do you plan on re-potting later or just grow for that size pot?

Thanks for the tip about the hygrozyme, Mcgician

them there pots are #1-q don't know what that means they hold about 2 qt. of soil. I use these for clones then replant in a #8 pot to grow. that gives room in the grow area for 7 plants. I keep the plant small they finish at 3-4' tall.

Nice. thanks for the help