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hydroponic Making my own hydroponic system

B

bvalente

I've been looking on YouTube and other things about whether or not to grow indoors or hydroponic or not. I decided to give it a try. I am waiting for some jalapeño seeds and Tasmanian habanero seeds to come from Pepper Joe's (I've recently read mixed reviews about him on this forum). But here's hoping for the best. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Once I get the seeds sprouted and going I will be growing hydroponically under 3 2ft T5HO (2-6500k and 2000lumens, 1 3000k and 2000 lumens). I will be keeping them about 8 inches from the canopy of the plants with about a 18hr photoperiod. After a month I will be switching to 12. Growing two or three plants. That's why I think the t5ho would be most economic for me and hopefully still get a good amount of fruit.

I have a 30 gallon container that I will fill with water and connect an air pump running into it into 2 14inch air stones. The nutrient kit a guy at the hydroponic store recommended to me was General Hydroponics FloraSeries Performance Pack. I will have the plants in 5 inch net pots.


I would love to keep my plants outside but due to the crazy weather here in michigan, you never know what you're going to get hour to hour. So I want to have my plants inside year round so I can have them in a more controlled environment.
 
What type of system are you going to run?  It sounds like a mixed / hybrid DWC, but just checking.  I use the GH Flora series / lucas formula and have great results.  You could make things easier and just the FloraNova Bloom one part, just make sure that you are mixing it well before putting it into the reservoir. 
 
Good luck and have fun.  I have multiple hydro setups going right now and I'm in the process of switching my entire grow over to a hydro DTW system.  Let us know if you have any questions.
 
Doing it under an 8 tube X 4' T5 in 5 gallon "root spa's"---4 65's and 4 28's.
 
It manages 4 plants with heavy trimming.
 
Ditch GH and go with the PH perfect line from Advanced Nutrients.
 
I made a "ghetto hydro" out of an 11 gallon tub my first time (for peppers), and the only serious advice I can give is-------build supports into your project space.
The plants will fall over when they get big.
 
Not "might fall over", I can almost guarantee it.
 
Ignite said:
What type of system are you going to run?  It sounds like a mixed / hybrid DWC, but just checking.  I use the GH Flora series / lucas formula and have great results.  You could make things easier and just the FloraNova Bloom one part, just make sure that you are mixing it well before putting it into the reservoir. 
 
Good luck and have fun.  I have multiple hydro setups going right now and I'm in the process of switching my entire grow over to a hydro DTW system.  Let us know if you have any questions.
Click to expand...
 
I am not that knowledgable about hydroponics just yet, this is my first time growing "normal" plants other than the carnivorous plants I have been growing. This is almost completely opposite  :rofl:  Anyway though, The plan is to keep the t5's about 4 inches above the plants as seedlings and then as they become more developed and some trimming to move the lights about 8 inches above the canopy.  I am pretty eager to start this process and seeing what develops and making some hot peppers to eat and give to some friends. My only concern is how do I stress the plant to make them hotter?
Gotrox said:
Doing it under an 8 tube X 4' T5 in 5 gallon "root spa's"---4 65's and 4 28's.
 
It manages 4 plants with heavy trimming.
 
Ditch GH and go with the PH perfect line from Advanced Nutrients.
 
I made a "ghetto hydro" out of an 11 gallon tub my first time (for peppers), and the only serious advice I can give is-------build supports into your project space.
The plants will fall over when they get big.
 
Not "might fall over", I can almost guarantee it.
Click to expand...
 
I am only going to be growing 2 plants, will my 3 2ft bulbs be enough? I don't see the point in getting a MH or HPS system for this small of a grow, it wouldn't make sense economically. I also have a 300w CFL bulb at 2700K and 2400 lumens I plan on using to add some extra lighting. This will be my first time growing anything hydroponically so any input is greatly appreciated. How do you suggest I make supports for the plants as they grow?
 
Nice man..I just built one that replicates a GH water farm...check out my thread, might help you ..it's in this same Grow Tech section...

I use the natures nectars organic series...thinking about building in a bio-ball bucket that will connect to my homemade DWC system as an add on module....

Good luck man hydro is awesome..

Edit..hell I just noticed your in Macomb...I'm right down the road man..maybe I can give you a hand personally lol..like I said I just built my hydro system...

