Indoor Grow (1st try) Please Give Me Feedback

SmoltimeGrow

Active Member
Hi all, starting this grow journal to get feedback on things within my first attempt at a full indoor grow cycle. I’m doing a combination of some seeds I got while visiting Jamaica and a couple miscellaneous ones I’ve pulled from some dank nugs. I’ve gotten like 60% germination rate from them, so off to a good start. I have additional backups going in case I kill a few during my first attempt.

I have two systems going, 6 Plants are using Roots Organics Original Soil and the other 2 are using a Hydroponic setup. I didn’t want to do all hydro because I don’t have an easy hookup for water and cleaning the reservoir; so I decided to give it a hand doing just two.

Here is my setup:
•60” x 32” x 80” Indoor Grow Tent
•4’ T5 6 Bulb w/6700K in & 6 full spectrum bulbs on standby
•2x 6in monkey fans
•2x Etekcity wireless outlets (for electricity tracking
•2x 5Gal. For Hydros
•2x 5Gal. For Soil
•4x 3Gal. For Soil
•2 Routed air pump (I have a 4route on standbyfor when they need more oxygen in bloom)
•Nutes are in pics below. Only using Veg+Bloom for Hydro and will use full bloom nutes from roots organics when it comes time.

My thought process in this setup is to see which way of growing is best for me. Do I like hydro? Do I want to scrog the whole thing? Maybe I want to try different training methods? All of these types of things considered, I wanted to hve backup plants growing in case I make a mistake. I also would really like to maximize my yield within the size I have. Going full Hydro would take up a lot more room than I have available.
I’d really like to try and make two canopy levels. One canopy of all the 5Gal plants and a secondary, lower canopy, out of the 3Gals. I plan on doing this by LST the 5Gals pretty hard and growing them up and outwards while I scrog the 3Gals at a much lower level. I will add light penetration to the lower canopy by buying 2 LED lights later on in the process. I’ve got quite a bit of time to change my mind before then, so I don’t want to rush and buy anything yet. I know I’d look for 2 units pushing 200watts each using 1watt LEDs to maximize light output and minimize added heat.

I am unsure of what my inline fan system will look like. Of course I’ll need a charcoal filter and what I have from my once before setup (that was ended prematurely) is a 170CFM system. That will pull the door down in my tent considering it’s only 80ishCF and I really only need cycle rate of like 50ish (maybe 100 if I set it on timer intervals).
Any suggestions on this? I’ve thought of using the same air diffusers that go in bathrooms; those are usually 50-100CFM; but would really like one that is meant to be hooked up to a charcoal filter. Please LMK what solutions you guys have done for odor when using a smaller setup.


I’m also not sure about why some of my leaves are twisted up. It did take me a little while to figure out how to stabilize the humidity/temp; so I’ll let it work itself out.

My other concern is a discoloration in some of the leaves. The stem in a couple Is a very pale green and there are random spots on it like that as well. Is it from the heat? I did have to readjust the lights a couple times to find where it was just right..

Without further a-due, this is what my setup looks like and will be pretty much the rest of the way. Please give me feedback and questions! I really would like to improve my knowledge and experience.

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myke

Well-Known Member
All looks good,from a safety point of view That power bar,on the floor,beside the dwc pail,cough cough.
 

SmoltimeGrow

Active Member
All looks good,from a safety point of view That power bar,on the floor,beside the dwc pail,cough cough.
haha, thanks and yeah... I was trying to figure out how i could hang all my electrical from the ceiling, but ill have to get longer extension cords first.. I'll prob do that before putting up scrog nets... in the meantime, ill just be very careful to not spill anything
 

JohnDee

Well-Known Member
Hi SG,
You seem to be taking a thorough approach. On your exhaust fan...I've had really good luck with Panasonic Whisperline fans. I use a 300cfm on my scrubber...works good and pretty quiet. This is the 3rd one I've owned. I like them.
JD
 

myke

Well-Known Member
Ya its always one of those,when i get around to it things.Piece of plywood say 4"between each pole.screwed or taped.then you have a place you can screw things too.
 

