Desert Fox

Anyone on here have experience with NFT hydro systems? (Nutrient Film Technique)
I am on my 2nd harvest this week. Keep having same trouble with tips of all large plant leaf tips turning brown curling up and dying. Happens during flowering usually. This is indication of drainage problems or nutrient overload. I have meters to rule out salt build up. My system uses a very weak pump with 2 supply lines running into 4" wide channels like rain gutters. Appreicate any and all opinions & input! Thanks! Peace!

Farmer_Ted

Hello Desert Fox!! I'm not a real master of deficiencies or pest problems, but I do have a book that I depend on in these situations. Its seems to me your describing a magnesium deficiency, (common in soiless mixtures, according to this book) Treat Mg. symptoms with one-half teaspoon of epsom salts to each quart of water. Like I said I'm no expert, I just matched your symptoms to what I read in the book.........peaceout FT

Papa Lazarou

Hi DF, I'm certainly no expert on diagnosis of nute problem and that sort of thing. However, what you're describing is perfectly normal as plants are coming to the end of their lives, i.e when they are near maturation. Certain strains of mj (e.g Skunk #1, Northern Lights) are more prone to doing it than others. Unless it is prematurely killing the plants off I don't think you have a major problem.

PS Do you use H202? I'm just starting to get into NFT myself after a few years of soil growing. Just wondered if that would help with general health of the plants seing as its supposed to get more oxygen to the roots and all that. Oh well, hope this was of some help!

Desert Fox

I have matched condition to a several books. One of my books says that this indicates a slight over fert. condition to back off for 2 weeks. I am going to build my own aeroponic system much better unit for my purposes. It seems like the NFT is either to wet or to dry.
Thanks for your help I am getting ready for my next crop. My yield was real low because of PH problems due to bad meter. I back up readings with old method now!
My system has a 20 gallon tank someone suggested to get a larger tank. My pump only trickles water into the 4" wide channels maybe more powerful pump too. Not sure the dude custom designs these units and they are all over Las vegas! Peace!

[This message has been edited by Desert Fox (edited September 10, 2000).]

quantumhydro

hi u said u had a weak pump that is probably
90% of prob get some sort of airiation/agitation going on in your water tank the more the better change pump and have a stronger flow as well keep on tokin QHC

quantumhydro

another thought the rockwool is another prob as it holds to much water around the root ball and promotes root rot in the last 10 days of flowering the way i got around this was just use 1/2 inch rockwool and support
plants from the off as u are on table sooner
start with lower nuets 1/4 str then 1/2 3 -4
days later an then to f/s. the plants will tell u
keep on tokin QHC.

Desert Fox

Hey dude thanks for the help. One other thing the guy who amde this system has a timer on nutrient pump. Every 30 minutes it runs for like 5-15 minutes. Isn't it supposed to run all the time? What degree of drop should there be for water flow along channels? I have it at 1/2" presently drop from beginning of channel to end.
I am adding a air pump with a 12" long air stone attached. Along with a heater which leads into the next question I find different temps. What is the best all around temperture for nutrient tank 65-85?
I am going to convert to 8" pipe instead of channels adding a misting action inside pipes. Will decide after this crop if I will or not. Thanks a lot! Peace!

quantumhydro

hi keep the pumps on 24/7 an the water temp 18-21 is about the best the slope of your table/tube can be more. we have had raging torrents running down the table with no detrementle effects on the plants and it seems with nft the better the flow the better the production my mate didnt bother with spreadermat jus made sure there was a flow to each plant results were good less build up of salts an nice pony tails of healthy root
there are much better systems than nft though
why not look at the dwc bubbler some older postings have the addy for it. easy to make an a lot better than nft an in a couple of months there will be another system totally bare root. keep on tokin QHC

Desert Fox

Thanks dude! I have added a 10" air stone & increased the incline to 2" drop. My plants are really loving it in fact they seem to want more nute now for some reason? PH is stable and most of all salt buildup is not even happening. Last 3 crops it kept on being a problem. Appreicate your advice I plan to switch to aeroponics. Btw, what does DWC stand for? I have seen many posts about DWC bubblers. I understand that it is plants roots suspended in heavy aeriated nutrient solution. Thanks again!

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, helvetica, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Quantumhydro:
hi keep the pumps on 24/7 an the water temp 18-21 is about the best the slope of your table/tube can be more. we have had raging torrents running down the table with no detrementle effects on the plants and it seems with nft the better the flow the better the production my mate didnt bother with spreadermat jus made sure there was a flow to each plant results were good less build up of salts an nice pony tails of healthy root
there are much better systems than nft though
why not look at the dwc bubbler some older postings have the addy for it. easy to make an a lot better than nft an in a couple of months there will be another system totally bare root. keep on tokin QHC <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>