God Bud L.E.D. AeroFlo36 Grow

[SunLake]

Tuesday, October 27th 2009

The system is finally done being put together! After two months of piecing together everything I need I think I finally have everything I need. Here is a list of every piece of equipment being used:

Seeds
God Bud Feminized x 36

Medium
General Hydroponics AeroFlo 36
Rapid Rooter Plugs and Tray
SpectraPure RO100
Hanna Instruments HI-991404 Combo pH, EC/TDS/Temperature Monitor

Lighting
UFO x 4 (90 Watts; 2 80 RED 10 BLUE; 2 Far Red)
Florescent x 4 (24 Watts)

Environment
DR150 Indoor Greenhouse (60" wide x 60" deep x 79.2" tall)
CO2 Boost Bucket
Goblin Charcoal Filter
6" In-Line Fan (Specs Coming Soon)
Hydrometer
6" Osculating Fan

Nutes
General Hydroponics Flora Series
Flora Gro
Flora Bloom
Flora Micro

Other
UPC Battery Backup (Specs Coming Soon)

I will post the layout as soon as possible. I think I need to rearrange the charcoal filter and exhaust. Currently I have the filter sitting on the DR150 Floor linked up to the In-Line fan being used as an exhaust. Anyone have any suggestions for how to situate the filter and exhaust fan?

My next question is how do I start the seeds? Germinate them directly in the rapid rooters or transplant them to the rapid rooters?

[SunLake]

OK I've started several threads asking questions around the forums. Here are the links: I need good responses ASAP, I've waited months, I'm willing to wait a few more days to get the correct responses. Hopefully it won't take the long... If not I have the NYSD to hold me over.

Germination: http://boards.cannabis.com/hydroponics/177112-germination-questions.html

Light Mounting: http://boards.cannabis.com/indoor-lighting/177113-florescent-mounting-safety-question.html#post2034146

Exhaust: http://boards.cannabis.com/growroom-setup/177111-exhaust-questions.html

Water Exchange: http://boards.cannabis.com/hydroponics/177114-water-exchange.html#post2034148

[skrengf]

all you got to do is get a ziplock baggie and a paper towel or napkin not tp or tissue you get it damp not soaked ring it out a bit maybe then spread the seeds across it like maybe 2-3inches apart then fold the paper towel over so the seeds are inside there you put it in the bag zip it up remove all air put in a dark place like under some close in ur drawer or somthing like that when they are about 1/2 in long stem comes out they are ready you need to put the part that comes out facing down

[SunLake]

and why would I do that versus just putting them right into the rapid rooter? speed? I'm not really worried about speed, just success. Does anyone use Bontaicare Aquashield during germination. It says to use for cuttings.

[bonedaddy420]

Well, if you use the paper towel method, you at least know for sure if your seeds either germ or not. Do what you feel comfortable with. Either RR's or paper towel, or in water, whatever feels right to you, they all work though. Also try and do more research before making threads like these, basically it comes off like you found out what supplies you needed, but didn't care to figure out how to set it up, but rather just have other people do it for you....

[SunLake]

Well I have done quite a bit of research but as some of you may know this field is a bit unorthodox and some of the information found can be quite conflicting.

For instance, my experience has proven the paper towel method germinates them well, but when transplanting I have not the most delicate of hands so sometime they get decapitated. My solution would be just to germinate them very little.. maybe 1/8-1/4 inch.

Now I have no experience with Rapid Rooters but I have heard some reports of the leaves not making it out the top and root rot. I think these people probably put the seeds too far down or didn't use the proper amount of water but I would like to hear someone say they have done this success and that way I can avoid handling the seeds at all. I'm not really worried about knowing if they germ or not because they are some quality feminized seeds.

I have tried to do some research on germination on this forum but there is only one sticky with regards to how to build a box with a air pump and heat pad. I'm not looking to use either unless there is another benefit besides speed. If there is someplace else you would suggest looking besides maybe searching germination I would be glad to do my own research but I think I may have to go outside of this forum to do what your suggesting. Maybe the moderators should sticky another thread about germination.

[bonedaddy420]

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't that thread titled "100% germination rate Every Time, Easy"? I don't know what more help you could be offered, when this is EXACTLY what you are looking for, but you don't wanna put in the effort to make one, its cool. Like I said before, do what you feel comfortable doing. I personally have had 99% success with paper towel on a plate under a bowl placed on my TV receiver, so next time that is probably what I will do again, because I know it works. If you are breaking off the tap root when placing them into your medium, you are grabbing them wrong. Try using some tweezers to handle them, and grab them along the sides that are open.

