MINI-VEG ROOM UPGRADE: HYDRO SYSTEM? - Page 2

Dr. Funkenstein · 09-09-2009, 02:40 PM

Thanks scrub for the reply. I had actually thought of something similar to that before, figuring it would give the best of both worlds. I'm sure it would help a lot of those people who would like to keep their DWC plants mobile.

I will be useing DWC in flower, just individual buckets so I won't really be having this problem..

I look forward to seeing the DIY tutorial for your creation, though.

On another note, I've located some aquarium silicone and was wondering what size submersible pump and air-pump for air stones, would be best for a E&F flood table system wirh a 18 gallon tote reservoir. I plan to only use 15 gallons max in this tote, if that helps. Anyone have any suggestions?

binxy · 09-15-2009, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrub

Hi, Dr. F. I wish you luck with your endeavors.

Although this is late to the table as you have already selected E & F as your grow method, I wanted to say that I've been toying with a root separation method for DWC. ....[snip]

I haven't tried this although I am considering it. Of course, this does not address the issue of the root ball fitting through the tote top holes.

Hi Dr. don't mean to hijack your thread but Scrub's idea got me thinking because I too want to veg some plants in a multiple DWC set up and then transfer the plants to individual buckets. I hadn't even THOUGHT of the tangled root issue.

So all day I was thinking about how to easily keep the roots separate... here's what dawned on me... how about using mesh bags around the net pots, extending into the water, to contain the roots as they grow? Bags like you buy onions in... (turns out the Google search term would be "tubular mesh" bags.)

I'm sure a few tendrils would get outside the mesh and tangle with a few from other bags but you could cut those. The mesh would allow the root ball to expand when in the water but you could pull the bottom of the bag to compress the ball into a tube when you transplanted that would fit through the hole in the lid. After you got the ball through the hole in the bucket lid you could cut the netting off.

Think this would work?

(Here's a place you can buy a small quantity: gourmetseed.com Medium Weight Mesh Produce Bag #3 - 25 count bundle )

edited to correct link (hopefully)

Dr. Funkenstein · 09-15-2009, 05:17 PM

Well I just built, and tested my mini E&F flood table system.

That mesh bag idea might work, keeping them contained. I know in DWC the roots have to dangle in the aerated solution. So roots do need to extend outside of the mesh or net pots to some degree. But if they could keep each net pot contained, then I don't see why it wouldn't work.

The thing that I started to wonder about is, say you start with 4" netpots, and your roots grow big and strong through the nets, and into your mesh sacks...

Then when you go to transplant, sure they will all be untangled, but what about getting them out of the net pot screens to move them into larger homes, so you could max out your root structure. Unless you were planning on burring the smaller 4" net pot into the larger pot, without removing the roots.

This is one of the reasons why I went with a E&F flood table system, keeping the roots contained in individual net pots, so they can be easily transplanted in their DWC systems for flower. 6" net bottom pots in E&F/Veg to 8-10" net pot lids in DWC/Flower.

I'm going to need to get me some of these bags, as the hydroton spilled out the drain holes on these net bottom pots. Thanks for the heads up.

Dr. Funkenstein · 09-15-2009, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrub

Hi, Dr. F. I wish you luck with your endeavors.

Although this is late to the table as you have already selected E & F as your grow method, I wanted to say that I've been toying with a root separation method for DWC. It uses 'Egg-Crate' partitions in the DWC reservoir.

If I may ...

For instance, if I had to reduce root tangle on plants in eight positions in my DWC I would do the following:

Cut one tote-length partition and four tote-width partitions from tote or similar material. Cut these to fit in your tote.
Mark off the tote-length partition into quarters. At these marks, cut three material thickness slits halfway UP the partition.
Mark off each tote-width partition into halves. At these marks, cut one material thickness slit halfway DOWN the partition.
Place the tote-length partition in the DWC reservoir with slits open UP.
Place the tote-width partitions in the DWC reservoir with slits open DOWN and interlock with the other partition's UPward facing slits.

If using four air stones in the DWC, you can notch the tote-length partition bottom edge in four positions. When you position the center partition, place it such that the notches hold down the air stones and span the two root chambers created.

I haven't tried this although I am considering it. Of course, this does not address the issue of the root ball fitting through the tote top holes.

Good growing to you.

Scrub, this would make a great DIY tutorial, with pics. My eggs are scrambled and I'm having a hard time picturing your idea in my mind, it seems.

scrub · 09-16-2009, 11:31 AM

I have not done this. It does not resolve the rootball-through-the-tote-top-hole issue. But I think that it will work to keep the roots mostly separated.

The number '1' drawing shows one possible source of plastic material to make the dividers. It may be better to use flatter material. Also, the height of the partitions doesn't have to be the height of the tote. I think that 1/2 to 2/3 the tote height is good.

