LED Aerospring Garden Grow Log

Greetings everybody! This is my first indoor grow ever! Been doin' it outside for a while, and am now expanding my horizons. Here's what I've got:

3x3x7 closet
1 Procyon 100
4 23w cfls (5500k for veg, 2700k for flowering)
AeroSpring Garden w/8 3" netcups
4" computer fan in the ceiling for exhaust
1/2 reflective insulation board lining the walls
1mil. mylar on walls
20lb CO2 tank w/regulator
Liquid Earth nutes
Super Thrive for some extra spice
Bag seeds
Lotsa TLC

Lights are on 18/6, nutes are at half strength, will try to keep pH @ 6.8 and CO2 @ 1500ppm

looks cool. i'm in.


-shake

OK, pH is 6.7 CO2 1000 ppm. Unplugged the exhaust fan to ramp up the ppm's a bit. Will probably set it to a timer. As of now the CO2 goes on for 2hrs at first light, then at 15min intervals until dark. Seems kinda like a double edged sword here; I need the exhaust but it's depleting the CO2. Setting the fan to a timer might help the CO2 levels but it won't help with odors or heat buildup (not really a problem with the LED) the room stays at about 70 w/fan on maybe 75-80 w/out the fan. Any suggestions?

Also, they're in rockwool & LECA. Seedlings are 5days old and are rooting nicely in their super bubbly/aerated environment. I will likely ScroG them.

Pics: 1. room now with 4cfls, The rest: notice the roots that was before any nutes.

I welcome any advice from you seasoned indoor growers. Especially on the subject of LED lighting. I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions along the way.

Also be sure to check out my outdoor Purps/BlueCityDiesel log!

i've always read, and i'm sure many around here will agree, that for co2 to be effective you should be using it in a sealed room.


-shake

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Joefarmer

OK, pH is 6.7 CO2 1000 ppm. Unplugged the exhaust fan to ramp up the ppm's a bit. Will probably set it to a timer. As of now the CO2 goes on for 2hrs at first light, then at 15min intervals until dark. Seems kinda like a double edged sword here; I need the exhaust but it's depleting the CO2. Setting the fan to a timer might help the CO2 levels but it won't help with odors or heat buildup (not really a problem with the LED) the room stays at about 70 w/fan on maybe 75-80 w/out the fan. Any suggestions?

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I'm with shake on this one. You are probably just burning up co2 if you are exhausting often. The most effective use of co2 needs to be in a sealed room with an air conditioner or chiller and the only exhaust that is necessary then is to cool light hoods. The reason we run so much exhaust is to keep a fresh supply of co2 going to our plants, if you are adding co2, you don't need to move air to get more. Putting your exhaust on a timer would help co2 levels build, until it all got sucked out. You will have to figure out if it's worth it to deal with more heat or less co2.

You can always send the emitter and tank to me, I'd be happy to let you know how it works!! j/k Take care

Another thing is that the PH should be around 6.0 for hydro not the 6.8 your use to for soil! Hope everything goes good for you. I will check in from time to time to see how your doing.:thumbsup:

good call worm. too caught up on the co2 to pay attention to that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bigworm1922

Another thing is that the PH should be around 6.0 for hydro not the 6.8 your use to for soil! Hope everything goes good for you. I will check in from time to time to see how your doing.:thumbsup:

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good catch on the pH bigworm! i totally missed that. even 6.0 is a little high by most opinions. 5.3-5.8 is the ideal range, although some strains like it a tad higher.


-shake

thx everyone. pH down it is. And as far as the exhaust goes it was at 1000pm with the fan on which is better than whatever the ambient air provides. I'm not about to ditch it though. Too much $ invested at this point. I'll just keep an eye on the heat.

irydyum, i think we posted the same thing at the same time. lol. your post wasn't there when i hit reply! lol. good stuff.

we've been crossing paths all day, ping pong style.

bigworm, that rep was for irydyum. but you deserve some too! i've actually crossed paths with you a few times today too!

sorry, i'm blazed.


