New Grower About 1.5 months into my first grow in an old TV stand. Could use some help.

[blue]

Hey Cripp

The Soil PH meter (unless it was crazy expensive) won't really cut it for you.
What you really need is a PH pen.

Here's a link to my review of a cheap but decent pen https://www.autoflower.org/f156/essentials-ph-meter-28188.html - they're about £45

If you want something that is awesome and don't mind spending a few quid more - get the Bluelabs truncheon with PH and EC meter on. about £70ish

 

[Psychonaut]

To add to what Ms. Blue said, I wouldn't use the soil meter for soil either. I have bought several of them from the local box stores and test them against my digital ph meter and they are never close.

 

[Crippld]

Ok, guess a return is in order!

 

[Crippld]

Just got done hanging four new cfl's on the left and right side of the box. Used the plug in adapters and put in four 23w (replaces 100w whatever the fuck that means) all in 2700 spectrum. Hopefully that will suffice cause room is gonna be an issue.

you guys were right on the ph meter. PIECE OF SHIT. I tried the bitch in 5 different soils around my house and yard and they all stayed just below 7, which strangely enough is what it reads when the stick is touching nothin, just hanging in the air. So I think that thing is either broke or coincidentally all the soil I tested is just below 7. Doubtful. Goddamm China.

Pics of the added cfl's. Should I expect a significant jump in my temps with the four new cfl's?

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Pictures are rotated all goofy. Sorry dudes, your helping a dimwit.

 

[Psychonaut]

It seems to me, from most everything I have bought at the big box stores, the meters they carry are worthless. Same way with the moisture meters for your soil. Either they read wet or dry, there is never any in between space. If that makes sense? I think with meters, especially when you are counting on them, it is better to spend a little more to be sure it works properly. Even then, the expensive ones will not read properly if they aren't calibrated and cared for. I have noticed more than once I would start having problems during a grow and check my meter and it would be out 1-2 points and need calibrating. I am saying that because if you buy a nice meter, make sure you get the recommended calibration fluid with it. You will need it.

 

[Crippld]

Roger that, Psycho!

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Roger that, Psycho!

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Thanks so much blue and psycho and dazed and pop!

 

[dazedandconfuzed]

Just got done hanging four new cfl's on the left and right side of the box. Used the plug in adapters and put in four 23w (replaces 100w whatever the fuck that means) all in 2700 spectrum. Hopefully that will suffice cause room is gonna be an issue.

you guys were right on the ph meter. PIECE OF SHIT. I tried the bitch in 5 different soils around my house and yard and they all stayed just below 7, which strangely enough is what it reads when the stick is touching nothin, just hanging in the air. So I think that thing is either broke or coincidentally all the soil I tested is just below 7. Doubtful. Goddamm China.

Pics of the added cfl's. Should I expect a significant jump in my temps with the four new cfl's?

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Pictures are rotated all goofy. Sorry dudes, your helping a dimwit.

The temps will def go up. By how much, I don't know! It WILL be a trade off. Welcome the world of stealth cab growing :hug:

hehe. I'm sure it will be fine, you could even turn off the blue once in flower,

 

[Crippld]

The temps will def go up. By how much, I don't know! It WILL be a trade off. Welcome the world of stealth cab growing :hug:

hehe. I'm sure it will be fine, you could even turn off the blue once in flower,

Thanks for talking me down man! The cfl's have been on for about 2 hours now and it's up to 91 in there. I like your idea of killing the blues. The yellowing seems on a steady rise. I fed veg nutes (very light) on Monday. I wonder if I should go ahead and hit them with the bloom tomorrow to see if that will alleviate the yellowing cause their craving something? Ordered a digital ph meter so I have to wait to see if that's the prob. Do I need to ramp up the bloom nutes or can I go with the recommended dose of 4 tsp/gal right off the bat?

 

[dazedandconfuzed]

Thanks for talking me down man! The cfl's have been on for about 2 hours now and it's up to 91 in there. I like your idea of killing the blues. The yellowing seems on a steady rise. I fed veg nutes (very light) on Monday. I wonder if I should go ahead and hit them with the bloom tomorrow to see if that will alleviate the yellowing cause their craving something? Ordered a digital ph meter so I have to wait to see if that's the prob. Do I need to ramp up the bloom nutes or can I go with the recommended dose of 4 tsp/gal right off the bat?

Flush them first man. This will "reset" the soil, get rid of any salt build-up etc. Then start adding nutes. I would leave it a day or so after flush, see how they are, then start feeding as per the schedule-maybe with half rec dosage. The effected leaves will stay effected so you will have to look past that and watch the new growth to make sure that is nice and healthy. I think you have caught this in time, just go steady. Before you do anything, stop, ask yourself "do I really need to do this!" and take it from there. Patience is a virtue!

Oh yeah, don't flush until you have a PH meter! I actually use the test strips (sssshhh don't tell anyone!), but my grow is organic and after 20 times of adding nutes, I knew the PH was good so I only check my run-off once in a while now. A good flush never hurt anything, they actually seem to like it.

 

[Crippld]

Following all given advice! You sonsabitches are golden!!

thanks Dazed!

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When you say "PH water" do you mean water that has been adjusted with something to make the PH the right level?

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Also, where the hell do you people get all this distilled water!!!?? Like a cistern or something?! They sell em by the gallon. Or do you just fill stuff with tap water and let it sit?