Gardening: Hydroponics and Square Foot Gardening Update #1

[LoboDeBayamon]

can someone tell me whatare does balls .

[TheFatTony94]

rain water is what might be causing the mold and algae

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@bobbyjl07 I agree with almost everything you say. This the first system I ever built and worked ok for what it was. The important thing is I learned a lot about hydroponics by building and using this system. Thanks for taking the time to comment. :)

[ShotgunAndAShovel]

@bikero5 LOL.

[KBMemon]

hey hey, watched a couple of your vids, very informative, can you tell me a little bit more about those soda bottle greenhouses, haven't seen those before...

[mindy2215]

There is algae because the tray has to be covered in black so the algae does not grow. That is what I have learned after viewing so many videos about hydroponics.

[marvrus]

Hi, after the sprouted seed from the paper towel, do you put them on a tray with water under the light? When do you transfer them to the net pot filled with hydrotons? Once they are in the net pot do you run water or water with nutrients in the hydroponic system. Thanks.

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@marvrus You can see exactly how I go from a sprout in paper towel to the net pot in my video titled "Hydroponics Transplant for my Home Made Ebb and Flow System". For the first week I run a half strength nutrient solution. I hope this answers your questions.

[DjOtis505]

Hey man,

the cubes have to be covered with black plastic. If it exposed to light it will grow algae! I hope this helps you out.

[hometownorganics]

You should paint the clear plant tray with black paint to block light. This will block any possible "damping off" in the future.

[saumier1]

the cubes have algea growing on them, you need to cover the tops with coconut mat or mylar. I make full mylar covers for my cubes and never get a spot of algea.

Hope this helps.

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@saumier1 Thank you, I will try the mylar idea. Sounds like a great tip for anyone who uses STG cubes with Hydroton.

[saumier1]

no worries. No ligh means algea cannot grow or survive, so if you already have algea on the cubes and cover em up with mylar, the algea will die but not over night

[demoreal]

nice choice for a hobby. you really should block light to the roots mabey pant the coke bottles (the bottom halve) black or wrap with tape. Or real good layer of black to absorb the light then a layer of white to reflect on outside. the hydro unit same thing. don't let the roots get light. i have a feeling your ph is off. i may be wrong (i didn't see any bottles of ph up and down) for hydro keep it at 5.8-6.5 and dirt 6.5-7. the algae is from light, place black plastic over it.

peace

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@demoreal I totally agree with everything you said. It amazed me how well everything worked even with the less than ideal conditions, as you can see in the follow up videos.

I talked to Matt at Sure to Grow about the algae. It was caused by the hydroton wicking solution to the surface of the cube. The algae never penetrated the cube. The ph was fine, any problems were caused by the lack of light protection.

Thank you for taking the time to comment.

[guanobucks]

a few comments here hit the nail on the head...you need to restrict all light on roots....i will suggest that you incorporate an air bubbler and make an aeroponic unit, where u can use more water, nutes, and will grow faster....NO LIGHT ON ROOTS AT ALL

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@guanobucks From what I've since learned about Hydroponics (this was my first system) you are correct. You do not want the roots exposed to light. The amazing thing is that it worked just as it is. It would be easy enough to paint this black or cover it with something to block out the light.

I built this system to learn about Ebb and Flow Hydroponic systems. It's my understanding adding a bubbler would make it a Sub-aeration system not aeroponic. Thanks for contributing.

[scotterinsam]

thank you! i finally understand ebb and flow from your past 2 videos

[MrOWRK]

how often does your hydro system fill up with water? how many times a day i mean??? thanks!!

[ladygrace1023]

thank you for taking the time to share!

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@ladygrace1023 Your welcome. I hope to show people that Hydroponics can be easy and inexpensive.

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@TheDesertGardener You are correct. It should be painted or covered.

[joo5y]

hey, the plants roots are getting direct sunlight, that kills the plants . they need complete darkness.(black tape or something ) You should honestly stat with a 16 gal. box from staralite . the tope is even see threw

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

@joo5y Yes it cause light pruning of the roots and allows algae to grow. This is the first system I built and learned a lot from it. Thanks for the comment.

[Gunnarsguns]

you have a good teaching style and a great ability to use off the shelf and recycled items....like your vids

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

Hello Gunnarsguns, thanks for the kind comment. Now that summer is about over I hope to start making more hydroponic videos again. I have lots more ideas to show people how anyone can get into this hobby without spending hundreds of dollars by using off the shelf and recycled items.

[zipflick]

Nice videos and I like the home made flood and ebb unit. Had a look at the web site which is nice also. I hope to one day show what I have made, but that will take some time. All the best :)

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

Thank you for the nice comments. I'm looking forward to when you post your own hydroponics videos. Have a great day!

[jjrants]

Great job! I'm a newbit with the hydroponics myself. I'm personally baffled at your comment on the algie. My first thought would be the clear resiorvior, but there's obviously none in there. Any luck as to what's caused it yet??

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

I talked to Matt at Sure to Grow about that. I was told the Hydroton wicks hydroponic solution to the surface of the cube. The light plus solution on the surface grows algae. Algae grows on the hydroton too, it's just not as visable. Algae is unavoidable with this system but it's not fatal.

The clear container actually caused more light damage to the roots than algae problems. Cover it with foil, cardboard, black plastic, dark cloth, foil tape, or spray paint.

[skubdose]

to start seeds in cubes you first put seed in cube second saturate cube(not to much)third place into ziplock bag an put on warm area

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

Thank you. I will try that next time.

[mrbuki77]

I got started with soda bottles. I really like the larger 3 liter bottles. I like your recycling skills. Great job! Sam R.

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

Those 3 liter bottles are great. I just built a bubbleponics unit with one for a tomato plant. I'll put out a video about it shortly. You have a nice solar setup by the way.

[cycosteve2006]

what kind of fertilzer are you using and how much are you using?

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

I like General Hydroponcs Flora Series. It's a 3 part solution so you can mix it depending on what phase your plants are in. The General Hydroponics website has loads of info. I use 1 gallon in this system.

[brokenrolex]

fender, have you solved algae problem? was it lighting, nutrients, stagnant water etc? the tub they sit in do you have an air pump with airstone in their creating oxygen? i cant tell. im about to build one just wondering, thanks

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

I didn't solve the algae problem, but I understand it. From the Sure To Grow channel, the Hydroton wicks the solution to the surface of the STG Cube. With the light and ready supply of nutrients the algae grows very easily. That's just the way it is. There is an airstone in the nutrient tank, but because the tank isn't light proof there is some algae growth there too. I am building a new system taking into account what I have learned. It will be bigger, better, and cost only sligtly more.

[NOSMOJEFF]

You really make good videos, very well organized and edited. As for the recycling of fast food containers I am so glad to see other people doing this too, I drive the wife nuts I can't through anything away it all has to be reused :)

Good job!

[nectarineblue]

I used the bottles last year for my tomatoes and they took off like crazy in them.. using used containers are great on the environment, but is more green in the pocket too..

[FenderGibsonWashburn]

The bottles work great for starting small plants. I couldn't be happier with them. Some of the used food containers are sturdier than the trays with clear tops that you buy. It seems a shame to throw them away when they work so well for this.

[nectarineblue]

I took one of those red plastic foldger coffee cans and I put a 1 7/8 hole in the top for a 2 inch cup and 3/8 hole I believe that the size for the air pump on the side.. put a airstone inside and filled my nutes up to the top of the cup so the bottom of the cup would get plenty of nutes and oxygen and got a bell pepper in it., Its now about 4-5 inches high with with 4 nice sized leaves.. might extend the set up for 4 cans with a bigger air pump.