New Beginnings for Massachussetts and I

WeedFreak78 said:

Yeah watch that... my 16" oscillating fan went up in smoke, literally, after squeaking for a couple weeks. I smelled smoke and when I went in the room, I thought I had a fire, it was full of thick black smoke. The shaft sized and the motor overheated, cooking it.

I've had 3 fans meltdown on me in the last year, 2 were 10+yrs old, I'm looking into getting one of those hanging fire suppression systems for my area.

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That's some scary shit. I believe that's why the grow fans made out of metal components are much more expensive. Plastic heats up and can melt most grow rooms are hot. Hotter than what they are intended for at times. Fucking scary tho bro.

It's a wonder there aren't more grow room fires. Watching youtube videos makes me cringe some times. Fire and electrical hazards compounded by jerry-built mechanical's and water, water, everywhere.

It's a good thing these plants don't thrive on methane and don't get watered with gasoline.

WeedFreak78 said:

Lol..WTF?
I see a motor powering the rear wheel, of a mountain bike? That turns the main gear, I assuming reduced through the rear gears? which spins the light. I'm assuming the second wheel allows the light to pivot and stay straight? All precision balanced with calibrated water jugs...

Necessity is the mother of invention

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The back wheel is part of the gear reduction. The bar rotates on the crank arm. The milk jugs are the counter weight for the light fixtures. The second wheel is just a swivel.

You missed the best part; the heat is DUCTED AWAY from a moving light setup!

WeedFreak78 said:

Yeah watch that... my 16" oscillating fan went up in smoke, literally, after squeaking for a couple weeks. I smelled smoke and when I went in the room, I thought I had a fire, it was full of thick black smoke. The shaft sized and the motor overheated, cooking it.

I've had 3 fans meltdown on me in the last year, 2 were 10+yrs old, I'm looking into getting one of those hanging fire suppression systems for my area.

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I meant my exhaust fan, was making whir whirrr sound. I think it was normal and I over reacted (yes me!) even thought I dont need it on, im testing my exhaust fan now. I have it on high, watching it to make sure it doesn't overheat. Im a little nervous about it being wrapped in egg crate and put in a small box.I hear no sound but air coming out. Gona keep my eye on it, only thing is.....damn temps go from 74 down to about 68 when I put it on. I think I am one of the lucky ones that doesnt need an exhaust fan to get rid of heat! lol.

greg nr said:

It's a wonder there aren't more grow room fires. Watching youtube videos makes me cringe some times. Fire and electrical hazards compounded by jerry-built mechanical's and water, water, everywhere.

It's a good thing these plants don't thrive on methane and don't get watered with gasoline.

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that was one of the first things I investigated. Made sure all my cords are plugged into one brand new master Tripp Light 8 outlet safety power strip GRCI 5-15P plug, all extension cords brand new and rated to handle the load I would put on them, new power bar outside tent, clamp light I got is rated for my bulbs, little oscillating fan clamped and tied to side of tent, and water spills cleaned up immediately. Electrical issues give me nightmares.

Most of the desk and oscillating fans these days have a fuse built into the plug. Makes them a little safer from fires if they seize up when you are not home.

After fighting another bout of paranoia, I've finally decided to post my babies. They are almost all random or bag seed, as they are my first run and likely to all die horribly as I await my COBs. The tallest is 10" and they are all about 3 weeks growing under 6 T12 fluorescent lights because that's what I scrounged on the streets of Boston. (almost all my current gear is trashpicked, or as the kids these days say "up-cycled") Currently trying to find what nute amount to give them, as 3 teaspoons/gallon of FoxFarms looks like it is causing some burn.

What COBs did you end up ordering?

49 Days since putting into system(after 5 days tot. from germ to 1st set of leaves)So 54 days Total
Pre-flower 1/17
early-flower-2/4, so 18 days
1st trics showing on a few
Temp-75
Rh-30
PPM-786
PH-6.08
Addback 1 gal. +8ml. micro and 16ml. Bloom (Lucas formula)+3ml. Calimag
PPM-825
PH-6.22
I'm amazed at the progress & size
Callmemom-Wanna try some of these? I have a 10 pack- I'll trade you or gift you 4 of them.They might fit your needs, or wait for finished product to see if it works for your daughter. I'm starting a new grow with some Photo fems, so might be a bit for me to do more of these, but definately going to.Autos ROCK! Beg anyone to argue.

