Grow tent 600w hps hydro under construction

Electronic Ballast vs. E-Ballast

The Lumatek ballast is an E-ballast unlike brand other electronic ballasts. What is the difference? E-ballasts use a micro processor similar to a personal computer which runs a software program. This microprocessor allows the E-ballast to run both halide or sodium lamps, switch between 50 and 60 hertz, make adjustments for the type of bulb it is running and, will even compensate for degrading lamps by increasing output. The other Electronic ballasts on the market have a constant output and cannot make adjustments or changes. They will light a MH lamp but quickly degrade it.

http://www.ecogrow.com/index.cfm?product=1496&special=monthly

Nice hood choice Let me know how it works, I'm in the market for a new ballast soon.

Dubble said:

Great Thread... I just picked up a Grow Lab GL 120 and already have a 400w digital ballast. I still need to pick up a couple of inline fans, and some bulbs. I have a noobish question I was hoping you could answer for me. I bought a lumatek digi ballast and I'm a little confused. It says it can run both mh and hps bulbs. Is the bulb fitting different with each type of bulb? Can i screw in both hps and mh bulbs without modding anything? Just plug n' play? I also was wondering if you had any suggestions for fans. I'm planning on picking up a Cool Sun Reflector - 6".

Given these parameters what would you choose? I realize I bought a rather large tent and have rather low light, but I think I can pull it off with a 3x3 tray. I plan to have 2 400w lights some time in the future.

I have learnt a lot following this thread from start to finish and the nutes chart was great. Any advise is much appreciated.

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I'm running a lumatek digital 600w. but the 600's only run hps, so I had to get a MH conversion bulb. I would think a 400w would work for that area. The bulb fitting on them is the same size and everything. I love my setup, I just wish I bought a better tent. Oh well, live and learn.

Thanks for the quick response, much appreciated.

Dubble said:

Thanks for the quick response, much appreciated.

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No problem. I've gotten a ton of help on here, the least I can do is help someone else.

Here they are in all their glory. I think they are doing well. What do you think?

Looking very nice.

Bob Smith said:

Looking very nice.

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Thanks Bob!

anon1122 said:

Thanks Bob!

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How far in are they now? They look about 3 weeks?

laserbrn said:

How far in are they now? They look about 3 weeks?

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yeah, they are in week 3. week 4 starts saturday. Looking ok?

anon1122 said:

yeah, they are in week 3. week 4 starts saturday. Looking ok?

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They look good...Those main cola's are going to get fat. It's hard to see the spacing real well, but are you starting to see the "spiral effect" from the flowers yet? It's fun to watch them all connect up. I think you're going to have yourself some beasties there.

laserbrn said:

They look good...Those main cola's are going to get fat. It's hard to see the spacing real well, but are you starting to see the "spiral effect" from the flowers yet? It's fun to watch them all connect up. I think you're going to have yourself some beasties there.

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I dont know about spiraling, but they seem to have a touch of nute burn. i lowered the ppm a bit and we'll see. Can't wait to see how they develop with the cha ching.

I got bored this evening, so here's an update...

On some latter pics you can see some of the damage to the leaves. Do you think it's just slight nute burn or just recovering from my ph fuck up this past week?

Could be either one, keep your nutrient levels in check and your ph at the right level from here out and it won't matter which one it was .

laserbrn said:

Could be either one, keep your nutrient levels in check and your ph at the right level from here out and it won't matter which one it was .

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im just keeping them at the recommended levels, and keeping the ph at 5.75-6.0

I was going above what the feeding schedule called for, so im just gonna go by it and see how things go.

anon1122 said:

im just keeping them at the recommended levels, and keeping the ph at 5.75-6.0

I was going above what the feeding schedule called for, so im just gonna go by it and see how things go.

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My WW like nothing over 950/1000ppm.

My previous batch from the same mom loved the nutes much higher.

Looks great just read most of the thread good job keep up the good work +rep

Ok,

I did my res change yesterday during my break from work. Started week 4 of flowering nutrients. 2 tsp grow big per gallon, 1 tbsp big bloom per gallon, 1/4 tsp cha-ching per gallon. Gives me a ppm of 1050-1100. I got the ph to 5.8, went back to work, checked them this morning, ph was 6.4 so yeah, I am anticipating more fucked up leaves. PH is back down to 5.8 I just don't know why it climbed so high. Anyway, we'll see what happens.

anon1122 said:

Ok,

I did my res change yesterday during my break from work. Started week 4 of flowering nutrients. 2 tsp grow big per gallon, 1 tbsp big bloom per gallon, 1/4 tsp cha-ching per gallon. Gives me a ppm of 1050-1100. I got the ph to 5.8, went back to work, checked them this morning, ph was 6.4 so yeah, I am anticipating more fucked up leaves. PH is back down to 5.8 I just don't know why it climbed so high. Anyway, we'll see what happens.

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6.4 isn't a high enough to fuck up your leaves. What feeding schedule are you using? I'm just curious why you passed on Tiger Bloom and went with Grow Big and Big Bloom. Are you trying to keep it organic?

laserbrn said:

6.4 isn't a high enough to fuck up your leaves. What feeding schedule are you using? I'm just curious why you passed on Tiger Bloom and went with Grow Big and Big Bloom. Are you trying to keep it organic?

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I am using this feeding chart. I have all the products except bush doctor. Which I believe is discontinued. I am on week 8. (the 4th week of 12/12.) Some of the leaves are still having issues, they are yellowing, a bit burnt at the tips, and spots on the leaves. But it's only a few per plant. I am just wondering if it is a deficiency or just some burn. If it's just some burn, then no big deal, just lower the ppm, but if it is a deficiency I need to pin point what it is so I can go about correcting it. I am changing my solution every week. With fresh water and nutes. Do you think that may be a problem?

anon1122 said:

I am using this feeding chart. I have all the products except bush doctor. Which I believe is discontinued. I am on week 8. (the 4th week of 12/12.) Some of the leaves are still having issues, they are yellowing, a bit burnt at the tips, and spots on the leaves. But it's only a few per plant. I am just wondering if it is a deficiency or just some burn. If it's just some burn, then no big deal, just lower the ppm, but if it is a deficiency I need to pin point what it is so I can go about correcting it. I am changing my solution every week. With fresh water and nutes. Do you think that may be a problem?

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Let me offer an opinion based mostly from common sense, not years and years of actual experience.

If it were a nutrient or ph issue, it would be a plant-wide problem mostly. If it's only on a few leaves (like 3) then I would look for an isolated problem with the environment. Did you spray something or drip something? Near the fan that would have splattered something toward that leaf? Have you cleaned the fan lately? Can you turn the plant to see if it's just an air flow issue?

Just thoughts. If its really more than a couple and you're seeing traces of the problem everywhere, I would look at the nutrients. When was the last time you disinfected the root system?