Toke2Choke's first ever DWC grow & Journal

[Toke2Choke]

I have always wanted to do a hydroponic grow and figured there is no better time than the present. All my stuff came, I got it set up and currently have 2 seeds germinating which are 1 Dutch Passion Brainstorm & 1 Greenhouse Seeds AMS.

Equipment:
5' x 5' x 6.5' height tent which will be used for veg & flowering
2 individual 5 gallon DWC bubbler buckets (easier to maintain the ph levels with each strain)
600 watt MH light for veg
600 watt super HPS light for flowering
Digital air cooled ballast w/ air cooled reflector
General Hydroponices flora series nutrients


I have 2 rockwool cubes currently soaking in 5.5 ph and as soon as the seed Germinates I will put them in the rockwool cube and put them in their 5 gallon buckets. I will fill the bucket to just the bottom of clay pellets which from what I read will allow the rockwool cube to remain moist and help the seed grow. I will gradually lower the water as the roots start to grow to the correct level the buckets should be at during the life cycle.


With all that said any tips or help will GLADLY be accepted as im in my noob phase with hydroponics. If anyone has grown any of these strains and have any suggestions by all means suggest away.

 

[Toke2Choke]

Checked the seeds before bed last night and neither one showed any signs of sprouting yet. Woke up this morning and the DP Brainstorm had sprouted a nice taproot that started wrapping around the seed shell. Never tried growing either one of these strains but seeing a big taproot like that gives me a good feeling.

I had a rockwool cube soaking in 5.5 ph for the last 24 hours and dropped the seed into it taproot facing down, pinched a little of the cube off and set it over the hole so no light gets in. I put some hydroton on the bottom of the basket followed by the rockwool cube and then covered it in hydroton. The MH light is in place and I have it hanging 2' away from the 5 gallon bucket.

I plan on posting pictures weekly as soon as it starts to sprout.

 

[Toke2Choke]

Woke up this morning and the taproot of the AMS finally peaked out. Put it in the other rockwool cube that has been soaking for 48 hours now and set it up in its 5 gallon bubbler.The Brainstorm hasnt sprouted up yet but im not expecting that to happen for atleast another day or 2 based on what I have read on different forums. 2 quick questions if you guys dont mind.

How can I lower the temp in my grow tent? I have a big box fan in there on the floor blowing on the highest setting and a smaller yet strong fan blowing on the floor between the 2 buckets blowing right at the light to try to maintain the temps. Last night when I went to bed the temp was hanging at a good 86 degrees. When I woke up this morning the temps had raised to 88 degrees. I am worried they will raise when the summer heat starts to take effect. Right now outside its in the high 70s but they are talking about it hitting the 90s soon. Im sure its also going to raise when I take out the MH light and use the HPS light.


The other question is about air stones. I have the same airstones, 1 in each bucket. 1 is creating smaller bubbles that make the entire water in the bucket bubble up. The other is creating large bubbles that go up in a straight line. Which is better to have and is 1 stone defective?

 

[insan3]

Does ur hood/reflector aircooled? do u have any fans cooling the heat of the light?

The airstone should be producing enough bubbles that makes the top of the water move around.

 

[Toke2Choke]

Yes its aircooled and I have an inline fan blowing air from the hood directly out of the tent.


On a side note I woke up this morning to the Brainstorm sprouting!! Was getting a little worried because of the heat but the sprout looks VERY healthy. Then again ive only really grown bagseeds so I dont know if the sprout looks better because its a MUCH better strain lol.

 

[Toke2Choke]

The Brainstorm seems to be doing well in its first week and I have a feeling it is going to take off once I start feeding it nutes. The AMS on the other hand finally sprouted but isnt doing to well right off the bat. Not sure whats causing it but I think I may have put to much water in the bubbler and its being overwatered. 1 of the leaves have curled up & died while the other is turning yellow/brown and looks to be doing the same thing. Attached is pics so you can see how everything is.


AMS

Brainstorm

 

[chaky]

What is the temperature in your tent?

 

[Toke2Choke]

hovering aroun 88-90. A little higher than I normally like but I cant get it any lower and have read in many places that people have no troubles with the temp. The plants growth may be stunted a bit but it should still grow fine.

