FIRST PROJECT

[billybo]

MY FIRST PROJECT
Hi, I'm new to growing weed but I'm going to try my best to get the danky dank :) Upon reading on these forums, I was thrilled to start. I <3 WEED!!! So, here's what I have planned for the beginning steps:

+ In posession of
- Need to get

2 Plant DWC Hydroponic garden
+ Closet environment: 2' x 2' x 6' with white walls
+ 20 Qt. / 18.9 L Sterilite container with 2 holes on top
+ 10 gallon Sterilite container with 6 holes (cloning alternative)
- 10 feminished White Widow seeds (using 2 here)
- 400W HPS (http://cgi.ebay.com/New-400-watt-GROW-LIGHTw-BOTH-HPS-MH-400w-sodium-halide_W0QQitemZ7724731053QQcategoryZ42225QQcmdZVi ewItem) light for vegetative stage (haven't purchased yet)
- 400W MH (http://cgi.ebay.com/New-400-watt-GROW-LIGHTw-BOTH-HPS-MH-400w-sodium-halide_W0QQitemZ7724731053QQcategoryZ42225QQcmdZVi ewItem) light for flowering stage (haven't purchased yet)
- Water pump + tubing
- Air pump + airstone (getting from a friend, don't know specifications yet)
+ Hydrorocks, Meshed plant holders, seed holders
- Nutrients (undecided specifications)
- pH meter with pH up/down

Process
As you can see, I don't have all the required items quiet yet. I'm only on my 2nd day of contruction. I'm really slowww cause I've been stoned for the past 72 hours. My next step is to get the water pump to circulate water in the rez. After that, I'll probably research which nutrients I should use. So yea, this is a brief summary of my project. Feel free to leave any suggestions :)

Yeup, theres my pipe. Chipped on the top D;

[dboy]

Looks fine so far but you really need to mask off your clear tub to prevent algae growth. You dont want light shining in there at all. I've built systems very much like what you have there. I'm using General Hydroponics for nutes. Working well on my Pepper plants. Also if you want you could just buy that HPS and not get the MH at all if you want to save some cash.

Dboy

[turtle420]

Hey BillyBo,

Good to see a new member. From all that you wrote, it's easy to see that you've read a lot. I think you've got things pretty much nailed down.

Construction of the grow room, I've found, is a constantly evolving process. I think you're good to go.

For the nutrients, you can use many things... I have the General Hydroponics 3-part system. Haven't used it yet, but I beleive it's amongst the best.

Airpump and airstones... don't be cheap here. If what your friend gives you isn't that 'powerfull' and/or good, get good equipment... it's really worth it. The airpump should be dual-outlet. And the airstones? Get the costliest ones! Trust me... I bought three of the cheap ones, just to see their crappy big bubbles, then go to the pet shop and spend more money one buying high quality ones... Don't be frugal on those two things.

For hydrorocks, you can use "hydroton" (the pebbles), or, what I'm doing, use 'lava rocks'... the ones used for BBQs and stuff like that. Just clean them up good... nothing hospital-level clean, but clean.

As to your meter, I suggest (you may get other suggestions, and I'm not necessarily right) you get a multi-function meter... you should be able to measure EC/TDS/ppm/pH and it'd be good to measure water temps... but you can do that with a thermometer.

My meter is a Hanna Grow Chek from BGHydro... it's $130.

As to your lights, what you're planning sounds good. Ideally, in my opinion, get a dual--ballast system... or two ballasts... so, when flowering comes around, you can turn on both the HPS (flowering) and the MH (veg) so you get 800W worth of lights in there... your plants will not complain. This isn't a must... you can get a 'switchable' ballast and, when you're going to use the HPS, you take the MH out. No problem with that. Absolutely none. But, 800W vs 400W... no brainer.

Buy Mylar! the 2mil thick version! That freaking material kicks ass! I liked it so much I covered my car's windows with it... now, you can see all cars being blinded by 99% reflectivity of the sun... and crashing all around you... LOL!!! I'm just kidding... but yeah, Mylar kicks ass!

Best to you, and we're happy to see a new grower,

-turtle420 :cool:



BTW: You signature looks pretty cool. Nice work.
BTW2: We grow tomatoes... not weed. ;)

[billybo]

Thx for the info turtle, I've read many of your messages on this board and I've learned a lot. Although my wallet is gonna hurt, my "tomato" plant isn't going to complain at all! :)

Alright, time to play bob the builder with plants. I'll keep weekly updates of my progress. Til then, PEACE!