looking to try different media, flo n gro setups

linky

Well-Known Member
I use 6" grodans and perlite right now for media in my flo n gro setups (12 4 gal pots, flood and drain system)

I would like to just use 100 percent perlite but the problem is during the flood stage I think the perlite would move and almost try to float out, have not tried this though to be certain but that would be my guess.

Any suggestions? I don't want to use clay either if that can be avoided.

thanks all
 
Hi Linky,
The Flo and Grow systems tend to be root rot prone due to slow drainage...unless modified to 3/4" tubing. You want to use something like hydroton for drainage and aeration. Volcanic rock would work...but almost as much hassle as the clay. I had a system and used hydroton. What's your beef with the clay rocks?
JD
 
Hi Linky,
The Flo and Grow systems tend to be root rot prone due to slow drainage...unless modified to 3/4" tubing. You want to use something like hydroton for drainage and aeration. Volcanic rock would work...but almost as much hassle as the clay. I had a system and used hydroton. What's your beef with the clay rocks?
JD

It just seems the clay would be a big hassle, I have 4 flo n gro setups and that's a lot of clay, I guess you can reuse it from the little I have read about it but that seems like a pain in the ass with that much clay. I like the idea of disposing of everything each run and the perlite and grodans are pretty cheap overall.

As far as slow drainage I am not sure.. its all pumped out in under 15 minutes on average, with the setup I have I flood about every 3 hours in flower, only once or twice a day in veg as the grodans hold a lot of water. I was hoping to move to a different media where I could be flooding more often and just dispose of the media when done.
 
linky,
You said 15 minutes to pump out...how long was the flood and drain together? That was my issue when I used the system. I suggest upgrading to 3/4' fittings and using preventative measures (H2O2). But that wasn't what you were asking about.

Some people throw the rocks away after a single use. They aren't that expensive. I can't imagine any worse then hydroton. Anyway...I used the rocks and the plants loved them. They aren't that bad...though if you have a spill, the damn things roll all over the place ehich is a hassle. There are a couple of new media on the market. Can't recall names right now. Scour a few online hydro shops. You might find something you hadn't considered. Good luck...
JD
 
linky,
You said 15 minutes to pump out...how long was the flood and drain together? That was my issue when I used the system. I suggest upgrading to 3/4' fittings and using preventative measures (H2O2). But that wasn't what you were asking about.

Some people throw the rocks away after a single use. They aren't that expensive. I can't imagine any worse then hydroton. Anyway...I used the rocks and the plants loved them. They aren't that bad...though if you have a spill, the damn things roll all over the place ehich is a hassle. There are a couple of new media on the market. Can't recall names right now. Scour a few online hydro shops. You might find something you hadn't considered. Good luck...
JD


It floods the buckets in about 8-10 minutes I would say, it sits full for another 5 then pumps the water away which takes 10-15 minutes tops to pump out, I repeat this about every 3ish hours in flower with perlite and 6" grodan blocks. I have been using this setup for a year or so now without any problems.. I just want to get away from the grodans and go with something where I can flood much more often.. I don't know if the plants will like that better or not but figured it can't really hurt plus I just want to try something new since I have not tried anything other than what I am using since I started with hydro.

thanks again
 
I'm new to hydroponics I was thinking of getting the flo and gro system. What are some other nice systems I should check out? I didn't want to build my own but that's an option
 
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