First time growing in 10 years, tell me what you think of my setup

[dynamitejack]

Wow, you are the first person to tell me that I was under wattage. Either way I am pushing the limit of what I can run in my garage due to electrical constraints. I am running everything off of one 20 AMP breaker and I don't want to run extension cords from other breakers.

I am with you on feeling a little weird about using the same nutes for veg and flower but I am doing so much new stuff right now so I don't want an overly complicated feeding schedule for a couple reasons. The H & G line is really pricey but from what I read is worth it. I also already burned my plants with just the two part nutrients so imagine what I would have done if I had added all of the other 7 or 8 recommended additives? I am definitely planning on switching to the complete H & G line AND adding CO2 for the next grow but I would like to get one successful grow under my belt first. I haven't had all that much luck in the past.

I've used H&G before and you HAVE to cut the recommended A/B strength in half! That's what gives you the ppm in your solution. Aqua Flakes A/B are "FOOD", the additives are "vitamins" most of the additives can be used at full strength (Shooting Powder is NOT one of those additives!). Get a PPM/EC/TDS meter, if you don't have one, and use that to measure your nutrients not the feed chart!

Your set up is real nice, are you using reverse osmosis H2O?

 

[berkman858]

I've used H&G before and you HAVE to cut the recommended A/B strength in half! That's what gives you the ppm in your solution. Aqua Flakes A/B are "FOOD", the additives are "vitamins" most of the additives can be used at full strength (Shooting Powder is NOT one of those additives!). Get a PPM/EC/TDS meter, if you don't have one, and use that to measure your nutrients not the feed chart!

Your set up is real nice, are you using reverse osmosis H2O?

I am glad you agree with me, I just changed out my water today for R/O water (PH @ 6.2 / PPM @ 0) and added the nutes back at 50% strength. I have a BlueLab PH and PPM meters and I am very happy to be using R/O water now because my tap water PPM is at 340.

I may just be kidding myself but I think my girls are already looking better. The H & G stuff seems to be real strong from what I have read and I definitely overdid it last week. I am just using A & B plus Drip Clean this run but next run I am going with the full line of additives and I will heed your advice and use the shooting powder at half strength.

BTW - do you remember what PPM range you used from veg to bloom on the Aqua Flakes nutes?

Thanks!

 

[berkman858]

UPDATED PICS:

Here are some pics after I cleaned up the wiring and plumbing a bit. The bigger plant has been in the tent for a week longer than the other three.

 

[berkman858]

Nice setup. RH is a little low for veg.

What RH should I be aiming for in veg and in bloom? I am about to go buy a humidifier. Thx.

 

[dynamitejack]

I am glad you agree with me, I just changed out my water today for R/O water (PH @ 6.2 / PPM @ 0) and added the nutes back at 50% strength. I have a BlueLab PH and PPM meters and I am very happy to be using R/O water now because my tap water PPM is at 340.

I may just be kidding myself but I think my girls are already looking better. The H & G stuff seems to be real strong from what I have read and I definitely overdid it last week. I am just using A & B plus Drip Clean this run but next run I am going with the full line of additives and I will heed your advice and use the shooting powder at half strength.

BTW - do you remember what PPM range you used from veg to bloom on the Aqua Flakes nutes?

Thanks!

RO water is a must for hydro, especially when using H&G. In veg I kept it around 500-800, bloom 900-1200ish. Let you meters tell you what the plant needs as far as nutrients. If the ph goes down and ppm go up = too high ppm. If ph goes up and ppm goes down = add more nutrients. If the pH rises and ppm stays the same your plants are happy, don't be afraid of pH swings just keep them between 5.5 and 6.5.

 

[berkman858]

RO water is a must for hydro, especially when using H&G. In veg I kept it around 500-800, bloom 900-1200ish. Let you meters tell you what the plant needs as far as nutrients. If the ph goes down and ppm go up = too high ppm. If ph goes up and ppm goes down = add more nutrients. If the pH rises and ppm stays the same your plants are happy, don't be afraid of pH swings just keep them between 5.5 and 6.5.

Great info, that's exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!

 

[berkman858]

Just installed a small humidifier. It bumped the RH from 36% to 44% in 30 minutes. Hopefully it is powerful enough to keep the tent around 55-60%. Does that sound like a good RH range?

 

[atrumblood]

berkman858,

Pretty sweet setup you have there.

 

[berkman858]

berkman858,

Pretty sweet setup you have there.

Thanks atrumblood! I have put a lot of time, money, and effort into this venture. I failed miserably before and am committed to succeed gloriously this time. I have more ideas to implement but for this grow I am pretty much set.

