First Grow Ever - Stealth DIY CFL DWC Auto AK & Fem Big Bud... Help Wanted

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4204l1f3

Well-Known Member
Alright, so I'm finally starting my grow journal.

I've attached pictures to go along with it.

Right now I've got a 4gal DWC with Auto AK-47s in rockwool under three 23w CFLs and one 26w CFL. I can't find 42w anywhere. Checked Lowes, Walmart, Home Depot. It's the suck. There are two 18" airstones in there, both connected to one 30-60gal air pump.

The Fem Big Bud is in a 4gal DWC by itself, under four 23w CFL and one 26w CFL. There is one 10" airstone positioned diagonally on the res floor. I've got it running on a 10-30gal air pump.

I have both light structures set on 20/4 for now, as the seeds are germinating in the rockwool and I'm trying to give them as much heat as possible.

PH in each res is 6, grow area temp is a steady 80F, with humidity at 42%

This setup is only temporary, as my actual grow room isn't cleaned out yet.

Any help would be most appreciated. Like I said, this is my first grow so I'm putting this up here looking for opinions. Thanks for checkin it out!
 

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4204l1f3

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indigo said:
looks good so far bro
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Thanks, man... I actually just looked at the pics and decided to alter the lights a bit. I need to go shopping tomorrow for some more pieces. I'll post a new pic tomorrow. Are the lights close enough to give the seeds heat?
 
indigo

indigo

Active Member
are the seeds germinating or have they sprouted? there's all sorts of germinating techniques but i actually prefer darkness to germinate. but yeah, those cfls wont put out much heat at all which is good, when they sprout, get em as close as you can, you wont burn them.

-indi-
 
4

4204l1f3

Well-Known Member
indigo said:
are the seeds germinating or have they sprouted? there's all sorts of germinating techniques but i actually prefer darkness to germinate. but yeah, those cfls wont put out much heat at all which is good, when they sprout, get em as close as you can, you wont burn them.

-indi-
Click to expand...
The seeds are all germinating in the rockwool. I soaked the rockwool in the res water and shook the excess water out. I put the seeds in and closed up the hole. Then I just stuck them in the clay pellets under the lights, leaving some pellets under the rockwool for root suspension. Is that a bad way to germinate? I know they don't need the light, but I'm mainly using the lights to keep the temps up until they sprout. Also, that way once they sprout, they are already in the light.
 
4

4204l1f3

Well-Known Member
I woke up and checked on the rockwool this morning. They were a lot more wet than last night, but still not soaked. The water level in each res is about an inch below the net pots. Am I supposed to keep the pumps running 24/0 as well? I've kept the pumps going nonstop. Am I supposed to give the pumps a break? I haven't read anything about giving the pumps a break. I've read about people running them 5 mins on 1 min off though. Is 24/0 good? I'm gonna keep the lights on an 18/6 schedule once the seeds sprout.
 
entropic

entropic

Well-Known Member
You don't need lights at all until they have leaves. Also high humidity improves germination rates and is essential for early growth. A lot of people use humidity domes you can get at lowes/home depot/walmart but any sort of clear plastic or glass will work. I use a cup from the magic bullet blender to cover them while they're in the DWC and young. Just spray the inside of the cup with some PH'd water and lift it up a few times a day to give them some fresh air.

The PH, Temps, and Airstones are all fine. Good luck!

Edit: Run the airstones 24/7 once the roots hit the water. Up until then you don't necessarily have to run them, you could just water through the top, but running them now is fine as long as it doesn't drench the rockwoll enough to impede growth.
 
4

4204l1f3

Well-Known Member
entropic said:
You don't need lights at all until they have leaves. Also high humidity improves germination rates and is essential for early growth. A lot of people use humidity domes you can get at lowes/home depot/walmart but any sort of clear plastic or glass will work. I use a cup from the magic bullet blender to cover them while they're in the DWC and young. Just spray the inside of the cup with some PH'd water and lift it up a few times a day to give them some fresh air.

The PH, Temps, and Airstones are all fine. Good luck!

Edit: Run the airstones 24/7 once the roots hit the water. Up until then you don't necessarily have to run them, you could just water through the top, but running them now is fine as long as it doesn't drench the rockwoll enough to impede growth.
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Awesome, thanks for the info. How wet is drenched? Lol, I mean what is the danger point in wetness? I'll put some covers over the rockwool for added humidity like you said. I checked one of the seeds and it was already cracked, so hopefully not too long before some action, haha... It's my first grow, so I'm really antsy, lol.

Edit: I'm moving into my main grow room today, so the humidity will raise a bit because I won't have much ventilation at all during the grow. During light hours ventilation will be fine, but when I have to put up my black-out the ventilation will be at a minimum.
 
entropic

entropic

Well-Known Member
Too wet would be where the bottom of the cube is holding almost as much water as it can. If you've got hydroton or something between the splashing water and the rockwool you should be fine.
 