[SunLake]

I've already bought a rapid rooter tray so it's not a question of not wanting to put in the effort, I've just heard of many other ways of germinating that 98% effective and that's just fine for me. As I'm sure it's fine for many other people including yourself. Out of the hundreds of people that are on this forum probably only a small fraction the germinate seeds actually use that method. For a forum that's all about information, having only one sticky on germination is misleading to think that's the only way to achieve generally flawless germination and my experience told me that's just not true.

[SunLake]

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

So after looking around General Hydroponics website they suggest using a mild bloom solution at 200 ppm to germinate seeds. They also suggest germinating the seeds directly in the rapid rooters. Someone else told me this would make for a more "natural" process and that makes sense to me as well. I don't have a heat pad so I'm using an electric blanket to just raise the temp a few degrees. After adding the bloom the pH dropped to 5.25, I accidently added too much pH up and the pH jumped to 10! Added another drop of the pH down and got it to a perfect 6.34. ppm was 240 and uS was 530. I'm hoping I didn't add to much shit to the water. Also hoping that I didn't over soak the RRs because I've heard stories of root rot with them.

I'll also be posting up some pics soon today of the entire setup if anyone would like to comment, I could us all the opinions I can get. Thanks. :rasta:

[M.B.A.]

post some pix, I have a single led right now, looking to get more!!! :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[SunLake]

I'm trying to get the pics up now but I'm also trying to play catch up in the education department so any help would be appreciated. I have a plethora questions in the Hydroponics section.

My Rapid Rooters are pretty soaks and I'm considering dumping out the 1/8-1/4 inch of water that's left in the tray so they dry out. Otherwise I've heard root rot can occur.

Also another big problem was my water reading last night. I don't understand the uS reading. My pH is slightly high at 6.34 and the ppm was 240 when it called for 200.

[SunLake]

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/FHVicious/IMAGE_211.jpg

The AeroFlo, Carbon Filter, Fan, Tent

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/FHVicious/IMAGE_210.jpg

2 of the 4 UFOs setup close together to be used for seedlings, Intake Duct coming from floor vent, and CO2 bucket's tube there on the right.

More pics coming !

[SunLake]

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/FHVicious/IMAGE_173.jpg

THE LIGHTS!

[the image reaper]

RapidRooter plugs claim to only hold the 'right amount of water' ... while that sounds dubious, it may be true ... I've been running them for 2-3 years now, and they all seem to germinate fine, whether 'water-soaked', or just 'damp' ... just keep your water an inch or so beneath the plugs, don't let them ever dry out, and you should be OK ... happy gardening :jointsmile:

[SunLake]

an inch or so from the top?

The tray I was given has the bottom of the RRs resting only 1/8-1/3 inch away from the bottom of the reservoir tray. Should the RRs be touching the water? Please explain, thanks for the help!

[Farmer Rich]

Hi SunLake,

In regard to the water level question with the rapid rooters.. keep a bit of water in the tray just below the bottom of the rapid rooters. And get a heat mat with a thermostat.. you've already made a significant investment, so do it correctly.

As far as you're overall plan.. I'd recommend you consider the following:

1. Germ 8 seeds maximum from the 36 you have. Save the rest.
2. Grow these at least 2 months in soil-less mix, I prefer t-5 panels for veg. But you're tent and the LED system will work great. You also need to set up an alternate light area to keep these going as mothers. If you're detailed on which plant made which clone, you can keep the best plants dependent on the quality of your first harvest.

Once your initial plants are ready to provide cuttings..

3. Get a clone bucket or something similar that supports at least 36 clones (based on your aeroponic system size)
4. Make cuts.. root them in the clone bucket
5. Once you have roots, move them to the aeroponic system
6. In the aero, stay conservative on your nute levels. since they're being applied directly to the roots, 600-800 ppm, 5.6 ph, works very well during both veg and flower.
7. Veg them for a couple of weeks, keep an eye on how big they are because they'll stretch quite a bit during flower.
8. Flip the lights to 12/12 and let them do their thing.



FYI - I completely swap reservoirs on my aero systems every 4 days.. keeps everyone really happy. Also, not sure what temperature conditions you have, but you need to keep the reservoir 68 degrees or below to eliminate any risks with root rot.

Bottom line.. it sounded like you may need to move a little slower on your project and you'll have more success.

Peace

Farmer Rich

[SunLake]

I've improvised with an electric blanket which is keeping the bottom of the tray nice and warm!

