4x4 Tent - Blue Hash and A-Train

Widow Maker

Well-Known Member
Looks good! I have the same ebb and grow system. I converted to 5 gal pots though. Had to cut and solder the sensors to make it work. WM
 

smokingrubber

Well-Known Member
Monday morning update:

Mornin' . . . . coffee gooooood!

I got a lot done yesterday. I took the fan off the wall and hung it from the ceiling. I wired up the electrical. I finished plumbing the buckets. AND I turned the light on for the first time :) Here are some pics.
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I filled that water barrel til 11pm. I shut it off manually because I don't trust the float yet, and I just wanted to be there to see it shut off. That's a lot of water and it took a good 5 hrs to fill. I can safely say that the chances of me ever flooding the garage are nil. Unless a line pops off somewhere, I should be okay. It would take 2 hrs to get past the float valve and top over.

Once I had time to relax, I sat down to watch the Lakers stomp the Thunder. I noticed a loud hum coming through the wall. That was odd because everything was OFF. I went in the garage and found that the power panel was humming. It hummed when I first powered it up, but I wasn't on the couch trying to watch tv at the time. Right about then I was really glad I had installed a smoke detector directly above the power panel. There was no smoke or heat coming off it, but I felt safer anyway. I went outside and threw the breaker just incase. Today after work, I'll call the electrician to come out and diagnose it for me. Hopefully it's just something he can tighten up or replace inside the box. If not, I'm going to have to come up with an alternate way of mounting that board to the wall. Any good ideas?

Plus, the babies are only 15 days old. That may be a little too soon to throw under 1000w. One isn't growing much. See the Blue Hash #2. I'm hoping it finds it's stride soon and takes off. We'll see. All the rest are growing. Some faster than others, but BH#2 has a bad case of couch lock. What should I do?

My sister and her kids are coming for the weekend. She knows I smoke, but I don't want that hum killing the living room. My sister will will take my room and the kids in the spare . . . that leaves me on the couch listening to that SOB. :wall:
 

Bob Smith

Well-Known Member
In terms of the electric, I can't help you out even a little - I had to call an electrician (I'm really big on not dying young).

As far as the struggling seedling goes, not a whole helluva lot you can do - some genetics are better then others, it's the way of the world.

Other then that, tent's looking great - nice to kick back after a long day or setting stuff up and feel pleased with your progress, isn't it?
 

smokingrubber

Well-Known Member
So are they too young to toss under the 1k lamp? I would have it about 4ft away. I'm almost ready to take off my construction hat and put on my grower's hat.
 

Bob Smith

Well-Known Member
If it was me, I'd definitely put them in there (because I'm as impatient as they come), but since it's not me, I'd say "no" - veg them for another few days until you stick them under it.

At least until they all had a couple sets of leaves and some thicker stems.

I really think you're fine either way, but a patient grower would wait.
 

smokingrubber

Well-Known Member
Yeah I'm leaning toward waiting another week. Just because my sister is coming and I won't have time to babysit it much. I'm sure there wouldn't be much work to be done if I've got the nute monitor going, but it would be easier to just throw a blanket over the whole thing and keep the kids out of the garage.

Once it's actually going, I'm sure I'll want to go look in the window every hour ;)
 

smokingrubber

Well-Known Member
Good news from the electrician. He's at my house now and he says the hum is caused by the built-in timer. Or actually the switch that the timer operates. So he's going to bypass the switch (and timer) and that will eliminate the hum. He didn't tell me what he's going to charge me, but whatever is better than that hum. Now I've got to shop for a 220 timer. It never ends huh?
 

smokingrubber

Well-Known Member
Sweet, Hydro-dummy has a timer for $20. I will go pick that up on my way home. My operation just got a lot quieter!

Now my patience is gone again and I want to fire up the tent tonight LOL. First I've got to set up the nute monitor and calibrate it. That should be fun. If all goes well, I can go get the OG clones tomorrow and get this show on the road.
 

smokingrubber

Well-Known Member
Last night when I first walked in the garage, NO HUM. Music to my ears! Of course nothing was on . . . but that was not the case the day before. I put up a power strip and set up the air stones. I also topped off the barrel and calibrated the nute monitor. That was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be!

