Introduction & Question (Feeling Overwhelmed)

AlexPanth · Mar 20, 2017

Hi Everyone,

I've been lurking on this site for a while now and have found tons of useful information, so I wanted to introduce myself and thank the community for providing so much information to aspiring growers like myself.

I'm Alex and I am planning on starting my first grow soon (nothing serious as I don't have much space, so probably looking at a few plants to start of with). I've decided to try growing hydroponically and am in the process of setting up a grow space... but there's so much information that I feel slightly overwhelmed.

Based on what I've read it seems that majority of the issues relate to maintaining the correct pH levels and ensuring that plants have enough/not too much nutrients. Would you guys agree that this is the case? If so, what would you say would be the best ways to manage this for a novice grower? Any feedback would be appreciated!

MickFoster · Mar 20, 2017

What type of hydroponics are you going to do? The issues you stated apply to any type of growing.

chemphlegm · Mar 20, 2017

i felt similar, then I picked up a copy of jorge cervantes grow bible. had littl eto do with any advice I'd seen on forums. followed easy instructions, common sense mostly, took about week. never changed a setting in the rooms, never seen mites, or molds. no clone issues no flowering issues, no veg issues. you can do this in your sleep if you got the check book, dont sweat it

coreywebster · Mar 20, 2017

Hi Alex, Welcome to RIU, Wish you luck on your future grows.

Pick yourself a hydroponic system, get yourself a quality PH tester and quality ppm/ec meter and double check each time you use them. Measure twice, cut once.. Oh no that's joinery :bigjoint:

There are a million ways to grow weed and that's why it can be so overwhelming. But really it can be as simple as you want it to be.

mr buddy · Mar 20, 2017

his Alex. it's my first grow and to be honest I read everything. and what everyone was saying !doing! how they did why they did it . what worked for one what worked for another. . pout being there is u panic . and get yourself in a twist on what's best .. my head was in bits . have I got the light right . have I got the heat right . enough air intake. ph.. humidity. . lumin's so on and so on .. best thing to do is keep it simple . I feel the plants tell you what u need to know .. just make sure heat ain't to high or low .. 77f is perfect but 80s can be fine. rule one .... don't over think it ... good luck

AlexPanth · Mar 20, 2017

Hi Mick - I'm planning to set up a DWC system.
Thanks for the suggestino Chemp, I've heard good things about the Grower Bible before, will need to look for it.

AlexPanth · Mar 20, 2017

coreywebster said:
Hi Alex, Welcome to RIU, Wish you luck on your future grows.

Pick yourself a hydroponic system, get yourself a quality PH tester and quality ppm/ec meter and double check each time you use them. Measure twice, cut once.. Oh no that's joinery
There are a million ways to grow weed and that's why it can be so overwhelming. But really it can be as simple as you want it to be.

Thanks Corey! I'll definitely do that. But from what I read it seems that pH and PPM levels can vary widely throughout the day. How often should I be checking these? I'm not available during the day, so if I leave the plants for 12+ hours, would that be an issue?

AlexPanth · Mar 20, 2017

Hahah, thanks Mr. Buddy, I do think I'm overanalyzing this. Should just go for it and see how it goes, nothing works pefectly the first time.

coreywebster · Mar 20, 2017

AlexPanth said:
Thanks Corey! I'll definitely do that. But from what I read it seems that pH and PPM levels can vary widely throughout the day. How often should I be checking these? I'm not available during the day, so if I leave the plants for 12+ hours, would that be an issue?

I'm not a hydro guy although I have done it in the past, but 12+hours would not be an issue at all

lio lacidem · Mar 20, 2017

chemphlegm said:
i felt similar, then I picked up a copy of jorge cervantes grow bible. had littl eto do with any advice I'd seen on forums. followed easy instructions, common sense mostly, took about week. never changed a setting in the rooms, never seen mites, or molds. no clone issues no flowering issues, no veg issues. you can do this in your sleep if you got the check book, dont sweat it

As much as you bring up that Grow Bible im beginning to think your real name may be Jorge.

chemphlegm · Mar 20, 2017

lio lacidem said:
As much as you bring up that Grow Bible im beginning to think your real name may be Jorge.

its just like, gosh dammit people, read a frikken book already. I read dozens maybe. no offense to op of course.
this is the one for people that dont or cant read books, like growing for dummy's even. not just the basics, but soft pages and colored pics too, the kind the youngins drool over, and a hundred or more seed vendors and breeder contacts, and more. its priceless even. I followed the guide lines in it, never had deaths, never had mites, never had stink, or mold, or any issue even. not many say the same I read around town.

NrthrnMichigan · Mar 20, 2017

Best bit of advice I can lend, if I may.... Keep your water temps under 68 f and give the water plenty of air. Invest in a decent ph and ec meter. And use the KISS method.

dannyboy602 · Mar 20, 2017

AlexPanth said:
Hi Everyone,

I've been lurking on this site for a while now and have found tons of useful information, so I wanted to introduce myself and thank the community for providing so much information to aspiring growers like myself.

