Urban Farmer Ebb & Flow Grow Log

[druluv]

Urban Farmer Ebb & Flow Grow Log

Hey folks

Just starting out with hydroponics. When I get more experience with the grow, I would like to invest into sea of green set up.

For now I'm using a Rubber Maid reservoir, with the lid turned upside down. I bought the set up at a local hydro-shop. I could of built it myself but supporting local vendors is more important. I drilled small holes into the lid for proper drainage.

With Rubber Maid Ebb & Flow, I wanted to start growing the mother plant out before I get into full grow out. I'm starting with some commercial grade seeds, I don't know the name of this strain, but the word around town say its northern lights, but I will call it Genesis.

So I used the old paper towel/ container method to pop the seeds. After the foot comes out I placed them in 1.5" Rock Wool Cubes.

So far I got at least two promising mother plants coming up if they turn out to be female.

The goal right know is to get the basics down, before I start getting advance.

The Whole system is 20" X 20"

So in my reservoir:
Tap Water
Flora Nova Grow

Lights:
I use two CFL 20watt bulbs 20

 

[tom__420]

Got any pics of the system?

 

[loolagigi]

yeah, pics in detail

 

[druluv]

Here is the current set up:

 

[tom__420]

The top tray seem pretty shallow dude, you are going to have to flood a lot once the plants get bigger and start soaking up the nutes

 

[druluv]

The light above the set up is a 250 watt Double ended bulb MH. Its a transplant from my reef tank. The ballast is dual so I can add another light to the veg system.

Some picks of the seedlings

some eye candy for the

 

[druluv]

Some eye candy for the reefers posse.

 

[tom__420]

Your rockwool cubes are staying way too wet dude, they should not be green at all. You need to put more rocks underneath the cubes or lower the overflow

 

[druluv]

The top tray seem pretty shallow dude, you are going to have to flood a lot once the plants get bigger and start soaking up the nutes

Yeah I know, this was a newbie purchase. But the concept still works, just learning the basics before start I investing in high class equipment.

 

[druluv]

Your rockwool cubes are staying way too wet dude, they should not be green at all. You need to put more rocks underneath the cubes or lower the overflow

yep, I stack some rocks around the base of the rockwool.

 

[tom__420]

No I am saying that those cups should be full with rocks and the rockwool should be buried closer to the top with a small layer of rocks covering it. The green algae on the rockwool means that it is staying too wet so you should move the rockwool above the water flood line

 

[druluv]

My vision is to create a stealth but easy to manage perpetual harvest.

So with my first seeds, I want to select the best female plant to grow as a mother plant, and flower the rest of the female plants.
While the mother is growing, I can use that time to choose & set up a cloning system for the perpetual harvest.

Week 1 Update:
The plants responding well on the cfl upgrade to 10k double-ended bulbs being powered by a sun systems dual galaxy ballast.
While waiting for the seedlings to grow to show sex of plant, I can use this time to work on the flowering section of the set up. This while be a classic ebb & flow design. but I'll discuss later.

While getting the set up together, I have to make up a task list of the husbandry stuff to get the set up clean & running smooth.
I don't have a pertual wallet so each purchase must count.

Right now I'm working out the veg growth soup mix, which I will use in the cloning section.

I started with flora-nova, but I'm going to trod a new path with:

1) organic roots Buddha Grow (2-0.5-1.5)

and supplement with:
2) Oregonism XL - Beneficial Bacteria
3) Trinity - Catalyst
4) Ancient Amber - Fulvic Acid - this is for foliar feeding
5) Sunleaves - Jamaican Bat Guano
6) Cal-Mag Plus


In my first mothering section I can hold about 6-9 mother plants. So I want to choose 9 seeds strains for the first mothering section.

my second pick I ordered from Nirvana, "Blue Mistic" strain.
so I'm searching for at least 7 others.

 

[tom__420]

Did you put more rocks under the rockwool so that it won't be getting as wet?

 

[druluv]

yep fix that issue

 

[Muffy]

I want to choose 9 seeds strains for the first mothering section.

You can have my 5-pack of Mazar-I-Sharif if you want.

 

[tom__420]

sharing is always nice

 

[Muffy]

sharing is always nice

You like sativa-dom polyhybrids?

 

[tom__420]

I like anything free bud

 

[druluv]

Hey guys week2 already

Here are some pics of my seedlings,
Common Problems for this week is the turning up of some of my plants leaves, any thoughts why.

It may have something to do with the lighting upgrade. I had mickey mouse lighting before.

My attempt in creating my unique seedling packing. I now use white stones on top to help reflect light up to the plant.

My problem child

So far my best attempt:

bird eye view:

Muffy let me know how to send my details to you for the seeds.

 

[Dapps420]

Hey man! your setup looks like its doin the job. I'm kidna new to these forums and new to Hydroponics, but from what I understand, when the leaves turn up like that, it means that you are under dosing the nutrients. I read in a post that a rule of thumb is; if the leaves turn down, you are over dosing, if they are turned up you are under dosing. Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but I though I would take a stab at it.... Either way I know that turned leaves are not good.

I just started my Ebb & Flow, I am at the end of week one and my girls look pretty strong. Take a look at my setup if you want, and if you have some advice, by all means, I seek your knowledge!!! thanks! Good luck, and I will be watching your babies grow up! keep it up!