I set the timer and watched the buckets fill for the first time. NO LEAKS :) Then I watched the buckets drain . . . a little. They still had 2" of water in them and I could hear the pump sucking air. I went in and removed the suction feet from the pump to get it lower in the water. That removed another inch but it still leaves 1" in the bottom of all the buckets. That kinda sucks. I might go buy a slab of sheetrock and raise the buckets another 3/4" above the controller. I don't know. That still wouldn't completely remove all the water from the bottom, so what's the difference between 1' and ½"? It's still standing water.

Anyway, it didn't leak and everthing works like it was supposed to. I think I'm fucking DONE setting shit up! The next purchase is the Sentinal and Co2, but that will have to wait a month. I'm poor.

I went out to my friend's house in the boonies (you guys been there right) and made arangements for clones. I asked for 3 Grandaddy Purp and 3 OG Kush. So I've got 8 percolating in the bathroom right now and I'll move those into the tent pretty soon. Then I'll pick up the 6 clones next monday and percolate those in the bathroom for another week or so. After that I will pick the 12 healthiest and chuck the other 2. Veg them all another 3 or 4 weeks and then switch em over. That's the plan. I love it when a plan comes together.
 

smokingrubber

Well-Known Member
Wanna hear a Thanksgiving story to tell the fam before you eat? It's an old story and I didn't make it up, so retell it without giving me any credit.


Preacher's out hiking through the forest. He comes around a corner and right there, staring at him, is a HUGE bear. Now, he's not too savy so he turns and runs! He's flying through the woods like a mad man and he's pullin away from the bear a little. But he's getting tired so he starts prayin'.

"Oh Lord, save me! Oh Jesus shed your light on this bear's heart and make him see your wonderful grace". Yada yada, he keeps pleading. Then he comes to the end of the trail and it's a CLIFF. Oh no, now he's really praying.

Just then, the bear rips through the bushes and comes to dead stop. The clouds part ways and a light comes down to the bear. The bear blinks a few times and says, "Oh Lord thank you coming into my life . . . and Lord . . . thank you for this FINE meal."

Amen
 

laserbrn

Well-Known Member
A couple of things...

1)Very nice setup. Don't skimp on shit and you'll be just fine. You've spent a lot of time and money already, so don't skimp somewhere stupid in the future. All the steps, all done right, the first time.


2) The only concern I have with your setup is of course going to be heat. Have you tested it with the lights on for 6 hours? You have a lot of bends in that ducting and it's quite long. There wasn't a simpler way to do all of that? If temps stay down then it's not a worry though.

3) The slow seedling, just give it time, it'll come around. In my past experience the faster seedlings tend to be males, so embrace the slow-goers.

4) If you put them under that 1000w light just make sure it's up way at the top. Then watch for stretching. If they don't stretch, leave it there. If they do stretch, bring it down. It's not just the temps, it's the intensity as well, as they get older they get more and more light. If you put it high enough you won't have to worry about frying them.
 

smokingrubber

Well-Known Member
Thanks Laser. Im tryin to do it right. None of us start out knowing everything, and I'm still learning every day. It definately helps to have RIU peers to lean on.

I have not tested it for 6 hrs. Infact 2 days ago I turned the light on for the first time ever (bought it used and it's been in the closet for a year). I will do that tomorrow FOR SURE! I would do it tonight, but I would get a better read from a day run. Infact, maybe I should pop the baby tray in there for a few hours in the big-girl room. Sounds like fun.

The bends in the ducting were nessesary. The output on the system is all 8" so it's got pretty good flow. Plus, there is no way I'm turning the fan up anywhere near full blast. That thing is a freakin wind machine. So fan on 30% won't mind a few bends.

Don't even go there with males! I would be SO PISSED :wall: That's not funny!
 

smokingrubber

Well-Known Member
I fired up the light and stuck the tray in there last night. Some of the girls look a little droopy, but not bad. Two days ago I filled the res and I've been cycling the bucket system twice a day (straight RO water with no plants in the buckets).

I've been monitoring the Ph level and it is rising. It started at 6.30 . . . now it's at 7.10. What does this mean? Yesterday I installed the res heater and the temps are steady at 74f. Should I recalibrate the Ph meter? I wanted to put the babies in pots today and nute the barrel. Should I just Ph down it and press on? I'm thinking that because the bucket system and everything is new, some of the mold-release or other chemical is leaching off. Maybe I should dump this water and start fresh? Damn that's a lot of water!