Here's a link to my diy DWC thread..
http://thehotpepper.com/topic/48335-sp33ds-diy-dwcdrip-hydro-system-and-diy-cloneseed-germinationgrow-tent-lots-of-pics/
 
Dodge the AN nutrients. They're a waste of money for the crop they were intended for, I can't imagine spending that for peppers....
 
miguelovic said:
Dodge the AN nutrients. They're a waste of money for the crop they were intended for, I can't imagine spending that for peppers....
Click to expand...
To each their own.
Everyone has a favorite.
PH perfect line for me because I am lazy. ;)
 
30 gallons seems a bit cumbersome for 2 plants.
 
You could save a bunch of money on nutes if you used 2 5 gallon buckets.
 
You could start 8 in a 2--2 1/2 gallon bucket in netpots, pick the best 2, and put those in your 5 gallons.
 
Really just need a couple of buckets---$1 or so in a dollar store----a couple of net pots to fit,$3 ea.-----a bag of expanded clay balls, $11---a couple neoprene elbows and some 3/8 tubing,  maybe $10-----and an aquarium pump ,$15 and up.
No need for airstones.
 
Instead of starting in an 8 spot bucket, you can save a boatload starting them in 3 1/2 inch dirt planters.
That's how I did it, just rinse off very well before putting them in the DWC.
 
A pic of the commercial product for the idea.
 
http://www.hydrofarm.com/image.php?image=/i/jpg/14508_12201.jpg&width=800&height=800
 
That's what I am using.
 
As for supports, there are a million ways.
I am currently doing it the lazy way--------interleaving the branches so they hold each other up, and using the wall to keep them from falling over.
 
A better and cheap way would be to find or build a 4 post frame (and old shelving unit, maybe?) that will sit outside the light fixture, and just use twine or wire between the corners as support.
 
Thank you everyone for your insight, I really appreciate it! As far as nutrients, I think I am going to stick with the ones I already have because it is a first shot and has the schedule written right on it. I know everyone is partial to "their" nutrients but would like to give this a shot and a couple people on here seem to like it as well. As for how big the container is, the reason I had it that big was because that's what the YouTube video had so I followed it step by step. Looking back at your comments, it could seem a little overkill but if I choose to do more down the road, at least I will have an understanding now of how my system will work and what to expect. I just have to plan the nutrients and everything accordingly.
 
Except for getting flowers to bloom and set.
Too much nitrogen in the recommended mix, methinks.
 
Some "Bud Blood" on the way to see if that is the cure.
 
Grows monster plants, though.
 
Already cut them down by 1/2.
 
sp33d said:
Nice man..I just built one that replicates a GH water farm...check out my thread, might help you ..it's in this same Grow Tech section...

I use the natures nectars organic series...thinking about building in a bio-ball bucket that will connect to my homemade DWC system as an add on module....

Good luck man hydro is awesome..

Edit..hell I just noticed your in Macomb...I'm right down the road man..maybe I can give you a hand personally lol..like I said I just built my hydro system...

Here's a link to my diy DWC thread..
http://thehotpepper.com/topic/48335-sp33ds-diy-dwcdrip-hydro-system-and-diy-cloneseed-germinationgrow-tent-lots-of-pics/
Click to expand...
 
Your system looks awesome! Pretty overkill though for the few plants I got going though  :rofl: I will be able to pick some parts from it down the road once I get the hang of it. Right now my plan is the 2 or maybe 3 plants in the storage bin I got under 3 2ft T5HO and a 300W CFL. 
 
Well, if you already have the nutes, might as well use them.
 
I've had good batches of GH, and really bad ones.
 
Notoriously inconsistant batching on their products.
 
Hope you got a good batch.
 
Gotrox said:
Except for getting flowers to bloom and set.
Too much nitrogen in the recommended mix, methinks.
 
Some "Bud Blood" on the way to see if that is the cure.
 
Grows monster plants, though.
 
Already cut them down by 1/2.
Click to expand...
 
I'll have to look into that, that is a good point. I'll see down the road when it starts blooming if it is able to hold and produce peppers, if not, I know at this stage to switch it up to the "Bud Blood" you recommend.  :cheers:
 
bvalente said:
 
I'll have to look into that, that is a good point. I'll see down the road when it starts blooming if it is able to hold and produce peppers, if not, I know at this stage to switch it up to the "Bud Blood" you recommend.  :cheers:
Click to expand...
 
