Grow #2

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Originally Posted by mainegrown

ok what was the end PH?
and why did you not get a ~400w MH while you were shopping for the big K bulb getup?
you would have much better luck growing a mother/clones under the 6500k MH then the ~3000k HPS...
just a thought
-J

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Yeah... I know... and I have no excuses..... Wait, I actually do this time!!!! I was supposed to start with 30 clones from CA, but those didn't come through, so I made the call for the seeds after purchasing the equipment, setting it up, checking my temps, air flow, light leaks, etc.

Since I have an extra ballast/reflector/HPS bulb, I was thinking about getting an MH bulb (still 1000w). I know it will do them justice in the veg cycle.

As far as the ph... I try to keep it around 5.3, but it creeps up slowly throught the day. It usuall climbs 0.1 every hour or so but I stay on top of it, never gets above 5.8.

I'm guessing my best bet would to clone the shit out of the 2 AK48 plants that I have. Do a SOG with them. I can get 32 plants in a 2x4 space. A couple more trays and i could get 90+ in a 6x4 area. Any other suggestions, let me know.

Hydroton has a very bad habit of creeping pH back up if not washed properly..so my next question is did you pre wash ? I boil mine before using, then do a very detailed rinse to rid all ceramic dust away..Rinse water comes out clear by the time im done with it ...

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Originally Posted by deleafer2220

Hydroton has a very bad habit of creeping pH back up if not washed properly..so my next question is did you pre wash ? I boil mine before using, then do a very detailed rinse to rid all ceramic dust away..Rinse water comes out clear by the time im done with it ...

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I didn't go as far as boiling it, but I soaked it for a good 48 hours. Ph'd it often, changed the water 3 or 4 times. In the last few days it's been more stable. Went up from 5.3 to 5.8 in 10 hours today. My reservoir has been a little warm, up around 76f-77f.

I had to cull one seedling this afternoon. It was yellow and I had a feeling it hadn't rooted well. Sure enough, after taking it out of the hydroton, I pulled apart the RR plug an it was only a sickly looking, dried out taproot. No lateral rooting whatsoever. Sad to see one go, but it's all a learning experience right now. Lucky for me, it was one of the random bagseeds.

Can anyone tell me what the surface temperature of the leaves should be? Obviously they'd be a few degrees higher than the ambient temperature in the room, but it 81, 82 ok?

fine the leaves are a darker color than the air so 81 is ok... dont let it get too much higher.. that may not be good..
cant wait for the pics..

Its grow logs like this that make me want to switch to the dark side...hydro (insert old tv sound affects) I am pulling up a spot and going to watch and learn a bit. I just really like the idea of running 32 plants Sog style. I wish I had that space.:jointsmile:

So are you rinsing it at all or just soaking it and re soaking it with pHed water ??

Long as its stabling out

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Originally Posted by chefbeanstock

Anyway, I've upgraded... My first grow was in a bathtub, a 400w HPS, and I had no idea what I was doing. I've since moved to a house with plenty of space. I have 2 1000w HPS lights now and a 7' x 5' pantry that was begging me to grow something in it.

So here's my new setup:

General Hydroponics 2x4 Flood n Drain Tray
40 Gallon Reservoir
Recirculating pump in Reservoir
Flexible Air Stone in Reservoir

2- 1000w HPS

Top Drip System
Rapid Rooters
Hydroton Rocks
5"x5" plastic pots

AN 3 Part Grow Micro Bloom 1:1:1
Currently running 1:1:1 (125 ppm)

Hygrozyme
Floralicious Plus
RO Water - Raw -PH 7.2 - 7.6
PPM 17
Ph Adjusted to 5.3

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looking good....this is a great way to help the beginners out - and the rest of us just like to sit back and watch great grows...a thing of beauty.

that's awesome that you grew in a bathtub...that sounds pretty hard, actually - a rough way to begin.

the thing i love about growing is watching others get dialed into their systems...my advanced nutrients setup worked right from the start after a few missteps...oh, i wish i could share those photos with everyone - some of teh crappy grows I've had...too funny. stufff for record books.

if there was only a board for world's most horrible grows

good luck on this one tho it looks like you don't need any

:hippy: