Looking for best pre-made hydro kits

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rmhighdroponics

Member
Hi all. I own a garden center. As more communities look at decriminalizing possession, I've received a lot more calls asking general questions about hydro growing. It's pretty easy to figure out these customers (typically young males who have never shown an interest in gardening before) are hoping to find good advice on growing their favorite crop. I wish I could help, but I'm a newbie to hydroponics. Unfortunately, nobody else in our area carries hydro equipment or has advice to offer either. I've decided to help them out by adding small self-contained hydro systems to our offerings. But, I need to offer systems that can meet the needs of my typical customers as well (growing veggies and seed-start their annuals). That's where I hope you all can help. If you were advising a newbie grower... say somebody with no mechanical aptitude to build their own system and no basement in which to grow... somebody who only wants to grow a personal stock and doesn't want to drop a lot of cash on equipment... what would you recommend? Would you go for the 8-pot flood and drain system with a controller? Would you look at Emily's Garden or Turbogarden or something like that? Would you look at the Aeroflo2 systems? My goal is to offer a system that is affordable, easy to use, and versatile for multi-crop use so that everybody can be happy growng their favorite crops... whether that is in the closet or out in the open. I would prefer a system that works with the SureToGrow inserts (PET), if possible... as they are much easier to stock on the shelves. Thanks for any help and advice!
 
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inforat

Member
i think the most profitable and incidentally the best method for a beginner has to be the DWC-bubbleponics method. i'm a new grower and i'm using that method, which as far as i can see has to absolutely be one of the easiest methods, considering how cheaply it can be made (and sold). all you need is an airstone, an airpump, a reservoir with lids cut out, some basic nutes, netpots and finally some hydroton. if you want to sell a complete package, it's easy: throw in some 105W CFL lamps, and frankly that would be almost all he needs. all the ingredients won't cost much at all, and if you pack it up pretty you can probably fetch a good profit on such a product.
 
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2822bubba

Well-Known Member
I think I would go with roseman's idea because you could get the nutrients and all in one package and for first time growers they really make it a better experience, I have found thanks to roseman and mc
 
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rmhighdroponics

Member
2822bubba said:
I think I would go with roseman's idea because you could get the nutrients and all in one package and for first time growers they really make it a better experience, I have found thanks to roseman and mc
Click to expand...
Thanks for the replies, all... very helpful! I took your advice and spoke with Rich at SH today. I'm sure that is the group we are going with for the hydro systems, though I will probably stick with the Flora series for nutrients just because of the better name recognition. Does anyone have an opinion on whether to offer both DWC and Bubbleponics or just the Bubbleponics? The base reservoir is bigger with the Bubbleponics, and the combined technology it offers seems like a better value considering the small difference in price for the systems. What do y'all think?

I plan on adding the Three Bucketeers to the offerings as well for those who want to grow larger plants, and I'll also pick up the portable grow rooms. Those look like a great alternative for sectioning off part of an apartment or house for growing without the light interfering with other activities. Down South, we have no basements (they would flood too often) and most carports are not enclosed, so it limits the choices on where to grow. If you're in an apartment, the landlord would definitely notice if you start punching holes in the closet walls to install ventilation! Those portable grow rooms look like a good solution. Anyone have experience (good or bad) with those grow rooms?

I would also appreciate some help with the lighting question. I've read so many posts, but it seems there are widely differing opinions on lighting. As the Bubbleponics and SOG involves growing in a small area, I think 400W would be sufficient for HID... so would I really need to offer air coolable units? Is there really a huge difference in performance between a low-end HID like Xtra Sun versus a Radiant? Or, are the fluorescents offered by SH sufficient for a full grow? I was reading through Roseman's excellent Bubbleponics thread, but I admit the length of it intimidated me way too much. I need the Reader's Digest condensed version of that thread!

Your advice and willingness to help get this off the ground is very appreciated... by me and by my future customers... and also by the students at my former middle school when I donate some Bubbleponics systems to their hort program to get this off the ground! Thanks!
 
Roseman

Roseman

Elite Rolling Society
rmhighdroponics said:
Thanks for the replies, all... very helpful! I took your advice and spoke with Rich at SH today. I'm sure that is the group we are going with for the hydro systems, though I will probably stick with the Flora series for nutrients just because of the better name recognition. Does anyone have an opinion on whether to offer both DWC and Bubbleponics or just the Bubbleponics?

The DWC is great for CLONES and sprouts started in soil, but you can start a seed int he BP system, so I 'd get both.

The base reservoir is bigger with the Bubbleponics, and the combined technology it offers seems like a better value considering the small difference in price for the systems. What do y'all think?

I plan on adding the Three Bucketeers to the offerings as well for those who want to grow larger plants, and I'll also pick up the portable grow rooms.

Look at my grow in the system, 4 VERY LARGE plants will do well in it.

Those look like a great alternative for sectioning off part of an apartment or house for growing without the light interfering with other activities. Down South, we have no basements (they would flood too often) and most carports are not enclosed, so it limits the choices on where to grow. If you're in an apartment, the landlord would definitely notice if you start punching holes in the closet walls to install ventilation! Those portable grow rooms look like a good solution. Anyone have experience (good or bad) with those grow rooms?

I see a new grower here every week say he is tossing the tent because of heat or limited space, but some really like the tents or just use the frames.

I would also appreciate some help with the lighting question. I've read so many posts, but it seems there are widely differing opinions on lighting. As the Bubbleponics and SOG involves growing in a small area, I think 400W would be sufficient for HID... so would I really need to offer air coolable units? Is there really a huge difference in performance between a low-end HID like Xtra Sun versus a Radiant? Or, are the fluorescents offered by SH sufficient for a full grow? I was reading through Roseman's excellent Bubbleponics thread, but I admit the length of it intimidated me way too much. I need the Reader's Digest condensed version of that thread!

Here is the new thread:Roseman's DIY Bubbleponics Tutorial - Marijuana Growing lots of pics too.

Your advice and willingness to help get this off the ground is very appreciated... by me and by my future customers... and also by the students at my former middle school when I donate some Bubbleponics systems to their hort program to get this off the ground! Thanks!
Click to expand...

Most small growers, and closet growers, use CFLs to avoid having to vent the heat and cool the grow space.
You could offer both.

In my Tutorial, starting on page 7 is great info on lights.
 
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rmhighdroponics

Member
Great info in the link, Roseman. The tutorial is a lot less intimidating at 63 pages than the 1600+ pages of the Bubbleponics thread!!! I'm already about 1/2 way through and taking notes. I appreciate your help and willingness to share the info!
 
morrisgreenberg

morrisgreenberg

Well-Known Member
look into CAP's ebb&Gro kits, perfect for newbs and old pros, set it and forget it, it can fit in small rooms and add on
 
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