Update: Just noticed that the word description has slots going up and down but the picture has slots going down then up. It does not matter. The verbal description may be easier to assemble. Also, how about a nice clear plastic clothes storage container to cut the partition material from?

Dr. Funkenstein · 09-18-2009, 07:16 PM

As of now, I have 10 gallons of RO water in an 18 gallon tote/E&F res. I have another 5 gallons I could pour in, but fear it would be too much, as 10 gallons is almost near the holes for my pump chord and air line.

I need to mix up my nutes, and am a lil intimidated by such a large mix

I do not want to mess this up, as I wont have time to get more RO water from the store, etc.

On top of this, since this is my first time running an E&F system, it will also by my first time running all strains from the same reservoir. I know what I've been told, and that will work for next run, but for now I need to come up with a solution.

I guess I should try half strength and go from there, or should I base it on what I've been feeding them by hand?

I mean, I see slight differences, but for the most part I think they all can tolerate the same mixture, with little side effects if that. The runt actually seemed to respond better to a stronger mix, when I've been light feeding her.

Hmm..

Dr. Funkenstein · 09-18-2009, 08:18 PM

I just transplanted my plants into their new net-bottom pots, and got to check out how their root systems have developed since the last transplanting.

The runt made massive gains, actually sprouting new white juicy roots out the side of the plugs. The other 2 had giant root balls that were heavy WITHOUT THE HYDROTON

I'm really impressed with the gains(hygrozyme kicks ass) although it has been a month since they last moved up. I suppose they should've been at this stage after the first month.

When shaking out the stuck hydroton within the root balls, I noticed a strong freshly cut cucumber smell. Is this a good thing? Did my roots do well in my other system?

Dr. Funkenstein · 09-20-2009, 02:38 AM

Had my first flood just now. Hempy cup mum fell over, hydroton fell out, clogged drain line.

All I heard was NIAGRA FALLS! I jumped up and ran and thats where I saw everything flooded, hydroton in the drain pipe. I unplugged the pump, unscrewed the drain pipe with 3 pellets lodged inside, and found a single pellet was clogging the actual hole.

I originally had a screen for a metal pipe for smoking mounted on this, but it was too fine of screen, and seemed to impede water flow, almost to the point of flooding. So I removed it yesterday, but had not thought to use anything in its place.

I knew this was bound to happen, which is why I'm glad I've been constantly monitoring each flood cycle and turning off the ones where I wont have the chance.

I may need to cut down my drain pipe a little more just to be safe, and DEFINITELY get some screen mounted.

STEP BY STEP, INCH BY INCH... BAWOOOSH- NIAGRA FALLS!!!

Dr. Funkenstein · 09-20-2009, 08:30 PM

I chopped another half inch from the drain pipe at an angle, so now there is about an inch and a half before NIAGRA FALLS.

I will be adding screeen to the drain pipe as well. Now that it is cut at a 45 degree angle, it will prevent pellets from nesting on top of the screen on the end of the drain pipe.

I discovered why the hempy mum fell over. I had been training her branches, and when the water level rose up, it literally swept FLO from her feet and out poured her rocks.

I'm going to try sleeping tonight with the pump on it's timer. If all goes well, I will be not having dreams of splashing about in a lake of fire.

Dr. Funkenstein · 09-25-2009, 05:13 PM

Hey everyone, just posting an update, with a couple concerns.

This is my second week useing my E&F flood table system, and I must say I'm loving it. Roots have already grown out the bottom of the pots of 2 plants. I felt them, as I wasn't sure at first what they were. They look almost plastic-like.

As I felt them, they felt kind of slippery, possibly slime developing or they were just extremely healthy and fragile. They have been wading in the little puddle of water at the bottom of my tray. When refilling my reservoir, actually, doing a 5gallon add-back, as the tank was a little less than 5 gallons shy and didn't want to waste the nutes, I ran my hand around the inside of the tank to feel around and notice a slight slickness, which I'm assuming is that slime.

As I just mentioned, I decided to add another 5gallons of fresh RO water, which brought my PPM down to 1100 from 1600+.

Now what should I do about this potential slime problem? I have been trying to keep my res cool, by keeping ambient room temps down and useing ice-packs. My pH pen batteries are low, so my pH has been reading a full number under, which I've been compensating for. The res temps showed 71.3f degrees, but this may be actually higher.

I decided to add more water to lower PPM concentration, and to kind of filter things out. I'm not sure if this will do just that, but I figured it was a shot. Was this the better move? Or should I have let them live from the remaining 5gallons in the reservoir till the end of next week, and do a total change out?

I've heard of people useing hydrogen peroxide to help deal with any potential slime issues in an under chilled reservoir. I have some flora shield by fox farm that has a small amount of hydrogen peroxide in it. I'm currently useing Hygrozyme and I know this can be used in conjunction with hydrogen peroxide.

Should I be adding any of this to help keep the slime at bay?

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