Seedlings and light with drip system

[Pot Head]

I started my 6 seeds in distilled water.

 

After 2 days, 2 have cracked and 4 have not.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

 

1) When I transplant my cracked seeds to rockwool, should I keep them in the dark until a tip sprouts or go directly to 18-24 hours flourescent light!

 

2) Should my drip system drip or run a steady flow of water! (URL Below)

http://www.landmsales.com/6_plant_drip.htm

 

Reason for question #2 is that my 130gph pump for my 10 gallon reservoir with 6 (3" net pots) has high and low adjustments.

 

The low adjustment still runs the water at a slow stream and not a drip.

 

IS THAT COMMON or is my pump pumping too MUCH WATER?

 

Any help is beneficial as it is a 1st grow!

 

Thanks,

Pot Head

Edited January 15, 2007 by Pot Head

[moKing]

High there, I'm not sure if it was mabey a typo but that would be 18on/6off to make up a 24hr cycle. And yeah have that light on, I usually go 24 hrs on for a week then 18/6. You'll need to get a timer for that pump and it depends on your medium and type of system but using pearlite I go 15 mins each hour (This might need to be later ajusted if it seems a bit much or not enough).

 

Best of luck

 

moking

[Shithappens]

Slap a tap inline to your pump that way you will be able to get total control !!

 

I would slap it just where that pipe comes through the lid so you dont have to open to adjust. Or a timer either way is limiting

[Indycar]

Yup, bung a tap in like SH mentioned, and if ya wanna go one futher with a drip system. You could grab some stakes like in the pic below (bag of 20 for $22). Good for individually adjusting the drip rate to each pot. Just twist the head of the stake clockwise for less and anti-clockwise for more flow.

 

Ya pump seems ok, but with a system like in that link. I would only run the pump 15mins every two hours using hydroton clayballs as the medium. Seemed to work for em...

 

 

[Gazza2001au]

that system is deep water culture run that water pump 24/7 and use the air hose and right connections the pump is a "power head" with the attachments it will also airate the nutrient solution so u must run it continous

 

Q1: oonce the seeds have been popped into the rock wool move just a thin layer over the hole than put them under 18-24 hours of light

 

Q2: its a commercial hydro system just run it as it was designed if there aint no drippers or anything to regulate the amount of nutrient coming out dont worry about it the main focus is inside of the tub hence the "aerator" a 130gph pump is something like 500lph? that size pump running 6x 4mm spaghetti feeders is nothing it would bairly be a little stream

[Pot Head]

Run the pump continuously is what was recommended.

 

It does not have an air pump, just a water pump to the 1/4" airlines.

 

 

ABOUT THE SEEDLINGS!

 

5 of 6 cracked and about 1/4" roots came out in water!

I placed the 5 in rockwool!

 

MY question is, should I let them stay in the dark until they sprout and a leaf comes up?

or

Should I put the rockwool with the roots in 18 hours light until vegetative cycle?

 

Thanks!

Edited January 16, 2007 by Pot Head

[bufo marinus]

MY question is, should I let them stay in the dark until they sprout and a leaf comes up?

or

Should I put the rockwool with the roots in 18 hours light until vegetative cycle?

 

Q1: oonce the seeds have been popped into the rock wool move just a thin layer over the hole than put them under 18-24 hours of light

 

Gazza has given you quite a few more hints on your system too, if you read through his post again you will notice he mentions how your system is aerated. It is a simple basic but important thing to remember, and is the key to how hydro works.

Also the 'thin layer' he is refering to is to make sure you delicately cover the seed with the fibre of the cube to get the roots out of the light.

If you were to sprout them in the dark, and that is fine too, just be ready to move them as soon as they have broken the surface, otherwise the seedling will stretch like crazy trying to find light.

[Pot Head]

I do not understand how the system is aerated?

 

This is a 130gph water pump, pumping water to 6 drippers!

 

I was going to add an air pump and air stone to aerate, but this first grow is getting to know the system.

 

Let you know more when it is done~!

[Indycar]

I'd hava go at explaining, but i won't in fear of being flipped off again...

 

I'll leave it to the masters of gunja to explain, as i'm not a qualified know-it-all yet.

 

[Gazza2001au]

indy if u were talking about me i wasnt having ago at you... i just dont see how the roots in DWC will survive with the only sorce of oxygen running for 15mins every two hours

 

pot head heres a shitty pic drawn up in paint it shows how to set up the pump put it in the bathroom sink and play around with it make sure to keep it submerged of corse