-shake

thx everyone. pH down it is. And as far as the exhaust goes it was at 1000pm with the fan on which is better than the avg.300ppm the atmosphere provides. I'm not about to ditch it though. Too much $ invested at this point. I'll just keep an eye on the heat.

Just had another thought... So the CO2 builds up to 1500, then it gets exhausted when fan comes on...Will the duration that it was at 1500ppm benefit the plants at all even if it's temporary? Can the plants make use of it while it's there? Still not the most efficient use of my tank though. I'll just have to see how long it lasts me then decide. Or what if I kept it at 1000 instead of 1500? that'll save some and still be better that 300. I just have nothing to make comparisons with ie: a grow with CO2 and one without. How much less would my yield be w/out it? Everything I've read says up to 50% more growth with CO2.

i've read all kinds of numbers as far as what it can do for you. from 25-75%. keep in mind that these numbers are for people that have their grows "locked in". if you're not locked in you might just be blowing hot air. (sorry, that was a lame attempt at a pun, lol!)


-shake

Thanks for the props guys. Just trying to help others like others have helped me.


Joe if it where me I would cut the CO2 out for now. Save your money untill your ready. Not trying to keep you from try but I did the same thing when I started. I wanted to stuff everything that the pros where doing into my grow. I then took a step back and started with the basics. Then the next grow I added something to see how it worked out. Then added anoth and so on.

Don't think for a min that is you keep it simple that you won't have a good grow. You will. From waht I see your doing well. Indoor is a diff world from outdoor growing.

Yhat is just my take. I am still way behind to some of the stuff I see on here. I just try to keep learning and pick it up as I go. It is great to have this forum I have learned so much.

I am an epileptic from Va and I have some Jamaican seeds that are supposedly heat resistant plants. Being indoor with co2 is what they need. It would be nice to hook up. Am willing to drive. Just lost my job and have a wife and kid. Keeping my faith and helping others till things look up. Staying high though for the med cost is crazy. Hit me up if your interested.

Aloha, Joefarmer

I will second Bigworm's advice.
If your temperature is below 85 F. CO2 may do more harm than good.

Led grows can be tricky the first time.
Can't treat hydro like soil, can't treat leds like HPS, etc.

I suggest that you get your first indoor grow dialed in.
When it's right, start the next grow with CO2.
You will have a yeild w/out CO2 for comparison, and then you can see if that 50% claim has merit, yah.:cool:

Not a "double-blind" experiment, but good enough for thinkin' on.:rastasmoke:

Subscribed.

Weezard

Ahh, the mighty Weezard has paid me a visit. It's an honor to have you sir. I'm still torn about the CO2. I've got the exhaust on a timer now and temps seem to be under control. So the way I see it...I've already spent the $ on tank/regulator; might as well use it, it's not too much to refill the tank anyway. I'd just rather leave it where it is than unhook it and store it in a closet. I certainly value everyone's input, just gonna go my way this time and maybe ditch it next grow?

They're looking great now. Growing so fast! Got a leak at the fill tube indicator grommet though so I'm gonna flush this week and repair the leak(slow drip). While I let the caulk dry, obviously I can't have the res full, so I'm gonna take a fogger that I have and run that for a day or so in a bowl of H2O in the res to keep the roots moist. This is my first res change. I'm a little nervous. Any tips on res changes?

Mahalo for the welcome.:)

"Any tips on res changes? "

Sorry, never change mine.:jointsmile:

'cept between veg and bloom.
I just mix up da new bucket, lift da girl by her mainstem while supporting the rootball with my other hand and gently lower her into the new bucket.
There she sits until harvest.
As long as there's no drastic diffence in temperature they will hardly notice the change.

Now, let's PARR TEE!:rasta:

Weeze

These pics are from last week. They've since doubled in size! Will post again soon.

