Should I add a DRIP system to my DWC???

[pftek]

Well I normally grow straight DWC for clones and allow the bubble's burst to create enough moisture and humidity to allow new roots to form. Basically the bubbles splash the rockwool.

However, when I move these clones into a larger set up for a SOG the bubbles do not hit the rockwool. So I wanted to incorporate a drip system to keep the rockwool wet and moist enough to keep producing roots. Is this necessary?

So far, I've found that I can let the rockwool dry out during this flowering process but no new roots form from the rockwool area of the plant although roots that are in the water do get longer. During flowering, there is about 2-3" from the netpot to the water.

Is it better to keep the rockwool moist by incorporating a drip system or just to let it dry out?

 

[hippydan]

If you've got roots from the rockwool down to the water, there's no need to add water above. All you're doing is asking for rot to set in, in my opinion. Also keeping it dry makes the plant seek water, growing more roots. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Stay safe.

 

[FreezerBoy]

Rockwool and DWC are a bad mix. Get yourself some hydroton. If your bubbles cant clear an 8-10 inch gap you need a bigger pump.

 

[jm420]

not to start any crap but 8-10 inches seems very excessive and if thats the case you best have an established root system or misters

 

[mynameiskarl]

keep the rockwool dry

 

[El Toker]

I've just started to use an ultrasonic fogger with rDWC. The root system is the healthiest one I've seen in a few years of growing hydro. Despite the fact that I've lowered the water to two feet below the net pot, new roots are appearing all over the place.

 

[John LOQUE]

I've just started to use an ultrasonic fogger with rDWC. The root system is the healthiest one I've seen in a few years of growing hydro. Despite the fact that I've lowered the water to two feet below the net pot, new roots are appearing all over the place.

Ultrasonic is told to be unable to carry big molecules such as nutes to the roots. Do you confirm that it's false ? How long can the mister last in such conditions ( i mean with nutes )

 

[Oggy]

thats false... there are multiple threads here and on other sites showing wonderful growth using ultrasonic emitters...

 

[FreezerBoy]

not to start any crap but 8-10 inches seems very excessive

You'll have to 'splain that, Lucy. Massive amounts of O2 is the point of DWC. If his system can't deliver bubbles a single inch, he's grossly under aerated.

 

[El Toker]

Ultrasonic is told to be unable to carry big molecules such as nutes to the roots. Do you confirm that it's false ?

Yes, it is false. I've got three big healthy plants that are testament to that. From what I've read it's an established method of growing.

How long can the mister last in such conditions ( i mean with nutes )

That's what I'm trying to find out at the moment. I've had one active before for weeks at a time and it never failed, although that was just in water rather than nutrient solution. When they do fail it's the membranes that tend to go and spare ones are dirt cheap and easy to replace. I doubt that anything in the nutrients would be able to build up on the membrane.

 

[pftek]

You'll have to 'splain that, Lucy. Massive amounts of O2 is the point of DWC. If his system can't deliver bubbles a single inch, he's grossly under aerated.

well the problem is the square footage. how do you aerate a 10'x10' dwc with enough stones to hit a SOG grow?

i just put one 1' stone per 14 plants. 112 watt air pump. don't know what else to do.

 

[FreezerBoy]

Adding airstones will reduce the amount of bubbles and make them weaker. You need to add bigger and stronger pumps.

 

[pftek]

I just want to say I have been getting the rockwool wet every night and so far... new roots are forming amazingly well.

I'm a little worried that algae may form though.

wondering if 12/12 is enough to prevent it from forming....