Turbogarden (Ebb & Flow) vs. Econojet(not 2x2) vs. Waterfarm

I am thinking of ordering 1 of these systems. I have been hittin the web several hours a day, looking for good prices on these systems, and have found lower than average prices, from some Hydroponic stores. So I am torn between the
1)Botanicare Turbogarden Ebb & Flow, that normally goes for $325, my local store sells it for $380 plus tax(another $25). I found it for $240, and it is the complete system too(not like I need hydroton, or nutes, but I never used Botanicare nutes(aside from Cal-Mag+, Sweet and Clearex, which I have in my gear now), but hey I can try it, and regardless. I saw a Bare bone(no medium, nutes, etc. And it's still $50 more expensive then this 1 I found. So I think it would make sense to get the bigger bang for my buck.
2)Botanicare Econojet. Now there's 4 of these systems, though the most popular is a 2x2 system. There is also a 2x4, a 3x3, and a 4x4(is NOT an option. 2 big). now the 3x3 is pretty expensive because of shipping, where the 2x4 system is cheaper by a few dollars and shipping is regular(not special shipping like 3x3) so it's cheaper also. So anyways. I can get a 2x4 system for about $250, and a 3x3 from about $300-$325, shipped to my house. Oh yeah, and those prices are w/o the bench. Figured I really don't need to pay that much for a stand. That I can make right?

3)Then there's the General Hydroponics Waterfarm 8 pack. This one is iffy. Because I hear that it's a lot of maintenance. Plus I use General Hydroponcs Floralicious+, and though it's made by GH, I have had people tell me that Drip Systems are BITCHES when it comes to feeding(tubes clogging and such). It has to be certain nutes/supplements. Some nutes/supplements don't work as well in drip, as it would as per say in Ebb & Flow. I'm not trying to say that there's nutes just for Drip System. But from my understanding, not all products work as well in drip systems. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I have never used ANY of these systems. I have grown 4 times in DWC system, and this is my first time in soil/soilless(and I HATE it!) I need to go back to Hydro, but don't ever want to do DWC again. And I don't want anymore DIY. I want to try a "real" system.



So check it out...... ALL INPUT ARE WELCOME BUT!!!!! I want to REALLY hear from the people who OWN, or HAVE OWNED. Thank you all for the help.

Oh yeah!!!!! Another thing I wanted opinions on. If the choice were the Turbogarden, or the Econojet. Should I use 5" pots, in a ebb and flow or just fill the tray with hydroton? Just scared if I use containers that light will hit that nute solution.

^^^^^^^ Anyone????

I had the Waterfarm 8 Pack for 2 years. Perpetual maintanance. Main problem was cleaning out the air tubes when they got clogged with calcium (even with RO water). Very difficult to get inside to clean when the plants got big. You need to have enough room to walk all around it for maintanance. Sold it.

herbose said:

I had the Waterfarm 8 Pack for 2 years. Perpetual maintanance. Main problem was cleaning out the air tubes when they got clogged with calcium (even with RO water). Very difficult to get inside to clean when the plants got big. You need to have enough room to walk all around it for maintanance. Sold it.

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Thank u very much. That's the info I need. +rep
May I ask wat u use now?

Seriously, only 1 person out of this whole community has used 1 of these systems?

I♥BUD;3595866 said:

Thank u very much. That's the info I need. +rep
May I ask wat u use now?

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I went simple, 2'x4' tray, 8-3 gal Smart Pots (or Bags?), soil, 600w hps, GH nutes. No more pumps and tubes for me.

herbose said:

I went simple, 2'x4' tray, 8-3 gal Smart Pots (or Bags?), soil, 600w hps, GH nutes. No more pumps and tubes for me.