So that water shouldn't actually be touching the Rapid Rooter? It should be below it to work sort of as a boiler to keep the humidity up?

Thanks for the suggestion Rich but I'm proceeding with all 36, and when I go to do my mother I will need two more tents and more equipment. I'm just going to do one grow all the way through for quality. At this point I'd love to get SOG going but it's just not within my resources.

[SunLake]

I was worried that pH may have drifted up so I tested again today and it did, 6.8. I discarded the water and have a made a new solution with water steady at 5.5, no bloom this time. The ppm had drifted up to 280 as well! I'm currently trying to try the Rapid Rooters out so I can add some of the new water, I've taken the lid off to lower the humidity and put a Heater/Fan blowing on the tops of the RRs. The Electric blanket is working perfect and is keeping the tray at roughly 75-76 degrees.

Does anyone think I risked "damaging" maybe even a couple of germinating seeds with this slightly high ppm and pH? If so does anyone also thinks its worth putting a little fresh water on them now?

[DreadedHermie]

Does anyone think I risked "damaging" maybe even a couple of germinating seeds with this slightly high ppm and pH?

Nope. Seen a lot germ in 740ppm / 7.6 pH.

If so does anyone also thinks its worth putting a little fresh water on them now?


Fresh water shouldn't hurt anything. It'll raise your pH back up, if you care about that. As long as your RR's suitably moist, you shouldn't need it.

Relax a little. It's a weed. You are gonna "love it to death."

[SunLake]

October 31st, 2009

Bought 11 5-Gallon buckets to collect my RO water.

Cleaned all buckets, and some grow chambers on the AeroFlo with 1 Tsp bleach per gallon.

Noticed about 19 of the 38 seeds have fully germinated.

Sprayed all RRs with some 5.5 pH water, no nutes.

Gave them approx 3 hours of light under 2 UFOs at approx 6 inches.


November 1st, 2009

Removed Humidity Dome, some leaves are collecting large water droplets

Cleaned remaining grow chambers and reservoir
19 out of 38 are doing well. They have about an 1.25 inch and growth.

2 are going to need help.

17 out of 38 haven't popped out yet and I'm starting to worry if I need to did some more room around the hole in the Rapid Rooter or just let them be.

Also still need to know the answer to what Image Reaper told me as to keeping the water an inch below the Rapid Rooter. Does anyone thing I should have some water on say the bottom 1/3 or 1/4 of the rapid rooter?

I'm going to post pictures soon and investigate further the conditions of the ones that need help. Does anyone have experience with seeds getting "stuck" in the Rapid Rooters.

I'm going to mix a light nute mix with 1.5 ml bloom 1.5 micro and 1.5 gro and spray that on just the ones that have germinated. Does anyone think it would burn the seeds that haven't sprouted yet?

Also I need to consider giving them light now, as some of them have leaves already. Should I wait until all 4 main leaves have sprouted out? Do they need light yet?

Thanks, I know a great deal of noob questions but I learn quickly.

[Farmer Rich]

It's not too late to rethink your approach and make mothers out of some of those seedlings.

Hate to see you waste so many seeds while you're learning.

Peace, Farmer Rich

[SunLake]

I'd love to I just don't have a tent, light, extra hydro setup, and sure I could rig something up but I'm doing everything by the book right now, so I'll keep it that way. Buying more seeds won't really be an object in this situation. Plus I'm not really sure the GB is what I'm looking for, I'd really love something single cola that is going to maximize the small 5x5 area of the aeroflo36. I was origanally thinking oh yeah 36 plants I could get like 8-9 pounds, but I'm pretty sure now I'll be lucky to get 2 pounds.

Friday, October 13th, 2009

I transplanted into the Aeroflo two nights ago. I'm left with 33 plants :( about 10 didn't make it, I did save 6 from germinating upside down! It had nothing to do with my method, the seeds didn't even split. Luckily BCBD gave me plenty of extras every time I ordered. I highly recommended them as long as these fems don't turn hermie.

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/FHVicious/IMAGE_232.jpg

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr265/FHVicious/IMAGE_234.jpg

I went ahead and also bought liquid nectar, florilicious bloom, and flora blend to add to the GH3 part. When I mixed together originally pH was 4.8, I adjusted to 5.8 then the next day it went all the way up to 6.8! So I've been adding pH up and pH down. pH is steady at 5.75 now, ppm is 405, I keep adding water to keep it down under 400.

The leaves were drooping for the past two days so I raised up the overflow tubes because in my experience that only happens from underwatering. They have perked up this morning, just need to get the temp down, it's a little high at 79. Humidity is also low at 35%.

