First HydroGrow Show

I am attempting to start my first hydro set up in the following week, my old setup was a 1000w hps and 5 gallon buckets of soil which worked well but desposing of the soil has become a annoyance recently also messy everyday watering a pain and a chore. I was planning on using a flood and drain system because it seems the most straight forword method. I am planning to start seeds in rockwool plugs and then transpant to 4in rockwool blocks. I was wonding what size table would maximize the use of my 1000w hps and how many 4in blocks can fit confortably in such a tray. We are making a trip up to cananda (land of the free) to buy seeds most likely 10 White Widow and 10 of another maybe earlier flowering strain. The company touts 90% germination and 70% female to male ratio. So I am expecting (fingers crossed) maybe 12 females but I would like to buy a tray big enough that the next grow (clones from original plants) could maximize yield with my 1000w. My veg setup is a aquarium (big) with 4 Florecent tubes and a 150w hps. what do you guys think any suggestions on what size table ideas for improvement ect. thanks a bundle

I use ebb and flow and 4" cubes. Unless you grow a sea of green setup you'll have problems with the plants toppling the 4" cubes over. Solution to that is to put them in small pots with rockwool in them.

If you don't mind, please share where you're going for seeds. I may make a run to BC sometime soon.

The shop I visit had a flood and drain set up with cross pieces to support 5" square pots. That would allow you four plants per sqft.

With your 4 inch blocks in something, like a pot of rocks, to stabilize it, you will want to grow a larger plant that would be allowed with 4 plants/sqft, so I would say go with 2 plants/sqft. A 2x4 flood table is a nice manageable size.

HTH

Alright so I read absorbed and have decided to go with a 3x3 Flood table with 5in square pots with grow cubes. Further questions: When the table is flooded should the entire mediem be submerged or does the rockwool wick it up to the rest of the roots? How often should they be Flooded? Going to the store Sunday Or monday I have about 400 dollars I can spend is this enough for everying (system, nutes, media, pots) or do I need to rob a bank? Thanks again

Oh, forgot, we are going to The seed bank in Toronto, this is my first attempt at germination by seed, I have always had a steady supply of clones, what have you found to be the best germination methods for my system.

I went straight to drip irrigation. don't have advice for seed to ebb and flow. Sorry.

id put the 1000w and 250w together during flower... so you have more light... MORE BUD but if you're looking for seeds in canada.. i think bc is the only place where they have seed banks.... havent seen much in alberta... and ive been cross county... Nothing east... the farther east the more french you get... stay too the west... BC,alberta.. the two great provinces goodluck.

I got a 6 plant bubbleponics under a 400 watt son agro HPS. I only get my seeds from Nirvana and Marijuana Seeds (cannabis Seeds) High Quality Low Prices they got a 30 seed deal for $95. Of White Widow Crystal and Ice also 5 Super Shiva or Sweet dream seeds.

i persoanlly like to put my 1 inch plugs into a 2 liter pop bottle ..Just cut the top spout off the bottle, fill with rockwool and place the plug in the centre of the top...make sure you put about 4 small holes in the bottom to drain,..
Run the tube to the top of bottle...Place bottles in tray with hole to drain..Tilt tray to drain properly and your good to go bro....

I'am using rapid rooter plugs in a seed tray to spout my seeds.Then I put them in 5" net pots filled around the plug with hydroton {clay balls} pellet.Place them in my 22"x22" ebb tray with clay pellets 3/4 the way up the pots.I flood 4 times a day for 15 mins.I flood the 7"tray 5" deep.A 15 gal res with GH nutrs.About 3 weeks I"ll finish building my cab and do a thread with pixs of every thing, the build,lights,fan,filter,and the grow. With $400.00 you will have everything you will need to get your feet wet.As you learn you will get better at reading your plants cycles and what they like and dont like.A 4'x4' tray&res water pump and air pump with air stone,timer,net pots,hydroton clay balls, PH & TDS Pens and your nutrs will be around $400.00. Get the basis ebb system,to learn how it works for you. Peace and Grow Green