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Dude I'm having so much bad luck with the soil/soilless. I am using 1-400 watt and 1-600 watt, for this grow. better coverage then me using my 1000 watt system. Both bulbs are the Hortilux Super Enhanced(That's all I use right now. There's that Agrosun, and SolarMax(I think that's what it's called), that I would like to eventually try... But I have 1(400 watt) Sylvania, and 2(1000 Watt) GE Bulbs(that I try not to use). Now those bulbs put out a tremendously noticeable difference in heat. The Hortilux bulbs are a little cooler, IMO. But I want to go back to hydro, just my preference. Soil/soilless is to much of a pain in my culo. As far as pumps and tubes, I already have a BUNCH of them. Like 7 submersible pumps, and like 10 or more dual air pumps. When I first started, last year, I went crazy, bought like 12 different Rubbermaid containers. All shapes and sizes, trying to DIY(myself) yeah, never again. Rather have something a little more $$$$$. There's a reason those tray and res are pricey. They work better, IMO. So I hope I get more people and their opinions on these systems. Thanks for the input dude. And Happy New Years!

Wow, this is pitiful. LMAO! I actual thought I would get hundreds of responses to this poll. Poll still got 5 days.

Where are all the Hydroponic Growers?????? LMAO! C'mon!

I can't believe that NO ONE is putting their 2 cents in! Come on ppl!

I can recommend ebb and flow........low maintainence, good results. I wouldn't pay that much for 'em though. I buy the 2x4 trays for $50 locally, then buy my own pump, drain kit, and hose......about $20 for the drain kit, whatever good deal I can find on 500gph pumps(under $50), and some hose, clamps etc....whole setup under $150.....oh, 30 gal rubbermaid for rez, but support the sides or the flex will split them in time. You say you don't want to go soiless but hydro.....huh? I use RW.....4" cubes for plants 1" to root clones........check my pics...... I use mostly 400s over 2 trays side by side with good results.........I set each 4" cube inside a 6" plastic pot for spacing and support but don't add any medium....... For the amount of one of those systems, you could do two trays......use the 400 to grow and the 600 to bloom....you'd do really well for yourself I'm sure

VidiotRayM said:

I can recommend ebb and flow........low maintainence, good results. I wouldn't pay that much for 'em though. I buy the 2x4 trays for $50 locally, then buy my own pump, drain kit, and hose......about $20 for the drain kit, whatever good deal I can find on 500gph pumps(under $50), and some hose, clamps etc....whole setup under $150.....oh, 30 gal rubbermaid for rez, but support the sides or the flex will split them in time. You say you don't want to go soiless but hydro.....huh? I use RW.....4" cubes for plants 1" to root clones........check my pics...... I use mostly 400s over 2 trays side by side with good results.........I set each 4" cube inside a 6" plastic pot for spacing and support but don't add any medium....... For the amount of one of those systems, you could do two trays......use the 400 to grow and the 600 to bloom....you'd do really well for yourself I'm sure

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I meant Soilless Soil(Sunshine Mix with NO nutes added to it). I know Hydro is soilless, so I can see why u ??? me. Sorry! I figured people understood me. I apologize.
My local Hydro store sucks, and are very pricy on trays and system. I don't want to use any more rubbermaid tubs. I have 12 or more RM tubs in different sizes(10, 18, and 2-30 gallons. I also have 2 shallow RM tubs, cause I wanted to try a SWC instead of a DWC), and about 12-5 gallon buckets. I just want a "real" system to try. Even if I buy the res and tray separate, that's fine. But I just don;'t want RM products as my tray and res. I won't use RockWool because they are too much of a hassle. I use Super Plugs. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THEM! No treating/conditioning them. U can simply germinate ur seeds and then put them in the plug OR, just put the seeds directly in a moistened plug. No pH problems, unlike the RW. Dude check these plugs out



20 Super Starter Grow Plugs $6.49
Super Starter Grow Plugs may be the next revolution in soilless culture. They maintain a perfect air-to-water ratio and retain water incredibly well. These bioactive plugs are made using a proprietary composting process and are just the thing seedlings love. They are infused with a mycorrhizae inoculant (benificial bacteria) that colonizes on the roots and allows the roots to absorb nurtients and water at an excellerated rate. Each plug is 1-1/4" x 1-3/4" in size
Thanks for ur help brother. Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect!

I can't wait for spring.

