@Covertgrower also, before root development, while top feeding, would you leave the reservoir empty?
I would fill it as a test run. This will help dial it in later too.
@Covertgrower Aha. That makes sense. Thanks again for the help today.
Today and any day. Always around and happy to help.
@Covertgrower Today is day 27. It really bulked up over the past weekend, roots have gone crazy, but I am noticing one or two strands of darker, somewhat gunky root hairs. I feel like there was also maybe a slight odor that has decreased over the past 2 water changes. I’ve been using 3 ml of UC Roots per gallon, not sure if that’s enough. I don’t have any pics of the roots right now but I can post later. The temp has also been increasing in the Rez water, last check yesterday was around 72, and first check today was around 75, I put a frozen water bottle in and hope that’s okay. I’m using a Mars hydro TS 600W LED, I’m looking at eventually going for the HLG 300L to hopefully light my whole space, and am seeing the importance of a recirculating system. Any root thoughts? Should I plan my next upgrade for RDWC, or is there another method you recommend? The plant seems to be doing well otherwise, as far as I can tell.
@Covertgrower Here’s the roots, I circled the spots I was concerned about. Honestly they look better than when I posted earlier, but after 9 hours the temp still shot up to 77, looks like I’m going to need a lot of water bottles til I get a water chiller and a separate rez. Is it safe for the frozen bottle to float under/ touching the roots? Also is it okay to use cooler packs?
As long as you have enough air moving around you should be good. @peachfuzz @HappyHydroGrower could say if it’s not.
Thanks for the tag @Covertgrower.
IMHO at this point, you’ll have to do what you can to keep the temps down. Frozen bottles touching the roots may not be the best for the plant but if It keeps your roots from rotting, then you’re ahead of the game. If you can attach a reservoir, it might make everything a little easier.
Are you using hydroguard or something to help with the roots? If not, I would highly recommend getting some and using it.
Good luck! 
I got UC Roots instead of hydrogaurd, and I’m using 3 mls per gallon, that was the minimum recommended amount so I’m not sure if I should try more. I ended up using suction cups to stick the frozen bottles to the side of the rez, and secure the air stones to the bottom, hopefully that boosts the oxygen a little. But I’m definitely looking at expanding now. Minimalism is great until you realize complexity is complex for a reason. Thanks for the help! Hopefully it hangs on. Lots to learn.
Last night I was watching YouTube videos from PA Hydroponics. That guy seems really knowledgeable. But he mentioned that the air pump should be in the coolest place possible, mine was mounted just above my light in the hot tent. All I did was put the air pump on top of the exterior, in the air conditioned room, and the temp dropped in the water Rez to 69 in 8 hours. Also ordered some 1” bulkheads, and a 95 gal/ hr water pump. Gonna build a small 2 OR 3 plant RDWC with the Rez in a nice cool place. Plant seems happier today. @HappyHydroGrower @Covertgrower
@HappyHydroGrower @Covertgrower Today is day 33. I was concerned for a few days, the biggest leaves on the plant, at the 4th node started getting spotty, but it hasn’t seemed to have spread, and it actually is looking better today, at least to the untrained eye. Definitely filling in, and I wish I had tied it down before the trunk got so solid, I considered bending it over last week but just imagined it snapping like a stalk of celery, and couldn’t do it. Something to think about for my next plant.
Anyway, I’ve moved my setup to what seems to be a much better area, air temp is staying just around 70, humidity is around 45-50, and water temp is sitting around 65, seems ideal to me. Roots seem pretty healthy, lots of growth, really clean smell.
I’m about to start putting together my recirculating system, and my plan was to start one plant, and then a second after the first began flowering. Is this feasible with a recirculating system, needing different levels of nutrients at different stages of growth? Or should I just plan on starting 2 at the same time? Should I adjust the lighting schedule at any point for an auto, or leave it 18/6 the whole time? I know I’m going to need better lighting, and I also really want a photo plant now. So many goals, so many questions.
Well, you have to think about what you want to accomplish and how you’re gonna go about it. Are you gonna scrog?
Have you thought about how you’re gonna change the water when they get big?
Running different strains is one of the things you have to deal with in rdwc because all plants get the same nutes.
I have two grow sites and so far hasn’t been an issue other than both plants grew two different heights. Here is a sketch of how my system is if it will help any.
This go round, I’ve got two autos, provided they both make it. This is my first autos.
If it were me, I would always run as many as possible, provided the are compatible as far as how high they grow, it should be ok IMO.
It probably won’t matter about the light schedule. 12/12 uses less electricity so that’s a personal decision. Good luck.
@spyonyou Wow, thank you so much. This diagram looks pretty much exactly what I was thinking. I have been using 5 gallon buckets so I am weighing my options between keeping those, or switching to storage bins. I feel like I should probably just see how this one plays out, and then start the next round with multiple. I’m just trying to grow enough to steadily share with 2 friends. This grow has definitely raised question about electric, water use. I want to balance the quality and cost as best as I can.
@HappyHydroGrower I also do want to Scrog, I figured that will be a lot easier with the separate reservoir. Do you think this one will grow much more? I don’t really know what to expect as far as height and foliage. Right now it’s probably 8-10 inches tall, and has 9 nodes. I initially thought autos would be done in about 10 weeks, but then I started seeing people with autos for 18 weeks, so I’m not really sure where it’s at. It’s got hairs growing, and smells really nice.
If you’re using Jacks, it’s the same throughout the grow…
I would do 12/12 eventually, it saves on energy a bit. As long as it meets daily light intervals.
This is how I do my scrog. I attached it to my tote lid. If you can manage to attach it to the top of your bucket lid (with zip ties), it will make it a little easier.
Here is a before and after the stretch.
Day I flipped the lights to 12/12
And 3 weeks later
Keep in mind, Those plants were photos and not autos. The growth in hydro is out right ridiculously sweet.
Flowering takes 8-10 weeks. Some plants will grow in a just a little over that. So far, I haven’t had one grow less than 4 months. There are some strains that will grow in a shorter amount of time, just not sure what.
@Covertgrower I have been using the florabloom series, which seems to have a pretty complex feeding schedule, one of which is for an aggressive veg stage, which I used last water change, and feel like it was too much. Something that has the same feeding schedule the whole time sounds great. I’m definitely gonna look into jacks.
@HappyHydroGrower That scrog setup looks great, I’ll probably copy that as closely as I can. That is a surprising amount of growth, I’d definitely be okay waiting longer for that kind of volume. Would you guys suggest waiting any longer before going 12/12? @Covertgrower
I use Jacks and love it. I do not have to worry and wonder if I have enough of this or enough of that. You can’t go wrong.
When the nodes start alternating instead of coming out side by side that’s usually a sign that the plant is mature enough.
If it’s an auto, it doesn’t matter what light schedule you’re on. It will flower when ready.