I was just curious of the best hydroponic system for a beginner, on a very tight budget. I know of the two 5 gallon method, however also heard that you end up wasting more nutrients. I am very curious of this process and would love to learn more. Is there anyone out there willing to help me out? A good place to get seeds would be some good info as well.

Respect.
G_V

2 site DWC setup

20 gallon rubbermaid storage container, 2 6" holes in the top (dark, dont let any light in)
dual or 4 outlet air pump, air lines, and 4 air stones
6" netpots, enough hydroton (clay balls) to fill them

Add clones, keep water level almost at the bottom of the pot. Once roots are emerged, lower it 4" below the pots. Dont have to change water as much as 2 5 gallons, takes up less space. I just finished one of these. It produced about 20 grams of premium Trainwreck. The G13 plant is about 3.5 feet tall. Its producing over 50 grams. I flowered them after 2 weeks of veg. From 10" to 3.5 feet in 9 weeks.

Just make sure the water stays below 72 F. Ice bottles work fine.

The ones you build yourself!

Sorry, but I'm a tinkerer, and I would be unsatisfied if I just went to the store and bought a ready-to-go system!

Simplest and easiest for a newb is a flood and drain tray full of hydroton. The most expensive part of the system is the hydroton, if you buy a cheap pond pump at WalMart at the end of the season when they're on clearance (like right now).

Then get a big tray of some sort, if it isn't lightproof, spray it black.
Drill a drain hole in one corner.
Build a rack that will tilt it gently so all the water will go to the drain end.
Play around with your pump speed, timer, and size of the drain so when the pump is on, it fills faster than it drains. When the pump turns off, it keeps draining.

I biult mine for about $50, not including the lights and hydroton.

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I don't claim to know the first thing about growing anything; hell, I can't make a Chia pet sprout.

Cool guys,

Thanks for the direction, I will try to do either or maybe even both. Hypothetically say I want to grow only 2 plants per time, whats the best way to section of part of a closet?

Respect,
G_V

RacerX,

Hey bro thanks for the info, I think that I will be using your idea as it is sounding the easiest. Especially since I know nothing about hydroponics. I am thinking of using the B.C Grow nutrient pack that I have seen at the lcal hyrdo shop. If I use seeds would I just drop them into the hydroton or am I better off using rockwool to start and then throwing that in the 6" pot with the clay rocks? I dont really know how to work this site very well so if you can find a way to contact me, go for it as I would really appreciate some more advice from you.

Peace,
G_V
:Rasta:

hello all i just built a dwc bubler my Q's is can i take a small plant that i have in soil and wash the root and put it in the netpots? whats should the ppm be during flowering? i'm useing fox farm nute's thanks

sorry did'nt mean to jump in ur thread

This is the sys I plan on using, I am still hazy on how the plant gets its nutrients if it dosn't touch the water?

How big are the air stones you are using?

No worries, fasts everyone is entitled to their questions.

Smookless,
I believe if you use one 12" air stone that you can get at a pet store, that should work fine. However I am not 100% on that.

*Anything I say is purely hypothetical, I do not condone any illegal actions.*

Because the a DWC when a plant is first starting is like an Aerocloner. The bubbles breach the surface, break, and create a mist of small water droplets. Whatever is in the water, gets where the mist does. Youll notice the bottom of the Rubbermaid top will be wet with mist.

If you are starting with seed, start it in Rockwool. The problem with starting from seed with hydro is that space is usually a premium and it sucks to put so much time and space into a plant that ends up male. Try to start with a small clone if you can.

As far as transplanting into hydro from dirt...sounds risky to me. The roots will not be used to the amount of oxygen they will recieve and it will be a very delicate process if possible at all.

Thanks Racer, 2 more Q's, how far away should the water be from the net pot? with evaporation, how far down should I let the water get before I add more? or do I wait to swap out the resevoir and nutes every 1-2 weeks? Do I adjust the water level as the roots grow out of the pot and into the water, or just leave it?

RacerX,

If I use a 12" air stone and just run it off one air pump, would that be an alright substitute?

Respect,
G_V