SmoltimeGrow

Active Member
Hi SG,
You seem to be taking a thorough approach. On your exhaust fan...I've had really good luck with Panasonic Whisperline fans. I use a 300cfm on my scrubber...works good and pretty quiet. This is the 3rd one I've owned. I like them.
JD
thanks JD,
Speaking on your fan and scrubber.. what size tent do you use? Do you find that with that much air movement, it causes you tent to nearly collapse in on itself?


/e: I see, your carbon filter is rated for up to 300CFM; but you use something like this?: https://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-FV-0510VS1-WhisperValue-Multi-Flow-Bathroom/dp/B06W2LB17J/ref=asc_df_B06W2LB17J/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198093463189&hvpos=1o5&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7606185768439167320&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9002213&hvtargid=pla-382498625427&psc=1


Ya its always one of those,when i get around to it things.Piece of plywood say 4"between each pole.screwed or taped.then you have a place you can screw things too.
I like that idea, will have to add in next couple weeks; thanks!
 

Darkoh69

Well-Known Member
I'd advise against having hydro & & soil in the same tent, things like fungus gnats & root aphids can live in the roots of plants growing in soil in numbers than can be tolerated & or easily controlled but as soon they jump over to a hydro system they reach devastating numbers before you even know you have a problem. That discolouration on those leaves almost looks like something called Tobacco Mosaic Disease.
 

SmoltimeGrow

Active Member
I'd advise against having hydro & & soil in the same tent, things like fungus gnats & root aphids can live in the roots of plants growing in soil in numbers than can be tolerated & or easily controlled but as soon they jump over to a hydro system they reach devastating numbers before you even know you have a problem. That discolouration on those leaves almost looks like something called Tobacco Mosaic Disease.
I highly doubt I have to worry about pest problem. I live in a loft on a high floor in a mill. The tent is in my bedroom and I have a very sterile and clean environment. Only way I’d get them is from the roots organics soil and they have a claim on their website that says pest free.
let me know if I’m wrong though; just explaining the circumstances.
I’ll look more into the TMD; will definitely keep an eye out but it doesn’t really seem to be too much of an issue right now. so I’ll justhave to wait and see what happens.. Ihave a local buddy that I could end up getting some clones from if everything goes upside down
 

Logan Burke

Well-Known Member
Just read your first post, and am happy to be along for the ride if you'll have me! :) I started my first few grows in soil like you, and decided to give DWC a shot because it seemed to not be very complicated. I never looked back! Yes, the plants do rely on you more than they do in soil. But I've found that if you can find a good, simple base nutrient, hydro becomes a much easier endeavor. If your hydro system does not recirculate, then I highly recommend Floranova Bloom from seed to harvest. It is Lucas Formula in a bottle. In a recirc setup, Nova can get sludgy and gunk up sprayers. In those situations, I strongly recommend Flora Micro/Bloom (Lucas Formula), or Maxigrow/Maxibloom. In any of these 3 options, if you use RO water, you may want to keep a bottle of CalMag (I prefer CaliMagic as it has the lowest amount of N of any CalMag product I've found). Also, I would really recommend getting some Hydroguard or Great White to colonize your hydro plant's roots with good bacteria. If water temps are kept appropriate, you may not need any kind of root innoculant, but my first hydro was almost ruined by root rot even in proper temps. Peroxide would only band aid fix the root rot, only once I applied Hydroguard did the root rot dissappear permanently and haven't had it since (in over 5 years now). Apologies for my rambling, I just want to give you some of the info that would've saved me some massive head aches when I first tried hydroponics. Good luck and I'll be along for the ride! I also wouldn't fret about the TMV, if they do indeed have that virus, it will soon become blatanly obvious. As for now, I just don't see any symptoms that would justify killing your plants over. I think you're in the clear...TMV is a relatively uncommon occurence. but will produce extremely strange, deformed and even 'swirly' growth. I'm just not seeing that in your babies.
 

