Decided to ditch the buckets and bucket lid net cups. Designed a single reservoir DWC/Flood and drain hybrid with 2 6" net cups. I used 1/4 tubing and made a ring around the outside of the net cup at about the middle of the cup and the height of the rockwool bottom. Timer will pump solution to outside and bottom of net cups without flooding the transition zones (I hope). Once the roots reach the reservoir, I may not need to pump up to the cups.
7-4 Moved into tent. Mixed CalMag, Rapidstart, Micro, Gro, and bloom at 200 ppm. set timer to water 1 minute every 2 hours. Currently targeting 80 F 70% RH
7-6 Too wet. Within 24 hours it was apparent I was flooding the root zone (droopy leaves). It seems like the vapor escaping the reservoir is plenty of moisture to get these girls going and may not need to pump solution up at all. I removed the watering rings from the hydroton and I'll wait and see what happens. I should see roots within a couple of days if everything is OK.
7-8 upper and lower growth is apparent but these girls are not happy. Appearance suggests root zone issues and I don't doubt it at all. I lowered air power to the bubblers to reduce escaping vapor which is over soaking the hydroton. There is one root coming from the side of the SD now. no visible BB root yet...I haven't lost faith in this design yet because when I lift the cups I can see the bottom half is wet while the top half is dry, which over time the plant will adapt its structures to match. (if they don't die first, lol) There should be plenty of space for the roots to find air. Time will tell.
