Need tips on what Medium to use for an Ebb & Flow system..

T

TehCreQ

Member
sup!
I'm currently piecing together a DIY ebb&flow system..

I am just using two Rubbermaid Roughneck containers, a 10gal seated inside an 18gal..
Planning on ~4medium (1.5-2ft max) or ~8 small (~1ft max) plants in there..

From the beginning I have planned on using Hydroton pellets in there..
I figured hydroton pellets would be good for, after the water drains, providing quite a bit of moist surface area for the roots to wrap around/take hold in..
I figured these pebbles would stay moist possibly a little longer than just the roots sitting in the air/on the bottom of the container w/ no medium at all..

Now I'm wondering what is better... does anyone have any ideas/experience? I'll take experience OR theory at this point haha..

So now I'm wondering what the best way to go is..

Should I fill the whole top container with hydroton and not use the lid, and let the roots grow down and take hold into the hydroton which will be flooded&drained..

or

should I use the lid, drill some holes for net pots in it, and start the plants off in those net pot/hydroton -- but let the roots grow out into the open inside the container, so that they aren't in contact with anything and (i'm assuming) dry faster.. so possibly more waterings can be done?

Any advice/info/"well in theory it would seem..."/Anything is appreciated! haha

Please leave some comments!

Thanks,
-J
 
T

TehCreQ

Member
Attached a pic to kinda show what I am talking about but sorry.. I suck ass at drawing! haha..

basically one is filled with hydroton and has no lid, and during each flood cycle will be filled up to 2" below the top layer of hydroton..

The other (on the right) is the same ebb & flow system, only instead of being filled with hydroton, is filled with nothing. It has a lid with net pots drilled in just like conventional DIY hydro systems, which will be filled with hydroton to support the plant/its roots during the beginning growth..

I haven't decided which level it will flood to yet, but i'm guessing enough to cover the bottom 1" of the net pots..

Anyone have any ideas on which way works better?

I liked the full hydroton idea, it seems like the roots have more surface area to spread out on..but growing in air gives it the most volume for root mass.. growing in the hydroton seems like each flood cycle the hydroton will stay wet with a thin film of nutrient solution, while not compromising the amount of oxygen they will be able to recieve.. (hopefully)

However, I'm torn because the method where the roots are primarily in 'air', no medium, it seems like these roots would dry out faster allowing for more flood/drain cycles and (KIND OF) simulating aeroponics a bit.. as the roots will get moist/wet but be standing primarily in air.

Anyone played around with this a bit or just have thoughts on it? I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks,
-J
 

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