Pinworm
Well-Known Member
Welcome ladies and gentle-dudes. This is going to be my first hydro run. Did tons of reading, and research for months. Now it's time to grow some dank. Here's a few pics of what's been going on for the past few weeks:
Mainline and LST will be something I focus on this time around. I took a reading of my properties well water, and was stoked. It comes out of the ground @ 25PPM 6.0 PH, at 58°F (year round!). 5.5 6.5 is acceptable, but 5. 8 is ideally where you want to be and it practically comes right out of the tap like that (No need for an RO filter).
I fed until about 2-3' of roots hit the res water, then thought about removing the system. Decided on sticking with it, at least for now. I've been feeding 8 times a day for 15mins, and they seem to love it. I was on the fence about using an intermittent watering schedule (i.e. 4-8 separate feedings @ 15-20mins throughout 24 hours) or running constant 24/7. I did a water depravation test to see how often I would need to run. Like, I would water for 20mins then carefully watch for the first signs of dehydration (when the bottom fan leaves droop) log the amount of time and then adjust the timers accordingly. Thinking once the root structure is nice and developed, I may switch to constant feeding. We'll see.
Im going to try and document as much info as I can this time around. Most likely will flip when they hit around 1.5ft. Ill be running White Widow x Big Bud in the bubbler. Also, NL5 x Haze, Purple Fire, Supreme Delight, Sour Diesel, and Purple Urkle in organic soil, alongside the WW. All these will be mainlined, then bonzai'd (except the autos).
I should mention its a legal grow here in CA (waay up in the Sierras). Also, should let you know that Im not completely in-experienced. Ive grown using dirtbags for 3-4 years now, and have a fairly good idea what my plants want and need. I have to say Im pretty excited about finally trying my hand at hydro. There are a LOT of fascinating methods and setups out there, but DWC struck me as an easier way for a first timer like me to handle the learning curve.Thought I would share my experience with RIU in hopes that A: We can shed some light on the benefits of soiless media, learn a few things together, and B Because everyone here has been so helpful (Its really something) I thought I owed them a chance for a giggle at my expense since Ill be hitting the ground running here. Ill do my best not to complicate something simple by over-analyzing things. Keeping things simple is necessary for someone like me. When built/operated correctly DWC is a marriage of function and form.
My modifications on the GH line (Flora series @ .7 conversion) formula will include the following supplements/additives:
-H2o2, GH Rapidstart, Calmag, Superthrive, Nutrilife, Botanicare Silica Blast, Botanicare Aquashield, Botanicare Clearex, Botanicare Sweet Raw, and a PK 13/14 around day 35.
Heres some links about the formula to check out:
https://www.rollitup.org/hydroponics-aeroponics/4387-lucas-formula.html
http://lucasformula.com/
http://www.lucasformulacalculator.com/
Heres the math on what my WPSF in the Flower room will be (Watts Per Square Foot):
Width x Depth = Sq. Ft (Lumens from available light divided by Sq. Footage) so...My space is 6 feet wide, 6 feet deep. 36 square feet. My 600w bulb puts out a total of 95,000 lumens. 95,000/36 = 2638 lumens per square foot. So, that's just under 120 WPSF. 1+ grams per watt easily achievable.
Heres the math I used to find my necessary fan size for the veg box - (same math for flower room, different dimensions):
39" x 23" x 92" (in reality, its a bit less due to some airspace being consumed by equipment. Some of that equipment gives off heat, so I'll ignore its space use and overcompensate)
Size in cubic feet - W x D x H: 3.25' x 1.92' x 7.67' = 47.86 cubic feet
Size x 3 to compensate for filter air flow restriction: 143.58 minimum cfm requirement
Adjust for 80% real world efficiency of inline fan - min. CFM @ 80% total: (143.58 / 8 ) x 10 = 179.48 total minimum CFM
So my minimum fan CFM should be at least total minimum CFM x 2, so that I can adjust up if need be. That means that my minimum fan capability should be 358.96. Choosing 2 Vortex inline 6" 449cfm fans, or 3 AbcoTech 240cfm Boosters give me enough overhead to provide enough negative pressure to ensure fresh air uptake at a rate of at minimum 1 full air exchange per minute at 50% speed..
Im also seeing about hooking up a pH controller. Pretty simple addition that will help keep pH stable while Im away from the house. Just an automated pH meter that powers a pump in a bucket with pH down solution (@ 1:8 ratio) and a control valve to release drips at a time. Heres a diagram of what Im shooting for:
I honestly cant think of anything about the cultivation, and consumption of marijuana that I dont enjoy completely. I was hurt pretty bad in a car accident a few years back and was prescribed heavy doses of pain medication. I couldnt function on it. Couldnt work, hang out with my friends, spoil my kid. Nothing. Then I learned to grow my own. Ever since, my pain has been manageable even on the worst days, so Im not shitting you when I say the pursuit of fat dank buds saved my life.
Pull up a chair. Lets toss her in gear, and see what shakes loose. Any thoughts, notes, questions w/e feel free. Ill do my best to update weekly. We recognize that you have a choice in threads here at RIU, and would like to thank you for flying Pinworm.