[hearseking]

You would be better off with t5s in there thoes ufos arnt worth shit they dont even sell them at any grow stores around here just no power and looks like you have a larger area to

[SunLake]

Have you used LEDs? If not I wouldn't be saying anything just because they don't carry them at your local stores.

They don't carry Lamborghini at my local car lot either. Doesn't really mean anything except there's no demand yet.

[Shovelhandle]

looking pretty good. interesting grow. thanks for sharing.

[killa12345]

Have you used LEDs? If not I wouldn't be saying anything just because they don't carry them at your local stores.

They don't carry Lamborghini at my local car lot either. Doesn't really mean anything except there's no demand yet.

Nice setup sun,

looks extra clean, and it seems youve got quite invested in your system! Have you ever ran UFO before?

I see your running the larger DR...I think your gonna be under-utlizing your space.....That space can easily run a 1000w HPS, and it looks like you are running under 500w. you might run into some immature buds on the lower half of your plants if you fill that hydro system..

well anyways....good luck...its gonna be real interesting to see this grow....I wish you werent running the CFL's so we could see if the UFO are worth growing with! I just presonally have never seen a successful grow with the use of LED's ALONE! maybe you could test this one day considering you have all the equipment!

Good luck
Killa

[hearseking]

L.E.D are junk they have not come to the point of working to flower m.j why not use somthing you know will work i have used l.e.d and have looked at many logs using them and its not worth wasting the tome or nutes you would be better with a 400 hps than some overpriced thing that wont produce im sure someday the technology will be great on the l.e.d but for now its just a waste of time .every week they have some new l.e.d i sure dont see any master growers using them thats why i said he would be better with t 5s than this ufo the proof is in the pictures

[SunLake]

I'm assuming the LEDs are doing a great job because when the T5s are on they lean towards the LEDs not the T5s. They lean so much towards the LEDs that I'm rotating them everyday, sometimes twice. I'd use the HPS but I'm super paranoid about helicopters, energy usage red tape, and heat.

The LEDs are meant to cover a 5x5 area, and I have 4 of them in a 5x5 area, equivalent to 1080watts of HPS.

[cannamanibus]

Ima guess the yield will be 6-8 ounces. Is it possible to put the lights way closer to plants? how is ventilation? Ive been through a couple harvest and i consistently go by Grams per Watts, Anywhere from .6 to .8 is what i average. So i do all my math on .7 G/W. No less than .4 if its a bad grow.
My goal is to replicate the grow out of the Bible, where he got like 1.5 G/W. He did 400 clones under 8400watts, got like 24-27 pounds. Powerplant was the strain. That was without co2 also i think so it can get even better.

[hearseking]

I'm assuming the LEDs are doing a great job because when the T5s are on they lean towards the LEDs not the T5s. They lean so much towards the LEDs that I'm rotating them everyday, sometimes twice. I'd use the HPS but I'm super paranoid about helicopters, energy usage red tape, and heat.

The LEDs are meant to cover a 5x5 area, and I have 4 of them in a 5x5 area, equivalent to 1080watts of HPS.

If your grow is in a house one light would not show up now if you had like 7 lights going that would be diff:D

[killa12345]

Ima guess the yield will be 6-8 ounces. Is it possible to put the lights way closer to plants? how is ventilation? Ive been through a couple harvest and i consistently go by Grams per Watts, Anywhere from .6 to .8 is what i average. So i do all my math on .7 G/W. No less than .4 if its a bad grow.
My goal is to replicate the grow out of the Bible, where he got like 1.5 G/W. He did 400 clones under 8400watts, got like 24-27 pounds. Powerplant was the strain. That was without co2 also i think so it can get even better.

Do you realize how much work 400 cuts would be to take care of! Why do you think these are the types of grows you only see in books and not on the net? Because its difficult as sh*t to watch over 400 cuts, let alone feeding them and prunning after they get bigger! 50-100 plants, OK! Not that much time....maybe you will dedicate 3-4 hours a day; 7 days a week....100-200 plants; your gonna need help, 200-400 plants; leave this to people that are who have grown for a number of years. Also, im sure JC has grown that PP for a ass load of a time, and knows EXACTLY how to grow it.....EVERYTHING THAT PLANT CAN DO, HE KNOWS....its takes years to figure out a plant like this...

And how can you just guess 6-8 oz based on a set up and a few tiny plants are you even serious! those plants can all die next week and he will have zero oz's.

