First time grower...Opinions and suggestions welcome and wanted.

1. When should I put the seedlings under the lamp for the first time?
They just sprouted yesterday 7/9.
Also how far should my 400 W MH air cooled lamp be from the top of the seedlings?

2. I'm using FF Ocean Forest soil. I've heard that you don't need to add nutes for the first 2-3wks. because the soil already contains them. What do you think?

3. I also read that you are only supposed to use half (50%) of the recommended amount of nutes per gallon through out the grow. Is this correct? I don't want to over fert.

Added some pix....sorry for the quality.
Bubblelicious, Master Kush, White Castle.


Thanx again to everyone for the help. We feel welcomed and are excited to start our first grow.

Peace

Low

1. When should I put the seedlings under the lamp for the first time?
You can put them under your MH now just run it at like 36" and move it down to 12" as they mature.
They just sprouted yesterday 7/9.
Also how far should my 400 W MH air cooled lamp be from the top of the seedlings?

2. I'm using FF Ocean Forest soil. I've heard that you don't need to add Nutes for the first 2-3wks. because the soil already contains them. What do you think?
Just plain water for the first 30day then 1/2 strength. FF OF is not a "HOT" soil it does have Nutes, worm shit and ocean stuff and a little bit of magic.

3. I also read that you are only supposed to use half (50%) of the recommended amount of Nutes per gallon through out the grow. Is this correct? I don't want to over fert.
I use General Organics Bio Thrive Gro and some cool stuff called Hygrozyme thats helps break down nutes so the plants can absorb it,the stuff is fabulous.
Work your way up to full strength over 30 days.
I like the organic nutes as they seem to be gentler.

Bonzi im confused bro wat u saying just water for 30 days then another 30 days to reach full feed DATS 60 days, by that time he should be flowering????? Bonzi ................. ANY WAY Low phat yeah keep ur lights as high as possible just for the babies. Now they're gonna stretch and then topple over Dis is normal. when they start to get stem strength and nice size leafs bring the lights down. u ideally want the light as close as possible for the lumens but they produce alot of heat so its all about how much ur plants can take. Also if the light is far plants are taller if close plants are shorter. so to max out ur plant u need the right spectrum ( which u do mh perfect for veg) And lumens. They say u need 5000 lumens per sq foot. Yeah wait about 2 weeks and give it at 1/2 strength if the plants can take it wait 4 atleast 1 pure water feed and give alittle more. Dont worry bout nute burn its nothing ive been growing 4 5 years and with new strains i get nute burn some times and other times the plant just wants more and more, No 1 can tell u the correct amount ( unless they have grown the strain) Not even FF its just a guide line. 4 now Bro the most important thing is dat u DO NOT TOUCH THEM. even when they topple of over, the stem is so weak it can just snap. Did u change da ducting?

the last picture wat strain is dat? Looks like a strong 1

YO VERY IMPORTANT B4 u put the plants in disinfect the whole space with anti bac stuff bleach dettol wateva...... then turnoff the light a check 4 light leaks VERY IMPORTANT (Light leaks hermie da plant so ull end up with loads of seeds and no bud) if u have anycover with plastic tape never us duck tape coz it gets wet and creates mold.

Thanx again guys for the help. I ended up moving my exhaust fan from inside the tent, and placed it on top of the tent. Gonna check temps tonight and decide what I have to do if I have any heating problems. Wiped down the inside of the tent, and placed the lamp 36" above the seedlings.

The last picture in the previous reply is of Bubbleicious .

Peace

Low

1. Do I need to close my passive intakes during the dark cycle (6hrs.) through the vegetative state?

2. If so, and I decide to add a 4" duct booster to one of the ports on the bottom of the tent as intake, will I'll be able to keep the passive intake vents closed permanently during the grow?

The passive intake flaps are a pain in the ass on this Grow Lab because they placed them on the inside of the tent. In order to get to them you need to unzip 5 zippers.

I know I've said it many times but I really appreciate everyone's help.


Peace

Low

Lowphat said:

1. Do I need to close my passive intakes during the dark cycle (6hrs.) through the vegetative state?

2. If so, and I decide to add a 4" duct booster to one of the ports on the bottom of the tent as intake, will I'll be able to keep the passive intake vents closed permanently during the grow?

The passive intake flaps are a pain in the ass on this Grow Lab because they placed them on the inside of the tent. In order to get to them you need to unzip 5 zippers.

I know I've said it many times but I really appreciate everyone's help.


Peace

Low

Click to expand...

1 - No - Many people myself inclused run their exhaust 24/7
2 - I would add that to the exahust, suck don't blow.

Bonzi Lighthouse said:

1 - No - Many people myself inclused run their exhaust 24/7
2 - I would add that to the exahust, suck don't blow.

Click to expand...

Thanx for the quick response Bonzi.

So can the passive intakes be open during the flowering stage also?
I have this tent in a bedroom where the light might be turned on a few times during their dark cycle.

