Hydro - will something like this work

[Help_Needed]

Considering a hydro system for my current grow. Found this http://www.hydrofarm.com/pb_detail.php?itemid=624 on the web. It's only 2x2 and will hold 6 plants. My one concern is if something like this is big enough to support all 6 plants or of the plants will be too close together.

Thoughts?

[Flarkington]

you can build it yourself for much cheaper.

[Help_Needed]

Originally Posted by Flarkington

you can build it yourself for much cheaper.

Is that before or after I flood my carpet with nutrient solution because my homemade version sprung a leak?

Seriously, you're talking to a guy who wasn't talented enough to install the handles on the accordionated doors in the hall closet. If it takes more than a screwdriver it's beyond my skills lol.

Local grow store sold me this as a kit, complete with nutes, clay pellets, ph up & ph down for $190 after tax. Yeah I could save at least $100 by building my own system, but to me, it's not worth the trouble or potential headache.

Oh and the guy assurred me that this kit could easily sustain my three-four foot tall tomato plants

[hashaman]

Fark speaks the truth. It's not worth it. Go read the Bubble Bucket build guide and see how easy it is for yourself

[Help_Needed]

Originally Posted by hashaman

Fark speaks the truth. It's not worth it. Go read the Bubble Bucket build guide and see how easy it is for yourself

Yes, I ready the bubble bucket guide...several times. I even went to Home Depot and priced the parts - bucket with lid $7, pvc pipe $3 (enough for several buckets), 10 pvc connectors (~1.50each) $15, pvc ball valve $4, aluminium tape $15 (I'm guessing it'll do 3 buckets?), O-rings and clear tubing - didn't bother looking. I'm up to $44 for one bucket or $36 & change per bucket if I make more than one, and I don't have the o-rings, tubing, pumps, airstones, or air tubing. Oh yeah, I still need nutes, clay pellets, and net pots too.

Bottom line is, I'm not saving that much money (if any), and I'm going through a serious hassle to put it all together. Is it worth it? Well, that's pretty subjective and depends a lot on your income and how valuable you think your time is. To me it's worth it not to have to struggle with the assembly - and past experience tells me that I will.

Besides, all of this is sorta moot and doesn't really answer the question I asked .

Would something like this work?

[itty53]

okay dude there's one rule to growing: You don't know the mechanics/functions/how-stuff-works...you won't succeed.

just because you THINK youre not mechanically adept...LEARN.

Because if you spend money on a cabinet or set-up or whatever...you spend 6 times as much, and it won't work half as well, PLUS you don't get the added benefit of the KNOWLEDGE that comes with the learning and building and experimenting. It's the biggest reason why the majority of all of us come here: Knowledge.

[OpethcLEGALIZE]

True that.^

[chimera]

Originally Posted by Help_Needed

Considering a hydro system for my current grow. Found this http://www.hydrofarm.com/pb_detail.php?itemid=624 on the web. It's only 2x2 and will hold 6 plants. My one concern is if something like this is big enough to support all 6 plants or of the plants will be too close together.

Thoughts?

First let me state there is nothing wrong with purchasing a hydroponic set-up...that said you still need a pH meter and a TDS meter and thats going to cost from $100-> a few thousand dollars, as for nutes there are a lot of good ones, just decide on one brand/manufacturer and by there complete line.

Now, I'll answer your question...No six MJ plants will not be sustainable in that, if you want simple hydro set-up try this one or something along this line:http://cgi.ebay.com/2-PLANT-DRIP-HYD...QQcmdZViewItem

The maximum number of plants you can squeeze into a 2x2 area is 4 plants using SOG growing method, otherwise you only really have room for 1-2 plants, to maximize your grow space look into SCROG method.

Good Luck.

[Help_Needed]

Originally Posted by itty53

okay dude there's one rule to growing: You don't know the mechanics/functions/how-stuff-works...you won't succeed.

No offense, but your statement is seriously flawed. I agree that I need to understand the principles of what makes hydro work. I especially need to undertand how those principles apply to the system I'm using. But there's a big difference between understanding hydro principles and knowing how to operate a drill or place a drain hole. And there's so relationship between the two skill sets.

Because if you spend money on a cabinet or set-up or whatever...you spend 6 times as much, and it won't work half as well

See my above post. If anything I'm spending *maybe* 15% more, and I'm not so sure it's that much. As for it not working as well, the equipment I buy comes with a warrantee...if it doesn't work well, I'm taking it back. There's no warranty for homemade equipment.

Originally Posted by chimera

First let me state there is nothing wrong with purchasing a hydroponic set-up...that said you still need a pH meter and a TDS meter

Yay, someone agrees with me lol. Already have the pH meter and I'll be buying a TDS meter shortly.

Now, I'll answer your question...No six MJ plants will not be sustainable in that, if you want simple hydro set-up try this one or something along this line:http://cgi.ebay.com/2-PLANT-DRIP-HYD...QQcmdZViewItem

The maximum number of plants you can squeeze into a 2x2 area is 4 plants using SOG growing method, otherwise you only really have room for 1-2 plants, to maximize your grow space look into SCROG method.

Good Luck.

Could you expand on that, please? I've been looking at a lot of hydro systems. So far, with the exception of single plant systems (bubble buckets and some ebb-n-flow tables) none of the systems allow for 1 sq. ft. of growing space per plant. Most provide only 8-9 linear inches, center to center, between grow sites. This is less than 0.60 sq. ft. per plant. And yet I've seen a lot of documentation showing fairly large MJ crops growing in these types of systems.

So, now I'm confused. Help? lol

[brokencage]

Nothing wrong with buying a set up at all.I bought mine and dont regret it at all.I know enough now to build my own if I want to.

[tn88]

Sounds like you're pretty set on it, so try it out. I had a stealthydro system for my first grow and that held 6 plants.

[Help_Needed]

Originally Posted by tn88

Sounds like you're pretty set on it, so try it out. I had a stealthydro system for my first grow and that held 6 plants.

Sorry. Don't mean to come across that way. I *am* fairly set on the idea that I don't want to build my own system, assuming I do try hydro.

I'm *not* set on the system we're talking about here, however. I'd really like to understand all this stuff, so I'm asking questions. If this system can't actually support 6 plants in a SoG style grow, then it's going back to the store.

[ISTANDALONE]

help needed, google "sunleave's garden of ease". this is a simple hydro kit that will accomodate four plants. it might be more of what your looking for.

[Help_Needed]

Originally Posted by ISTANDALONE

help needed, google "sunleave's garden of ease". this is a simple hydro kit that will accomodate four plants. it might be more of what your looking for.

Hmmm...this one's 16"x16" which gives me only .44 sq. ft. per plant. That brings me back to my original question. Is that enough?

I've got one poster who's saying I need 1sq. ft. per plant minimum for a SoG grow. And I seem to rememer hearing something along those lines as well, but I *think* it was for a soil grow (don't remember for sure - looking for the info). Additional input would be appreciated.