And what do you need 24-27 lbs for? Do you smoke a 1/4lb a day? Do you want to supply half of LA needs? This is just non-sense....I love people that think they can run a marathon their first time running.



If your grow is in a house one light would not show up now if you had like 7 lights going that would be diff:D

I think one light would come up in the coming months....based on how cold some areas will get during the winter....that 70-80F room might light up if the ambient temps around the house are in the 30-40F....Maybe....I dont know....Ive never lived in a cold place before!



Sun....Just keep doing what you are doing....run your grow and you will learn from there.....your going in the right direction....dont live the pipe dream that with 8400W you can grow 27lbs.....I thought i was Michael Jordan when i was young too, but one day i had to realize i was just an oridinary basketball player! lol!

looking forward to the update!

[Joefarmer]

Cool setup bro. Interested to see how they grow.

Not sure what you're plans are with the CO2, but you can easily hold off on it until flowering and be fine. Plus you'll not have to refill that boost bucket as soon either.

[SunLake]

I like the idea of growing more and calculating. I'm kind of a perfectionist when it comes to numbers and making things balanced and calculated as possible. I think your calculations were off when you calculated only 8 ounces. I have the equivalent of 1176 watts. LED wattage has to be timed by 4 to equal what normal HID is. That considered even if I only got .5g per watt I'm looking at over 5 pounds. I would be happy to get 2, 3 would really be awesome.

Sunday, November 22rd 2009

Applied a foilar spray using Diamond Nectar and Floralicious Grow

Monday, November 23rd 2009

I exchanged tonight, I had been using the Run to Waste Expert guide that GH offers but now I'm learning I should probably be using the Recirculating guide. Due to the large size of my resivior I could get away with less nutes but I'm not going to take the chances.

Using

FloraGro 5ml per gallon (could up to 10)
FloraMirco 2.5ml per gallon (could up to 5)
FloraBloom 2.5ml per gallon (could up to 5)

Diamond Nectar
Floralicious Grow
FloraBlend
FloraNectar FruitnFusion

Roots have grown to the bottom of the grow chambers so I lowered the overflow tubes to have height.

CO2 is being maintained at low levels for 18 hours.
LED 270 watts are running 18 hours.
Florescents 96 watts are running 6 hours.

More pictures to come soon, I'm germinating also 1 Original Blueberry and 1 Sweet Dreams to add if they can sprout soon enough.

[SunLake]

Ima guess the yield will be 6-8 ounces. Is it possible to put the lights way closer to plants? how is ventilation? Ive been through a couple harvest and i consistently go by Grams per Watts, Anywhere from .6 to .8 is what i average. So i do all my math on .7 G/W. No less than .4 if its a bad grow.
My goal is to replicate the grow out of the Bible, where he got like 1.5 G/W. He did 400 clones under 8400watts, got like 24-27 pounds. Powerplant was the strain. That was without co2 also i think so it can get even better.

How did you get that numbers .7 I know but what wattage did you use, I can't figure anything.

Co2 is running now on low, will increase to high for flowering, I plan on replacing the bucket next grow anyway.

[growfosho]

I like the idea of growing more and calculating. I'm kind of a perfectionist when it comes to numbers and making things balanced and calculated as possible. I think your calculations were off when you calculated only 8 ounces. I have the equivalent of 1176 watts. LED wattage has to be timed by 4 to equal what normal HID is. That considered even if I only got .5g per watt I'm looking at over 5 pounds. I would be happy to get 2, 3 would really be awesome.

Sunday, November 22rd 2009

Applied a foilar spray using Diamond Nectar and Floralicious Grow

Monday, November 23rd 2009

I exchanged tonight, I had been using the Run to Waste Expert guide that GH offers but now I'm learning I should probably be using the Recirculating guide. Due to the large size of my resivior I could get away with less nutes but I'm not going to take the chances.

Using

FloraGro 5ml per gallon (could up to 10)
FloraMirco 2.5ml per gallon (could up to 5)
FloraBloom 2.5ml per gallon (could up to 5)

Diamond Nectar
Floralicious Grow
FloraBlend
FloraNectar FruitnFusion

Roots have grown to the bottom of the grow chambers so I lowered the overflow tubes to have height.

CO2 is being maintained at low levels for 18 hours.
LED 270 watts are running 18 hours.
Florescents 96 watts are running 6 hours.

More pictures to come soon, I'm germinating also 1 Original Blueberry and 1 Sweet Dreams to add if they can sprout soon enough.

Can we please get an UPDATE? Maybe some new PHOTOs... :thumbsup: