Grow Mediums Deep Water Culture Basics - Bubbleponics

[d.t]

I think that might be your issue, my bucket is 27l and I fill it with roughly 18l of solution to take it to just underneath the net pot and I have a 40lpm pump for 2 buckets so 20lpm per bucket although some people will say I'm going overboard but I've had 2 very successful grows and no sign of root rot either!

I shall take another photo of the roots later, they look alright. Growth been abit slow but thinks that’s down to me being a newbie idiot, I chopped leaves off a clone when it was was under a few weeks old and could have really done with them.

 

[Mr Green Fingers]

It is really not about how much air you are pumping into the reservoir it is about how much oxygen exchange is taking place. Large violent bubbles are very inefficient at exchanging oxygen while tiny soft bubbles are very efficient. Smaller bubbles are "softer" because the rise to the surface slower which is less violent and gives the air more contact time with the water for a better exchange rate. Here is a good article about the subject:
http://www.just4growers.com/stream/...truth-on-dissolved-oxygen-in-hydroponics.aspx

I'm definitely no expert and I'm not suggesting that he should go out and buy a large pump but I do think that his current pump is under powered, I would definitely go with 5-7lpm in a bucket but that's my 2 cents!

 

[d.t]

Good write up.

After years of side by side testing, and always looking for what works for me(a simple home grower who smokes an oz a week), and is the simplest, cheapest, and most effective. I've come up with a couple of things I'd add.

1. In addition to Hydroguard, Flying Skull's additive Z7 is a must. It's worth it just for how much cleaner my buckets are staying and I only use 2ml in each bucket on weekly water change days. When my season begins again next Sept I am going to run buckets with just the Z7 to see if I can do away with the Hydroguard. I've heard of people doing this successfully and if it works that's more $$ in my pocket.

2. Chasing pH is a PITA. Especially in 5 gallon buckets when your actual nutrient solution volume is more like 4 gallons. Do yourself a favor and spend a little more for Advanced Nutrients pH Perfect 3 part, and never bother with checking pH again.

Regarding the pH Perfect......I tested this many times, even went 18 months without a pH pen. It works. And it works at much lower dosage than they recommend. I average 5oz per plant in 90 days and never use more than 21ml/4gal. AN says to use 60ml/4gal. At lower dosages using tap water the pH going into the reservoir will be between 6.1 and 6.3 No worries, the chelation factor still allows for proper uptake. HOWEVER...for this to work like that, I always adjust my top off water to a pH of 6.0 , and change my reservoir every 7 days or sooner. If a plant has used 14-16qts since the last water change and the week isn't up yet...change the water! Don't wait for the regular day. This is where note taking is important.

That's my $0.02

DWC can be a very easy way to grow huge harvests . Just don't over think it.

Cheers good advice regarding the ph perfect. I was wondering why it kept going a little higher. Have you got a rough guide to how much you feed at each stage? I’m keeping the ec at about 1 using micro grow bloom rhino skin and about to make next res with big bud. Have you got any dwc journals? Cheers

 

[Mr Green Fingers]

I'm definitely no expert and I'm not suggesting that he should go out and buy a large pump but I do think that his current pump is under powered, I would definitely go with 5-7lpm in a bucket but that's my 2 cents!

Especially when those roots fill the bucket and cover the airstones!

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

I shall take another photo of the roots later, they look alright. Growth been abit slow but thinks that’s down to me being a newbie idiot, I chopped leaves off a clone when it was was under a few weeks old and could have really done with them.

@d.t I think you hit the nail on the head. I was going to bring this up earlier and got distracted. IMPO you have defoliated way too much. There are no leaves to make energy for the plant to grow. Another thing I noticed is the effect of the water level dropping in the reservoir. The area in the red circle has no side roots because they are drying out and dying off in the air. They most likely will never take in nutrients in that section again.

This is what a healthy root system looks like. Notice the side branching roots start right below the net pot.

 

[d.t]

Ah right yeah lessons learnt.
Got some problems here but not sure what. Theres a ‘rusty’ look on some of the older fan leaves. Could be from few possible things I want sorted. Guess it’s a ‘lockout’ or something to do with that rule of minimums?
Also could be caused from cold temps? I have no reservoir heater or Thermostat in there so no idea how cold it’s getting at night, soon it shall be really getting cold so need to get one ASAP.
Or from not changing the res often enough. Or something else.. finding it a massive chore changing the reservoir as it’s cramped and seems hugely wasteful using so many nutrients.
Makes me really appreciate the autopot only using what it needs.
Starting to flower though and most the leaves a nice dark green just don’t like this rusty nasty look at all.

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

View attachment 951324 View attachment 951323 View attachment 951322 Ah right yeah lessons learnt.
Got some problems here but not sure what. Theres a ‘rusty’ look on some of the older fan leaves. Could be from few possible things I want sorted. Guess it’s a ‘lockout’ or something to do with that rule of minimums?
Also could be caused from cold temps? I have no reservoir heater or Thermostat in there so no idea how cold it’s getting at night, soon it shall be really getting cold so need to get one ASAP.
Or from not changing the res often enough. Or something else.. finding it a massive chore changing the reservoir as it’s cramped and seems hugely wasteful using so many nutrients.
Makes me really appreciate the autopot only using what it needs.
Starting to flower though and most the leaves a nice dark green just don’t like this rusty nasty look at all.

You better turn that leaf over and look for bugs.

 

[Kodak45]

Has anyone used this to cool their rez temps I've been looking into a way cool a 5gallon rez it's between this and a ice probe chiller

 

[d.t]

You better turn that leaf over and look for bugs.

Definitely no bugs. It’s some kind of deficiency but not sure what. Seems to get worse towards the end of the week before a fresh nutirent mix. The temps have been going way too low down to 8c so good chance it’s related to that, got a heater on the way for the next grow. This has been like a little lesson in dwc, so many mistakes lots learnt. Not bothered too much as main grow is her mum in soil and she’s doing ok, leaves a little pale but she’s smelling great. Here’s some more photos of the horrible leaves, it’s a rusty look and the leaves feel a bit dry and brittle.

 

[d.t]

Never had problems like this in soil. It could be some kind of micro deficiency but I’m changing the nutrients every week now so not sure why unless it’s the temperature. Il get a new pump soon as well, despite the troubles I have had i shall be re doing it as can’t quit it just because of some troubles, got to get something good out of these mistakes.