Harvest a Pound Every Three Weeks!

I think taking cuttings at week 6 could prove problematic especially if their hormones are adjusting to flower. It will probably cause your cuttings to take longer than 3 weeks to root:leaf:
Thanks for the thought Jimmy. That is what I am starting to be afraid of. I just really don't want to do two separate chambers. Any resolution that you can think of?

Should I add another round 5 gallon bucket and thus add another 3 week phase?
 
Alright then - the next iteration. Notice that I replaced the bucket with an 18 gallon tub. Setup the same way as the 10 gallon tub, with two rows of 4. Effectively adding another 3 week phase, of which the first 6 weeks will be in official 18/6 lighting. Might as well stick in a bud dryer as well, since that will otherwise smell up the place :)

under_the_stairs_2.jpg

Perhaps it could be as simple as building a 'tent' out of 1/2" pvc pipe and some black/white vinyl sheet. Hang the 96W PowerCompact from the top of the tent, and just set it over the first six weeks tub. Probably have to make sure the entry overlaps, but that really shouldn't be a problem. Some velcro, and done?

under_the_stairs_3.jpg

Alright, I am ready for a reality check now. Give me some feedback please?
 
The reason I run a dual container is so that I can easily move the plants into the flower room when the time comes.

In a single container system the roots get so long they start to clog the pump. They all grow together so you have to break them apart which damages the roots.

The single container system works great for clones because by the time the roots are getting too long it's time to go into the veg unit.

You could just run one veg unit and use it for your clone unit too. Just stick the cuttings directly into the veg unit and they will root and keep growing.

In fact the veg system can be used throughout the whole grow cycle if you wanted too. I flowered plants in my veg unit before and it works great.

The only problem I had was with height and plant support. The plants got too tall for my room and there was no easy way to support them. Maybe build a PVC plant support frame?
This is the post by Stinkbud that made me want to try this in my little confined space. Can anyone tell me how large the root mass would be at the end? Would they fit in the 10 gallon tub?
 

cmantis

Member
Are there any plans for how to lay all this out as far as spacing and how much is needed? I assume it requires two rooms? I have read through many of the posts but still am not sure on this part. Thanks in advance.
 

sweetcheekz

Active Member
He says in some of the earlier posts (I know it's a lot to read through) that his flower room is in an 8x7 room with 8 foot ceilings, his clone room is in a 4x3 bathroom closet and his veg room is in the bathroom next to tub.
He has directions with pictures for build/assembly of cloner/veg/flower structures on pages 26, 42 and 54 and they're all together in one post on page 74.
 
Lets see what I can remember pricing wise:

For the cloner itself:

- 18 gallon Rubbermaid Roughneck $7.97 (HD)
- 375 gph fountain pump $20 (Fleabay)
- 1 yard 5/8" clear tube (indicator + pump connection) $0.69
- 1 eight foot length of 1/2" schedule 40 pipe $1.59
- Bag of ten 1/2" T's $1.79
- Bag of ten 1/2" 90's $1.59
- Two poly pipe 90's $0.90
- 10 Sprayers (Fleabay) $9.99
- 10 Net pots with foam inserts (Fleabay) $14
- Tiny bit of pipe insulation for around the cord exit and two 1" grommets for the indicator

Total: ~$60

For the tent:
- roll of black Visqueen $8.97 (Lowes)
- 4 length of 8 foot 1"x2" fir @ $0.89 = $3.56
- Emergency blanket (Walmart) = $2.47

Total: ~$15

The cloner tub is just the standard Stinkbud design with a few modifications. I did not do the end caps, but put in 90s to connect the next leg, thus creating a circular design for pressure equalization. I also had to make it a bit shorter, otherwise the 3.75" pots would not go down all the way in the lid. I added a 4-way instead of a T in the middle, and make it go through the side for a fill/drain. Lastly I added a clear tube for a level indicator. For nutrients I have added to the 8 gallon tab water (160 ppm): one teaspoon of the spa pH down granules, one tablespoon of each the micro, grow, and flower, and three tablespoons of some B1 root stimulator from HD. Ph is now 5.9 and we are at 480 ppm.



Here are the 3.75" net pots installed with the foam. The back row: the left three are the Jock Horror, and the right one is the Emerald Jack. The front row: the left three are Grapefruit Krush, and the right one is also Emerald Jack. The timer is a 50 second timer for 40 minutes and repeating. It is set to be on for two cycles (1 min 40 sec) and off for 4 cycles (3 min 20 sec)



The outside tent is just a simple frame (like a clothes hamper). On the inside of the frame I stapled 6 mil Visqueen all around, while leaving some flaps on the front door area. Then I sprayed it with glue, and stuck some emergency blanket to it.



Then i covered the outside of the 1"x2" fame with another layer of Visqueen. That way there is a 1"-2" pathway between the two layers of plastic. I use this to make feed air to two holes that I made in the bottom right and left inside Visqueen. The air is drawn from the front panel, in between the plastic layers, to the hole on the inside layer, towards the top - where there is a 100 mm computer fan, going over to the other side of the top, again, in between the plastic layers, and then outside through the little grate you see.



The front flap is weighted down by another piece of wood, and is a little over sized. The sides of the flap are tucked back into the 1 inch space which is created by the two layers of plastic, providing a light tight door.



The light is a 96W power compact in 6700k (anybody have any idea on the lumens?) and you can see the little computer fan to the left. The light is on 24 hours for now, until I get another timer. Then I will do the 18/6.



Oder control is done by a little jar of ona gel, with a tiny cpu fan above it.

What do you guys think?
 

sweetcheekz

Active Member
Pretty good! I like the elbows rather than end caps idea. Seems it'd stand more stable too. Question I have is...according to his plans, the sprayers should be just a couple inches below rubbermaid top. My sprayers (I followed his directions exactly...I think) are 6.5" from the top of my 18 gallon rubbermaid roughneck container. Do you stack on something, or is it supposed to be that far down?
Are yours like that? They look close to top
 

Hemp4Victory

Well-Known Member
I absolutely love this method. It is sooooo simple. I have never built the flower unit though. I flower in a veg unit and just chop the roots when they get too long. It seems to work just fine. The only battle is keeping the plants supported properly. That can be tough but with a screw or two driven into the ceiling and some string tied it is easily handled. I'd post a picture but the only one I have right now is my display pic and I can't find it on my computer.
 

DarylP

Member
If you have not already done so. Switch over to the 27 Gal Stoneboxes from HD or Lowes. The lids are alot stronger and you can use the plastic window clips to help hold the net cups down.
 

JimmyT

Well-Known Member
If you have not already done so. Switch over to the 27 Gal Stoneboxes from HD or Lowes. The lids are alot stronger and you can use the plastic window clips to help hold the net cups down.
Could you please supply a link? Thanks:leaf:
 
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