Aeroflo 60 + 1K + Hydrohut + CO2 Help Needed

[DIYer]

I made my own LED array, theres about 120 total LED's on it, spaced out over a 5' x 2.5' aluminum area, anyway my point is, the multiple light sources coming from it almost make for no shadows on my leaves. There are some, but there so dim, and relit form so many other areas of that big array, what some would say i lose in bud size on some nugs, i know i gain by having so many other nugs they would never have burning one big hps that casts a bunch of shadows.

 

[Guile]

I made my own LED array, theres about 120 total LED's on it, spaced out over a 5' x 2.5' aluminum area, anyway my point is, the multiple light sources coming from it almost make for no shadows on my leaves. There are some, but there so dim, and relit form so many other areas of that big array, what some would say i lose in bud size on some nugs, i know i gain by having so many other nugs they would never have burning one big hps that casts a bunch of shadows.

What light frequency diodes did you use, in what ratio? How does it compare to say a set of 250w sodium (plant performance wise)?

 

[DIYer]

i forget the exact nm of the leds now,.. made the whole thing a few years ago. Knna over on what was GC hooked me up with the supplies. Google "knna led array" if you're interested in learning how i did, i was lucky to befriend that genius. i knew nothing much before working with him, and even less today, lol
It's defiantly on par with i would say more then a 250w hps,.. but again, bud sites all over are better, not huge like hps can give a few tops, no knock on hps though, i use both

 

[secondshift]

Its my understanding that the more often you can afford to change your reservoir the better.. I started out with weekly changing (bought distilled water for it too). ...


What should I be looking for in particular when it comes to finding a Co2 meter like yours?

My views on trimming might not be popular... I am a strong believer in trimming plants to obtain the best light efficacy. I transplant clones into a small flood table I have in my veg room (for about a week) as soon as they begin taking off I top them above the second node if they tend to grow too tall or I trim lower branches as they show up (Popsicle trim) if its a strain that trends to grow low (or branchy). I have no problem with trimming up to about half way through flowering. As far as removing leaves go I believe you should only remove leaves that are completely shaded or are completely shading another plants growing tip...

I change water every time I replenish nutes. I don't mind the expense.

Usually this strain goes from a 2" rooted clone to around 18-24" when finished. I would expect the same with the gas only more dense. I thought I learned my lesson the first cycle with double spacing the plants but how quickly we forget. LOL.

OK I think 'Lollipop' style is what I had heard about and wanted to try. So I didn't mess up after all. Any tips?

I just double spaced them before and let them fill in. If i leave the plants alone -- not trim anything at all until its ready to harvest, each plant will have 6 to 8 long side branches that fill in the gaps nicely but aren't as robust as the main bud.

I have been fortunate enough to have no wilting or browning with this machine and the GH nutrient.

These are 2 weeks out of the ez-cloner with the same nutes -- just topped off with tap a few days ago



Also this is my first go with the 1k. I used to have 3 400's in the same space 1 real hps and 2 360 watt conversions but they were not sealed and i cant use them in this closed up space. I would have liked to get 2 600s but i came across a 1k with a sealed hood at a great price. I will eventually get the 2 6's but for now the single point source will have to work.

 

[Guile]

Using high plant density isn't a bad thing (it's actually quite efficient) but you have to focus all the growth/flowering on the main cola.

I would start flowering immediately, with high plant density's you usually want to flower as soon as you can get away with it (as soon as they start establishing new growth, following the transplant from the cloner).

Biased on what you are telling me I would remove the lower 6-8 branches (the ones that tend to get "long" as you described), where the plants are still pretty short I would leave the lower fan leaves. Keep an eye on new branch development (only remove the lowest branches that are not going to contribute to the main cola bud), bare in mind that your plants will probably stretch a little more than they had in the past because they are not using energy to grow sideways.

Be careful about getting your larger light too close to your plants.. Are your 400w MH electronic or magnetic ballasts? if they are magnetic you can buy the cap/ignitor kit to convert it for pretty short money. I'll bet a creative/resourceful person such as yourself could make one of those clear tube cooling systems using 6" acrylic/poly-carbonate tubing (just run a high cfm fan to cool it whenever the light is on...

 

[secondshift]

Using high plant density isn't a bad thing (it's actually quite efficient) but you have to focus all the growth/flowering on the main cola.

I would start flowering immediately, with high plant density's you usually want to flower as soon as you can get away with it (as soon as they start establishing new growth, following the transplant from the cloner).

Biased on what you are telling me I would remove the lower 6-8 branches (the ones that tend to get "long" as you described), where the plants are still pretty short I would leave the lower fan leaves. Keep an eye on new branch development (only remove the lowest branches that are not going to contribute to the main cola bud), bare in mind that your plants will probably stretch a little more than they had in the past because they are not using energy to grow sideways.

Be careful about getting your larger light too close to your plants.. Are your 400w MH electronic or magnetic ballasts? if they are magnetic you can buy the cap/ignitor kit to convert it for pretty short money. I'll bet a creative/resourceful person such as yourself could make one of those clear tube cooling systems using 6" acrylic/poly-carbonate tubing (just run a high cfm fan to cool it whenever the light is on...

The plants in the pictures were on 16/8 ( I veg at 16/8 so the tipping point for flowering hormone is a lot closer ) for the first 2 days then I switched to 12/12. So they have already been flowering for almost 2 weeks.

Perhaps I'll trim half of the crop just to compare the two strategies.

I have magnetic ballasts but am tired of cobbled together lighting. The ones I had been using are innards from old street lights and warehouse bay lighting So I'm digging the 1k. Perhaps Ill get 1 more hood and put one in line with the 1k.

So far my light is about 24" above the tops. Distance between nodes is pretty small.

Daytime room temp is usually 80 deg with 68% rh with the gas at 600ppm. Nighttime temp is 63 deg with 88% rh. Reservoir temp is steady at 63 deg. Im working on setting up a timed fan to purge the air in the system at night to keep the humidity down.

 

[Guile]

The plants in the pictures were on 16/8 ( I veg at 16/8 so the tipping point for flowering hormone is a lot closer ) for the first 2 days then I switched to 12/12. So they have already been flowering for almost 2 weeks.

Perhaps I'll trim half of the crop just to compare the two strategies.

I have magnetic ballasts but am tired of cobbled together lighting. The ones I had been using are innards from old street lights and warehouse bay lighting So I'm digging the 1k. Perhaps Ill get 1 more hood and put one in line with the 1k.

So far my light is about 24" above the tops. Distance between nodes is pretty small.

Daytime room temp is usually 80 deg with 68% rh with the gas at 600ppm. Nighttime temp is 63 deg with 88% rh. Reservoir temp is steady at 63 deg. Im working on setting up a timed fan to purge the air in the system at night to keep the humidity down.

I hate to say this because its going to skew your results but if you are going to do half/half Popsicle trim the plants around the perimeter, there are a few reasons for this, predominantly because they are going to be the ones most starved for light (given the single source, and this is about light efficiency) another is that ofcourse they are the easiest to reach the lower branches on...

 

[secondshift]

I hate to say this because its going to skew your results but if you are going to do half/half Popsicle trim the plants around the perimeter, there are a few reasons for this, predominantly because they are going to be the ones most starved for light (given the single source, and this is about light efficiency) another is that ofcourse they are the easiest to reach the lower branches on...

Right you are about trimming from the outside lol -- definately will be easier to get to. How far from the main stem should I be trimming these side shoots?