Under Current vs. Ebb n Flo

[Neo 420]

I am not familiar with the UC, but very experienced with E&F tables. In my experience, you want to KISS on a large operation, and 5-6 lights is not a small op. You said you want something quick and easy to break down. A table can be set up in 20 minutes, 30-40 if you want to build a real nice stand for it.

The UC is very simple to break down. May look complicated but actually not.

The UC sounds like it could be problematic if a pump failed, while E&F tables are bulletproof and even a 3 day pump failure, wont cost you a crop.

UC.s are not problematic. Not trying to insult but why make such a comment if you have never dealt with this product? E&F are not bulletproof. All be it E&F is a good technique, flooding is always a concern. The UC's must have complete power outage for you to have mass failure.

I also dont see why you cant grow bigger plants in the table. I have SOGGED and run big plants in a table.

Growing monsters in the UC is cake but growing monsters in E&F, you have to be dialed in and have some experience. Believe me, my first run at E&F was dismal.

As far as plant #'s, dont get caught up in it. You never know whats going to happen. I have personally seen ther DEA involved in multiple location busts with one place having 1000+ plants and charges stay state.

Totally agree...

 

[FLoJo]

i would say that the design of the UC is less problematic than tables due to what was said before about crop loss.. and while it may be harder to break down than tables, its not quite as obvious as 3x6 trays and 70 gallon ressies flying out the front door LOL!

and as far as numbers go.. all i can say is id rather be safe than sorry.. low numbers are always better than high numbers with the fuzz at your door! but id like to think i take every precaution not to have to deal wit that matter anyways.

i think im gonna get a bare bones 13gallon with the standard config, throw in a hiblow and some 8 inch stones, and run it side by side with 2 tables and the UC, just to see what will happen.. if i can match my yields in a crop or two, ill do the UC, if not ill craigslist the beatch haha

 

[opt1c]

I ran the uc vs bato buckets which were on a 3x6 tray; basically the same equipment as ebb and flow... let me tell you it's way easier to scrub an 8/13 gal bucket than a 3x6 tray and the trays are a bitch to move around the room or outside

also big plants on a table are always going to be more crowded than big plants in separate units

3 day pump failure might be ok depending on medium but if u got an 85f room and u don't give plants in hydroton water u got a problem; that's why i used bato buckets...they have emergency reservoirs in the bottom of each bucket for this very reason

ups computer backup power supply... if ur power is out for 3 days get a generator or move outa the 3rd world

 

[FLoJo]

not to mention cleaning 2 bags of hydroton for a few large net cups is much much easier than cleaning 10 bags for 4 tables worth of plants!!!

 

[opt1c]

god i can't even imagine a table full of hydroton; i don't think its possible to really truly clean hydroton... probably need a pressure washer and a few days or something... no matter how many times i rinse mine in the sink it'll still leave some dust in the bottom of the buckets when all is said and done

 

[dtfsux]

not to mention cleaning 2 bags of hydroton for a few large net cups is much much easier than cleaning 10 bags for 4 tables worth of plants!!!

You arent going to use anymore hydroton in a table, than in those buckets. Net pot size will be the same regardless of system. Its just a matter of how you supply water to those net pots.

There is absolutely no need to fill a table full of hydroton, and having run alot of E&F tables, its something I would highly not recommend.

After seeing how the UC is built with the uniseals, I see how it may not be that big of a deal to setup. I was thinking of tons of glue/silicone etc.

And last of all, having dealt with 1000's of liters of hydroton, for several grows, I will tell you, you dont need to clean it thoroughly. Get the bulk of the roots out, bleach the system with the rocks in it, rinse, and you are done

Having run commercial ops for 3 years, I know what kind of failures can and will happen, no matter how hard you try to avoid it.

Good luck, I am sure those UC buckets will kick some ass for you!!!

 

[opt1c]

the uc is a dream to setup and tear down; with a spray bottle of soapy water and a rubber mallet it's easier than a darkroom tent

i chuck my netpots after every grow cuz the roots destroy em

ebb & flow is good for higher numbers of smaller plants
the under current is good for smaller numbers of larger plants

 

[HUGE]

What abou E&F buckets like the cap ebb & gro? I currently have 5 foot trees in those buckets all hydroton I don't. See why hydroton is bad for big trees.

 

[opt1c]

What abou E&F buckets like the cap ebb & gro? I currently have 5 foot trees in those buckets all hydroton I don't. See why hydroton is bad for big trees.

pics... it just seems like larger plants would like larger root spaces... 2.5gal is pretty constraining for roots when growing trees

 

[grow nerd]

I really want to try one of these systems in my next room setup... but it's so damned expensive to buy! Yet such a pain in the ass to order all the parts.

Although a great idea / system certainly worthy of $450k to a business, I have a feeling this UC/doubleds deal also included massive amounts of pot. Maybe not, but it's fun to think about.

 

[FLoJo]

i dont actually fill the tables with hydroton, but each 3x6 table holds 100 plants, which is 100 5x5 pots.. so overall thats 400 5x5 pots filled with hydroton... i was comparing cleaning that vs cleaning 32 5.5 inch net pots..

and hydroton can never be totally cleaned, and continually breaks down so new dust is always accumulating.. what a pain in the ass LOL

ive been trying to build a machine that cleans hydroton automatically.. i think every hydro grower would buy one if the price was right lol

 

[opt1c]

its called a cement mixer with a pressure washer; not the most automatic but the only thing i know of that really works