 

[chaky]

hovering aroun 88-90. A little higher than I normally like but I cant get it any lower and have read in many places that people have no troubles with the temp. The plants growth may be stunted a bit but it should still grow fine.

There is no doubt that cannabis plants can grow at temps even higher than 90. Take afghani weed for example, the heat may get over 105 degrees for a few days.
But your "plants" are still seedlings in the early stage, bashing them with 600W at 88-90 degrees will kill them.

Talking from experience, my first seedling also died due to heat. What I did was buying 2 CFLs from Walmart one 6500k and one 2700k, adjust them ~15' above the seedling. Your heat issue can be solved this way for now until they grow bigger.

 

[Rusty Shakelford]

Yes its aircooled and I have an inline fan blowing air from the hood directly out of the tent.

After the air is being directed out of the tent, where is it going?

 

[Toke2Choke]

There is no doubt that cannabis plants can grow at temps even higher than 90. Take afghani weed for example, the heat may get over 105 degrees for a few days.
But your "plants" are still seedlings in the early stage, bashing them with 600W at 88-90 degrees will kill them.

Talking from experience, my first seedling also died due to heat. What I did was buying 2 CFLs from Walmart one 6500k and one 2700k, adjust them ~15' above the seedling. Your heat issue can be solved this way for now until they grow bigger.

Thanks for the advice I will pick some up today at the store. I dont know if it makes a difference but I have the ballast set to 50%.

After the air is being directed out of the tent, where is it going?

I think thats my main problem tbh. Its still in the room the tent is in.

 

[Rusty Shakelford]

I think thats my main problem tbh. Its still in the room the tent is in.

Yea, Unfortunately I had this problem for a while until I was able to vent outside completely, and it did make a difference. I had to run my entire first grow under 86 degree temps - From clones.

 

[chaky]

Thanks for the advice I will pick some up today at the store. I dont know if it makes a difference but I have the ballast set to 50%.

The ballast % is good for flowering when you are few weeks before harvest you can start lowering the amount of light the plants are receiving. I'd still get some CFLs from Walmart, they are very cheap. 5$ per bulb + $5-$10 for the socket.

 

[Toke2Choke]

Looks like I have a very persistant plant on my hands. Woke up to find her growing out an extra leave.


View attachment 2225791

 

[Toke2Choke]

refilled the buckets today and gave them their first batch of nutes. Gave them light doses as per a chart I found online. Kinda excited to see how they take the nutes and to see if it helps the AMS any. The AMS seems to be hanging in there for now. Also rebalanced the PH level to 6.0 in each bucket.

 

[Rusty Shakelford]

What was the PPM of your nutes?

PH should be more in the 5.8 range. 5.8 is the Hydro Sweet Spot for best nute uptake.

 

[Toke2Choke]

I dont remember what it was off hand and stupid me forgot to write it down. Will check it again in a bit and post the results. I can say this though. The AMS plant has a little more color and the Brainstorm has already grown twice as big in a few short hours. Not sure if thats a good thing or not.

Quick question. Everytime I add nutes do I have to replace all the water in the bucket? Or do I just top off the bucket, put fresh nutes in, and get the ph in the right range?

 

[Rusty Shakelford]

Quick question. Everytime I add nutes do I have to replace all the water in the bucket? Or do I just top off the bucket, put fresh nutes in, and get the ph in the right range?

Its customary to completely change out your water with Fresh Nute Water once every 7-10 days, and maintain your PH in the 5.8 range. You also want to keep your water temps in the mid 60's.

 

[Toke2Choke]

I meant to update a couple days ago but I broke my phone and had to wait for the replacement before I could take pictures. I jumped the gun and gave them nutes to early I think since they both started to get nute burn. The brainstorm more so than the AMS. I think I caught it in time though because they are both recovering nicely since I emptied the buckets and gave them plain water. I think I really messed up the AMS from the get go because its growing a little weird lol. week 2 down, not sure if my plants are a little small or right on track. I think I am going to wait until they get their 3rd set of leaves before I give them nutes again.

AMS


Brainstorm

 

[Rusty Shakelford]

What nute strength did you give them? I started my seedlings with 1/4 strength Lucas Mix under CFL after the first week. I then bumped up to 1/3rd Strength and I am now in the 3rd week. They have their 4th set of leaves coming in now and look great. So just for your reference, the pics attached are 14 days since popping through the soil.