1st real grow 200CFL/250MH/400HPS tent

This will also be my short introduction, I did not want to start 2 threads. I am growing for personal use only, and mainly for medicinal purposes. I am an extreme ADHD patient, my doctors have been trying to find something so slow me down for years but nothing has worked. The only thing to gives me rest and relaxation and allows me to focus is MJ. It was my wifes idea that I start my own personal grow, we know I am a much better person when I have access to meds. It gets very dry around here, and the decent stuff is way too over priced, supply and demand I guess. My ultimate goal is to have 3 or 4 strains stocked up so I can switch to another when it stops working, which is usually 7 or 8 days, then I am doubling or more to get somewhat close to the same effect. I was also looking for a new hobby, so this fits in well for me on several levels. I'm now 39 and I would like to be able to enjoy my life more.

This will be lengthy and detailed, but maybe someone can get some use in their system like mine. You will have to excuse me if I jump around, ADHD ya know. I will try and stay focused

Setup & Gear:
4' x 2' x 5' Tent
125w CFL for Germ
200w CFL for Seedlings
250w MH for veg
400w MH/HPS for final veg and flower
Lasko Blower
OZN-1 Ozone generator
6" cool tube with 6" ducting
Ona gel just in case
Fan on the floor for plants and cool tube
Clip-On fan for extra circulation
10,000btu portable ac

Ferts, additives, and medium:
Rapid rooter for germination
Fox Farm Light Warrior for seedlings
Fox Farm Ocean Forest for final planting
Schultz 10-15-10 1 drop per quart for seedlings in FFLW
Superthrive 1 drop per gallon when watering
Envy A & B for final veg, and flower
Bushmaster for height control if needed
Bloombastic for final flowering

Now for the long version of the above gear. This is my first real grow with the right equipment, so to speak. I, like many others started off incorrectly and trying to do things as cheaply as possible with what I had around the house and with unknown bagseed. The DIY's on here are great and I have used a few already, but I have learned you get what you pay for. I won't go into all the gory details of my mistakes, I will just start where I am at now.

I promised myself that I would start a grow journal the first day I succesfully made it to 12/12.

I am growing in a 4ft L x 2ft W x 5ft H tent that I picked up from eBay. The tent is setup in my chill room, all black from floor to ceiling, as well as all furniture. Room ambient stays below 80 degrees and the tent only gets 2 degrees above ambient. I also have a 10,000btu portable a/c for when the 100+ temps get here. I have a portable thermostat that turns the portable a/c on if the interior of the tent reaches 84, and that has only happened a few times. The a/c is ducted into the attic, and my tent venting ties into the a/c exhaust.

Inside the tent I have a Lasko blower extracting all the air from the tent and blowing it through the 250/400 cool tube, into the portable a/c duct and into the attic. A fan is on the floor blowing across the tube and plant tops, and a clip on fan for extra circulation. Green light for working while they sleep. I also have a OZN-1 ozone generator for smell control, it is sucked out through the Lasko and tumbles through 25ft of 6" ducting which is recommended by CAP, I also have a ONA jar in the corner as an extra added measure.
In the photos you can see the tent is being sucked in by the intense negative pressure the Lasko causes and I only run it on the lowest setting. All 3 flaps in the bottom of the tent are taped wide open, and if I close the door to the room it still sucks air quickly under the door, cooler air from the floor in the hallway. The sucking in of the tent sides was easily rectified with 4 adustable curtain rods and just bent the ends around the top and bottom structure ($6 total), two in the front and two in the back, it still pulls in but I am not loosing any grow space now. The negative pressure also keeps the generated Ozone from the OZN-1 in the tent, out the ducting, and never in my room.

Currently I have a Mandala Speed queen at 4 weeks and 2 Nirvana AK-48's at 2 weeks in the tent that the lights come back on today at 7pm for the start of their first day of 12/12. I orginally started the speed queen from seed under a 125W CFL Hydrofarm reflector, once it had its first set of true leaves I installed the 200W CFL, starting of 3rd set of leaves it was moved into the tent under the 250w MH, 6th set of leaves was upped to 400w MH.

Two weeks into the speed queens grow I made a bonehead mistake. I am a hands on person so I wanted to make sure I knew what I was doing with the ferts and additives, so I premixed several one gallon jugs at different levels as trials. I emptied them all when I was done, but I had put the wrong cap on the wrong jug and ended up feeding the speed queen 1100ppm of the ferts the next morning, the only ferts it had before that was from the FFOF soil I had just transplanted it into. That evening I returned to find all the leaves yellowed and dying except 3 top ones had just a little green left in them. I was devistated, and went looking for info on what I could do to save the plant. I ended up bonzaiing it, all but thelast three leaves with green still left in them. I flsuhed it out really well and hoped for the best. It stopped growing and just existed for 8 days, but did not die. I almost pitched it out twice, but had dropped 2 ak-48's into germ as a back up. 5 days ago I started seeing a little grow where I had cut all the limbs off, and over the last 5 days she has double her growth each day, and it now loaded with growing leaves. I will take some photos when they wake up this evening.

