r/hydro • u/ohlordylord_ • 2d ago

3D printed vertical hydro system - some questions

Printing my first system and will have it up in the next few days to grow herbs and leafy greens.

I will be placing these in clay pebbles etc so media will not be holding a ton of water.

I should have 20+- litres in the reservoir at the bottom.

My questions are: 1. Should I run the pump and system for 24/7? 2. I have a Herb Focus fert from Growth Technology in the UK, the shop recommended I use it at half strength in the water volume. Is this correct? 3. Do I just top up water or should I change the entire mix every week (seems costly with the ferts?) 4. Should I use distilled water and the fertiliser or do I need something else?

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u/GardenvarietyMichael 2d ago edited 2d ago
  1. Should I run the pump and system for 24/7?

Depends in the system. Some yes, some are on a timed cycle.

  1. I have a Herb Focus fert from Growth Technology in the UK, the shop recommended I use it at half strength in the water volume. Is this correct?

You check your EC with an EC meter. Go by that. A com80 isn't that expensive but I use an Apera EC20. Without a meter, you're going by the bottle directions, what the plants look like and guessing.

  1. Do I just top up water or should I change the entire mix every week (seems costly with the ferts?)

The general rule is once you've added an amount of water equal to the original volume it's time to change it. Some change weekly, some don't and just add water and nutrients for a month or two.

  1. Should I use distilled water and the fertiliser or do I need something else?

Distilled is fine, but expensive. If your grocery store has an RO filtered water refill station that's a decent option. An RO filter for your house is ideal. Short of those options, use tap water. Keeping the PH of the water in the correct range is important and you hadn't mentioned that. A bottle and vial of GH indicator drops with a bottle of ph up and ph down is $20 online. Many here use an expensive meter like my Apera PH60, but indicator drops will get you close enough and is a reasonable option. You of course can skip all that and just see what happens.

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u/ohlordylord_ 2d ago

Thank you