No need to worry about that.  The performance pack contains the GH 3 part flora series.  I would put the FloraGro on the shelf and run it as a 2 part solution using the Micro and Bloom formula.  For full strength use 16 mL per gallon bloom and 8 mL per gallon of micro.  For seedlings and starts I use 1/8 strength and go up in 1/4 increments every 2 weeks until they're getting full strength.  The performance pack contains KoolBloom which is a bloom blooster, but I've never had the need to use bloom boosters when using the Flora series.
 
Also, if you're worried about PH and wanting to make things "PH Perfect" just purchase fulvic acid from kelp4less and mix a small amount it into the reservoir.  It's what AN, GH, Botanicare, etc...use to make their products "ph perfect."  Fulvic acid causes the plant to accept nutrients in wider PH range which keeps you from worrying about it.  You can turn any nutrient solution into a ph perfect version with fulvic acid.
 
Also, your light setup may hold you back a little but you can always upgrade.  A 2ft light will throw a small footprint and as the plant grows it will start to fight for light.  
 
 
No need to worry about that.  The performance pack contains the GH 3 part flora series.  I would put the FloraGro on the shelf and run it as a 2 part solution using the Micro and Bloom formula.  For full strength use 16 mL per gallon bloom and 8 mL per gallon of micro.  For seedlings and starts I use 1/8 strength and go up in 1/4 increments every 2 weeks until they're getting full strength.  The performance pack contains KoolBloom which is a bloom blooster, but I've never had the need to use bloom boosters when using the Flora series.
 
Also, if you're worried about PH and wanting to make things "PH Perfect" just purchase fulvic acid from kelp4less and mix a small amount it into the reservoir.  It's what AN, GH, Botanicare, etc...use to make their products "ph perfect."  Fulvic acid causes the plant to accept nutrients in wider PH range which keeps you from worrying about it.  You can turn any nutrient solution into a ph perfect version with fulvic acid.
 
Also, your light setup may hold you back a little but you can always upgrade.  A 2ft light will throw a small footprint and as the plant grows it will start to fight for light.  


Thank you so much for your help. I'm going to try to find the fulvic acid to make it PH perfect, but if I can't, is it a big deal with the kit they provided? Also, will the 2ft lights be ok if there is 3 of them and a 300w cfl? Or should I switch to 4ft, it is only for 2 or 3 plants I am trying to grow indoors all year.
 
The lights are usually the main thing that restrict you from what you wanna do... As ignite said the footprint will be small which means you won't be able to have as many plants or large plants because they will start fighting for light and so on....I will let ignite explain further but I'm pumped to see your setup man...I just fired up my 6 module homemade DWC system in my 6.5'x6.5'x6.5' grow tent with only a 600w HPS...I think I might need to upgrade to a 1000w..we will see though...damn lights holding us down...;)

Edit..only thing I would warn against is getting into all these nute mixes and so on...keep it simple and I think you will get what your looking for out of your pepper plants ...at least I'm putting the KISS method into my hydro setup/nutes and worked thus far...only thing I'm going to add is a bio-ball module ...that's pushing the limit of keeping it simple though lol...
 
A question for me using a hydroponic system: from what I've read, when the plant is fruiting, you keep it dryer to stress it so it's hotter. How do you do this using hydroponics?
 
hot stuff said:
http://www.hydro-gardens.com/111140mixing.htm
Click to expand...
 
I am not sure what this exactly means.
sp33d said:
The lights are usually the main thing that restrict you from what you wanna do... As ignite said the footprint will be small which means you won't be able to have as many plants or large plants because they will start fighting for light and so on....I will let ignite explain further but I'm pumped to see your setup man...I just fired up my 6 module homemade DWC system in my 6.5'x6.5'x6.5' grow tent with only a 600w HPS...I think I might need to upgrade to a 1000w..we will see though...damn lights holding us down... ;)

Edit..only thing I would warn against is getting into all these nute mixes and so on...keep it simple and I think you will get what your looking for out of your pepper plants ...at least I'm putting the KISS method into my hydro setup/nutes and worked thus far...only thing I'm going to add is a bio-ball module ...that's pushing the limit of keeping it simple though lol...
Click to expand...
 
Haha thank you! I am hoping the 2ft T5HO bulbs will be enough since there is 3 of them and another 300w CFL, but if it isn't, should I get the 4ft bulbs for only 2 or 3 plants? I am pretty eager to get my seeds and get this whole process rolling!
 
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