Joining this thread, also a mass resident, i live on the cape, first time growing aswell, seeds just broke soil few days ago, this is my setup so far, 250watt cree cxb 1400ma 5 cob kit, running it in a 4x4 tent, because of cash issues thats really all i can afford atm, i do have some supplimental t5s and old blackstar leds i could use that a friend of mine isnt using, got 5 seeds sprouting right now, i just dont think i have enough light even for veg, nervous, dont wanna fuck this up and already spent too much, how much cob light can a seedling take?, dont wanna fry the little ones, running at about 175watts with the cobs dimmed down which is around 450 umols/s at around 18" from seed, they seem to be fine, is that too much or not enough light?

Bountykiller420 said:

Joining this thread, also a mass resident, i live on the cape, first time growing aswell, seeds just broke soil few days ago, this is my setup so far, 250watt cree cxb 1400ma 5 cob kit, running it in a 4x4 tent, because of cash issues thats really all i can afford atm, i do have some supplimental t5s and old blackstar leds i could use that a friend of mine isnt using, got 5 seeds sprouting right now, i just dont think i have enough light even for veg, nervous, dont wanna fuck this up and already spent too much, how much cob light can a seedling take?, dont wanna fry the little ones, running at about 175watts with the cobs dimmed down which is around 450 umols/s at around 18" from seed, they seem to be fine, is that too much or not enough light?

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Welcome.
Sounds like we've got parallel grows going. My seeds went into the water last Monday and into the soil on Tuesday.
I have a 4 COB cxb 3590 4000K bar with a 1400ma driver @ 10% veging the young ladies. Here are a couple of things I've discovered you might find helpful.
Due to the height in the temporary veg area (2 x 4 x 4), the max height from the surface of the COBs is 30" above the soil. That's BARELY far enough even at minimum power. I had a humidity dome over the plants to cut photon density by another 10% so they would stop bending away from the light.
I tried to find some numbers about light intensity for seedlings, and the best I've come up with is this ... if they are bending the light is too intense ... if the leaves are turned up they are stretching and there's not enough. Highly subjective but the best I can do.
Something to keep in mind ... if you're in a 60"+ tent it probably doesn't matter ... but I found that allowing for the center weighted light density at 30" and less is a real issue for new seedlings. I pulled the reflectors off the center 2 COBs to improve dispersion and found a smart phone app Lite Meter Pro ($.99) so I could make sure that all of the plants were getting roughly the same light intensity. Remember, COBs are a single point light source unlike flourescents.

The seedlings are all ~ 2" tall at this point, and as far as I can tell, the light is about right.

Day 7 baby pictures

Bountykiller420 said:

Joining this thread, also a mass resident, i live on the cape, first time growing aswell, seeds just broke soil few days ago, this is my setup so far, 250watt cree cxb 1400ma 5 cob kit, running it in a 4x4 tent, because of cash issues thats really all i can afford atm, i do have some supplimental t5s and old blackstar leds i could use that a friend of mine isnt using, got 5 seeds sprouting right now, i just dont think i have enough light even for veg, nervous, dont wanna fuck this up and already spent too much, how much cob light can a seedling take?, dont wanna fry the little ones, running at about 175watts with the cobs dimmed down which is around 450 umols/s at around 18" from seed, they seem to be fine, is that too much or not enough light?

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Also remember. Look at your seedlings plants any thing in this gardening. If the light is to much they will tell you just by looking at them. Like a dog when you raise your hand they typically cowar. Same with the weeds. Just paying attention. One guys technique might be diff depending on a variety of things. Also when they get a lil bigger you can run your t5 for side lighting and led bulbs whatever the heck you want. I have lights surrounding my garden. Cuz some are bushy lil bitches that 400wMH don't get in there enough.

Also. Crazy scary shit. So I went to Home Depot. Bought a 20a socket breaker 12-2 wire the whole kit and kaboodle. Cost me around 35$ to hook up another 20a run for my gardening room. Here's the results. If you are interested in doing so. Watch basic wiring skills.!!!!!!!!!! You are fucking with your box and your not an electrician you can one get really fucking hurt burn your house down and or kill everyone around you!!!!!!
Any questions. Hmu. I'll point in direction that if I can.

