Grow Mediums New grower-Hydro-600w LED-few questions

[CapnKrash]

Hey folks, started a thread in the beginner section, but they suggested I point some of my questions on this board.

You can read the original thread here: https://www.autoflower.org/f44/first-grow-hydro-600w-led-auto-seeds-28951.html

In case you don't, here's the info:

Space: 38"x38"x72" 'tent' built from pvc pipes, wrapped in plasticized carboard and lined with mylar.

Light: 600w 9 band UV LED @ 24/7

Beans: Auto Seeds Candy Kush, Diesel Berry. From Herbies.

System: 17gal General Hydroponics Ecogrower. *Will probably modify the spider system to use a fountain pump instead of air though, any thoughts?*

Nutrients: Technaflora recipe for success kit, and GH flora series if I run out. Also have various GH bloom nutes. And Cal/mag since I'm using LED.

Ventilation: 150cfm Canfan with homemade carbon filter. As well as a small desktop clip fan for air movement.

Testing equipment: Digital TDS, Digital PH. Also have GH PH test kit as backup.

Co2: I was considering using a 5gal bucket, tossing some super yeast in it with sugar, and using an air pump with hoses to push the Co2 to the tops of the plants. The yeast is a strain I've been developing for years, can handle around 25% alcohol and puts out a TON of Co2. I know its not a lot, but something eh? Won't cost me anything other than time.

So my questions are thus:

I was told not to use rockwool for the system I have, since it feeds top down. Since rockwool holds so much water, it can cause rot. Right now I have my beans germinating in a glass of water. I was thinking of switching them to paper towels until the root is a few inches long so I can stick it into the hydroton. Is that how I should do it, or should I just toss them into the rockwool and be done with it?

Also, I was told that in my 38"x38"x72" space that 6 plants would be far too many, and to restrict myself to 1-2. Could I train them to run all 6, or would it just be better to scrog 2 of them? I am looking for the most yield I can (who doesn't of course, but 2oz each is my goal) so I'm trying to figure out the best way to set this up. Though as it is, I have two beans germing.. Hopefully they're both good and female.

I do have all the meters and equipment I'll need, and I've been researching a lot. I learn fast, so I'm not too worried about messing up too much with the hydro setup. I HAVE seen plants from beginning to end, but just never a personal hand in it other than germinating and trimming.

Any comments or suggestions are very welcome! feel free to add your "My 2 cents" :Sharing One:

 

[Roark]

Welcome aboard.....I personally like peat cubes or peat pots. They come in little disc that you soak and that's all. Then I stink them in very well rinsed and rinsed again hydrton. I don't know about your system or lights...sorry. 2 oz a plant...yeah a that seems do able. I am bummed if I I don't get atleast a q.p.
Hope that helps at all.

 

[CGR]

Welcome to the Family Capnkrash.... i just read your other thread sounds you have done your home work ....+.....im not familiar with your system and i would would go with what they recommended unless another member has some exper. with rock and that system i would do what they say and as for your other question who ever gave you that advice is a sound grower follow it.... i would!!!!! i look around and see if i can find you some info on it.....good luck with your grow my friend your in the best hands here at AFN.

 

[CapnKrash]

@ roark2.0 oh hey that's actually a really good idea. The peat will eventually just fall through and I can pull it out after. Yes, yes that does help plenty ^_^

@ CGR thank you very much. As to the system, it uses an air pump to push water from the center piece out to the net pots. The issue is that it doesn't really work as well as I would like. Which is why I was thinking about putting a fountain pump at the bottom of it to pump up water. It'll recirculate faster and more reliably is what I was thinking. It won't take much to convert, just a little cut on the bottom and attach the pump to the inner tube.

as to the system here's a pic:

 

[CapnKrash]

Since I don't seem to be getting anywhere on the newbie section, I think it may be better if I just have that thread deleted and just update this one. It seems to be more of an appropriate section for it anyhow.

I germinated the seeds in water around 7pm 1/16/14, they cracked around 24hours later, at which point I placed them into some tiny peat pots to grow up a little before adding them to the hydroton.

1/20/14 They broke ground

1/21/14 about an inch tall:


The seedlings aren't in the water yet, but I plan on sticking them in there around 2" tall. What do you guys think?

I've been having some heat/humidity issues. The heat is too high, while the humidity is too low. The temps have been around 80F humidity is 16% The seedlings seem to dislike this very much. They ARE under the light, at 20" away from them. Before the heat/humid issues they were reaching towards it. They seem to have slowed growth, and are a little limp.

I bit the bullet and ordered a 36"x36"x72" grow tent to help alleviate some of those issues. The cardboard just doesn't work as well as I had hoped =(

While I wait for the tent, I hung a wet towel with a fan to help with the humidity, and it seems to be helping the temp a little. Hopefully most of those issues will be solved.

My water is around 350-400ppm with 8.4ph Could I use this water? I was thinking about a RO filter, but the tent killed that idea. So I'll need to distil my own (17 gallons a week..:no or figure out a solution soon.

