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Is hydro difficult to start with?
- Thread starter Manstien
- Start date
Easy as long as you have the proper tools i.e. ph meter and an EC/ppm meter.
Do you have a meticulous attention to detail, a decent understanding of basic water chemistry, the proper tools, a good plan utilizing the right materials?
If you can answer yes without asking for more detail, then it'll be an easy ride.
Until then study, both the success and failures of others, and learn what you need to make a proper system and what to do to avoid failure.
Otherwise, to answer your question, once you know what your doing, it's actually easier than any other method.
If you can answer yes without asking for more detail, then it'll be an easy ride.
Until then study, both the success and failures of others, and learn what you need to make a proper system and what to do to avoid failure.
Otherwise, to answer your question, once you know what your doing, it's actually easier than any other method.
As long as you have PH and EC/CF/PPM meters, and you pay attention to what you are doing, hydro is easy peasy. Flood and drain is one of the easiest systems to set up and use.
Depending on what medium he uses, one problem could be over/under watering, but with clay pebbles and a normal 15 minute segment timer it shouldn't be an issue really. A cycle timer will allow shorter watering times, but isn't vital.
The main thing is keeping the nutrients relatively stable, as in how much nutrient is contained in the water.
Depending on what medium he uses, one problem could be over/under watering, but with clay pebbles and a normal 15 minute segment timer it shouldn't be an issue really. A cycle timer will allow shorter watering times, but isn't vital.
The main thing is keeping the nutrients relatively stable, as in how much nutrient is contained in the water.
Thank you all for taking the time to post these comments as you all give good points and helped. I guess practice is needed and setting up and the first round is the most difficult - hopefully things go good and he can get dailed in.
Is COCO coir a good medium? I think he will be using those...there like those squishy cubes...
Asides from overwatering/underwatering another common issue would be too much nutrients but with the pH/PPM/EC meter and careful attention tha shouldn't matter....
Any other problems you guys have seen newbies fuck up a simple system like flood and drain?
Is COCO coir a good medium? I think he will be using those...there like those squishy cubes...
Asides from overwatering/underwatering another common issue would be too much nutrients but with the pH/PPM/EC meter and careful attention tha shouldn't matter....
Any other problems you guys have seen newbies fuck up a simple system like flood and drain?
Flood tables are simple, so that's a good choice. I am now doing coco with hydroton. Drains fast but holds moisture and more (like bennies etc). Get the flood table set up and you can several things with it, even change methods mid-grow. This flood table can act as either a an E&F, top feed DTW (by hand or w a pump and timer), or top feed recirc (on a timer). Really can't go wrong IMHO.
For sure buy a good EC and PH tester. Some disagree but I recommend dropping the 250-300 on a blue lab combo meter. The one w separate ph and ec probes(also does temp).
For sure buy a good EC and PH tester. Some disagree but I recommend dropping the 250-300 on a blue lab combo meter. The one w separate ph and ec probes(also does temp).
rangergord
Active member
Good point about the flexibility of a flood and drain table. If you want to go back to soil you have a great drain tray!
I will disagree with getting a combo meter though. Its simple. A Ec or TDS meter will outlast a pH meter by far. You could end up having to replace probes of pH meters as within a year or two. An EC meter will last forever in comparison. (unless you drop it in your rez, then all bets are off.) Get separate meters. WHEN not IF your pH meter dies you will only have to replace it at lower cost compared to a combo meter.
agreed, i never buy combo packages...such as tv and dvd together...if one fails...gotta replace both
I run the blue lab guardians.. The constant read combo meter. I just now replaced the ph probe after years of constant use. I couldn't buy a cheap Ph pen for the cost of the new probe.
If going hydro it is a MUST. Wether u go with a combo or separate tools.. I keep a truncheon and a Hanna pen handy at the work place also.
If going hydro it is a MUST. Wether u go with a combo or separate tools.. I keep a truncheon and a Hanna pen handy at the work place also.
The BL combo that i have is not a pen. It has long cords for each w the PH probe being removable and cost $60 to replace (6 month warranty). The EC/temp probe is affixed but comes w a 5 year warranty. I got my BL unit it self very wet and it malfunctioned. Took it on and the hydro store swapped on the spot
But yeah, won't recommend a combo pen unless cheap.Why?
CasioCalculator
Member
Hydro is not hard. No matter what you do, don't try to reinvent the wheel. Let me rephrase that, look around this place and when you find what you want to do, copy exactly what someone else did. A lot of these methods have been perfected and everything is done for a reason though it may not be readily apparent. After you get a few runs down, you will be able to experiment a bit more.
Read, Read, Read, read... read.
And then go read some more.
Before you start... you should have only a couple of questions you haven't figured out by reading. Post a thread and then start your grow when you're comfortable.
Took me 6 months before I was ready... bitchin first run without having to ask anyone a single question. Totally worth the research.
Stay Safe!
And then go read some more.
Before you start... you should have only a couple of questions you haven't figured out by reading. Post a thread and then start your grow when you're comfortable.
Took me 6 months before I was ready... bitchin first run without having to ask anyone a single question. Totally worth the research.
Stay Safe!
I mix hydroton into my coco, some will add perlite, growstones etc. to enhance drainage. I recently got into coco and love it.
As far as newbie mistakes, don't over do stuff. Go with a simple and inexpensive nute. I use GH and follow the SIMPLE not EXPERT formula. Don't deviate until you've got some experience. Hell, I've done this for a minute and find the simple formula (cheaper and easier) works just fine.
BullnAChinaShop
Member
If he is already used to using coco, then just keep the same medium. The table just make life a little easier.
Coco is a hydroponic medium.
If you are growing in coco, you are growing hydroponically, even if you hand water with the coco specific hydroponic nutrient solution.
I like this advice...go tried and true, and SIMPLE.
I have to disagree with the pH monitoring. Get a decent EC wand and your off to the races.
My initial try at hydro involved much monitoring, adjusting of pH (constant & a pain in the ass!!) I quickly got tired of it and went to soil/ pro mix/ coco mix.
Had a hydro shop owner convince me to run a waterfarm as a side show plant next to my regular "soil" plants. Mix up nutes according to directions. Top up with straight water, then top up with a mix. THAT'S IT. Let the pH swing like the wind, just keep an eye on the EC level.
Well that was many years ago...and I haven't looked back. I've played with the formula a bit over the years...always looking for the best flavor. But I DON'T check my pH EVER!!
I would also recommend going with hydroton or some other recyclable material. I find it much easier to discard water than mediums like coco, soil, or pro mix. Then just clean up between runs. It's easy.
Flood tables are easy and versatile. You need a lot of water to fill them though. I now run mine more like an NFT set up...but that just illustrates what others have said about them versatile!!
Bottom line jump in, you won't regret it...(or your "friend" wink wink) With all the help and info available here, you won't have a problem. KISS to start for sure.
KG
