Most Noobs are afraid of hydro, when in fact it can be easy peazy, and is far more rewarding than soil Of utmost importance is, when you have a plant problem (most are nute related) you simply dump nutes, make a fresh batch and immediately run a feed cycle. It would take days of waiting for soil to dry before making a correction I have tested various nutrients and found Hydroponic-Research V + B ( a dry one part formula) to be both super simple to use, while growing huge plants. $20 a pound will last ~ 4 grows Just add your own RO/distilled water and hand mix: I use an electric hand mixer. FYI, I used to be a pH Nazi, but no more. Been experimenting for 4+ years developing various hydro systems In the end I went back to my roots- F & D to develop a mini-system that is both inexpensive AND easily expandable Parts ~ 5 gallon storage totes (@~ $7) 1/2" tubing bulkhead fittings (~ $3 from boat supply) elbows, Ts etc ~ 160 gph submersible pump <$15 Deep Cycle timer ~ $30 The length of on time is a factor of tote size 4-6" net pots Polished ornamental stones from Dollar Store ~ 3 gallon Kitty Liter bucket (or similar) 2g of nutes will feed up to 2 totes! You can grow one plant for ~ $90 (plus lighting), or about the going price for a 1/4oz of high quality meds Lighting is also a consideration In a 2 x2 space I have used led retro bulbs from Lowes/HD (@ ~ $15) + 2-3 bulb vanity fixture (<$20) However, these days you can buy a high quality 100w led specifically designed for mj ~ $265 Amare Tech Solar Spec LED panels are designed specifically for mj, and come in 100/150/260 w panels. Each panel has separate o/o switches for veg and flower, PLUS, piggyback electric to run multiple panels from one socket AND it's easily and cheaply expandable Got questions? Fire away Stop by my lighting thread to see it in action
Here's a few pictures of a reveg I just harvested > 130gms from using a single tote 8/9: brought in from outside where I had left it to die, but summer rains kept it alive, barely I harvested ~ 118gms first time, using top feed Hydro Halo rings Decided to use it to test out my Mini-Me F & D Needless to say...
The Solar Spec panels are much more intense than the BML SPYDR 600 that I used to complete 2 grows Higher intensity causes plants to consume more Mg, so been slowly adding ppms from 100, now @ ~ 400 Mg deficiency finally under control Had to increase Mg by ~ 400ppm New growth looks healthy Lots of red from deficiency receding Seed manufacturer says this strain needs less ppms, which I tried, but am now back up to levels I was using, now ~ 800ppm I had also cut feed times from one hour to 2 hours, but have gone back to one hour cycles Since doing this, plants have recovered, but were definitely held back
Just in case someone is lurking... About every 10-14 days my totes need to be cleaned as they are exposed to light and the roots tned to grow and stay wet near the bottom, so algae develops No big deal to take plants out as each has it's own net pot Then simply pull 1/2" tube off the bulkhead Remove tote to sink and clean with bleach Rinse and reinsert