AERO/HYDRO Research and Development

[Dr.Greenthmb420]

Howdy old and new viewers! If you missed my previous posting on "MY FIRST HYDRO GROW STG", you can view it by clicking the link below in my signature.

This is a Research and Development project for something much larger to come in the future!

With remaining to focus on my previous goals, I would like to continue to reduce cost and complexity. In addition I hope to grow much faster and create a much more transfer friendly system to move from room to room. I hope to achieve a reduction in cost of 70% or greater through using 75% less grow media and at least 50% less nutrients and water.

The main difference in my new system is I have switched from each bucket containing about a 3 gallon mixture of SURE TO GROW and Rockwool to just 4 cups of Hydroton pebbles(except rockwool clones were rooted in). Im using the same 5 gallon buckets but now with the 6 inch net pots lids filled with Hydroton. My filler lines run over the top with fittings directing a thick stream of water over the center, down the base of the plant and diffuses throughout the Hydroton and a nice trickle over all the exposed roots. This later will be converted to a pressurized sprayer/mister system with around 120 super short misting cycles daily! YES 120 CYCLES DAILY! STAY TUNED FOR THAT!

The picture below shows an overview of the system layout with all grow buckets on top of insulated Styrofoam to keep root zone temp from large changes and also to elevate the buckets slightly higher than the "Return Bucket".

4 Weeks after cuttings were made! Now growing at 1 to 2 inches a day in height and diameter!



Here is where the water returns (Return Bucket) after/during a 2 minute cycle. You can see a float valve and a 250GPH pump that turns on once enough water pushes into the return bucket.



I don’t currently have a picture of the reservoir as it is on the other side of the wall making more room for large bushy growth and access to each plant. Much easier to clean as well without having to worry about damaging the plants. Currently only using 15 gallons in my reservoir with a little more that remains in the bottom of the buckets. A great reduction in cost and allows you more reservoir changes to keep nutrients balanced and a clean system!

In the next 3 pictures you will see a clear difference in root system between the Heavy Indica and Heavy Sativa Strains. T he In dica dominant strain (Blue Hash) "SEEMS" to show characteristics of a Fibrous (diffused) roots and the Sativa “Krypto Diesel” reflects a hybrid of a Tap and Fibrous roots system.



"Cannadiental" Below



Blue Hash Below



Results on last system below, hope to far exceed my previous results!

 

[runningriot]

Hey brother I run the exact same set up! High pressure aero cycling 48 times a day in 5 gal buckets.

My only question, I see your drain lines are almost flush with the bottom side. I experienced some root rot problems from having drilled my drain holes in the side instead on the bottom, did you have any problems like that?

what was your final harvest weight for those 6 plants?

link to my aero grow https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=202976

 

[Dr.Greenthmb420]

My last system was a little different much like a "EBB AND GROW" heres some pics

This is a small research a development run. I may have to eventually change to a bottom fitting instead. Thanks for the info! Last harvest I had 12 plants, some strains were low yielders 2.5 ounces each and my highest yielder was 5.5 ounces each. A over all average was a little over 4 ounces per plant/1lb per 1000 watt light. Dried completely was about 3.25 lbs. It was an alright harvest but i think this will be alot more productive! Keep watching and Ill keep it updated!

Hey brother I run the exact same set up! High pressure aero cycling 48 times a day in 5 gal buckets.

My only question, I see your drain lines are almost flush with the bottom side. I experienced some root rot problems from having drilled my drain holes in the side instead on the bottom, did you have any problems like that?

what was your final harvest weight for those 6 plants?

link to my aero grow https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=202976

 

[Dr.Greenthmb420]

PICS FROM LAST NIGHT

PICS FROM LAST NIGHT

5 weeks from cutting, 4 weeks exactly from time of transplant.

https://www.icmag.com/ic/picture.php?albumid=28939&pictureid=648601 https://www.icmag.com/ic/picture.php?albumid=28939&pictureid=648599

 

[Me2]

120 cycles isnt a lot, a basic 1min on/ 4min off NFT timer is close to 300 cycles per day

 

[Aerohead]

You have my full attention, I love this stuff.....

 

[BUNDY & COKE]

You have my full attention, I love this stuff.....

Yes, count me in also.

 

[Khaleel]

 

[Ursus]

im sorry is that wet perlite or fucking mush in that 5 gal bucket in your ebb n grow?

 

[Dr.Greenthmb420]

im sorry is that wet perlite or fucking mush in that 5 gal bucket in your ebb n grow?

Ursus Thanks for your posting, The system was based off the Ebb and Grow but with more simple components. Inside my 5 Gal buckets I have Instant Quaker Oats with mashed potatoes and white turkey gravy. MMMM Good stuff. Its "Sure To Grow" Loose fill your seeing around Sure To Grow 6" blocks which is under a 4" Rockwool block. Its a bit pricey but well worth it on a small scale grow. It requires NO preping, it inert, doesnt wick up nutrients, drains quicker, sterile, and several other advantages over other media. Its the easiest thing to grow in aside from air.

Comes in all types of forms, loose fill, square hail stones, different size blocks like rockwool, bucket inserts, net pot inserts, flood table mat and all types of forms to meet your systems needs.

