Well said mistress. I'd like to quote my first in this post in this thread as proof that this thread has been/should be how you've described.
Since then, I've had more than a few disagreements with my ideas and THAT IS GREAT. My ideas might be terrible, but they are just my ideas and not something I take too seriously. That isn't to say that I am not totally obsessed and passionate about ideas, but I'm well aware I'm doing something new and it is risky. Even though what I will is very simple in my opinion. I come here to share my experiences from others so that they can learn and avoid the same mistakes I might make. More so, I've come here to learn from others and the mistakes they have made.
Since my first post, I've managed to get involve in some personal conflicts that are very common when passionate people disagree with each other, but that doesn't mean we have to behave normally in this thread. Many of us are obviously seeking excellence in how we prefer to grow plants and some of us seek excellence in different ways. If we aren't willing to understand another person's situation, ideas, and desires (even if we disagree with them,) we can't communicate exceptionally. Because many ideas from many different people have been integrated successfully into this thread, effective communication has taken place and has led to the design of an entirely new/evolved/improved system for some people. Maybe the latest revision of the PPK is already perfect, but if it isn't, how will it ever be improved if no one is willing to risk trying something new? Maybe a handful of people are doing things on their own and maybe they are doing a good job, but evolution will occur faster if we are willing to rise above our behavioral nature and apologize to each other when we fail to do so. Holding grudges isn't going to advance anything and if you can't get over a grudge, keep it to yourself or a PM.
I've been told several times my tone isn't appropriate and I hope now that I've expressed my feelings on things more, maybe others will hear my tone differently after realizing the big picture about what this thread is about. I strongly believe this thread for the most part has been a great manifestation of the spirit of ICMAG. ICMAG isn't about individuals perusing perfection through whatever means to benefit themselves. ICMAG is about us sharing our passions, helping each other out, enjoying each others company, and ultimately to change the entire world's perception of our beloved plant and ways of life so that some day we are more able to do everything ICMAG is about with our neighbors. So that some day we are more able to share our faces and personalities instead of just our plants with friends we meet all over the world through this community. ICMAG is about working together because we have a common goal. The smaller goals of individuals are not all the same in this thread and if we aren't aware of this and willing to accept it, we lose sight of the big picture and prevent or delay ourselves from accomplishing any goals.
Strawman fallacy #1
I'm not going to count the number of "FUCKS" you say, but the large number of them suggests you are very frustrated and just maybe if you took the time to grasp what someone else is saying, ignore someone who you feel is incapable of understanding certain ideas, or help some one while keeping in mind their situation and preferences without forcing your side of things on someone, you might not be so frustrated.
When a medium with stronger capillary action than roots themselves dries out, water is leeched from the roots back into the soil. Dry roots are damaged if not dead roots. Water being removed from the medium or the roots increases nutrient concentration. Sub-irrigation through capillary action will only climbso high, but pulsing frequently keeps the top of the medium moist. Recirculating the solution in addition to having the passive res both help to maintain EC levels.
In my buckets, my theory is Turface will hold enough water between daily or every other day top feeding to prevent any detrimental drying out even if there is nothing being wicked up into the bucket. As a remainder of my situation, I'm only growing three plants around a single 600w vertical bulb so I'm after 1/2 #ers at most. At most, each bucket will have 3 gallons of water outside of the medium which I believe will be enough for me to re-use the solution for several days. I will add back water and make adjustments if necessary.
You seem to claim you follow D9's design to a T sometimes when trying to argue a point and sometimes not so much (not saying this is good or bad,) but for the record, and maybe I missed where D9 changed his mind, air root pruning was and possible still is one of the little things that contributes to the PPKs success.
How exactly do you think the side-wall holes facilitate gas exchange? When water leaves a medium, regardless how or how fast, gas will replace the space the water previously occupied. With a 5 gallon bucket with no side-wall holes and only the tailpiece, I can add as much water as possible without overflowing the bucket and when it drains (after the PWT goes below the top of the medium,) I can hear the snap,crackle, and pop of the exchange of liquid for gas.
You can call it horse shit all you want, but you aren't going to convince everyone without reason. You can't convince everyone no matter what you say, but none-the-less, you're outbursts out of emotions aren't useful.
Again, I'm clueless? How? I don't claim I understand exactly how the PPK works, but I have several theories of how it might. I've more than demonstrated I understand the theory of how you think it works and expressed my skepticism with reason. Regardless if I'm right or wrong, to say I'm clueless and can't have any opinion if I haven't done things exactly your way sounds like something someone would say when they don't have have reasons and fall back on appeals to emotions.
Strawman fallacy #2
FWIW, I'm not sure if I would say there is a main or secondary purpose of the wick in my buckets because it serves both purposes regardless. I will be using screened Turface on the bottom of the bucket so it won't sub-irrigate like a normal PPK when the water table is a few to several inches below the bottom of the bucket. My water table can be moved above the bottom of the bucket so I can bring the PWT inside of the bucket so wicking will make it's way closer to the top of the medium to keep the moisture profile uniform as possible as well as for the purpose of starting a clone or transplant in a bucket.
Strawman fallacy #3
FWIW, Those are all true of my proposed bucket. Though 2, I will hand water and there won't be any runoff/DTW. I might have to dump/changeout depending on the mechanics on the system and mistakes I will likely make with nutrients. 6, Though I don't think for a second a I can regulate the wet/dry cycle by feeding by hand, I do think I can do it without any significant issues.
#4, but at this point you are just using the fallacy of repetition.
Arguably, you just contradicted yourself in a single breath. I do agree that is arguably the bests solution for such problems and challenges depending on other personal preferences a grower might have. If it simply is hands-down the best, only through time and new growers trying it out, will there ever be a basis for a fallacy of appealing to popularity that is prevalent and preventing progress in this discussion.