I just setup a two pump system to empty my reservoir first to the landing at the base of the stairs, and then up to the second floor bathroom which is 10 feet of lift and 15 feet of horizontal travel. I had to go back and buy a stronger pump, this shit is pretty big but it works nice. No more carrying water up the stairs!

 

[wheels619]

Wow, you are the first person to tell me that I was under wattage. Either way I am pushing the limit of what I can run in my garage due to electrical constraints. I am running everything off of one 20 AMP breaker and I don't want to run extension cords from other breakers.

I am with you on feeling a little weird about using the same nutes for veg and flower but I am doing so much new stuff right now so I don't want an overly complicated feeding schedule for a couple reasons. The H & G line is really pricey but from what I read is worth it. I also already burned my plants with just the two part nutrients so imagine what I would have done if I had added all of the other 7 or 8 recommended additives? I am definitely planning on switching to the complete H & G line AND adding CO2 for the next grow but I would like to get one successful grow under my belt first. I haven't had all that much luck in the past.

I am still enjoying life but this is always on my mind and I think it will be until I get really good at it and its second nature. I am still having fun with this so it is a positive thing.

ur wattage is perfect but for the space ur trying to light. ur hood is whats slackin. a 5x5 with a 1000 should have an xxl hood in it. relatively cheap and it will light ur grow space a shit ton better and help with ur light footprint. the hood u have now will suffice until they get larger then u will have to widen ur light footprint the hood u have now is perfect for a 4x4 space or 16 square ft. an xl hood will light up to a 6x6 foot space. altho with a 6x6 id just go with 2 600s. a 1000 will give u some pretty beasty plants. kinda expensive to veg under but overall a very nice setup. rep.+

 

[berkman858]

ur wattage is perfect but for the space ur trying to light. ur hood is whats slackin. a 5x5 with a 1000 should have an xxl hood in it. relatively cheap and it will light ur grow space a shit ton better and help with ur light footprint.

Thanks wheels! I will look into a bigger reflector hood for future grows.

 

[cues]

55-60% is good. Don't go too high in veg as the carbon filter becomes less effective. At 85% it stops workin altogether. As someone said, drop it down late in flower.

 

[berkman858]

55-60% is good. Don't go too high in veg as the carbon filter becomes less effective. At 85% it stops workin altogether. As someone said, drop it down late in flower.

Thanks, good info on the effectiveness of carbon filters with high humidity.

 

[cues]

Cool, do your research and it will. It's not rocket science but you need the basics right. I am just finishing off a new tiny grow room and just about squeezed my old carbon filter in there. Doh! Then I realised, why? I am growing tomatoes, Basil and cucumbers! Seriously! Old habits die hard I guess. I gave up smoking a couple of years back but still enjoy the hobby. Still though, we have had problems with damp in the past in that room so I'm going to leave it there with the thought that it may keep the rH down

 

[berkman858]

Cool, do your research and it will. It's not rocket science but you need the basics right. I am just finishing off a new tiny grow room and just about squeezed my old carbon filter in there. Doh! Then I realised, why? I am growing tomatoes, Basil and cucumbers! Seriously! Old habits die hard I guess. I gave up smoking a couple of years back but still enjoy the hobby. Still though, we have had problems with damp in the past in that room so I'm going to leave it there with the thought that it may keep the rH down

That's funny man. You setup a carbon filter for your TOMATOES!!! Yeah I guess old habits are hard to kick. At least you have your process down. Sounds like you have some grows under your belt.

 

[berkman858]

Here are some updated pics, just starting week 3 of veg:

 

[cues]

That's funny man. You setup a carbon filter for your TOMATOES!!! Yeah I guess old habits are hard to kick. At least you have your process down. Sounds like you have some grows under your belt.

Yeah mate, a few! Worst thing is I would love the smell of basil in my bedroom! Best bit so far is when my landlord had to decorate (part of the tenancy) and he found my seedling cupboard. He went right into one about how he had found other tenants growing weed! I owned up and told him I used to (before I moved in) but not my thing any more!

 

[Toolegit2quit]

I love looking at people grow set up, every one is different. I like your nice clean set up!

 

[berkman858]

I love looking at people grow set up, every one is different. I like your nice clean set up!

Thanks bro, I try to keep it clean. It makes working in there a lot easier. I don't want to trip and bring down my light, and I would probably do that, I am clumsy.

 

[Sims da smoker (Qboro)]

Nice!!! U got the 1000 watts , the tent , fans & all .. I'm envious! Lol, I was actually thinking about going to a tent myself.. But idk how u guys keep em cool. It seems like even after venting, it would still be hard to keep the tent under 78 degrees for 6 months out of the year and I live in the north.. But still thinking about it, maybe just 4 veg & I'll put some t5s in there so it won't get so hot.. But what strains are u growing??