I'm Alex and I am planning on starting my first grow soon (nothing serious as I don't have much space, so probably looking at a few plants to start of with). I've decided to try growing hydroponically and am in the process of setting up a grow space... but there's so much information that I feel slightly overwhelmed.

Based on what I've read it seems that majority of the issues relate to maintaining the correct pH levels and ensuring that plants have enough/not too much nutrients. Would you guys agree that this is the case? If so, what would you say would be the best ways to manage this for a novice grower? Any feedback would be appreciated!

I think a soil set up is easier for beginners but there's probably a dozen hydro growers who'll call me out on thiis. Even still...to use an overused cliche...soil is more forgiving

Jon E. Doe · Mar 20, 2017

I'm a noob as well. Some things I've learned:

- DWC can definitely require some "eyes on". In my case, disastrously. But the dividends seem to be amazing.

- KISS should be the watchword (for me anyway).

- Anything "hydro" = have a rock solid ph meter, or risk disaster.

- These plants are tougher fhan you think.

- Patience, without it, your chances of success decrease... ALOT.

- Don't try to grow plants, they are programmed to grow on their own, just give them what they ask for.

I know it all sounds kinda lame, but it's what I've learned, so...

natureboygrower · Mar 20, 2017

chemphlegm said:
its just like, gosh dammit people, read a frikken book already. I read dozens maybe. no offense to op of course.
this is the one for people that dont or cant read books, like growing for dummy's even. not just the basics, but soft pages and colored pics too, the kind the youngins drool over, and a hundred or more seed vendors and breeder contacts, and more. its priceless even. I followed the guide lines in it, never had deaths, never had mites, never had stink, or mold, or any issue even. not many say the same I read around town.

I still reference this book.about 10 years ago I read about how you can spot preflowers somewhat early on.i told a grower buddy of mine about preflowers (my first grow) he wouldn't believe me.told me something to the extent that books aren't everything,gotta learn somethings from trial and error lol. I finally beat it into his head that preflowers are real lolz.

nfhiggs · Mar 20, 2017

AlexPanth said:
Hi Mick - I'm planning to set up a DWC system.
Thanks for the suggestino Chemp, I've heard good things about the Grower Bible before, will need to look for it.

Nothing like jumping in with both feet. If I may suggest though, if your space is limited, look into a Dutch Bucket grow. Incredibly simple to setup and its almost idiot proof.

All I do is top off the drainage tray as needed and monitor PPMs and PH.

Edit - That is only 14 days of growth.

chemphlegm · Mar 21, 2017

nfhiggs said:
Nothing like jumping in with both feet. If I may suggest though, if your space is limited, look into a Dutch Bucket grow. Incredibly simple to setup and its almost idiot proof.
View attachment 3910195

All I do is top off the drainage tray as needed and monitor PPMs and PH.

Edit - That is only 14 days of growth.

while those are cool for sure, being a few weeks into veg is a bit early to booyaa the technique, and a room full of those may make you feel different about things like exposed water, etc.

nfhiggs · Mar 21, 2017

chemphlegm said:
while those are cool for sure, being a few weeks into veg is a bit early to booyaa the technique, and a room full of those may make you feel different about things like exposed water, etc.

"nothing serious as I don't have much space,"

Don't think OP is looking to fill up a room, from the sound of it. Neither am I at this point.

A room full would have a common pump and a common reservoir.

cool2burn · Mar 21, 2017

AlexPanth said:
Hi Everyone,

I've been lurking on this site for a while now and have found tons of useful information, so I wanted to introduce myself and thank the community for providing so much information to aspiring growers like myself.

I'm Alex and I am planning on starting my first grow soon (nothing serious as I don't have much space, so probably looking at a few plants to start of with). I've decided to try growing hydroponically and am in the process of setting up a grow space... but there's so much information that I feel slightly overwhelmed.

Based on what I've read it seems that majority of the issues relate to maintaining the correct pH levels and ensuring that plants have enough/not too much nutrients. Would you guys agree that this is the case? If so, what would you say would be the best ways to manage this for a novice grower? Any feedback would be appreciated!

Advanced Nutrients check it out fuck dealing with PH i have not used my pen in half a year after switching

AlexPanth · Mar 22, 2017

Thanks for all the advice guys, it's definitely appreciated! And those are some nice looking plants you've got there nfhiggs!

A few of you have mentioned that it's important to get a pH pen and a PPM pen to keep track of those levels. I was wondering, do you know if any products exist that would adjust pH & PPM levels automatically based on the readings? I think I saw something on a commercial scale (price was over a thousand bucks) so I was curious if anything existed on a smaller scale that would make the process more "idiot proof" so to speak. And if so, do you think those are useful at all?

I wouldn't mind paying an extra few bucks if I knew it would ensure I didn't have to worry about constantly checking on that stuff :oops:

Introduction & Question (Feeling Overwhelmed)

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