I just went to a hydroponics store looking to start working on building a 5x5 grow tent and they sold me on a 2x2x5 tent to get seeds going by laying it on its side. It included an exhaust fan, clip fan, nutes and 2 2 lamp T5's. This was around $300 so instead of investing another $1200-1500 right now in my very first attempt, I'd like to try and use this tent to do a small grow while learning about proper nute mixtures hydroponics and PH. Due to the 5 foot height the plants can't be more than 2' when it is all said and done so I was thinking of going with a couple of autoflowers under a 400W MH/HPS w/inline air, 4" fan with ducting and carbon filter and a 2x2 ebb/flow system. I'd put the T5's verticle in 2 corners. Germination would begin in an Aerogarden which I already have. Does this sound viable or would someone recommend doing it different. Once I am comfortable with the process I will invest in the 5x5.
BTW, I am away often so have to rely on someone to come refill the water & nutes for me from time to time which is why I am looking at ebb/flow.
Thanks
ok
1 the plant is under your control u can clip and trim to keep down in your space
2 a auto plant it is a bad idea to transfer it around ....best to start it in it's final container
hydro systems ........what one are u going to do
every type of system has it own rules for growing ......but they all have one major thing Hydro system are unforgiving and with a auto plant that mistake can mean everything
but before we even go into that ........it will not matter as a 2nd person will be in charge of checking feeding balance and fixing any issue that comes up (if they do not do it or understand what to do then the plant is good as dead .....simple how tos do not work on hydro systems ....it takes time trail and error most of all constant watching checking tweaking (there are ways around it but it is a invest in a auto system that cost a good bit )
with u going away and not going to be there for periods of time ..........your best choice is to go Super soil with augment feedings (super soil is a soil that has been treated with everything the plant could need so watering them is ideal .....u using some add on stacker feeds to help out is ok too and that can be listed in a simple add so many mls to a gallon of water ....u can get 50 mls beakers from amazon ....use organic based stuff ) the other benefit is u do not need to worry about the soils PH the micros in the soil will keep it in balance and help improve the plant ....other good news is flush is not needed
bad news super soil u have to make it yourself (they sell mixes on ebay but u never really know what u are getting ordering the stuff as parts and mixing up in soil u know what u are getting and can tweak for the strains u like)
just google Sub Cool's Super Soil improved 2014.......they have a section here that has it in organics .......note u only use the super soil on the bottom 1/2 of the planter the upper 1/2 use reg unsuper out of bag soil with maybe some worm casting in it
as for stacker(a stacker is anything that is not grow bloom or micro) .........Honey from Humboldt and bud candy from advance nutrients (those 2 i have seen a 4-5 % increase in thc values from plants not run with it) .......other then that u want a rooting feed (it has hormones that tell it to root and quick energy for it to build on that impulse)......and i like B-52 a destresser for the plant plus vits and some quick power
when u leave u can ask the person to just give a set amount of water every so many days ......or tell them to give it water every set days mixed with a set lvl of stackers
just to help u out
rooting ........is used from starting of plant to mid point flowering
Honey and Bud candy........that is used at the start of flowering to harvest
B52.........that is used mid growth to mid flowering ( double shot for any stressed plants for what ever reason caused it )
the watering and amount depends on the planter size u use .......as this needs to keep small i would tell u to go with 3 gallon fabric soil pots (3 gallons only hold maximum of 1/2 gallon of water so make it easy do even numbers )
the fabric pots prevent the roots from choking out and over watering(it only holds so much the rest leaks out) ....and if something does go wrong fixing it is easier