I think I have a problem with heat.Tent temp is at 90F (top & bottom of tent),bedroom temp is at 85F,and outdoor temp is 86F.If i were to pick up a duct booster to add,I wouldn't be able to use it for exhaust because I'm renting an apartment right now and have to keep the smell down.I have a carbon filter for the inline fan I have already to filter the smell.I'm thinking of adding an air conditioner to the room to get lower temps in the bedroom itself.Which should in turn lower the temps in the tent.(crossin fingas)

peace

Low

7/11/10

Placed seedlings inside tent.Set lamp at 36' above seedlings.
18/6 light cycle

High temps for the 1st day 90F

Adding air conditioner to bedroom soon.

7/12/10

Checked temps last nite while light was still on.
80F in tent,bedroom temp 78F,outdoor temp 76F

Checked temps this morning before light came on.
72F in tent,bedroom temp 70F,outdoor temp 70F


Going to install air conditioner in bedroom today or tomorrow hopefully.

That is very good if you are maintaining a 2* split. This means you are moving plenty of air.

The AC in the bedroom will enable you to control your temps rather than the temps controlling you..

Good luck man i have a stealth dresser grow and a stealth pc grow ive been following your progress on here and i hope everything comes out amazing for you. good luck

looks good bro

Quick up date...

Installed an air conditioner in the bedroom.

This mornings temps before A/C:
Tent 91F
Bedroom 85F
Outside 85F

After A/C:
Tent 80F
Bedroom 76F
Outside 83F

I have the A/C on close to the lowest setting...so it seems Like I'll have good temps to work with.

I might have a problem with my Lumatek ballast or the Philips metal halide bulb I'm using.The bulb is not coming on when I plug it in (or when timer goes off).I have to Plug it in and replug it til it comes on (4-5 times).Everything I have is new.My setup seems to work fine when I had the Hortilux bulb in.Tomorrow I'm going to take out the MH and replace it with the Hortilux to check and see if the HPS works still.I'm guessing it might be the Philips metal halide bulb and Lumatek combination that's causing the problem.

Anybody hear of any problems while using the 2 together?
(Philips metal halide bulb and Lumatek ballast)

I have read of problems with the Hortilux and Lumatek having compatibility problems in the past yrs. But I did ask my shop owner before purchasing everything if they had fixed the problem.He said they had addressed it.


Peace

Low

Just found this on another forum.(hope its ok to post it)

This was from 2008.

"Just purchased a brand new Lumatek 400w purple last week, runs HPS bulbs no problem, but Metal Halide don't run smoothly. Starts up ok, then after a couple of Min's the bulb starts to flicker and arc in the center of the element with lots of tinkling noise, rather disconcerting. Tested ballast with a new and old Venture MH Lamps, all do the same thing."

I e-mailed Lumatek about the problem, this was the reply


Thanks for getting in touch, and sorry to hear your having some problems. You do have one of our latest ballasts rest assured. The problem is a lamp compatibility one, I have tested the following HPS and HM 400W lamps with no problem:

Sunmaster super HAPS deluxe
Sylvania Grolux HPS
Osram Nav-T Super (Son T Plus)

and the

Canatronics Growmaster MH Lamp

Let me know if you need any other info

Best Regards

Darren Fosbury
Lumatek (Europe) Ltd

Maybe I'll have to try one of the lamps they mention in that email they sent that guy.Hmmm...


What do you guys think???

Peace
Low

So I decided to write an email to Lumetek describing the problem I'm having with the Philips bulb and their ballast. Received an email back just asking me one question "Do you live in the US or Europe?" I replied that I lived in the US, and explained a little bit more about the problem I'm having. I told them that the bulb said only use with ANSI Ballast M59. I asked them if a Sylvania 400W MH ANSI M59 would work because my local Lowe's carries it. Awaiting their reply.

Thinking about trying the bulb before I even get an answer. What do yo guys think I should do?


Here are a few pix of the kidz. 1st set:Bubblelicious - 2nd set:White Castle and Master Kush - 3rd set: All the kidz from Nirvana
I think a few leaves have a lil burn on the ends.Planted them in straight FFOF soil.Plan on using a soil mix of 80% FFOF and 20% Perlite when I transplant them to 3 gallon grow bags.


Thanx as always.

Peace
Low

Like my father says "It's always something".

Thinking of buying a better Ph meter.I'd like to get a digital one.I've read that I should get one that is waterproof and has ATC (automatic temperature compensation).

Can someone recommend a digital Ph meter for me?

Maybe one that someone has used in the past?

I'd like to keep the price under $50 if possible.

Thanx,

Low

I didn't wait for Lumatek to get back to me. So I tried the Sylvania 400W MH and it works fine.Left it in and am going to use it for my veg stage.

Still searching for a digital Ph tester...anybody have any ideas?
Are there any name brands I should look for or stay away from?


Peace

Low