Can't Figure Out What's Wrong with my Vertical Flooded Tube System

Hey guys I have been growing DWC for a long long time and I've jumped into vertical flooded tube but at least half the plants I put in look to be failing after 2 days and I can't figure out why. They all went in healthy, they're all Afgoo, the water tested at even higher DO than the DWC setup they came from, I switched them immediately to GH's FloraDuo transitional flower nutrient formula but I do that the same with my DWC, the water is RO, running 1000W HPS at a healthy distance, and water is touching all the net pots. Inside the net pot is hydroton and their original rockwool cube which are all satisfactorily saturated. I can not figure out WTF is going on here. PH is around 6.8, roots look healthy. On some of them the water is hitting the rockwool, but they were displaying signs of serious drooping and wilting just one day after being put in, which seems like a really overly dramatic response to over saturation. Also the water is really well oxygenated so I don't know if I dig that explanation. But I have to change something, and quick! Help me out.

Hey, i had plants that looked just like these and it was because they couldn't drink water. Do you know if there is a lockout going on? the root tips could be crusted making it hard to drink. have you tried doing a little bit of pruning on the tips?
That is quite an interesting problem. Never seen this. Even overwatered plants don't look like that.

Any pests? there are some pests that will cause this, like thrips.

No, no pests, and I can't imagine it would be lockout because my ppm's are fairly low, and it was an IMMEDIATE (24 hour) wilting response. My ppm's are only 525 right now EC around 1 so I just couldn't see lockout, I've never had that issue before and the response is too dramatic. Two or three days after transplant and lots of these plants look like they're straight up dying. I'm really wondering if it might be over saturation of the root zone now because as I go around I'm beginning to note that none of the ones that are doing well have super high water levels -- levels fluctuate throughout from the bottom of the net pot to just under the top of the opening. I'm going to try elevating them by layering putty along the sides of the net pots to elevate the ones where the water level is extremely high. Any other suggestions as to possibilities or a thumbs up to this idea are appreciated.

Gamberro said:

No, no pests, and I can't imagine it would be lockout because my ppm's are fairly low, and it was an IMMEDIATE (24 hour) wilting response. My ppm's are only 525 right now EC around 1 so I just couldn't see lockout, I've never had that issue before and the response is too dramatic. Two or three days after transplant and lots of these plants look like they're straight up dying. I'm really wondering if it might be over saturation of the root zone now because as I go around I'm beginning to note that none of the ones that are doing well have super high water levels -- levels fluctuate throughout from the bottom of the net pot to just under the top of the opening. I'm going to try elevating them by layering putty along the sides of the net pots to elevate the ones where the water level is extremely high. Any other suggestions as to possibilities or a thumbs up to this idea are appreciated.

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Hmmm the only thing is that 6.8 ph seems a little off for aerated hydro setups like this.
Can you post a picture of them in normal light? root rot could also be a problem if the roots are brown

Also rockwool is not supposed to be saturated 24/7 (i don't know if it is but im just saying) if it is i would let it dry out and treat it as soil

What ended up happening

8888888bj said:

What ended up happening

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Word, I would also like to know how you needed up correcting the problem/what actually happen.
Inquiring minds want to know!

I don't believe the clones were rooted well enough to handle the 1kw hps. When I put in new clones I baby sit them with the pump up sprayer in an effort to prevent wilting. If it becomes obvious that the clone is not ready I'll uproot it and toss it back in the bin.

Root crown too warm/ saturated