 

[Roark]

The peat pot cube things don't fall apart. That's one reason I love um.

 

[CapnKrash]

Well I found out the hard way that I definitely CANNOT use my tap water. Both little seedlings died on me, didn't even get two inches tall before kicking it. $30 worth of seed gone. RIP little ones. So I'll definitely have to distill my own water.

Popped two more, the diesel cracked and is now sprouting. Unfortunately the candy didn't germinate at all. Just popped a new one yesterday, lets hope since I only have two more

I managed to squeeze a bit of extra cash this month and got the grow tent. It is a 36"x36"x72" Milliard tent for $87 on amazon with free shipping. The quality is great, though there are some pinholes in it, and the vent holes use a different material that allows a small amount of light through. But since I'm using autos, it doesn't really matter. I turned everything on and ran it yesterday, temps hold steady at 78°F with humidity at 55%. If I turn up the vent fan I have, I can drive the humidity down to 16% if I want at full blast.

I also decided to sell the Eco-grower, and just build a few recirculating bubble pots; this way I can control the nutrients for each plant, since they're two different strains. On top of this, I did it, so I don't have to distill 17 freaking gallons every week. :no:

Bought 2x 5 gallon buckets $2.95 ea
2x 158gph fountain pumps from harbor freight $7.99 ea
2x Airstones from pet-co $2.50 ea
4' of black tubing $0.33/ft
4' clear tubing $0.22/ft
2 bucket lid pots $4.95 ea
for a grand total of $33.08 before tax. Add another $15ish for air pumps (already had two) Fitting snugly in my budget. I just have to forgo some medication next month.

Drilled a hole in each of the lid pots about 1/2" down the pot to allow the tubing to run through it and to the roots. The pumps will circulate the water through there.
Cut a notch in each bucket for the fountain pump cords so the lids can sit down.
Drilled a hole for the air tubing, and hot glued the stones to the bottom center of each bucket.



I re-purposed the PVC I was using for the cardboard tent and turned it into a scrog screen. Just cut it down to fit inside the tent, and drilled holes every 2" then made a grid with some cotton twine. You can see it in the background of the pics.

Now just to clean and sterilize everything and try again =) This time I will be using distilled water. So as long as I don't do anything daft like using hard water again, I should be fine Woops

 

[pasimito]

I think Your light is way to low.

 

[pop22]

Well I found out the hard way that I definitely CANNOT use my tap water. Both little seedlings died on me, didn't even get two inches tall before kicking it. $30 worth of seed gone. RIP little ones. So I'll definitely have to distill my own water.

Popped two more, the diesel cracked and is now sprouting. Unfortunately the candy didn't germinate at all. Just popped a new one yesterday, lets hope since I only have two more

I managed to squeeze a bit of extra cash this month and got the grow tent. It is a 36"x36"x72" Milliard tent for $87 on amazon with free shipping. The quality is great, though there are some pinholes in it, and the vent holes use a different material that allows a small amount of light through. But since I'm using autos, it doesn't really matter. I turned everything on and ran it yesterday, temps hold steady at 78°F with humidity at 55%. If I turn up the vent fan I have, I can drive the humidity down to 16% if I want at full blast.

I also decided to sell the Eco-grower, and just build a few recirculating bubble pots; this way I can control the nutrients for each plant, since they're two different strains. On top of this, I did it, so I don't have to distill 17 freaking gallons every week. :no:

Bought 2x 5 gallon buckets $2.95 ea
2x 158gph fountain pumps from harbor freight $7.99 ea
2x Airstones from pet-co $2.50 ea
4' of black tubing $0.33/ft
4' clear tubing $0.22/ft
2 bucket lid pots $4.95 ea
for a grand total of $33.08 before tax. Add another $15ish for air pumps (already had two) Fitting snugly in my budget. I just have to forgo some medication next month.

Drilled a hole in each of the lid pots about 1/2" down the pot to allow the tubing to run through it and to the roots. The pumps will circulate the water through there.
Cut a notch in each bucket for the fountain pump cords so the lids can sit down.
Drilled a hole for the air tubing, and hot glued the stones to the bottom center of each bucket.

View attachment 320196View attachment 320197View attachment 320195View attachment 320198

I re-purposed the PVC I was using for the cardboard tent and turned it into a scrog screen. Just cut it down to fit inside the tent, and drilled holes every 2" then made a grid with some cotton twine. You can see it in the background of the pics.

Now just to clean and sterilize everything and try again =) This time I will be using distilled water. So as long as I don't do anything daft like using hard water again, I should be fine Woops

Even an inline filter would help tremendously with your tap water. Man, I wouldn't even drink it with numbers like that!

 

[AndyBotwin]

Even an inline filter would help tremendously with your tap water. Man, I wouldn't even drink it with numbers like that!

400ppm is crazy. I think 500 is the EPA's limit here in the states. You could probably run that sh!t through a dirty pair of boxers and it would come out better...