Trailer Park Boy
Member
Hi.
I'm a traditional indoor dirtbag grower who wants badly to get into hydro as the benefits really seem to outweigh the xtra hassle of managing a hydro system. I have been investigating the whole hydro thing for a few days on the net now trying to find one which is reasonably low maintenance yet effective...Being a traditional dirt grower and a MM cardholder who is limited to a max of six plants, I like to grow BIG (even though there is more time involved; the yields are significantly and proportionately higher w/ BIG plants when you are limited to only being able to grow six at a time...)
What is odd is it seems as most hydro growers seem happy w/ yields of a few oz's from each plant and I have seen very little reference to growing BIG plants w/ hydro technology. Is there a specific reason for this? Is hydro technology not suitable for big weeds that will yield 1 lb. plus; as some of my greenhouse monsters in the past have?
Anyway, since I want to go big and also hydro, I am wondering if the below DWC/ NTF system would be an appropriate system? I plan to use 6" PVC and add pump intake / airstone reservoirs in the form of large 6" T fittings at directly opposite ends of this existing design in an attempt to maximize the whole bubble process and also give me an added nutrient solution reservoir at the same time. Net pot size would be 5". Each side would be 6 feet long and have only 3 plants on each side, so there would be plenty of aerated nutirient solution available for the root systems of 6 good sized weeds.
Below is a pic., description and link to the basic system design I wish to improve upon and use.
Any commentary from hydro growers would be most welcome concerning the subject of both growing BIG weeds w/ hydro and also the appropriateness of system.
I'm a traditional indoor dirtbag grower who wants badly to get into hydro as the benefits really seem to outweigh the xtra hassle of managing a hydro system. I have been investigating the whole hydro thing for a few days on the net now trying to find one which is reasonably low maintenance yet effective...Being a traditional dirt grower and a MM cardholder who is limited to a max of six plants, I like to grow BIG (even though there is more time involved; the yields are significantly and proportionately higher w/ BIG plants when you are limited to only being able to grow six at a time...)
What is odd is it seems as most hydro growers seem happy w/ yields of a few oz's from each plant and I have seen very little reference to growing BIG plants w/ hydro technology. Is there a specific reason for this? Is hydro technology not suitable for big weeds that will yield 1 lb. plus; as some of my greenhouse monsters in the past have?
Anyway, since I want to go big and also hydro, I am wondering if the below DWC/ NTF system would be an appropriate system? I plan to use 6" PVC and add pump intake / airstone reservoirs in the form of large 6" T fittings at directly opposite ends of this existing design in an attempt to maximize the whole bubble process and also give me an added nutrient solution reservoir at the same time. Net pot size would be 5". Each side would be 6 feet long and have only 3 plants on each side, so there would be plenty of aerated nutirient solution available for the root systems of 6 good sized weeds.
Below is a pic., description and link to the basic system design I wish to improve upon and use.
Any commentary from hydro growers would be most welcome concerning the subject of both growing BIG weeds w/ hydro and also the appropriateness of system.
http://www.jasons-indoor-guide-to-organic-and-hydroponics-gardening.com/homemade-hydroponics-system-7.htmlThis homemade hydroponics system is a combination system using two different techniques. It is similar to a nutrient film technique (NFT) in the way the nutrient solution is continuously circulated through the system. The depth of the nutrient solution is kept high, allowing the roots of your plants to bathe constantly in the solution. In this way the system is similar to the deep water culture technique.
The system shown here was made with two 10 ft pieces of 4 inch PVC. It is important to note that you may need to use 6 inch PVC instead of 4 inch. A 6 inch pipe will give you twice as much root volume area. This decision depends mainly on what type of plants you have in your garden.
The system was PVC glued together in the shape of a "U". The open ends were capped, and the plant holes were drilled with a 3 inch hole saw about every 12 inches.
A couple of airstones are used to aerate the nutrient solution. At one end of the hydroponics system, a small aquarium pump (about 60 GPH) transfers water from one capped end to the other. This sets up a continuous circulation, which evenly distributes the oxygen through all parts of the system and prevents your plants from drowning.
