W33DM4N420

I have a DWC setup and was wondering how many times a day to turn my pump on and for how long? Also when the roots start hanging into my water and nute solution, do I still need to have the pump pump water to base of plant? Like would my watering schedule change as the plant gets more mature?

Rumpleforeskin

You leave your pump on 24 hours a day.

You should not have to water from the top ever. After you install a new rooted clone, keep the nutrient level just touching the bottom of the basket. After you see root coming out of the basket, drop and maintain the nutrient level at one inch below the bottom of the basket.

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W33DM4N420

Well I am starting the seeds in Rockwool cubes so I was wondering how the plant is supposed to get water when the root is so small and inside the cube still. Like do you have any pictures of what it should look like? I mean I got the whole tote thing with net pots and airstones but I got a little confused when it came to the water pump and how to go about hooking it up and with what. Can you please give me specific details on how this should work with the pump and all? Thank you.

Rumpleforeskin

Most DWC units don't use a water pump. Only an air pump is needed. I use a water pump to drain, fill, and stir/circulate the system. But you don't need a water pump at all (just nice to have).

Plant your seeds in a 1" or 2" rockwool cube. Leave the cube in a pie tin or a shallow tray. Keep the rockwool moist with pure water. Transplant into the mesh-baskets only after you see roots coming out of the cube.

Place a layer of hydroton in the basket, then drop in your cube/seedling, incase the cube in hydroton. You are all set to start up your DWC.

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W33DM4N420

Oh okay so I do not need nutrients until I actually place the cubes in the DWC setup? I figure by the time the roots start coming out of the cube, the plant will be fairly decent in size. Thats why it didn't make sense to me about the nutrients. I bought the General Hydroponics 3 Part Floraseries nutrients and was wondering when to actually start adding them to my water?

Rumpleforeskin

I just give it water while in the small cube. But I know folks who mix 20% strength veg formula and feed it to seedlings. What ever you do, make sure it's very diluted.
Try this old Lucas formula after you get it in the buckets:
General Hydroponics Flora Series Feeding Strategy - Old Lucas Formula

G-M-B (Grow-Micro-Bloom)
0-5-10 - For Vegetative cycle (24/0)
0-8-16 - For Flowering cycle (12/12)

The numbers above indicate the number of milliliters (ml/cc) of Flora Grow, Flora Micro or Flora Bloom formulas that I use in one gallon (US Liquid) of nutrients.

You will notice I dont use any of the "Flora Grow” formula, do not need to, the "Flora Micro" provides plenty of Nitrogen.

1. Top off the reservoir daily using a pH corrected water solution as required to maintain full reservoir level. After adding back an amount of water equal to the amount of your reservoir capacity you should change the reservoir and put in fresh solution.

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W33DM4N420

Wow okay. So I don't need the grow? That sounds odd but hell I'll take your word for it. Also with the G-M-B (Grow-Micro-Bloom)
0-5-10 - For Vegetative cycle (24/0)
0-8-16 - For Flowering cycle (12/12)

I would just mix the Micro and the bloom together? I guess it didnt make sense to me as to why I would use bloom nutes for a vegetating plant?

Rumpleforeskin

Lucas has tossed out the "Grow" and came up with a simple way to feed. Mind you, this is not the current or complete Lucas formula. He has changed things around (made the veg formula stronger), but my plants did not do well with the new version (burnt). The "original recipe" worked great for me and was gentle. The number one mistake for first time hydro growers is OVER-FEEDING. Most folks know over feeding will burn leaves, but lots miss the other problems like slow growth rates. Don't add anything more no matter how cool the name is or the picture on the bottle.

The way I do it, you will not need a TDS meter. But checking PH daily is a must.

Never mix your concentrate together. You must dilute each separately (mix in one at a time)

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W33DM4N420

Ahh I got ya. Thanks for the info. One more thing. How long until I can go full strength with my nutrients? Like when my plant is still a seedling, do I use the Lucas formula of 5/10 or like half strength? so would it be 2.5ml/5ml?

Rumpleforeskin

As soon as I add the seedling to the bucket it is at full veg formula. From seed to seedling in the cube I would go 1-2 or about 20%. I dont use anything myself. I clone with pure water and take rooted clone to full veg in the buckets.

Just cut from mother plant. I use no cloning gel or powder. Just pure water.



About 14 days later. Ready for the buckets.



Add a layer of hydroton and install the clone.



Ready to grow. Add full veg nutrients to the buckets and watch them grow.



70 Days later (veg 10, flower 60). Time to start over again.

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