4

4204l1f3

Well-Known Member
entropic said:
Too wet would be where the bottom of the cube is holding almost as much water as it can. If you've got hydroton or something between the splashing water and the rockwool you should be fine.
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Alright, cool. I've got a about a layer and a half of hydroton underneath the rockwool.

Edit: My bad guys, I just remembered that the feminized seed by itself is Purple Lady, not Big Bud. It was my wife's choice and I was high when I offered her the choice, so I forgot which one I planted, lol...
 
(Butters)

(Butters)

Well-Known Member
Liking the set up 420. What is the spectrum of those cfls you are using? I know that normally we would use the full spectrum (high Kelvin) bulbs for veg but that probably changes with the autoflowering strains given their apparent lack of a real veg stage. I've just put up both spectrums on my autos and am hoping it works out. Also, given that you have autos and a "regular" strain growing, how are you planning to deal with the seperate lighting cycles in flower stage? I know that light can stress plants out during what should be their dark period. With the autos needing 18/6 and the purple lady needing 12/12, will they be growing in 2 seperate rooms? Gonna use a divider or some sort? I'm currently trying to problem solve this issue myself as I am finishing a 12/12 grow myself but am 4 weeks into my lr2 grow (using 2 seperate rooms for now). I would recommend getting some type of reflectivity in their as well. SO many lumens are lost in there on walls and floor etc... My plants took off when I started using mylar paper effectively and overall I didn't need as many cfls when I did this.

What nutes will you be using for this grow? Not sure about you but my ph rises like crazy each day and it's stressing the hell outta my guy right now. Watch out. Definately subscribed to this journal. Can't wait to see how this turns out for ya. GL
 
4

4204l1f3

Well-Known Member
(Butters) said:
Liking the set up 420. What is the spectrum of those cfls you are using? I know that normally we would use the full spectrum (high Kelvin) bulbs for veg but that probably changes with the autoflowering strains given their apparent lack of a real veg stage. I've just put up both spectrums on my autos and am hoping it works out. Also, given that you have autos and a "regular" strain growing, how are you planning to deal with the seperate lighting cycles in flower stage? I know that light can stress plants out during what should be their dark period. With the autos needing 18/6 and the purple lady needing 12/12, will they be growing in 2 seperate rooms? Gonna use a divider or some sort? I'm currently trying to problem solve this issue myself as I am finishing a 12/12 grow myself but am 4 weeks into my lr2 grow (using 2 seperate rooms for now). I would recommend getting some type of reflectivity in their as well. SO many lumens are lost in there on walls and floor etc... My plants took off when I started using mylar paper effectively and overall I didn't need as many cfls when I did this.

What nutes will you be using for this grow? Not sure about you but my ph rises like crazy each day and it's stressing the hell outta my guy right now. Watch out. Definately subscribed to this journal. Can't wait to see how this turns out for ya. GL
Click to expand...
Thanks for the subscription, man...

The spectrums of the bulbs are 2 1700k 26w and 4 2600k (I think) 23w in each surge protector.

I'm using the FoxFarm trio nutes.

My PH has stayed at a solid 6 since I've set it. I check it in the morning and at night.

As for the Purple Lady, I am going to get a board cut to act as a divider, because I thought of the same thing. I'm actually thinking about keeping the mother with the autos in the "flowering" (18/6) room and send clones over to the other side where the 12/12 will be goin on.

Thanks for the advise, man. I'm gonna try to get some mylar whenever I can afford it.

UPDATE: Today is the 3rd day, and the sprouts in all the autos are above the rockwool already. The Purple lady is cracked, but hasn't sprouted yet. Temp is still 80F and the PH is maintaining a steady 6.

I raised both reservoirs so the lights are about 1 1/2" above the rockwool.

@ entropic:

Dude, the humidity cups really helped out with germination. Thanks for that tip! I read about it before, but didn't think it would make that much of a difference. It did! Thanks again, bro.
 
4

4204l1f3

Well-Known Member
(Butters) said:
Liking the set up 420. What is the spectrum of those cfls you are using? I know that normally we would use the full spectrum (high Kelvin) bulbs for veg but that probably changes with the autoflowering strains given their apparent lack of a real veg stage. I've just put up both spectrums on my autos and am hoping it works out. Also, given that you have autos and a "regular" strain growing, how are you planning to deal with the seperate lighting cycles in flower stage? I know that light can stress plants out during what should be their dark period. With the autos needing 18/6 and the purple lady needing 12/12, will they be growing in 2 seperate rooms? Gonna use a divider or some sort? I'm currently trying to problem solve this issue myself as I am finishing a 12/12 grow myself but am 4 weeks into my lr2 grow (using 2 seperate rooms for now). I would recommend getting some type of reflectivity in their as well. SO many lumens are lost in there on walls and floor etc... My plants took off when I started using mylar paper effectively and overall I didn't need as many cfls when I did this.

