i noticed didn't have one , m. i can't match yours but this is mine...
hello so you wanna run NFT great choice, pat on the back for trying.. IMO NFT is the easiest hydro system to run.. perfect for the hydro noob!!..as we all are when we start something new.
so your plants are in the small rockwool cubes, and the small rockwool cubes are in the big 4" cubes, and hopefully you have been dipping and squeezing into a nute mix. like ec 0.4 ph 5.8.. and have established rootage outt the bottom of the cube.. WHOOP WHOOP!!.. you done well getting this far fucking hate germing..
in the kit... you should have a small bit of hose. this it to empty out the ress come ress change.. you should be doing this every week without fail.. granted there will be people who will say you can run them for 2 weeks .. this is my view sorry chap. i just think as of rule of thumb get into doing weekly ress changes ... fresh is always best..
PUMP . attach the pipe/spout on the pump. may come with air pipe attachment i just attach and leave the screw knob bit open , think this just to let air get sucked in, take the small sponge outta the bottom of the pump. as its not needed.. but think i would leave in place if you are using the small 205 systems .. roots will reach the pump..
SPREADER MAT..
Every NFT system needs Spreader Mat to ensure an even spread of water and nutrients across plant roots.
ok lets get to it..
i would do a dry run first !! just run the system for 24hours just to see what you are dealing with .. and can tweak anything that may need tweaking.. like ress temp issues
once all dialed i that's all you do is sit back and and watch them grow.. just maintain ress temps of 16c-22c . i was told 18c is the best spot as that's where you get more dissolved oxygen, as long as it does,nt go over 23 then your in danger of pythium..big problem.root rot.... i use 500ml frozen bottles to keep temps sweet .. last year was hot and i was replacing 4x500ml bottles every say 8 hour ... i know they don't stay frozen for longer than 10 mins but it works.. and i think low ec is key..
i cable tie my top tray to the bottom, lost the nuts..
i also use a kingspan lid for better insulation from the light . i use the 30mm thick stuff. i find the correx sheet that come with the system is shit.. so do your self a favor and sling the fucker. well keep it could come in handy for blocking light in the window or something ..
i also use i maxi jet 1000 to pump out the water on ress change day. this lets you keep the pump that comes with the system in place.. as they are not that powerful and take ages to drain the system,. so i recommend the maxi jet 1000.
so first off you are looking to raise the pump end of the tanks, thus stops pooling of the nutes and you don't want stagnant water, no! no!..
this time around i used 1" thick piece of timber for the back end and 2" for the front . for the trays to sit on... if i need few more mm i top up the front with roadl dahl books..
so just lay the spreader mat that comes with the system, on to the top tray. Cut lengths of spreader mat long enough to allow an overhang of a few inches from the channel into the tank. No trickling water sounds!
attatch the pumps and put in place , if you have a thumb bar to turn the pump up set this on 1/2 .. turn up later on when rootage has been established.
king span lit on i use weights on every corner to keep the kingspan warping or moving.
so i use me level. its always a good sign when you know the trays are set.
so that's it for now till the water has been left to sit for 24 hours.. to let the chlorine dissipate. nornally i would be making my nute mixes in 2x 20ltrs buckets. but as the water is in the trays i will be adding the nutes tomorrow. as its pointless using different water.. so this is where the maxi jet 1000 comes in handy..
sit the pump on its side, so that the water is whoooshing up to the back making a circular motion this will help mix the nutes ....DON'T FORGET TO TURN OFF THE PUMP IF ADDING ACIDS TO THE NFT YOU DON'T WANT THE ACIDS GOING STRAIGHT UP THE PUMP TO THE ROOTS.. sorry for the caps but don't do it.
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