Hydroponic Gardening DIY

Well a water based bucket system is a different story.
But a pearlite system most likely allows enough O2 into the system to not have to run the pump 24/7.
 
On another note.
Do you not find the pearlite becomes a bit mucky over time and actually starts stinking a bit?
 
Electric said:
On another note.
Do you not find the pearlite becomes a bit mucky over time and actually starts stinking a bit?
Click to expand...

I have an algae problem for sure... I''l address that when time comes that I re-plant. I dont have any strange smells though. My water stays clean in the tanks, algae only present in the drain pipes & the surface of the perlite (basically wherever light can get in). Evaporation from the plants & buckets is probably about 60l a week per reservoir. So I top up every week, add nutrients to the fresh water.

I have been using Stark Ayres products (seeds & nutrients) http://www.starkeayres.co.za/
I Use Starke Ayres Nutrifeed which seems to be working very well.

kitchen010.jpg
 
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Electric said:
On another note.
Do you not find the pearlite becomes a bit mucky over time and actually starts stinking a bit?
Click to expand...

Use a bit of h202, it will actually create more oxygen for the plants to use, and disinfect the water while still allowing the plants to grow.
 
I know all this.
I was more just asking what his experience was.
I'm not a fan of pearlite.
I only use it to propagate cuttings.
I stick to lava rocks or hydroton.
 
Electric said:
I know all this.
I was more just asking what his experience was.
I'm not a fan of pearlite.
I only use it to propagate cuttings.
I stick to lava rocks or hydroton.
Click to expand...

The Hydroponic supply chain in KZN is pathetic. Only place I could find with Hydroton & Rockwool is all the way out at Ballito (I refuse to drive all that way out just for that...). I had to order the perlite from JHB and collect it in Amanzitoti. Not one single Garden shop/ nursery / DIY shop around here stock anything Hydroponic related.... I would have loved to have had Hydroton over the top of the perlite, would have prevented my algae issues a lot!
 
SirFooK'nG said:
The Hydroponic supply chain in KZN is pathetic. Only place I could find with Hydroton & Rockwool is all the way out at Ballito (I refuse to drive all that way out just for that...). I had to order the perlite from JHB and collect it in Amanzitoti. Not one single Garden shop/ nursery / DIY shop around here stock anything Hydroponic related.... I would have loved to have had Hydroton over the top of the perlite, would have prevented my algae issues a lot!
Click to expand...

I have some hydroton so maybe I should put the top layer hydroton and see if it prevent the algae growing. I know the guy in the video I posted used a thin PVC pipe to go in deep and then feed the water through there which apparently kept the top of the Perlite dry and free of growth.
 
SirFooK'nG said:
I have an algae problem for sure... I''l address that when time comes that I re-plant. I dont have any strange smells though. My water stays clean in the tanks, algae only present in the drain pipes & the surface of the perlite (basically wherever light can get in). Evaporation from the plants & buckets is probably about 60l a week per reservoir. So I top up every week, add nutrients to the fresh water.

I have been using Stark Ayres products (seeds & nutrients) http://www.starkeayres.co.za/
I Use Starke Ayres Nutrifeed which seems to be working very well.

kitchen010.jpg
Click to expand...

I was wondering if the Nutrifeed was any good as I have two of those lying around as I used it for my normal plants as well. Good to know that it works.


EDIT: Some great information in this site I found.

http://indoorhydroponicveggies.wordpress.com/2011/05/09/indoor-hydroponic-veggies/

Further EDIT :
Some other things on my stoep :D

e7epa9az.jpg

Upside down yellow pear tomatoe growing.

peza9uhe.jpg
 
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SirFooK'nG said:
Forgot to mention, I have a timer in the waterproof box, On for 15 minutes every 2 hours from 6AM till 6PM. Lotsa daytime hours here in KZN!
Click to expand...

Where did you get the waterproof box from...?

Also have you found any places that sell the nutrifeed in more than 500g bags...? (like 5kg/20kg even)

Also as a general question for whomever:

What PPM is your normal water (measured last night and mine is 130ppm on 500 scale) and what PPM are you running your solutions at...? I see it's very dependant on a multitude of factors but in general..?
 
Zenbaas said:
Where did you get the waterproof box from...?

Also have you found any places that sell the nutrifeed in more than 500g bags...? (like 5kg/20kg even)

Also as a general question for whomever:

What PPM is your normal water (measured last night and mine is 130ppm on 500 scale) and what PPM are you running your solutions at...? I see it's very dependant on a multitude of factors but in general..?
Click to expand...

The waterproof box I got from Builders Express. Same with the Nutrifeed, I have not seen any bags bigger than the 500g. I have not been measuring my PPM. I on average use 4 measured scoops nutrifeed per 20l of water. Seems to be doing the job...
 
SirFooK'nG said:
The waterproof box I got from Builders Express. Same with the Nutrifeed, I have not seen any bags bigger than the 500g. I have not been measuring my PPM. I on average use 4 measured scoops nutrifeed per 20l of water. Seems to be doing the job...
Click to expand...

Is this nutrifeed a hydro nutrient?
 
Batista said:
Awesome thanks, the package doesnt say it.
Click to expand...

It says it on the back. Or at least it gives you the necessary mix for hydroponics and mentions it in that manner. On their website it also lists it as hydroponic orientated. Just google it. :)

Also there is a Starke shop in CPT. Maybe they would have the bigger bags because I have also only ever seen the 500g varieties.
 
Electric said:
You get buckets of the stuff at a wholesaler.
We have Greenfingers here.
Click to expand...

Electric you're based in CPT right? I wonder who in jhb would have... Maybe they have a chain up here.

SirFooK'nG said:
Nutrifeed.png
Click to expand...
That's the one.

How often do you change your solution/reservoir then?

I'm keen to try and experiment with the Kratky method for growing. Have any of you tried it?
 
Zenbaas said:
Electric you're based in CPT right? I wonder who in jhb would have... Maybe they have a chain up here.


That's the one.

How often do you change your solution/reservoir then?

I'm keen to try and experiment with the Kratky method for growing. Have any of you tried it?
Click to expand...

well my tomatoes are chowing the water, So I top up around 50 to 60l a week. Theres usually about 25-30l left when I top up...
 
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