PS. The temperature in there is freakin lovely! It stays at about 5 degrees warmer than the garage. Fan on 40%. Where I live, it's always pretty perfect outside. I will get a dehumidifier next month, but it won't be a problem during veg.
 

Bob Smith

Well-Known Member
1) definitely calibrate your pH meter - super important
2) doesn't make sense that the pH would be rising that drastically with R/O water - with tap it could, because tap has buffers in it to maintain a certain pH
3) how come you're putting a heater in your rez? 65 is the "perfect" temp for a rez - unless it's under 60F, I wouldn't bother with the heater........
4) Nute your water first before pH'ing it - the nutes will lower the pH just by being added
 

smokingrubber

Well-Known Member
Thanks Bob.
1. I will calibrate it right now.
2. thats why I was thinking it had something to do with all the new plastic and it'll stop after the new is worn off. Fingers crossed.
3. It stayed at about 58-60 without the heater but I thought it would help to sauna the babies? I have the heater so (and it looks cool) I'll just set it to 65.
4. Good tip, I will nute now.

I'm gonna go do that and pot the babies. I turned a couple over and they were pretty light with a couple roots showing on the bottom (3" rw). It's time to go potting. :)
 

jeb5304

Well-Known Member
I'm starting with Technaflora BC nutrients http://www.technaflora.com/products.php?product=18

So far so good, but I'm still in pre-veg. Has anyone used this product or know anything about what I should expect? For my other grows I've used Ionic Nutrients and I was very pleased, but these nutrients came with the EBB-12. Should I phase them out and go back to Ionic or should I buy more BC? What do you guys think?
id stick with the technaflora line. do you use all the recipe for success or just the bc? i buy the starter kit with everything. cheaper than buying all seperate. i just buy 2. here is where i get mine at. 30 + shipping is good price http://www.bestgrowlights.com/site/403863/product/SSI726740
 

smokingrubber

Well-Known Member
I potted them but it seems I potted them too low. For some reason my test run wasn't a full fill and I calibrated my hydroton off that. The fix is I went and bought those trays you put under pots and I flipped them over. This allowed the pots top sit about an inch higher. This also drained an extra 5-6 gallons back into the res.

I nuted the barrel. I was following the recipe for success but I used ALL the boost and half the grow in this one fill. That will never do. My target was 400-500 ppm, but I overshot it. 870 ppm. I have my fingers crossed.
 

smokingrubber

Well-Known Member
Whew, it was hard to leave the babies alone for that long. I still snuck in there once a day, but we didn't get our quality time like I wanted! Sorry girls . . . Daddy loves you.

4 days in the tent now, and I'm seeing some seriously happy girls. They are lovin the light and lovin the love. I completely flooded them a couple times and I pumped them up with a bit more plant crack than I wanted, but they are takin it on the chin (most of them). I put them up on stands the other day and drilled holes in them to prevent moisture. Everything seems to be working well.

The ph has leveled off a bit, but not completely. I hit it with a capful of ph down, which took it from 6.4 to 5.7 . . . and 3 days later it's back to 6.3. The ppm is steady at 840-880. Reservior temp steady 69-72f. Twice a day feedings and 18/6 lighting.

They are looking a bit too light green and the oldest set of leaves is beginning to look upset, but new growth is everywhere. I've got clones to pick up tomorrow night so I'll merc the two weakest and fill up the room soon.

I need a smoke!

Day 19 - since they poked their head's above ground.
 

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smokingrubber

Well-Known Member
The 3 A-train's seems to be catching up to the 2 Blue Hash. The 3rd BH isn't going to cut the mustard. She'll be placed on waivers soon. Everyone seems to be doing well and I think they're settling in for a few weeks of solid growth. LA Woman and Lemon Skunk are lagging a little, but I wouldn't merc them unless I had a strong replacement.

Tonight, I will fetch the clones and put them under the T5 for a couple days. It will have to depend on how established they are when I get them. He cut them a week ago, so they should all have a bit of root growth. I will soak the 3" RW tonight if they're ready. If all goes well, I think I will fill the room by the end of the week. I'll get pics tonight.

Getting 3 OG Kush & 3 GranDaddy Purp . . . hehe

Looks like I'm not going to have enough of any one kind to sell! I will just have to keep it all.
 
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