Critique my Drip to Waste plan!

I will be soon moving to a drip to waste system (currently running a 5 bucket DWC). I have also seen this called "drain to waste" and "feed to waste".

I have a good source of support in putting this together from a knowledgeable friend, though... finding information on the Internet is slim to none.

Here is my setup and plan:

• 4x4 bontanicare (or similar tray-table).
• 1.5 Gallon Pots. I will put 8 to 12 pots in the table.
• I will have an external reservoir (have not determined the size yet). This will be outside my grow tent.
• I will have a pump in the reservoir connected to 1/2 inch tubing to the table (anti-siphon installed).
• From the tubing on the table, I will use two spegetti tubing to each plant with a dripper on each. One dripper on each side of each plant to ensure balanced watering.

Pot Configuration:

• Each pot will have 2 inches of hydroton at the bottom, then 1 inch layer of mini-rockwool cubes (sugar cube size).
• Then I will put my clone in a 4x4 rockwool.
• Then I will put the clone into the pot.
• Now I will fill all around the sides with the mini-rockwool cubes.
• Then finally, fill the top with Hydroton.

Grow:

• I will take my clones that come in 2x2 rockwool and put them into 4x4 rockwool (covered with plastic on the sides).
• I will place these directly onto my table.
• I will mix up a batch of 50% nutes and hand water for the first 7 days. I should only have to water 1-3 times (total) in the first week.
• I will be vegging during this time.
• After about 7 days the roots should be pushing out of the 4x4 cube.
• Once the roots show on the cube, I will cut the plastic off and transplant (as described above) into the pots.
• The plants will then continue to be vegged, but now in the pots.
• I will now mix up a full reservoir of water-nutes.
• They will now go to a twice a day drip/feed schedule. First feed-time will be about 10 minutes before the light turns on, and the second time will be midway through the light hours. Each feed will be drip until 10% run-off.
• Once every two weeks throughout the grow I will do a manual flush of the plants with water/clearx (manually by hand).

It is my belief that I will lose (or waste) 2-4 gallons per day or 14-28 gallons per week. I believe my 30 gallon reservoir will last me one to two weeks in this setup. This is actually the same (or less) waste then in my current Deep Water Culture system. This is because I have to dump my DWC setup every 7 days.

I really can't find many people on these forums (and other forums) with drip to waste systems. I know I am taking a big risk because of the lack of information and support group. Though, if I can be successful, I might be able to share my knowledge and experiences for other people considering this setup. I am really excited to get this started. I will finish out my current grow and switch to this after. I will probably get started on this in about 2.5 months.

Any feedback, comments, criticism, chat, banter, etc is welcome!

 

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