My first attempt

[commander]

Here are a few pics of my first attempt. This is my basic first blue barrel system. No media in it as yet but all the plumbing seems to work.

[bsfman]

Very sweet little set up!

[keith_r]

i'll try to check the pictures tonight (photobucket and sites like that are blocked at work)

[urbanfarmer]

Looking good!

[commander]

Ok, an update is in order. Everything seems to be working acording to plan. My next step is to introduce media. I think I have decided to put down a layer of lava rock and then put a layer of river pebbles (1/2" to 3/4") on top of the lava rock.

Does this jump up and raise a red flag to anyone?

[bsfman]

Ok, an update is in order. Everything seems to be working acording to plan. My next step is to introduce media. I think I have decided to put down a layer of lava rock and then put a layer of river pebbles (1/2" to 3/4") on top of the lava rock.

Does this jump up and raise a red flag to anyone?

Why the two types of rock? It it was me, I'd just do the river rock throughout and skip the double layering.

[commander]

Weight mainly.

[bsfman]

Weight mainly.

I think you will find that the first time you harvest, you will wish you had gone with river rock throughout - despite some small weight savings. Your plants will put out massive root systems. It's difficult enough to disentangle the roots from river rock. The lava rock will be much worse and after harvesting, it's no longer going to be neatly layered. It will get mixed throughout the grow bed when you pull up the giant root balls. Not that lava rock won't work just fine for you, but in the long run it will be more effort and take more time.

[commander]

I see your point and after sleeping on it, I have changed my plan. For this first system I will go with the riverrock. I wish I could afford to go with hydroton throughout, but I will wait to expend that kind of capital on a production system.

[foodchain]

Why not expanded shale? It's cheaper then hydroton. And shouldn't give you as many root problems.