What is the best method of hydros?

Just too see your opinions?

This is hard to answer because all set ups have certain advantages so it really depends on your grow space, personal style, lights, budget, ect.

aeroponics ideally, however I love DWC.

I use DWC for mother plants.

A simple Aeroponic/NFT system works great for flowering.

An aeroponic container system works well for veg. It allows the plants to be moved easily when ready.

You can't beat an aeroponic cloner for your cuttings. 100% success rate every time.

EZ-Clone sprayers for everything.

Cycle timer set to 1 min on 5 min off.

Botanicare organic nutrients.

The Ebb-n-flow system is the cheapest to build and easiest to maintain.

BongJuice said:

The Ebb-n-flow system is the cheapest to build and easiest to maintain.

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Thats True, it has many perks for sure.

I am about to buy a system and I have been doing research for the past 2 months and cannot make up my mind at all between a DWC, aeroponic, or a ebb & flow system. I know they are all about the same. But damn, I just want one that works good and is alittle forgiving.

Ebb and Flow

I have read in threads here where DWC and aeroponic Phs go up alot in one day and they have to be adjusted like 2 or 3 times in one day. Is that so?

It happens but I just check and adjust once a day.

in ideal and optimal environments, aeroponics...


most forgiving....least maintenance is ebb and flow

dwc is just easy!!!

depends on what you like man

pimpnitjc said:

I have read in threads here where DWC and aeroponic Phs go up alot in one day and they have to be adjusted like 2 or 3 times in one day. Is that so?

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most hydroponic nutes buffer the ph.

you have to wait til the buffer kicks in, then ph adjust your solution!

heating of the nute soup causes the ph to go up

I would say that it depends on several factors. I've done E&F, DWC, and Hempy. I gone strictly with hempy buckets ( Bato buckets ) now because:

1. I got sick of building/buying/fixing/unclogging things when they go wrong.
2. High temps are an issue in my region so a chiller is required for a rez in any system
3. I noticed DWC & E&F type hydro systems produce light/fluffy buds. My hempy buckets
produce dense, thick nugs compared to other methods.
4. Dealing with fungi/contams in a water system. No problems w/hempy.

i have used and LOVED aeroponics.. but im using ebb and flow right now and ill let you know how it goes..

I've been growing with a home made DWC system that was extremely cheap and easy to make. This is my first hydroponic grow and it's super easy for me.

Aero is the best hydro way to grow. Its the fastest and highest yielding but can be a little more tricky if you are a new hydro person. The easiest most forgiving is a simple flood and drain table setup which yields well and is more forgiving. Ph and ppm will need to be monitored daily and will flux depending on amount of plants,the smaller the res the more it fluxs, and plant size. I usually have 55 gallon or bigger and adjust my ph once maybe twice in a week.Smaller dwc setup need more attention as they have less water. In aero I have found over the years unless using a 20 micron or finer mist running the pumps 24/7 is a much better way to grow aero. I veg 10 days and flower 5 weeks then harvest.

Cant really say which hydro system is the best, it really depends on which you're more comfortable with and usually your first hydro system will be the one your comfortable with. I currently own a ebb n flow system with a 3x3 tray and a 25 gal res, using gh 3 part nutes. The maint. on that hydro system is pretty minimal, the only time i actually do some work on that particular system is when i change out my res, wash down the res, and add my distillies and nutes. All in all, very easy to use. If you're interested in a hydro system then do your homework and find which will fit you and most importantly your grow room size. Ebb n flow takes up some space by height since i had to build my own tent to support my heavy 600 watt light fixture. If you dont have much space then an ebb n flow system is not for you. If you want to build one then all you need is a rubbermaid container with a lid, a tray to support your plants (i just ended up buying a actual ebb n flow tray), a water timer which is like +20 us, hoses (very cheap like under 5 dollars cheap), the fill and drain nozzles (hydro store 3 us each), and a pump timer (like 20 us dollars, you dont really need a fancy one like a digital, the regular dial timers work just as fine so dont waste your money), and hose clamps which run about 50 cents.

Ebb n Flo is what i use and i love it, 4x2 20gallon res, and i check it once e week with no problems, i know i should check it more but i have no probs, you can definitely get away without checking for a few days

Is any of the systems forgiving more or less with temperature are they all about the same? THanks

the bigger your reservoir, the more forgiving it will be to temperature fluctuations. if that is a concern you are having, you might want to consider ebb & flow since it generally requires a larger res. to operate.