New grower trying out a RDWC system.

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OldDude420

Member
Last grow was in early 80's. Had to give it up for job and whiz quizz testing. Getting close to retirement so decided I have waited long enough. I am on day #46 today from when the 2inch seedlings went into the net pots and in the tent. Been growing "like a weed" literally. I topped after the 4th node and supercropped all branches out 90*. Had to use special made braces to hold them in those positions because i had no soil to poke a stake into and couldn't drill holes in the lids to my buckets.
Anyhow, flipped the light schedule to 12/12 6 days ago and the stretch is going full blast. Got my trellis net installed this morning. Will post some pics of that later. 20240629_081723.jpg20240718_182739.jpg20240805_062635.jpg20240813_055310.jpg20240813_055608.jpg20240813_055626.jpg
 
EmeraldGreenGal

EmeraldGreenGal

Member
That is an amazing setup and impressive results!

I'm a new grower and am growing in an outdoor greenhouse but that means my gardening will pause over the winter. I've been considering making an indoor setup but the running cost is putting me off as I've limited space and would need to be growing at least 4 plants like you to make it worth it I would imagine.

It this setup pricey ro run?
 
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OldDude420

Member
EmeraldGreenGal said:
That is an amazing setup and impressive results!

I'm a new grower and am growing in an outdoor greenhouse but that means my gardening will pause over the winter. I've been considering making an indoor setup but the running cost is putting me off as I've limited space and would need to be growing at least 4 plants like you to make it worth it I would imagine.

It this setup pricey ro run?
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@EmeraldGreenGal Thanks for the kind words. I think it's running about $50 a month (not 100% sure) but a large bit of cost is running a water chiller 24/7 to combat the heat. Hot temps in the water will cause root rot & I don't want that.
Later, Wayne
 
EmeraldGreenGal

EmeraldGreenGal

Member
OldDude420 said:
@EmeraldGreenGal Thanks for the kind words. I think it's running about $50 a month (not 100% sure) but a large bit of cost is running a water chiller 24/7 to combat the heat. Hot temps in the water will cause root rot & I don't want that.
Later, Wayne
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Thanks for the reply.
You cleary still have the skills that's for sure!

I'm curious as to how you feel about new growing methods and technologies that have developed and changed over the years since you last grew?
Only if you have time to answer of course.
 
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OldDude420

Member
EmeraldGreenGal said:
Thanks for the reply.
You cleary still have the skills that's for sure!

I'm curious as to how you feel about new growing methods and technologies that have developed and changed over the years since you last grew?
Only if you have time to answer of course.
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@EmeraldGreenGal I have a job (Still working) that affords me a lot of down time so responding is my pleasure.
I think growing methods & technology has advanced 10,000% since early 80's. I thought I knew how to grow back then. Now I realize I didn't know squat. I didn't have a clue 3 months ago what ph or ppm was or how it affects learning studied a lot of you tube videos & 20240812_053926.jpgI'm learning as I go. Another good thing about my job is the pay affords me the money to try & buy good equipment while I am still employed. This will be my retirement hobby along with cruising my Hot Rod car.
 

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EmeraldGreenGal

EmeraldGreenGal

Member
OldDude420 said:
@EmeraldGreenGal I have a job (Still working) that affords me a lot of down time so responding is my pleasure.
I think growing methods & technology has advanced 10,000% since early 80's. I thought I knew how to grow back then. Now I realize I didn't know squat. I didn't have a clue 3 months ago what ph or ppm was or how it affects learning studied a lot of you tube videos & View attachment 5416780I'm learning as I go. Another good thing about my job is the pay affords me the money to try & buy good equipment while I am still employed. This will be my retirement hobby along with cruising my Hot Rod car.
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That sounds like an ideal retirement plan!

If that Hot Rod ever makes it to Ireland for a road trip count me in!
 
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carl24bpool

New Member
wow, thats quite a high temp. I think I used to chill mine down to 18 degrees. Makes it harder for pathogens to develop and also the colder the water the more dissolved oxygen it can hold. Looking very good though buddy.
 
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OldDude420

Member
With air pumped in to the toots constantly I don't think air is an issue. My ambient temperature daily high is between 105 to 115 every day here in the desert of Arizona so I can only cool the lung room down to 78 & inside the tent is 80 or more when light is running. The chiller actually adds a lot of heat to the room also. I do the best I can with the conditions I have.
 

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carl24bpool

New Member
OldDude420 said:
With air pumped in to the toots constantly I don't think air is an issue. My ambient temperature daily high is between 105 to 115 every day here in the desert of Arizona so I can only cool the lung room down to 78 & inside the tent is 80 or more when light is running. The chiller actually adds a lot of heat to the room also. I do the best I can with the conditions I have.
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Buddy, if youre in Arizona I think you do amazing. In the UK were lucky if summer temps get to low 80's so its easy keeping temps down here.
 
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OldDude420

Member
carl24bpool said:
Buddy, if youre in Arizona I think you do amazing. In the UK were lucky if summer temps get to low 80's so its easy keeping temps down here.
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@carl124bpool thanks. Yea, we definitely have a different set of hurdles we have to jump over. My average electric bill in the summer is around $400. That's with the AC set at 78. I would much rather have it set at 76 or maybe 75, but it would cost way too much. This may be my last summer grow. I can probably do 2 grows that go thru our cooler months. Be much easier to deal with heating than cooling.
At least I should not have to deal with mildew or bud rot, "i hope".
 
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Delps8

Well-Known Member
carl24bpool said:
wow, thats quite a high temp. I think I used to chill mine down to 18 degrees. Makes it harder for pathogens to develop and also the colder the water the more dissolved oxygen it can hold. Looking very good though buddy.
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You get more DO with a lower temp but at 64° P uptake starts to be inhibited*. I run mine at 68°.

And, yeh, there's no reason to run at 74° if you have a chiller.

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*I wasn't able to remember if it was potassium or phosphorus that was inhibited until I came up with the saying "At 64°, I can't pee." Everyone reading this will now never be able to forget what they just read. :-)
 
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OldDude420

Member
Delps8 said:
You get more DO with a lower temp but at 64° P uptake starts to be inhibited*. I run mine at 68°.

And, yeh, there's no reason to run at 74° if you have a chiller.

View attachment 5417040

*I wasn't able to remember if it was potassium or phosphorus that was inhibited until I came up with the saying "At 64°, I can't pee." Everyone reading this will now never be able to forget what they just read. :-)
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I agree. I also have to state that in life there are always trade offs. My little chiller is supposed to be 40 gallon max. ($434). My system has 5-13 gallon pots or 65 gallons. the next biggest chiller was over $600, so I figured i would get by with this smaller chiller working it's ass off trying to keep the temps down as best it can.
Do I believe uptake "starts to be inhibited", Yes i do. But I also believe that my plants 47 days from 2" seedlings are doing pretty good. That and after Labor Day (September 2nd) the outside temps will start slowly backing down and I will then be able to turn my chiller down. Also, my chiller came with a 3 year warranty and I do fully intend to test it out. Lolbongsmilie
 

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