@Njaak, I run (2) 6 inch airstones in my big system. I thought a small air stone would be good for this little one but guess wasn't quite enough. You definitely want a lot of air for your dwc.
@Wicked_Stix, I've wondered about air. My big bin I was thinking of using 2 but the local hydro store dude said no need. I may go with your experience ;)
Hey man, thanks very much for the inspiration. Your system is truly elite. I have been interested in trying manual hempy style somewhere in 2020, I have to say that this looks superior with recirculation and automation.
Is this the small kind of perlite you are using? (Instead the 'chunky' stuff)
I heard it breaks down into pieces which are too fine over time.
BTW, how do you deal with the ( I assume) rising PH that results from aeration? adding more phosphoric acid?
@BillMonroe, I wash and reuse what I can but I lose quite a bit from washing it. Mine stays moist but it does get crumbly when it is dry.
And yes I have tried fox farms and a couple other brands. Even boosters like beastie blooms will make the ph fluctuate. General hydroponics maxi and the flora are the only ones I have found that run steady consistently. I like the maxi because it is much cheaper and you can actually run the grow or bloom alone without any boosters
@Wicked_Stix, Sweet. I assume you reuse the perlite. And did you have PH fluctuations with different nutrient lines? :O
i mentioned that about the perlite 'breaking down', i have to wonder if that happens from it 'drying out' and remoistened all the time. Yours must be continuously be as moist as it can be.
Super interesting, thanks again
@BillMonroe, I just use regular perlite from my local garden center. I use 5 gallon paint strainer bags to line my buckets. It keeps the perlite from running into my reservoir. I have done a lot of testing on different nutrients. The maxi nutrients and boosters I use run stable. It runs stable with no fluctuation. I have ran the same solution for up to 2 weeks with zero change in pH.
@mr_h_kovert, Thanks. I think this strain has even more potential than I got out of her if grown on a better feed schedule. These buds flame up like fresh hash though.
@Mr_Weeds_Autos, Yeah all of the autos I have ran in dutch buckets get pretty big. Excited to see how they finish up. Going to be running several more of the fastbuds original strains after I finish this grow. Good luck with your grows!