I vote for a Botanicare 3x3 tray with a 600w HPS over it.....

GypsyBush said:

I vote for a Botanicare 3x3 tray with a 600w HPS over it.....

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Thank u GypsyBush, that's wat I've been waiting for. If u don't mind can u vote in the poll I have started, at the top of this page. Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect!

I'd recommend ebb and flow as well. I travel quite a bit and have to rely on my helper to keep thing going while away. The ebb and flow has been very forgiving about daily attention. I'm using Hydrofarm Megagardens and like them.

Turbogarden!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Or that two by four sounds nice. But I would only do it by way of Craigslist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got my stuff for all under a 100 bucks. I have the turbo, a three by three and had some waterfarms. Lol, I love the turbogarden so much because of her sexy ways that I want four, side by side so I can do a perpetual like an albfuct, lol. Too bad I am medical. Still trying to figure out a way to flower in five gallon buckets on an ebb table. lol. GL.

I had to edit this post as at first I told yu how to make your own, like a jackass, i understand needing to buy a store boutght. The reservoirs and the trays really are worth it.

guitarabuser said:

I'd recommend ebb and flow as well. I travel quite a bit and have to rely on my helper to keep thing going while away. The ebb and flow has been very forgiving about daily attention. I'm using Hydrofarm Megagardens and like them.

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Thank u. thank u! Yes finally the helpers come out of the woods. Those HF Megagardens caught my attention a lil whiles back. The only thing is that it's almost like the econojet 2x2(I say the same as far as size), and I wanted some thing a little bigger, as far as tray size(2x4 or 3x3). How many plants can u get in that tray, anyways? And are u cloning , or seeds. Also, are u using the containers? Thanks for the help brother, and stop abusing them guitars... They need love 2. LMAO! Peace!

tea tree said:

Turbogarden!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Or that two by four sounds nice. But I would only do it by way of Craigslist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got my stuff for all under a 100 bucks. I have the turbo, a three by three and had some waterfarms. Lol, I love the turbogarden so much because of her sexy ways that I want four, side by side so I can do a perpetual like an albfuct, lol. Too bad I am medical. Still trying to figure out a way to flower in five gallon buckets on an ebb table. lol. GL.

I had to edit this post as at first I told yu how to make your own, like a jackass, i understand needing to buy a store boutght. The reservoirs and the trays really are worth it.

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YES! Thank u! I found 1 on Craigslist, where the dude, wanted $400 for the system, nutes, and a 400 watt HPS w/ NON air coolable bat wing reflector(HTG Supplies probably. I wouldn't pay more than $75 bucks for it). He actually sold it quick. But I can't find anymore. This one site I found is $240 with free shipping. And it comes with nutes and hydroton, etc. And though I don't need nutes, I can always use them or do side by side tests. So it will be put to use. I shopped around and $210 is the cheapest I found but they charge $50 S+H. So $240 is the cheapest I found. But I found a econojet 2x4 for $260, and 3x3 for $342. Eventuall I would like to have a few system also. I'm always keeping my eyes peeled on Craigslist. Hell I found a brand new in the box, never been used b4 Nextgen 400/600 watter for $135. I actually drove a total of 2 1/2 hours(R/T). So with gas($15 R/T), it came out 2 $150. Hell in a store they go for $230-$260. Still saved $80 minimum(not to mention tax)! And I still am covered by warranty. Now please help me out here. Do u use the containers, in the Turbogarden, and/or the 3x3? How many plants can u get in those systems? And are u growing clones or from seeds? Also I am thinking of starting with drip(I have a ton of drip feeders, and tubes), then switching to flooding at flowering or when roots are ready. Do u recommend using containers in the tray or filling tray with hydroton? And if u do use containers in ur Turbogarden or trays, how does the nute solution react from the light hitting it. I know if any light hit my solution in DWC it was over. I could guarantee algae within hours. And I use DM Zone and Hygrozyme. How does the nute solution in ebb and flow trays not produce algae? Sorry for so many ???? and Thanks for ur help. Peace!