I have also built a small veg, clone, or pollination cabinet out of one of the Sterilite 2 door 2 shelf cabinet for $39 at wal-mart, and just cut to fit 2 of the reflective windshiled covers for $6, painted the outside black, hung my CFL reflector, 4" Massey fan for circulation, and a 4" duct booster to exhaust, holes cut around bottom for passive intake. The cab stays 82 to 84 degrees in a closed off closet, ambient in closet is 78 to 80 degrees.

To end this post I would like to thank all the folks on RIU for all the positive information and details that help newbies like myself. A special thanks to "Widow Maker", I appreciate all the help.

I welcome all positive comments, questions, and help, but lets keep on the subject and please no bickering. I subscribe to the "everyone is entitled to their own opinion and ways" deal. What I am saying is that I am a complete newbie and what is working for me may not work for others. I know I should have studied more in the very beginning, and learned my lesson quickly.

I will update as time allows.

J.

Pic #1. Tent in my chill room, all black from ceiling to floor, workbench, 60" flat screen, and surround sound
Pic #2. Full inside setup
Pic #3. Speed queen massive growth in 5 days from bonzai
Pic #4. AK-48 #1, regular seed, will take pollen if male
Pic #5. AK-48 #2, same as above
Pic #6. Lasko blower, OZN-1, Green night working light, and clip on fan
Pic #7. OZN-1 5500 sqft ozone generator
Pic #8. Sterilite Veg cab with Lowlife Auto blueberry at 7 days, and a Nirvana Bubbalicious at 7days. The cups on the left are just some old bagseed I was seeing if they would germ, and they did.

I already have an update. My babies have been asleep since midnight, and they went to 12/12 tonight at 7pm, so they only had 19hrs of sleep, not the recommended 24 like I see so much. The 7pm to 7pm works better for my schedule as well as being able to keep things cooler at night.

Since this is my first 12/12 I didn't know what to expect. I opened the tent shortly after 7pm and found both of the ak-48's had droopy leaves, my first thought wasthey needed water, but after a moisture test it showed ok. The top part was pretty dry and crumbly, so I just gave each a quart of water around the outer edge to hopefully promote outward root growth. 2 hours later they both were awake and reaching for the 400hps.

The speed queen bulked up even more since last night, and looks like even more in the last few hours. If it is a female it may be the first candidate for Bushmaster.

I also went ahead and moved the automatic blueberry and bubbalicious into the now flower tent. They are both 8 days old and rooting well so far. I have read plenty about the 12/12 from seed, but I wanted to at least let them get a head start. I'm not looking for a bumper crop, just personal meds.

I also forgot to add in my first post that I am watering with Zero Water that is PH'ed to 6.5. My local tap water is 280+ppm and 7.5 to 8 ph out of the faucet. I saw a commercial for the Zero Water filter jug and went to Target to look for one, they had them but they were small and $45. I stopped at Home Depot on way home and found they had a big sale on the Zero Water system that replaces the normal 5 gallon jugs used in water coolers. They were on sale for $44, and they have the potery base on sale for $10. It works like a charm, and has already paid for itself in our bottle water buying and our coffee even tastes different. It also came with a free PPM meter. We have run about 20 gallons through it with daily use, and it is only now showing 2ppm. My wifes Brita with a new filter would only the get PPM's down to 200. The plants seem to love it. http://www.zerowater.com/shop/product/2/

J.

Pic #1. Speed queen a few minutes after lights on, still looking bulkier
Pic #2. AK-48 #1 droopy at lights on
Pic #3. AK-48 #2 droopy at lights on
Pic #4. Speed queen 3 hours later
Pic #5. Speed queen again
Pic #6. AK-48 #1 perked up after 3 hours later 3 hours
Pic #7. AK-48 #2 perked up after 3 hours

Just a quick update and a few shots. The only big change that i have seen is that the 2 AK-48's have shot up about 3 inches in the last 3 days since their 12/12 flip, 400w HPS has been 6" to 8" from the tops at all times. I have also changed my setup a little, I added a 4" can fan and a DIY carbon filter to the tent for running just when they sleep instead of running the Lasko blower 24/7. I vent into the attic when lights are on. My lights on if 7pm to 7am to avoid our extreme southern heat.

The speed queen is fluffing up daily, the automatic blueberry is coming along too. I also have 3 different seedlings from a Nirvana indoor mix pack, and it looks like all 3 seedlings are different strains, will see how they do with the rest of my plants. Nirvana indoor mix includes Master Kush, Afghan, Pure Power Plant and Skunk #1, and Nirvana Special. All 3 of the Nirvana mix seedlings are the same age, 10 days old

Room ambient has been 76 to 80, tent has been 76 to 82, humidity is 30% to 56%.

Just orderded some Northern Lights, Papaya, and Blue Mystic for future grows.

I will keep the updates coming as i see changes.

