Yes buffer them for at leat 24hr, meaning put them in a bucket full of water and PH it to 5.8
Then come back and keep checking it and adjusting it.
Clay is the wrong PH for hydro thus you’ll notice most people avoid using them in place of the plastic bases now
3 Likes
I was wondering why people preferred the air base over the clay pebbles or perilite. I’ve heard of having to buffer them before and didnt take note last time pretty sure thats what caused so many issues with my last hydro attempt so ill heed that advice this go arpund and probably invest in the air base bottoms for my next 4 pot system and if i like it ill changeover entirely by the next veg run
1 Like
The plastic practice golf balls are also another cheap option, just hard to clean for a 2nd run
1 Like
I am going to have to side with you here. I kind of believe I do as well using or not using the air. I currently have not been using air. I also am not using any clay pebbles or golf balls. Just coco and vermiculite. I saw @Nicky and @ashhhh growing with out them and decided to try it also a while back. The biggest plant I have done so far was in a autopot and just coco and vermiculite. And jack’s with only a little silica.
Some times less can be more. 
Un like most. I break down a coco brick. Mix in the vermiculite. Fill a pot. Toss it in the tub to give a quick rinse. And the drop the plant in it. I had tried prepping the coco and found no benefit in it for my self. Here is my reasoning. When the plant is small. You are top feeding it and in a small area. So you are conditioning the coco as you go. I am not saying this is the right way or the way to go. But is has been working for me for almost 6 years I don’t grow the best plants in here. But not the worse either In the end. If I am enjoying the grow. That is all that matters to me I don’t smoke my self. But have no trouble finding friends to share this with 
A side note. If you re use your coco. You would like vermiculite more than perlite I think. The roots grow into the perlite.
5 Likes
Thanks for the insights! I have all the stuff to run the air domes so I’ll give them a shot this run. Maybe I’ll just use 2 with and 2 without even though I’m not using clones…I have a while to think about it I guess…
2 Likes
For my current grow I mixed up a gallon of Jack’s 15-5-20 and moistened the coco/perlite mixture with it right before planting. Seedlings went 7-10 days with no need to water, then I just turn on the autopots and let em rip! Best start I’ve had so far, plants took off and are looking real healthy.
First pic is three weeks this past Sunday.
Second pic is today just two days later.
3 Likes
Those look great @registereduser I can go about 3 days before I need to feed when they are in final pots and small. The pots get light quick.
2 Likes
Those Autopots are very cool. I guess I am old as coming up you would never ever have see a grower let a plants roots sit in water. I even talked to a guy about autopots in his grow store and stated they were becoming very popular!
Maybe he should look into stocking them, right? Nope his exact words “I really have a problem w letting the roots just sit in water”
I bottom fed plants for a long time, only what they could absorb in an hour or so and almost never ran into any issues. Just another cannamyth I guess??? Rock on Autopots!
2 Likes
The roots aren’t actually sitting in water. The grow medium will only absorb as much liquid as it can hold but it’s never really wet just moist. Everyone who grows DWC it literally letting the roots sit in water. I guess the guy in the grow store doesn’t sell DWC equipment. 
3 Likes
Yeah, some are but most of the roots are up top. But in that theory Hydro should do terrible. And yet it probably does best of all
2 Likes
So things are progressing a bit on the slow side but at least progressing… the weather here has been so up and down I’m not even gonna attempt to keep a “perfect” environment. I think these girls are about 10 days since breaking ground and have been busy laying down some root structure. I’m thinking they should start to take off within a week or so
4 Likes
5 weeks from dropping seeds. The 15-5-20 seems to be doing very well although may be a tad to much nitrogen not seeing any concerns though. Switching to 10-30-20 this weekend. It’s looking like I’ll have an unintentional SOG going on with these two.
6 Likes
Lookin great for 5 weeks, I wish mine would get movin along. No big rush i guess tho
2 Likes
My last grow was a single plant in a 3x3 and that plant sprouted hard and was slow going for a long time, so long that I almost pulled her. She took 101 days to finish and gave me 9.5 oz of nice bud. It seems they all get there just at different rates.
2 Likes
Making a little progress. I’ve been feeding at about 1/2 strength jacks, I’ll bump that up to full strength tomorrow. My rh has been really low like less than 40%. I just got the new cloudforge t-7 set up so I’m expecting some improved growth rates soon. It’s time to get the bags set up and ready to rumble I expect to transplant late next week
3 Likes
So I think we’re about 20 days over here…Not so impressive but the blame is on me…finally got potted up into the 5gl bags with coco and perlite, also running the air base and air domes this run. Full strength jacks will be top watered for at least a few days before I set up the trays
1 Like
My first thought was to give you a bad time about this I will play nice though
I do agree though. Here is why. I have these 3 plants. All are the same age. 2 weeks at picture time. It even showed me how staying in a small container can really make a difference. Needless to say for me. I will either start in final pots or get them into them at a week old now
Is that 2 plants in the 3x3 there. It looks like they fit just right 
2 Likes