Mainline and LST will be something I focus on this time around. I took a reading of my properties well water, and was stoked. It comes out of the ground @ 25PPM 6.0 PH, at 58°F (year round!). 5.5 6.5 is acceptable, but 5. 8 is ideally where you want to be and it practically comes right out of the tap like that (No need for an RO filter).
I fed until about 2-3' of roots hit the res water, then thought about removing the system. Decided on sticking with it, at least for now. I've been feeding 8 times a day for 15mins, and they seem to love it. I was on the fence about using an intermittent watering schedule (i.e. 4-8 separate feedings @ 15-20mins throughout 24 hours) or running constant 24/7. I did a water depravation test to see how often I would need to run. Like, I would water for 20mins then carefully watch for the first signs of dehydration (when the bottom fan leaves droop) log the amount of time and then adjust the timers accordingly. Thinking once the root structure is nice and developed, I may switch to constant feeding. We'll see.
Im going to try and document as much info as I can this time around. Most likely will flip when they hit around 1.5ft. Ill be running White Widow x Big Bud in the bubbler. Also, NL5 x Haze, Purple Fire, Supreme Delight, Sour Diesel, and Purple Urkle in organic soil, alongside the WW. All these will be mainlined, then bonzai'd (except the autos).
I should mention its a legal grow here in CA (waay up in the Sierras). Also, should let you know that Im not completely in-experienced. Ive grown using dirtbags for 3-4 years now, and have a fairly good idea what my plants want and need. I have to say Im pretty excited about finally trying my hand at hydro. There are a LOT of fascinating methods and setups out there, but DWC struck me as an easier way for a first timer like me to handle the learning curve.Thought I would share my experience with RIU in hopes that A: We can shed some light on the benefits of soiless media, learn a few things together, and B Because everyone here has been so helpful (Its really something) I thought I owed them a chance for a giggle at my expense since Ill be hitting the ground running here. Ill do my best not to complicate something simple by over-analyzing things. Keeping things simple is necessary for someone like me. When built/operated correctly DWC is a marriage of function and form.
My modifications on the GH line (Flora series @ .7 conversion) formula will include the following supplements/additives:
-H2o2, GH Rapidstart, Calmag, Superthrive, Nutrilife, Botanicare Silica Blast, Botanicare Aquashield, Botanicare Clearex, Botanicare Sweet Raw, and a PK 13/14 around day 35.
Heres some links about the formula to check out:
https://www.rollitup.org/hydroponics-aeroponics/4387-lucas-formula.html
http://lucasformula.com/
http://www.lucasformulacalculator.com/
Heres the math on what my WPSF in the Flower room will be (Watts Per Square Foot):
Width x Depth = Sq. Ft (Lumens from available light divided by Sq. Footage) so...My space is 6 feet wide, 6 feet deep. 36 square feet. My 600w bulb puts out a total of 95,000 lumens. 95,000/36 = 2638 lumens per square foot. So, that's just under 120 WPSF. 1+ grams per watt easily achievable.
Heres the math I used to find my necessary fan size for the veg box - (same math for flower room, different dimensions):
39" x 23" x 92" (in reality, its a bit less due to some airspace being consumed by equipment. Some of that equipment gives off heat, so I'll ignore its space use and overcompensate)
Size in cubic feet - W x D x H: 3.25' x 1.92' x 7.67' = 47.86 cubic feet
Size x 3 to compensate for filter air flow restriction: 143.58 minimum cfm requirement
Adjust for 80% real world efficiency of inline fan - min. CFM @ 80% total: (143.58 / 8 ) x 10 = 179.48 total minimum CFM
So my minimum fan CFM should be at least total minimum CFM x 2, so that I can adjust up if need be. That means that my minimum fan capability should be 358.96. Choosing 2 Vortex inline 6" 449cfm fans, or 3 AbcoTech 240cfm Boosters give me enough overhead to provide enough negative pressure to ensure fresh air uptake at a rate of at minimum 1 full air exchange per minute at 50% speed..
Im also seeing about hooking up a pH controller. Pretty simple addition that will help keep pH stable while Im away from the house. Just an automated pH meter that powers a pump in a bucket with pH down solution (@ 1:8 ratio) and a control valve to release drips at a time. Heres a diagram of what Im shooting for:
I honestly cant think of anything about the cultivation, and consumption of marijuana that I dont enjoy completely. I was hurt pretty bad in a car accident a few years back and was prescribed heavy doses of pain medication. I couldnt function on it. Couldnt work, hang out with my friends, spoil my kid. Nothing. Then I learned to grow my own. Ever since, my pain has been manageable even on the worst days, so Im not shitting you when I say the pursuit of fat dank buds saved my life.
Pull up a chair. Lets toss her in gear, and see what shakes loose. Any thoughts, notes, questions w/e feel free. Ill do my best to update weekly. We recognize that you have a choice in threads here at RIU, and would like to thank you for flying Pinworm.