Learning247

Hey guys/gals,

Has anyone tried this? And what do you think about this?

Low profile 10 plant hydroponics drip system kit

Learning247

Shit, I guess I am going to be the first one here to try this shit out.

farmergiles

It looks ok- there isn't much to top drip apart from the pump and pipes and drippers, you could probably make something as good or better for less money.

It's nice and compact if you're pushed for space.
With the nutrient reservoir being in the base it might get a little warm under the lights, depending on your set up and the ambient temperature..

Normally I think the pump should be on a timer with top drip, not on all the time. An airstone in the tank would probably help.

__________________
Cultivate a stoic calmness

Learning247

I just went out and go some supplies to build this myself, I can build this the way I want to and have good parts for this system. This setup is going to be only for veg and I am going to use florescent lights anyway.

First Question - The drop drip method, how often should I be watering?

Second Question - I am getting one of those Rubbermaid bins, and the top that I got with it is blue and the bottom part is clear. Do I need to cover the entire thing in a reflective material?

My end goal is going to be basically taking the netpot from the veg room (when the time comes) and then move it over to the flowering room and that's it.

Thanks,
Learning247

farmergiles

I'm moving this to the grow section.

What medium where you going to use L247? Clay pebbles?

You have to tailor your watering schedule to the plants' needs in their environment. The frequency of watering must be less than the time it takes for the medium to dry out- some mediums hold a lot more water than others. Permanently soaking the roots will not help (unless the water is very well aerated).

__________________
Cultivate a stoic calmness

Learning247

What medium where you going to use L247? Clay pebbles? = Hydroton & Rockwool is what I was thinking.

The frequency of watering must be less than the time it takes for the medium to dry out - Excellent Point!

The water is going to be extremely aerated, I am acutually going to overdue it with this just to experiment.

I heard rockwool holds water very well however, I have no experience with it though.

Thanks,
Learning247

shel

I did this with my last grow, it was an ebb & flow setup. I went to Home Depot and got a can of black spraypaint specifically for plastic and painted the entire outside ( do this outside in a well vented area, the fumes will knock you out!) - you dont want any light penetration to the roots.
Then I cut out holes in the blue top to fit the net pot into, and covered the rockwool cube with a 4" reflective cover I got at the hydro store to prevent algea growth on the cube.

The rockwool will hold water pretty well, I started with flooding it 3 times a day for 10 minutes until the plant grew large enough that I had to adjust it to 4 times a day as the plant would visibly start to wilt about an hour before it was scheduled to flood again.

In the end my homemade unit worked great!
Good luck with yours

Learning247

Shel,

Thank you sooooooo much, I was thinking if I could spray paint it, but wasn't sure and then I saw your post GREAT TIMING!, okay so I will get a black spray paint and cover the clear plastic. Does this method completely block out the light? One question I had in mind was how come you didn't use white paint to reflect the light? I am assuming you spray painted the outside of the plastic?

Can you please elaborate on this. -> "Then I cut out holes in the blue top to fit the net pot into, and covered the rockwool cube with a 4" reflective cover I got at the hydro store to prevent algea growth on the cube."

If you can post some pic's that would help, if not, I understand no problem.

Thanks,
Learning247

shel

Yes, only spray the outside, the paint is toxic and you dont want it leaching into your water! I let it dry for several weeks before I used it but you should be good after a day or 2. It will completely block the light, you may want to do it in 2 light coats instead of 1 heavy application. let it dry for several hours between coats.

Attached Images

  

Roach

sweet !

__________________

לזיין את הקופים

Learning247

My babies 2 weeks old update.

Do you guys/gals think the height and look of the plant is normal for two weeks old?

Thanks,
Learning247

Attached Images

    

Roach

seems to be a curling problem...and a few brown tips on two babies.

post your nutrients and probably reduce the drip.

__________________

לזיין את הקופים

Learning247

The reason for the yellow/brown was because I had changed out the water but the level wasn't hitting the fake soil thingy so it wasn't wicking up. I adjusted the levels by adding more water and things started getting better.

The only thing I added to this was 1/8th tsp of moon dust. See the first page to see what I am talking about I posted a video about it.

I am using Poland Spring water and I am keeping the pH at around 5.8, they seem to be growing just the curling thing is bothering me, however these are bag seeds so I guess I will find out what they are in a few weeks from now.

Anyone have any comments or suggestions I am all ears (or eyes) in this case.

Thanks,
Learning247

Learning247

I just realized I wanted to post this on the other thread I had going. Anyway, google moon dust and you will see what I am talking about.

Thanks,
Learning247

mothernature

The problem I see with this low profile system is that for 10 plants, a 10 gallon reservoir is too small, imo.

Then there would be the issue of roots finding their way into the pump. That would be bad.

I think this system has it's place, in extreme lack-of-height situations, but for a regular situation, you can do better.

__________________
Sometimes sleep is the best revenge- Luke

Learning247

Mothernature,

Agreed, that is why in my system I am only going to have 4 plants. After a certain height they will be moved into the flowering room.

Thanks,
Learning24