Rdwc Bucket Size Question

[EventHorizan]

I moved the seedlings to the bubble bucket/root spa yesterday. It was a bit premature but the leaves were very light green and the roots looked good so I did it. I also watered them when I moved them which was a huge mistake. I should have waited until they were dry. Now I've got curled up leaves and weakish looking plants. The rapid rooters really soak up the water and retain it like a sponge and that's not helping. I lowered the light slightly and moved the little fan so that they were receiving a little more breeze and also turned up the heat a little to try to get them to dry out a bit. But today they are still pretty wet. They are still growing so I'm just leaving them alone for now. Hopefully they will perk up some in the next couple of days. As luck would have it my PH meter crapped out yesterday too! I went over to the local grow store and bought some PH drops to use. Not as accurate but much easier. I guess I'll have to get a new PH pen one of these days.

I need pics. Your water level is too high if your rapid rooter is touching the water. You want it just a 1/2 inch below it so the roots grow down to the water. If you leave the rooter soaked it will cause root rot.
Show me your whole set up....

 

[EventHorizan]

I need pics. Your water level is too high if your rapid rooter is touching the water. You want it just a 1/2 inch below it so the roots grow down to the water. If you leave the rooter soaked it will cause root rot.
Show me your whole set up....

Sorry I meant stem rot

 

[peta1111]

Sorry I meant stem rot

I'm on my way out. I'll try to post pics tomorrow. But I did lower the water level this morning. It was right below the net pots before I lowered it and I thought it may be part of the problem even though they were not sitting in the water. I figured with the water level a bit lower the RR's may have a better chance at drying out. I also stacked them in a couple of empty net pots to help raise them out a little without totally taking them out of the bucket. Then when everything gets dried out I can remove those and raise the water level a little so it is just splashing them. They don't seem to be drying out very much yet though.I'll check them again later tonight when I get home and adjust as needed. Thanks man!

 

[AnEn]

Root rot, stem rot, black ring,.. Its all connected . Seedlings are always easy for me. Seed goes into a smal cube( rapid rooter is fine), cube goes into an 8" net pot with river pebbles , and net pots are going into a flood and drain trays. Timers are set to flood 4x a day.
Roots hit the bottom first, then they start popping out on the sides, everything on the sides get air pruned. Once big enough, they go into the UC. 1-2 weeks later they get flipped into the flower. I'll post pictures next run.

 

[EventHorizan]

Root rot, stem rot, black ring,.. Its all connected . Seedlings are always easy for me. Seed goes into a smal cube( rapid rooter is fine), cube goes into an 8" net pot with river pebbles , and net pots are going into a flood and drain trays. Timers are set to flood 4x a day.
Roots hit the bottom first, then they start popping out on the sides, everything on the sides get air pruned. Once big enough, they go into the UC. 1-2 weeks later they get flipped into the flower. I'll post pictures next run.

Ya im interested in seeing your set up.. Sounds pretty cool. I thought about doing that exact thing. About 300 for me to set it up tho counting 8 more of my bucket (upper chamber) and the table, etc...
But i still might in the future. Remodeling my house so lol maybe in the future..

 

[peta1111]

Well they seemed to enjoy the night! The RR's are still wet but not soaked like before. I suspect by later today they will dry out. Roots are emerging and leaves are opening. I did get a little stretch again last night on one of them but happy they are looking better.

 

[EventHorizan]

Awesome. . Some of mine stayed damp. If they are stretching then you need to move the light closer. If they start to fall over get straws and slice them length wise and the length you need and put around them and Gently press in to rooter just enough to stabilize seedling...

 

[peta1111]

yep, already lowered light a bit. It's probably because after moving them into the tub the light was not directly on that one anymore. But I am really surprised by the amount of root growth after only 1 day. That is so cool.
When the seedlings were in the humidity tray I had one fall over and I used a straw to support it. It worked great. I didnt even have to put it into the RR, just leaned it in one of the open squares for a few hours. The stems seem pretty strong now though even with the stretch. Just need the RR's to dry out a little more and everything should be good until the next unanticipated issue :)

 

[EventHorizan]

yep, already lowered light a bit. It's probably because after moving them into the tub the light was not directly on that one anymore. But I am really surprised by the amount of root growth after only 1 day. That is so cool.
When the seedlings were in the humidity tray I had one fall over and I used a straw to support it. It worked great. I didnt even have to put it into the RR, just leaned it in one of the open squares for a few hours. The stems seem pretty strong now though even with the stretch. Just need the RR's to dry out a little more and everything should be good until the next unanticipated issue :)

All issues are unanticipated lol... good job!

 

[jackwhite]

I am just starting to think about building a rDWC system. I was going to use 5 gal buckets but came across some 8 and 13 gal square buckets that would allow more water to each plant and in the system in general. I am thinking that more water means more stability. I am wondering if using larger buckets effects the plant growth/size at all. Will larger buckets result in larger plants? I am planning on doing a test run with 4 buckets in a 5x5 tent. Are there any other considerations when sizing the buckets? Advanatages/disadvantages to bigger/smaller buckets?

I have 6.5 gallon square buckets. I have 6 in a 5x5 tent and its a snug fit.

 

[EventHorizan]

Root rot, stem rot, black ring,.. Its all connected . Seedlings are always easy for me. Seed goes into a smal cube( rapid rooter is fine), cube goes into an 8" net pot with river pebbles , and net pots are going into a flood and drain trays. Timers are set to flood 4x a day.
Roots hit the bottom first, then they start popping out on the sides, everything on the sides get air pruned. Once big enough, they go into the UC. 1-2 weeks later they get flipped into the flower. I'll post pictures next run.

@Pedro69 you want exactly what he has. 4700.00 is what you got to spend. Then you want what he has got. On a scale that will fit your 10x9x8 room.

 

[peta1111]

Todays root check

 

[EventHorizan]

Todays root checkView attachment 663748 View attachment 663749 View attachment 663750

Here they come. How old are they?

 

[peta1111]

Here they come. How old are they?

I think I put them into the rapid rooters on the 13th. Today is the 29th so it's been 16 days. I am not sure if that puts them on schedule or behind or what but I'm happy that they are moving along. Can't wait to see what happens when the roots hit the water.

 

[EventHorizan]

I think I put them into the rapid rooters on the 13th. Today is the 29th so it's been 16 days. I am not sure if that puts them on schedule or behind or what but I'm happy that they are moving along. Can't wait to see what happens when the roots hit the water.

Fuchs a schedule. . They rooted and that's what matters... !

 

[gonegrowin]

you brought your pH 'down' to 6.5.....i prefer to think that is the MAX your pH should be! bring it down to about 5.2 and let it slide up to 6.5. its worked wonders for me.

 

[peta1111]

you brought your pH 'down' to 6.5.....i prefer to think that is the MAX your pH should be! bring it down to about 5.2 and let it slide up to 6.5. its worked wonders for me.

I'm using tap water for now and it comes out of the faucet around 11. So yes, brought it down before putting plants in it.

 

[EventHorizan]

I'm using tap water for now and it comes out of the faucet around 11. So yes, brought it down before putting plants in it.

PH 11.?????? Wow!
What's the Ec from the faucet?

Imo... I would never use tap water...

 

[peta1111]

PH 11.?????? Wow!
What's the Ec from the faucet?

Imo... I would never use tap water...

My faucet water is 250ppm. PH 11 is not very unusual though.
I'd use RO if it were easier. It's just impractical for me for now. I will likely purchase a portion of the water for the system before I put plants in it. But for now using faucet water in the root spa. Not going to stress about it!

 

[gonegrowin]

your tap water is going to lock out nutes at 250ppm.