Which System?

[Bageera]

Hi All

 

I am starting a set-up and wanted your expert advice.I have seen some set-ups and wanted to know,which is the easiest and cheapest(to run and buy).I am looking at getting the system where it drip feeds into pots,like the Dunny setup around here,(sorry,complete NEWBIE).

Or going for the aeroponic system which i have been told is the best system and the ones that all the growers(Legal) are raving about.Which one do/would you use and why?.I can get the aeroponic system that is 1m x 2.4m for around $350.Is that a good deal and will aeroponic produce a bigger yield?.

 

Thanks from a Newbie

[Tom]

Hi there Bageera, we need a bit more information here:

 

Have you any previous indoor growing experience?

 

What are the dimensions of the proposed grow space?

 

Can the proposed grow space be adequately ventilated? For a system of that size you will need, at the least, 2 x 600w lights.

 

Is the proposed grow space in an out of the way place or do you need to take stealth measures?

 

Supply us with the information and the members can start helping you with your grow room set-up and get you through to harvest.

 

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[Bageera]

In answer to your questions

 

No indoor MJ growing experience(but do know a fair amount on growing in general)

 

3m x 1.5m growing space

 

yes,well ventilated

 

Hope that helps:)

[Tom]

I would start with a drip system and look at the aeroponics after a few grows, there are several good cheap, low maintenance systems described here, there is a link to mine in my signature and sols has a good one too. If you are still thinking of aeroponics down the track then a DWC set-up like pipeman is building may be the way to go.

 

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[Bageera]

Where can i find any info on a drip system?.Are they cheap to buy or easy to build?.What are the benefits over an aeroponic system?.

 

thanks:)

[Tom]

Check the "My hydro set-up" link in my signature for my automated drip system, other growers will probably post some details of their system too.

 

My previous watering system:

 

I used a 60/40 perlite/vermiculite mixture in waterwell plant pots with a home made drip system. It uses one standard dripper per plant, the dripper is connected via 3mm (1/8") flexible tube to a 12mm (1/2") main feeder pipe which in turn connects to a 2 litre (3 pint?) reservoir, a plastic drink bottle with the bottom cut out. The main feeder pipe is fitted and sealed into the neck of the bottle which is hung upside down by a piece of wire from the tap of a 25 litre plastic drum. I mixed my nutrients in the drum and twice a day opened the tap on the drum to fill the bottle and feed the plants. A simple and cheap (under $10) run-to-waste hydro system that worked so well I stuck with it for over 20 years.

[Bageera]

My cousin tells me that perlite and vermiculite are outdated now.He has told me that there are now much better mediums,ones that can be re-used and also no mixing is involved.Should i look into this as he has been in the Hydro industry for around 15 years now,or is this perlite/vermiculite the best there is for MJ.

[pipeman]

there are any number of mediums you can use some more suited to recycling than others. there is no absolute best. Its a matter what suits you and the system you want to run the best.

 

There are pics of Tom's grows scattered around this site, and I don't think any personal grower would be unhappy with the results he gets, even from the "outdated" perlite & vermiculite.

[Tom]

There are many different ways to grow mj successfully, you asked for a cheap method. I buy my perlite/vermiculite pre-mixed in 100 litre bags for $50, it can be cleaned, sterilised and re-used but I choose not to as I prefer to start each new grow in new media.

 

This plant was grown in perlite/vermiculite using "My previous watering system" as described above:

 

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[sols]

g'day; i use pre mixed perl/verm, was $40 for 100litre bag last time i bought it.

it can be re-used, i re-use it about 3 or 4 times before replacing it. you can cook any bad stuff out of it in oven if you got patience to do so.

perlite and vermiculite will not get "outdated", it is a great grow medium that anyone can use successfully.

i like rockwool too.