Hey GC Just got my new DIY cloner and tent built, and currently testing the setup using basil clones, and a few seedlings. Its a 2x2x3 panda film/pvc tent small fan for air flow PC fan for exhaust Plenty of roots now on the basil clones and seedlings (aero) Anyways i have been experimenting with the ArtDNE adjustable recycle timer, playing with the different on/off times, mainly using 1 minute on however. I noticed that even with 1 minute on, and 15 minutes off, all the plant's roots have plenty of water still on them. Even a little droplet on the end of each root. My reason for watering like this was because my clones and seedlings looked over watered, so i started lengthening the off time. The seedlings look good, but the larger basil clones still look over watered... Should i consider an even longer off time? How can people water for 1 on 5 off and have good results? I must be doing something wrong! EDIT: I am using 320ppm ph 5.8 80*F average for now Fish tank air bubble pump gets installed soon..
I have my nft on 24/7 and I have no symptoms of over watering. I have an air bubbler in the res for more tdo. (Total dissolved oxygen) You probably don't have your res open to the air, so it is starved for oxygen, get an air stone and report back. Until you get an air stone you can leave the top of the res open to circulate air into the water. A common misconception about air bubblers is that they're putting air in to the water, but the bubbles aren't in the water long enough to really help. It's actually the movement of the water surface that puts the most air in the water, it's got way more surface area than tiny bubbles. But you still need fresh air interacting with the surface and an air pump is the best way. Also check the roots, if they don't look healthy then you have more problems than just air, like root rot, bugs, algae, ph or ppm problems etc.
you are right and you are wrong. yes the most air is put into the water through surface transfer, but i must ask you what happens when the bubble gets to the surface of the water? it breaks and disturbes the surface, transfering its O2 into the water
Yeah exactly. Most of it fills the empty space above the water, eventually exiting through any escape holes. A little bit does get absorbed. Because so little gets absorbed you should run as much air as you can. Moving air and moving water interacting gets the most DO in the water, the bubbles do both, they disturb the water surface and by displacing old air in the res it keeps everything moving and fresh.
what nutrients would you recommend for an inexperienced grower I'm doing 2 (12 site) systems and I am hoping to spend the lowest amount possible on nutrients
Use general hydroponics bloom, and general hydroponics micro nutrients. Use 2 parts bloom, 1 part micro. Add until PPM reaches 1000. For example, I will fill my tub with 7 gallons water, 4 tablespoons micro, 8 tablespoons bloom and the ppl will be somewhere around 1000. But this method will apply to any sized grow