What nutes will you be using for this grow? Not sure about you but my ph rises like crazy each day and it's stressing the hell outta my guy right now. Watch out. Definately subscribed to this journal. Can't wait to see how this turns out for ya. GL
Click to expand...
Thanks for the subscription, man...

The spectrums of the bulbs are 2 1700k 26w and 4 2600k (I think) 23w in each surge protector.

I'm using the FoxFarm trio nutes.

My PH has stayed at a solid 6 since I've set it. I check it in the morning and at night.

As for the Purple Lady, I am going to get a board cut to act as a divider, because I thought of the same thing. I'm actually thinking about keeping the mother with the autos in the "flowering" (18/6) room and send clones over to the other side where the 12/12 will be goin on.

Thanks for the advise, man. I'm gonna try to get some mylar whenever I can afford it.

UPDATE: Today is the 3rd day, and the sprouts in all the autos are above the rockwool already. The Purple lady is cracked, but hasn't sprouted yet. Temp is still 80F and the PH is maintaining a steady 6.

I raised both reservoirs so the lights are about 1 1/2" above the rockwool.

@ entropic:

Dude, the humidity cups really helped out with germination. Thanks for that tip! I read about it before, but didn't think it would make that much of a difference. It did! Thanks again, bro.
 

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4204l1f3

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Ok, so at the end of day four from seed, every seed has sprouted, even the Purple Lady!

The grow room temp rose a bit during the day, but I opened up the doors and got some fresh air in there. They go to bed at 12 and wake up at 6. The pH hasn't changed a bit. It's maintained a solid 6 since the first couple times I pHed it, 3 days ago.

The pics above are from this morning.
 
4

4204l1f3

Well-Known Member
indigo said:
very nice! congrats on the sprouts, i will be watching this grow.
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Thanks, bro. I appreciate you checkin it out.

UPDATE: So I checked the babies when I woke up this morning (ten minutes ago) and the ph was still at 6. Water temps are fine, and room temps raised a bit because I had the doors shut. That should get fixed soon, since I opened the doors again.

Not much growth overnight above the rockwool, but there was some serious growth below. One of my AK taproots has already come about an inch out of the NET POT. The others are just now breaking the bottom of the rockwool.
 
Feldmeister

Feldmeister

Well-Known Member
I am subscribed here also man because this is gonna be pretty much my exact first grow also. Im gonna try 6 autoflowering ak's just like you but gonna end up with some other female mother plant and start on my SOG. Just a real quick question that i cant seem to find an answer for, how often do you have to flush the plants or do you at all? Same with the nutrients in the resevoir tank when do u replace the water and nutes?
 
4

4204l1f3

Well-Known Member
Feldmeister said:
I am subscribed here also man because this is gonna be pretty much my exact first grow also. Im gonna try 6 autoflowering ak's just like you but gonna end up with some other female mother plant and start on my SOG. Just a real quick question that i cant seem to find an answer for, how often do you have to flush the plants or do you at all? Same with the nutrients in the resevoir tank when do u replace the water and nutes?
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Thanks for subscribing, bro. I haven't flushed the res yet, it's only day 5. I will change the res water this week with some fresh pHed water, but I'm not starting nutes until like the 2nd or 3rd node. Even then, I'm only gonna feed 'em 1/4 strength and ease 'em up on to full strength over time, changing the res water and adding a new solution every week.
 
(Butters)

(Butters)

Well-Known Member
Feldmeister said:
I am subscribed here also man because this is gonna be pretty much my exact first grow also. Im gonna try 6 autoflowering ak's just like you but gonna end up with some other female mother plant and start on my SOG. Just a real quick question that i cant seem to find an answer for, how often do you have to flush the plants or do you at all? Same with the nutrients in the resevoir tank when do u replace the water and nutes?
Click to expand...
No can do on the "SOG with a Mother" Feldmeister. Sadly, the autoflowering strains aren't really clonable since they don't techinically have a veg phase. Read a bunch on this from people who'v tried but couldn't yield anything:cry:. I'm doing more or less the same thing you're trying to do. Basically, the auto's SOG needs to be done from seed. I'm currently in the process of trying to pollinate a female to get more seeds and then I'll start the official SOG set up. I would have attached my current grow journal in my sig but I have no idea how to do this. My journal is under the DWC/Bubbleponics thread and is titled "Attempt at Making Lowryder 2 Seeds".

If, in your research, you find a link to someone that was succesfully able to do a SOG using mother plants with auto's please please please hook me up with a link. Now that I read your original post, it looks like you may have been referring to a "mother" from another strain for SOG. If so, my mistake and apologies.
 
(Butters)

(Butters)

Well-Known Member
Get ready for the smell 420. Mine is 4.5 weeks and holy crap is he skunky. Impressive really for a plant that size. And it's like they don't even nutes at all. My ppm has barely budged throughout my grow. Are you tracking ppm? Curious to see how these babies do in soil as compared to hydro.
 
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