Bountykiller420 said:

Joining this thread, also a mass resident, i live on the cape, first time growing aswell, seeds just broke soil few days ago, this is my setup so far, 250watt cree cxb 1400ma 5 cob kit, running it in a 4x4 tent, because of cash issues thats really all i can afford atm, i do have some supplimental t5s and old blackstar leds i could use that a friend of mine isnt using, got 5 seeds sprouting right now, i just dont think i have enough light even for veg, nervous, dont wanna fuck this up and already spent too much, how much cob light can a seedling take?, dont wanna fry the little ones, running at about 175watts with the cobs dimmed down which is around 450 umols/s at around 18" from seed, they seem to be fine, is that too much or not enough light?

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Welcome!!! I am on my first grow and afraid to give advice to anyone as I am still in "what the hell am i doing?" mode, but just wanted to say hello and you have found a great forum full of helpful and informative people!

If you notice most five of them are pretty full and very bushy and shit. But the GG#4 just has never caught up. It's very standing tall but lanky and not full. Idk I've heard great things about strain shit it's one of the best out there. Idk if I'm happy with her veg though I guess. Where as train wrecks my largest busiest. And others are just behind her. Not the gg4 though.

OK, so a lot has happened the last few days~ topped her (OMG) and a few days later I transplanted her into her final 5 gallon smart pot. Little lady must have a lot of fight in her because she seems to have come out fantastic.

HideousPenguinBoy said:

After fighting another bout of paranoia, I've finally decided to post my babies. They are almost all random or bag seed, as they are my first run and likely to all die horribly as I await my COBs. The tallest is 10" and they are all about 3 weeks growing under 6 T12 fluorescent lights because that's what I scrounged on the streets of Boston. (almost all my current gear is trashpicked, or as the kids these days say "up-cycled") Currently trying to find what nute amount to give them, as 3 teaspoons/gallon of FoxFarms looks like it is causing some burn.
View attachment 3893442 View attachment 3893443

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Which fox nute? At 3 weeks and 300w, you should probably be at around 100-150 ppm max for all nutes combined. Big grow alone is 73ppm/ml, and you are adding 12 ml.

You can't go by what the mfg recommends, regardless of product. It will lead to a sure burn. Those numbers are for a perfect grow, under 1000w, with no bugs or other issues plagueing them. Use their ratios for sure, but balance it out to ppm and the age/size of your plants and the light they are under.

So at week 3 of veg, this is my sched (assuming it is a feed week):


ml/gal ppm
Big Bloom 3 36
Grow Big 1 73
Tiger Bloom 0 0
Cal-Mag 1 49

Note: FF is very weak in cal mag. Always use a cal mag supplement. I usually add at least 2 ml to every non-feed watering.

But I'm in ff ocean forest soil and it is a rich mix to begin with. You can play with the numbers, but 12 ml of anything is way too much at week 3. in my noob opinion of course.

MrSeeDoubleU said:

Also. Crazy scary shit. So I went to Home Depot. Bought a 20a socket breaker 12-2 wire the whole kit and kaboodle. Cost me around 35$ to hook up another 20a run for my gardening room. Here's the results. If you are interested in doing so. Watch basic wiring skills.!!!!!!!!!! You are fucking with your box and your not an electrician you can one get really fucking hurt burn your house down and or kill everyone around you!!!!!!
Any questions. Hmu. I'll point in direction that if I can.

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Daham.....you sure can build!....I thought I was doing good when I hung my LED and it didn't fall on my poor plant! Nice job.

@greg nr
I agree by not going with manufacturer recommend. I'm almost 5 weeks or so into veg I went with recommended bottle amount and it burnt my plants. So I've dialed it down now I'll do as you say and add cal mag minimal to each feeding and Nutes every other watering or so or two watering a then other Nutes.

@JustCallmeMom ty. I try my best. I'm a carpenter by trade so wood and screws and shit j can pretty much build anything with the right shit. But electrical is way out of my league. I changed lights and shit but watching YouTube alone has taught me a ton. Most electricians won't come out for a small job. I only had one port open on my fuse box so I could only add in a 20. My 15a breaker is maxed out. I found that out last night. I shit off half my house by flipping the switch. Granted mostly just lighting recessed in basement and such is running in it. Plus my 400w ballast and light is as well. All my fans I run off a seperate 15a with my over head lightbulb in room. Just bought a pull chain light port and a 3 set plug in and those run off of that. I keep fans on 24/7 so the main stem grows strong. Very important when you get into flower so your plants don't fall over due to top heavy with many shoots. I use metal insulation hangers to hold down certain branches to place them where I want shooting out wards instead of mixing into all the bush of the plants.