PERFECT MEDIA, NOT FRIENDLY ON THE WALLET THOUGH

 

[Dr.Greenthmb420]

17 day Difference

17 day Difference

These Pics were taken on 04/07/11 and 04/24/11.

 

[Dr.Greenthmb420]

Did a few clones off the these two strongest mothers




Pic of the reservoir (will switch out to a smaller one soon) with the 10 gallons of nutrients I use for six plants! I change it every 10 days. assuming I go 6 weeks veg and 8 weeks flowering that would be around 10 reservoir changes including both veg and bloom and only 100 gallons used total. AMAZING compared to flood and drain, DWC and other methods!


Pic of the roots under the led

Pic of the 360 degrees nozzle. made for shrubs LOL a bit over kill but this is just a R and D Run and learning alot of specifics and things to change.

 

[Dr.Greenthmb420]

Too much Nitrogen?

Too much Nitrogen?

My "Cannadential" 50/50 hybrid leaves looks pretty lush and dark green,(no leaf burn at all) Been using GH flora series and I think in combination it has alot of Nitrogen, 5-0-1 in the Micro and 2-1-6 in the Grow. Seems most others 3 part manufactures have similar percentages in N-P-K except for in the Nitrogen in the Micro which is usually at 2% or 3%(aside from Ionic). Have a little root rot that Im going to start treating with Hygrozyme and 3% peroxide tonight too. PPMs have been at 900-1000, pH at 6.0-6.2, and Temp 66-70 degrees. ANY ADVICE ON THE DARK LEAF COLOR? This was 3 days ago and will have new Pics soon.

 

[Aerohead]

Have you been using all three GH floras? If so this makes sense, too much N for sure. Just use micro and bloom as the grow is not needed. You might also try dropping the ppm's a tad unless you are using tap water, if so, what ppm is the tap?

Have a little root rot that Im going to start treating with Hygrozyme and 3% peroxide tonight too.

If you think you have a little root rot now, wait until you add the hygrozyme, it will be out of control, don't do it... Also 3% h2o2 is basically worthless for hydro, you need at least the 27% sold at grow shops to make a difference, better yet, use bleach...


Just tryin to help, nice thread, I like what you have going on so far....

 

[Dr.Greenthmb420]

Have you been using all three GH floras? If so this makes sense, too much N for sure. Just use micro and bloom as the grow is not needed. You might also try dropping the ppm's a tad unless you are using tap water, if so, what ppm is the tap?



If you think you have a little root rot now, wait until you add the hygrozyme, it will be out of control, don't do it... Also 3% h2o2 is basically worthless for hydro, you need at least the 27% sold at grow shops to make a difference, better yet, use bleach...


Just tryin to help, nice thread, I like what you have going on so far....

THANKS FOR THE INFO AERO!

I am using all three together with tap water starting at 200ppm. I may try just the micro and bloom. Seems weird not using the grow for "veg". Ill try the Hygrozyme as recommended on the bottle and change the reservoir out every few days until I "may" see positive results. I have heard some horror stories and some really good things. Seems to be hit or miss. Ill take some pics before and after a week or so to see what happens. Also heard there was a recall once on a large batch # which caused alot of people to complain about slimmier results. My Hydro store guy has never "just sold me" on anything and swears by it.

But again I do appreciate the info and will keep it in mind and let you know how it goes. P.S. went thru "most" of the PC case thread and vertical thread, looked good mane!

 

[paladin420]

Hi y'all. Long time hydro always lookin for new stuff so thanks. Haven't checked links etc. so sorry if this is a repeat. Anyone putting sprayers in the bottom of pots? Spraying back up at root mass?

 

[jm420]

like Aero said stay away from the Hygrozyme ,The Stuff = just about instant root rot.in hydro

 

[Dr.Greenthmb420]

[quote Anyone putting sprayers in the bottom of pots? Spraying back up at root mass?[/quote]

I was thinking of that but with the current sprayers I have it would leak out the top as the lids dont snap tight, they freely spin. I have overkill sprayers right now though. I will probably move my drain holes to the bottom but also not sure if I can get 1" bushings to seal the sprayers in tight enough. I stay away from glues and other liquid sealing products but may just get smaller sprayers later. dont really have money to replace the buckets, sprayers, and lines at the time. This design was from pieces of my last system below + sprayers added rather than top filling.
https://www.icmag.com/ic/picture.php?albumid=24391&pictureid=563260

 

[Dr.Greenthmb420]

HYGROZYME/GROZYME RESEARCH AND TESTING

HYGROZYME/GROZYME RESEARCH AND TESTING

HOPEFULLY WILL HAVE "BEFORE" PICS TAKEN TONIGHT TO SHOW ROOTS BEFORE TREATMENT OF THE HIGHLY DEBATED HYGROZYME. I will be including a full detail report on exactly how I washed out the reservoir, how often I changed out the reservoir, how much H/Z was added per gallon, any daily supplementing, nutrients being used with PPM, starting water type, pH, water temp, and any other additives to assist with cleaning ect.

 

[Aerohead]

Just sayin, Hygrozyme is the death of hydro, it has nothing to offer but problem after problem... It has no benefits AT ALL!!! Just bad times... Have it your way bro, just telling you ahead of time that it is the wrong path to get rid of root problems in hydro..