Pic #1. Speed Queen
Pic #2. AK-48 #1
Pic #3. Lowlife automatic blueberry
Pic #4. Unknown nirvana indoor mix
Pic #5. Group shot
Pic #6. Speed queen bushing out
Pic #7. AK-48 #1
Pic #8. AK-48 #2
Pic #9 Automatc blueberry
Pic# 10. Unknown nirvana indoor mix
Pic #11. Unknow nirvana indoor mix
Pic #12. 4" can fan
Pic #13. Whole home carbon filter, filled center with activated carbon and taped the open end.
Pic #14. Filter is attcahed to 4" ducting and just dropped outside the tent. It just runs during lights out.

Looking good.

I am correct in assuming that my Speed Queen is a Queen? I looked through my 30x scope and can see what looks like white hairs starting to form. I am 1 week into my first ever 12/12, and it is 5 weeks from seed.

J.

Just a quick update. Just got back in from the lake and checked on my babies, both ak-48's showed to be males this evening. The speed queen is chugging on along but has not showed a definate sex as of today, the automatic blueberry is coming along after light nute burn when moved to FFOF. I also ditched the 3 unknow Nirvans mix seedlings, but they have been replaced with 3 very healthy clones which are Jack The Ripper, NYC Diesel, and White Widow. I have the Bushmaster to fix the height. I am sure everyone else would have ditched the random strain Nirvana mix too .

Here is a photo of the new clones under the 200w CFL, they will stay there for 7 more days then into the tent under the 400w HPS. I also have a 400w dual arc bulb on the way to use as well. Current bulb is the 400w super hps that is suppose to have a little more blue spectrum.

J.

The Lowlife Automatic Blueberry has ended up being a male, but I will just collect the pollen and hit a bud on each of the clones I got. Should make some interesting seeds with the JTR, NYC-D, and the WW.

Still waiting on the Mandala speed queen to show sex.

Pic #1. AB balls
Pic #2 speed queen

I moved the AB with balls to my veg cabinet on the other side of the house today, and put him under a LED panel. My wife thought the tri-band LED panel was cool so she got it off ebay as a gift for me. I haven't used it until today, but the AB seems to like it, and he will stay under it on 24hrs of light until I pick the balls off of him for future pollination. I also clipped off the lower two sets of leaves, they were burnt from the transplant to the FFOF, other than that he is healthy and getting a darker green color finally. I figure he will be ready to pop just about the time the clones start flowering. Hmmm, automatic blueberry crossed with white widow? Automatic "Berry White"? LOL! That one was for the "Old Schooler's".


I have also added a 105cfm Dayton 4" fan to the top of the veg box, and moved the 80 cfm 4" can fan to the tent for a fresh air intake during lights off. The veg box was floating between 84F to 86F with the 200W CFL hood, but now stays at ambient of the closet (79F) with the 105cfm Dayton and LED panel. During lights off in the tent (7am to 7pm) my Lasko blower is off, a 4" 80cfm can fan is for fresh air intake, another 4" 80cfm can fan is for extraction, and a clip on 4" fan is in the tent for the plants and circulation, the tent just vents into my room when lights are off. Tent stays exactly at the rooms ambient (78F) during lights off, and just currently using ONA in the tent, even though nothing has started smelling yet. Both 4" can fans in the tent are on a timer and set to turn off 5 minutes after lights on, then the Lasko takes over and vents into the attic. I was actually surprised with the 4" Dayton's power, it sucks the doors shut on my Sterilite veg cabinet.

I am considering a 90w or 120w LED UFO for the little veg cabinet. I know everyone has their opinions about LED's, but I think they may work at least for my small veg cab.

Opinions, comments, and questions are welcome as long as they are on topic.

J.

Good news! My Mandala Speed Queen has finally showed me that she is really a "queen", found her first hairs shortly ago. It is going to get real busy in my tent real soon

Just a few quick updates and photos.

Just moved the JTR, WW, and NYCD clones into the flowering tent under the newly installed 400w dual arc HPS/MH combo bulb. The JTR showed its first pistil on Saturday, one day before going into the flower tent. I vegged the clones 7 days to let them get a good root before moving them. Just since yesterday both the white widow and nycd popper pistils during their sleep today (lights out 7am to 7pm), I opened the tent shortly ago and was suprised to see both had pistils. I only did 7 days veg becuase I am going to keep them short, and maybe do some lst to them.

I also recieved my 35X zOrb (Carson brand, Ebay $35.07 shipped) usb microscope, worth every penny in my book. I have a 30X microscope but this saves my back and gets pics & vids. As you can see I went "pic happy" when they woke up. It will take me awhile to master it, takes a very steady hand.

Enjoy the pistil porn!

Pic 1 to 8: JTR, WW, and NYCD closeups
Pic 9: NYCD
Pic 10: JTR
Pic 11: WW
Pic 12: Family shot with an added bagseed I found 2 weeks agos, just testing it.
Pic 13: Speed Queen flower site