Darkoh69

Well-Known Member
I highly doubt I have to worry about pest problem. I live in a loft on a high floor in a mill. The tent is in my bedroom and I have a very sterile and clean environment. Only way I’d get them is from the roots organics soil and they have a claim on their website that says pest free.
let me know if I’m wrong though; just explaining the circumstances.
I’ll look more into the TMD; will definitely keep an eye out but it doesn’t really seem to be too much of an issue right now. so I’ll justhave to wait and see what happens.. Ihave a local buddy that I could end up getting some clones from if everything goes upside down
Sounds good but you let me know if Im right
 

myke

Well-Known Member
I'd advise against having hydro & & soil in the same tent, things like fungus gnats & root aphids can live in the roots of plants growing in soil in numbers than can be tolerated & or easily controlled but as soon they jump over to a hydro system they reach devastating numbers before you even know you have a problem. That discolouration on those leaves almost looks like something called Tobacco Mosaic Disease.
Root aphids in hydro are easy to rid. H202 raise the water level to cover the net pot and the nymphs are dead. Easy also to run water through the top or spray the underside.
 

JohnDee

Well-Known Member
Ihave a local buddy that I could end up getting some clones from if everything goes upside down
Hate to say it but this is another way to bring pests into your garden...nobody else's clones ever come near my garden.

And sorry...my fan is the 340cfm model. No tent...I have a 7x7 room, and no, the walls don't bulge inward from my exhaust fan. lol
JD

 
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Logan Burke

Well-Known Member
I use a passive intake with my 950cfm inline fan and the walls of my tent definitely "suck" inwards a nice bit when I turn the fan controller to max output. But, even with my cheaper vivosun tent, I've never had one collapse or anything. In fact, if smell and concealment is a concern for you, you actually want this affect as it's indicative of "negative pressure", meaning that unscrubbed and odorized air can not possibly be leaking out of pinholes on your tent, or in any other nooks or crannies that can have air pushed through them when you have positive air pressure.
 

SmoltimeGrow

Active Member
I use a passive intake with my 950cfm inline fan and the walls of my tent definitely "suck" inwards a nice bit when I turn the fan controller to max output. But, even with my cheaper vivosun tent, I've never had one collapse or anything. In fact, if smell and concealment is a concern for you, you actually want this affect as it's indicative of "negative pressure", meaning that unscrubbed and odorized air can not possibly be leaking out of pinholes on your tent, or in any other nooks or crannies that can have air pushed through them when you have positive air pressure.
Yeah, I mean I know it won’t rip my tent down literally. But it makes a lot more noise and uses a lot more electricity than necessary too. I’m planning on using a 100cfm duct fan with my current 4” carbon filter. Would like a shorter filter, but it’ll work for what I wanna do
 

SmoltimeGrow

Active Member
Updated my electrical. Removed two extension panels and added my carbon filter. I’m using a 100CFM inline fan and running it through the top of the tent. It’s seems to be workin like a charm because I’m getting pretty good negative airflow; but not too much either.


I also bought an 18Gal storage bin which I’m filling with water and balancing for a distilled box of water rather than runningback and forth from sink. Any issues with this?I’ve also noticed I need to water them more regularly; they were thirsty bitches when I got home today.
 

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Couch_buzz

Well-Known Member
Nothing wrong with a grow tent having the walls cave in though. In fact, thats a good sign. It means you have negative air pressure in that tent.

Exhausted air should be 2-3 times more powerful then active air intake.
 

SmoltimeGrow

Active Member
The roots in my DWC buckets have grown a lot and are now submerged in the water again. Should I decrease the level of water or is it okay that they’re partially submerged?
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greg nr

Well-Known Member
Probably one of those 3rd rail topics, but I really don't believe you need an intake fan into your tent.

If you aren't trying to get hurricane force air flow, you really only need an exhaust fan (not a fart mover, a good inline centrifugal fan). Why run two fans when you only need one?
 

SmoltimeGrow

Active Member
Probably one of those 3rd rail topics, but I really don't believe you need an intake fan into your tent.

If you aren't trying to get hurricane force air flow, you really only need an exhaust fan (not a fart mover, a good inline centrifugal fan). Why run two fans when you only need one?
Added fresh oxygen lol; that’s what my thought process was at least. Plus, would keep the temp down a bit more. Still hits a high of 85 and I’d like to keep it between 75-80
 
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