Questions on new ebb & flow build!!

Hey guys, I'm getting ready to start my first grow and was just looking for any input/advice as far as my setup. I'm planning on doing an ebb and flow hydro setup, I haven't bought supplies yet so I just want to make sure this will work before I do. Here's what I was planning:


Mylar grow tent (24x48x60)
Home Depot 21gal mixing tub (24x36x for flood tray
HDX 27 gal tote (21x31x15) for reservoir
2-4w air pump with air stone
Water pump 200ish gph
Misc tubing/fittings/timers
Hydroton (rockwool?)


Lighting:
400w hps grow light (swapping for mh during seedlings/vegetative)
OR
4 x 4' T5 HO Fluorescent lights (swapping 3000k and 6400k bulbs for stages) 20k lumens


My main questions are about the lighting, which is preferred? Initial costs are about the same, will the T5s have comparable growth? Do you see any other issues? I know the shape of the tent isnt ideal but its all that will fit in the space. How many plants can I comfortably fit in the flood tray? I'm a newbie so any help is appreciated!

Well if this is your very first hydro grow first thing i suggest is use 1/4 strength nutrients so you dont burn your plants!!!! Ive started several people on DWC system and the biggest mistake made is using to much nutrients. It is almost impossible to under feed in a hydro setup but it is very easy to burn the plants! I saw you put a question mark next to hydroton/rockwool. They are two different things if thats what your asking, hydroton are dried up clay pellets and rockwool is almost like a hard cotton they package in squares. I prefer hydroton above all others but rockwool is alright to, just dont let it dry out. As far as the lights go, use the HPS/MH set-up for veg/flower. I would use the flourescents for the seedling stage. If its either or i would use the MH/HPS all day. Ive been looking into LED lighting but it seems complicated. Almost everybody uses the MH/HPS for a reason.........it works fucking awesome!!! I didnt see any fans listed? MAKE SURE YOU HAVE GOOD AIR FLOW!!! If you dont use any fans the chances of pests and mold go wayyyyyy up. Cannabis loves fresh air and it cant get enough of if. Make sure u have at least one fan blowing in the tent and try and buy a fan to suck the hot air out of the tent. Hope this helps a little, good luck!!!!

Thanks man that helps a lot. I will definitely throw a couple fans in there.

This is the hps light I was looking at... Any good?
https://www.htgsupply.com/Product-HTGSupply-400-watt-High-Pressure-Sodium-Grow-Light

Also how much space will each plant need? It's a 2x3 flood table. I heard 1sq ft per but I feel like 6 would be cramped?

If you go with sog 6 will be fine. I have something similar and do six all day in sog.

that magnetic ballast is not switchable (HPS only), so you'd need to buy a MH conversion bulb if you are planning on vegging with MH.

IMO you would be better off with a digital ballast here is a 400w kit from HTG http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-Digital-Greenhouse- 400w-Grow-Light i'd also go with a 6" air cooled hood if you want better control over temps. you would also need a 6" 440cfm vortex fan. I have a digital greenhouse 600w but i really regret not spending the extra 20 bucks for the dimmable version...

also dont forget a pH meter and ppm meter! pretty much a necessity in any recirc hydro.

yes like puppet said an aircooled hood would be the best because it takes care of the heat and suck old air out, only need an opening somewhere for fresh air to come in and diffenetly need a ppm and ph meter, i test my shit everyday and have to add a few drops of ph down and i top off everyday with water, u will need to change rez every 2 weeks and add new nutez and water, i use gh nutez they got a web site u can go to and add the size of ur rez and tell u the exact amount of nute to use cant go wrong its dummy proof,i start my seeds in jiffy pellets and then put them in a 4x4 rockwool cube, then into a 1 and a half gallon pot into my tray which is a 2x4 i can fit 18 pots in there, i also put hydroton around my pots and in my pots to cover the tops of the cubes, ive ran about 10 runs thru same setup and had great results

First let me say that I am a newby hydro grower with 10 full runs through my DIY ebb&flo/DWC system. I have started and vegged using both HO T5's and a 600 w MH. I have not seen a big difference in the growth rate between the two lights at that stage. The big difference is in the flowering stage with the T5's lagging. As stated over feeding has been an issue for me at the beginning and by watching my ph levels closely I have been able to regulate my feeding schedule. I kept a log of all feeding etc. and that has also been a big help in dialing in everything. I am starting a new grow this week after a long summer of waiting (to hot here). Just trying to figure out a couple strains to start 😳. Good luck with your project!!!

Opps almost forgot. My tray is also 2x3 with 6 pots and it does get crowded at the end. I am considering either scrogging with a longer veg period (20 days now) this run (never tried) or cutting the number of pots to 4 in each tray.

I like HO T5's. A lot less heat and you can place them very close to your canopy. I am assuming you meant a 2x4 8 lamp fixture, which will match the 400 in light output, Switch to the red lamps for flower, and you will get good results throughout your grow. Peace

I run 2700's for flower, thats as red as i can find. I still seem to get better results with a 600 hps when flowering. I use the t5 when its hot here as well. And i do run 8 4' when vegging at 4 per tray. Just got some seeds a couple of hours ago woohoo it begins again lol. Temps just dropped into the 60's so the season begins 😄

hazade said:

This is the hps light I was looking at... Any good?
https://www.htgsupply.com/Product-HTGSupply-400-watt-High-Pressure-Sodium-Grow-Light

Click to expand...

I have used that same HTG light setup in a 3x3 tent (Secret Jardin DR90) waterfarm scrog with tremendous results. As long as you have good air flow out of the tent (175-200CFM IMO for that tent size) and a small clip on fan blowing in between the light and the plant canopy, you should be good.

T5HO's are great for consistent growth and health for vegetative stage, but you would definitely get more veg growth speed using a MH conversion bulb with that HTG ballast and then switching to HPS for flowering.