First Grow: Autoflowering AK47 ~ Bubbleponics System ~ 150 Watt HPS ~ 50 Watt LED

Hello Everyone ~ Another First Timer that's trying to dispel the myth that all first tries must fail.

Not that I won't let my Ego get in the way from getting good advice from you fine gentlemen.

Anywayz ~ I've got a small fan just above the HPS 150
(I've heard maybe not a good idea to have downward moving air?) to keep it cool and a mid sized Hunter Air Purifier/Ionizer.

It's lined in 70% Mylar 30% Foil

I've been pretty much keeping the LED on 24/7 & the HPS about 22/2 ~ I know I have a strange schedule but the little bastards are growing..

I mist the top about 12 times a day because I get high and just want to go in there and stare at the LED man ~ It's so fucking psychedelic in there.

Three look to be doing really well.. and three are having a hard time.. Not sure what the problem is with them.. I've moved the HPS a little closer to their side.. Since they were opposite the 3 that are looking healthy.

I'm going to the Pet Store tomorrow to get a Fountain Pump to make refilling the tank every 2 weeks much simpler.. and I'm also getting a Submersible so I can have 2 Air Stones cranking the Bubbles..

I've also contemplated getting another 50 Watt LED ~ for a total of 100 Watts (Supplemental) or a pair of CFL's.

Not sure I'll need anymore light though ~ What do you guys think?

Ohh ~ and I've planted one in Soil which I'm going to eventually move under it's own light to see the taste difference. Strain is Auto AK ~ Gonna add some backstrap molasses the last week or two ~ when I'm Flushing.

I've got Tiger Bloom.. Fox something or other liquid fertilizer and some PH up and Down (But I won't start with the 1/4th dose until two weeks old as advised).. I'm not sure if it's any good ~ But I've read a few positive reviews.

Anyway ~ Not much else to say as they are only starting to peak into the world ~ But here are some initial Pics 5 days in.. Welcome to my Dopethrone ~ and here's to a first successful grow my friends!

Get a few 65k cfls. Like 2 26ws or so to help out with seed/veg maybe.
And maybe grab 6 27k cfls and do some "strategic" cfl placing during flowering.
It's a nice trick when only doing a small number of plants. Not speaking from experience but I have friends that did amazing things in tight spaces with cfls.

Also, think about uvb for flowering. You can read about other peoples experience with it over in the advanced cult. forum. BlazeOneUp on ICMag has a cool modified reflector that has uvb tubes on the sides of it.

Think about a 20/4 light schedule too. It's better than 22/2 from everything I've read. The dark period for mj is a good thing, and it'll help with power a bit, which will let you run more lights during lights on.

Nothing else really to say but good luck and I'm a first time grower too, so I only speak from acquired knowledge.

Ok ~ So Three are looking mighty nice already. One plant looks like it has stifled growth ~ It could just be a male and the others female, although sex really wouldn't show this early. (Should I pull it and start from a fresh seed?) you'll be able to see the one I mean from the pictures ~ It may have just Rooted awkwardly, but it's growing at half the speed of my other plants.. and receiving the same amount of light. Two seedlings just didn't make it.. I've replaced those 2 Auto AK47 that died with Lowryder #2 Seeds ~ and also put another few seeds in soil, That I'm going to Veg under CFL's and add the HPS when they begin to Bud up. It will be nice to have two slightly different strains to accomodate for Tolerace and variety of pallet.

I suppose my main questions at this point are ~ When I Drain and add my first batch of Nutes at around 15 Days.. Will this compromise the growth of the slightly younger lowryder #2 Seedlings?

I've also ordered a Fountain Pump that I'm going to use to drain the water every 2 or so weeks, instead of siphoning it like a slave monkey laborer. It has a 1/2" attachment barb ~ and I was thinking of getting a rather large air stone for it.. Since I've found one with a 1/2" attachment (a little difficult to find) So my question is ~ Would this be bubble Overkill for an 8 gallon tank? The smaller (non~Submersible) Pump I have working now.. Seems kind of cheap.. and the air stone is tiny.. But it's still cranking some bubbles.. Is there such thing as over oxygenating the water?

I've switched them to a much better light schedule of 18/6 ~ and sometimes I'll leave the LED's (which are 55 Watt's a piece) running 24/7 ~ I can definitely tell that the growth is much more rapid with the LED's running supplemental to the 150 Watt HPS ~ and I've heard they make the smoke and taste even better.

One last question ~ I Mist the plants about 5-6 times a Day with Distilled water.. that has a PH of 6.0 ~ Am I Over~watering? Should I want to see the Rockwool look like it is drying out some? So the roots will move to the bottom of the reservoir faster? What I mean to say.. is if they are getting to much moisture through the leaves.. won't they be less inclined to grow longer Roots? And what can I do to prevent Stem~Rot? Certainly when I refill the Resovoir for the first time.. I should lower the original water level correct?

What does Kali Cakes think? He really Hopes she starts a Grow soon too! he could walk her through everything. She prob. has a lot more space than him, and could get a yield that would last her all year!

SHE POSTED A LINK



http://discount-hydro.com/productdisp.php?pid=565&navid=34



<3

Well ~ Here's where I'm at.

Only two of the AK47 made it and seem to be flourishing.
They are growing at different speeds however.. One is a Monster.. But they both look very healthy.. except for a few small spots on the leaves.. Perhaps from watering too much? Not Sure..

The good News is I planted 4 New AK47 x Diesel and they all Germinated in one Day! Granted I'm going to have to be careful about different Nute schedules.. and will most likely be spraying the leaves directly to prevent overloading the babies with too much Veg Boost in the Tank. But I'm going to keep the PH Steady and change the water more often than recommended to ensure equal and steady growth for both strains.

The Leaves are starting to get sticky and are emitting a very nice Spicy Aroma! I can hardy wait until Flower. Does anyone know about how tall these guys get before they start to Bud Up?

Ohh.. and I decided to run the 150 Watt HPS about 12 hours of the Day ~ and I can basically see them grow when I do this. It's quite remarkable.. So right now.. (2) 55 Watt LED Panels, 1 (2 Foot) T5 Fluorescent Fixture and the 150 Watt HPS.. I have to say for a small space.. They are certainly gettting the job done..

The one plant that originally was my best grower and then limped out due to Nute burn I'm assuming.. I moved to a Soil Pot and don't really expect it to yield very much.. But I think it's still going to last through flower.. and Maybe I can make some good Hash with it. the Eternal Optimist. kiss-ass Hats off to all you green thumbs ~ This is turning out to be more difficult than I had anticipated.

I'm at 24 Days by the way... I suppose Flowering will begin in about 2 Weeks?

That's all for Now.. Here's a bunch of Pics ~ I'd love some Feedback Guys and Girls ~

I hope all is well with you man

Hey man how did the grow come out?

JJC588 said:

Hey man how did the grow come out?

Click to expand...

what he said