first time grower needs a few questions answered.

[allanworks]

the photo is from 2 days ago when the plants were 5 days old they have grown a lot more in 2 days then I expected

Hi, guy's and gal's this is my first grow. I started my plants seven days ago and just picked up a ph meter, soil moisture meter, plugin timer, and 20-gallon fabric pots to go with my t5 fluorescent grow lights. they will be going outside in my cage once temps will permit, I'm thinking sometime between easter and mothers day. but for right now they are in half gallon pots indoors under lights with black magic soil. well here are my questions.

1. my water "well water" ph level is 7.7 do I need to lower it with some ph down or should I only do that when feeding nutrients?

2. has anybody tried dairy doo 301 soil if so how did it turn out? I live near their company and they charge $150 for a cubic yard which would fill my 20-gallon fabric pots nicely at a decent price.

3. what nutrients should I use? I am leaning towards sensi grow/bloom with its ph perfect aspects but I am open to suggestions.

4. how high above the plants should a t5 4ft 8 bulbs fluorescent light be? I had it 6in above the plants and I noticed a couple of plants leaves starting to turn a lighter color and one looked bubbled/wilted. I moved the light to 12in and they seem to have bounced back quickly but I don't want them stretching for the light.

5. should i buy a TDS meter?

 

[Jimdamick]

1. my water "well water" ph level is 7.7 do I need to lower it with some ph down or should I only do that when feeding nutrients?

Bring it down to 6.3

3. what nutrients should I use? I am leaning towards sensi grow/bloom with its ph perfect aspects but I am open to suggestions.

I use Technaflora BC products, Grow/Boost/Bloom, good stuff at a fair price. Sensi costs too much.

4. how high above the plants should a t5 4ft 8 bulbs fluorescent light be? I had it 6in above the plants and I noticed a couple of plants leaves starting to turn a lighter color and one looked bubbled/wilted. I moved the light to 12in and they seem to have bounced back quickly but I don't want them stretching for the light.

10" - 12" when there young, no closer than 6 when older. That light will be very bright/hot, so not too close

 

[allanworks]

I use Technaflora BC products, Grow/Boost/Bloom, good stuff at a fair price. Sensi costs too much.

sensi grow/bloom will run me about $130 for the full season. what will Technaflora BC run me for 12 plants threw a season?

 

[buyyouabeer]

my water "well water" ph level is 7.7 do I need to lower it with some ph down or should I only do that when feeding nutrients?

Forget worrying about the PH in soil, it will buffer itself. When you put these girls in 20 gal. pots are you seriously going to be adjusting your PH on all that water? I would recommend a cheap lux meter for determining your light height, they can be had for $20. You should also look at dry salts for your nutrients as they are way cheaper, with that size of operation it's time to start thinking like a farmer

 

[allanworks]

Forget worrying about the PH in soil, it will buffer itself

that seems to be the consensus on rollitup forums ill just test/treat my nutrient mix before feeding instead of all the time.

I would recommend a cheap lux meter

I will wait till winter to buy a lux meter since they will only be indoors for a month and a half for a spring/summer/fall grow.

You should also look at dry salts

never heard of them I was always told salt is bad for marijuana. what are the risks with salts?