Starting seeds to go into ebb and flow buckets

[gr865]

Have a question on starting seeds for my 5 gallon Gro and Flo buckets.
Last grow I tried starting the seeds in 1.5 inch rockwool cubes and it was a disaster, took forever to get the roots to reach the solution, once they did reach the solution they took off ok but had pH issues which caused zinc deficiency and a fucked up grow.
I am switching to Root Riots to start the seeds and my question is, once they germinate and begin growing in the cubes can I or should I put them in Solo cups of coco and let them develop roots, then wash the coco from the Root Riot cubes and roots prior to putting them in the Hydroton pellets.
I am new to the Gro and Flo buckets and not sure what I did wrong with my last grow. But I am sure the main problem was getting the roots to reach the solution in the buckets.
Any suggestion would be helpful, thanks in advance!

 

[Roy Growin]

Have a question on starting seeds for my 5 gallon Gro and Flo buckets.
Last grow I tried starting the seeds in 1.5 inch rockwool cubes and it was a disaster, took forever to get the roots to reach the solution, once they did reach the solution they took off ok but had pH issues which caused zinc deficiency and a fucked up grow.
I am switching to Root Riots to start the seeds and my question is, once they germinate and begin growing in the cubes can I or should I put them in Solo cups of coco and let them develop roots, then wash the coco from the Root Riot cubes and roots prior to putting them in the Hydroton pellets.
I am new to the Gro and Flo buckets and not sure what I did wrong with my last grow. But I am sure the main problem was getting the roots to reach the solution in the buckets.
Any suggestion would be helpful, thanks in advance!

I can't really work out what went wrong last time either
Could the system be easily modified to pump water in from the top so it recirculates for 15 mins per hour?
Sorry if I'm not fully understanding how FloGro is supposed to work

 

[gr865]

I can't really work out what went wrong last time either
Could the system be easily modified to pump water in from the top so it recirculates for 15 mins per hour?
Sorry if I'm not fully understanding how FloGro is supposed to work

I don't want to modify the system, just want it to work as advertised. I am sure all of this is my error and I hope to get it right this time.

It is the Active Aqua Gro and Flo 2.0.
When the timer activates the pump, in the reservoir, the solution from the reservoir is pumped into a control bucket and that is distributed to the grow buckets via gravity. The system has a shut off switch that activates when the solution reaches a given level. At that time the grow buckets have filled enough to submerge the roots in the grow solution.
When the plants have been setting in the solution for X amount of time the drain pump activates and pumps the solution back to the reservoir.
I have a second pump in the reservoir that activates 30 min. prior to the system pump sends solution to the control buckets and shuts down after 40 minutes. This creates a waterfall effect and provides oxygen to the reservoir.
The control bucket is to the right with the timer attached.

The reservoir with the recirculation pump activated mixing the solution and adding oxygen to the rez.

I hope this explains how the system works.
Thanks for your advice.

 

[Roy Growin]

I don't want to modify the system, just want it to work as advertised. I am sure all of this is my error and I hope to get it right this time.

It is the Active Aqua Gro and Flo 2.0.
When the timer activates the pump, in the reservoir, the solution from the reservoir is pumped into a control bucket and that is distributed to the grow buckets via gravity. The system has a shut off switch that activates when the solution reaches a given level. At that time the grow buckets have filled enough to submerge the roots in the grow solution.
When the plants have been setting in the solution for X amount of time the drain pump activates and pumps the solution back to the reservoir.
I have a second pump in the reservoir that activates 30 min. prior to the system pump sends solution to the control buckets and shuts down after 40 minutes. This creates a waterfall effect and provides oxygen to the reservoir.
The control bucket is to the right with the timer attached.

The reservoir with the recirculation pump activated mixing the solution and adding oxygen to the rez.

I hope this explains how the system works.
Thanks for your advice.

OK, got it - sorry I'm not much help

 

[gr865]

Was talking to a friend and he made a suggestion that I am checking into.
This is his quote!
"I'd MacGyver this ebb-n-flow bottom filling gravity fed system into a powered top fed watering system by diverting the control bucket fill pump output to top-feed drippers. The control bucket now is gravity fed. Those short rooted clones will love this mod. Mother Nature is a top waterer."

Here are my thoughts on this, I would have to change pumps, as the one that came with the Gro and Flo is only a 250 gal/hour with low pressure, but I have this one that I used on my top fed D/W coco/perlite grows. It is a 12 volt RV transfer pump, 3 gal/min at 55 psi, but I added a 35 psi pressure reducer, and I may need to take that out of the loop. It has a 12 volt converter with it.

Complete unit. The reservoir used with the Gro & Flo is 55 gallon so will not use this 27 gallon rez. I would not need the fan above the reservoir.

I could also use this manifold that I also used on my coco/perlite grows. The combination of the pump and manifold should work out nicely.

Now I am unsure as what to use as drippers, I may be able to use the
360-Degree Full Circle Micro-Bubbler that I used in the past coco/perlite grows also. They are adjustable from 0 to 3' in a streaming pattern. I like it.

Don't believe I would need to do to much to the Control unit. I can mount my irrigation assembly above the 55 gallon reservoir. Then hook it to the Controller timer, use the same feed line to the distribution manifold and go to the plants from there.
Will need to do some testing but I think it should work.

 

[gr865]

Well 16 seeds later and only one very weak sprout.
Don't have the time to start more seeds as I have commitments over the next few months.
So I have contacted a friend who says he will have me some clones when I am ready to start again.

 

[gr865]

Since my last post on Saturday I have had some issues.
On Monday morning at 1:30 AM I had a heart attack, and spent two night in the hospital, had surgery on Tuesday and at home now recovering. Was a close call, had 95% blockage in my heart.
This is the fourth surgery this year starting with hernia surgery in May of this year and the two carotid artery surgeries in June and then in August have been just too much.
I have lost everything I have tried to grow, so for the year I am 0 for 18 seeds brought to successful fruitation.
Not going to try again till I am completely well, which should be after Thanksgiving. Hope to find some good quality clones.