Pics: 1. Sweet roots
2. Temporary fogponics
3-4. Leaves curling up and a couple yellow spots.

Ok. Drained the reservoir (kind of a pain, might have to get a shopvac). Added the fogger and bubbler to a bowl of the already existing solution and placed it in the bottom of the tub. Caulked the leaks. Yep, found a second one when I took it apart. It was leaking at both sides of the PVC valve where it comes out of the tub. Hope this seals it for good. Temps are not under control as I thought, it was 90 in there this eve. so I added another 15min exhaust cycle per hour. Noticed some of the leaves were curling up at the edges and a couple yellow spots. Could this be from the solution being too warm? Or maybe it needs some calmag? Both? I didn't take the temp but it was definitely high. pH was up to 6.1 and ppm 331. peace

Suggest that you watch that PH closely.
The bloody 'tron will keep jacking the PH up until the plant can not use it's nutes.
You can take it down to 5.2 and let it creep back up to 5.8 as a nice "sweep", but, left alone it will creep.

Aloha,
And tinkle tinkle :twocents:
Weezard

I'm gonna hang out here for a while. :stoned: Subscribed.

Thanks weeze. It defininitely creeps up. Pain in my arse I tell ya.

Temps still at 90 so I'm gonna have to run the exhaust full time now.
Had to recaulk the leaks, so another day of fog it is.

Welcome Crabby!

"Temps still at 90 so I'm gonna have to run the exhaust full time now.


The extra CO2 will be very useful at those Temps.
Without it growth halts at around 90F.

I did a lot of:beatdeadhorse: when I started:weedpoke: too.
Tried many different mediums and styles.
Fumbled my way through Rockwool and Hydrotron n water pumps n foggers, n Foxfarm n "supernutes" n additives n timers ad nauseum.
About wore me out.

Now I read more and write less while I hunt down the most succesful old growers that haven't stopped thinking yet.;)
(You can learn a lot just following Old Mac around):thumbsup:.

Learned about the joy of coco from Puffzter.
W.T. and Steve Fortier showed me that leds do work when you add some common sense.
Stinky Attic taught me to listen and observe.
Weedhound was patient and generous with her advice and support.
This land is thick with giants and they don't seem to mind when I stand on their shoulders.:jointsmile:
In short, we are in very good company here.

I like what yer doin' so far. Looks promising.:thumbsup:

I'll be lurking on yer grow, bro.
You probably won't hear much from me unless ya ask directly but I'll be da tiny green one in da peanut gallery.;)

Aloha,
Wee Zard

Aloha, Joe.

Go to your user CP and turn reputation on.
There's some rep waitin' for ya.:D

W.

Things are looking nice Joe!

Getting the PH under control can be hard. I notice the creep when they have growth spurts. Once they were topped the PH seems to have leveled out even with all of the undergrowth.

I'll be keeping an eye on what you have going on!

Later,
L

Thanks all for the kind/encouraging words. Ledtime, welcome.

Filled the res back up today. Hopefully no more leaks. What an unnecessary bitch that was. Gonna follow weez and bring the pH to 5.2 to give it room to rise. The plants were very forgiving through this time of stress and for that I thank them. I also added a Swiss Chard seed to the plug whose mj seed didn't sprout. Salad anyone?

I installed the frame to mount the ScroG 9'' above the res. Too high? Too bad, its screwed in. Wanted to give myself some space between the screen and res to work. BTW, my outdoor babes are blowin' the f up.

Haha weez. I confused 'tron with 'cyon. Ya got me.

Hi Joefarmer,

Watch out for WeeZard, he may like flys he's been know to munch salad greens too.

Very nice set up you have going there. I'm partial to aero/fog and LEDs so I really like it. If I can offer my 2 cents on the suject of co2 use.

It's really not important to run co2 during vegative growth , unless you have extreme high heat. Save it for the important time, flowering. I usually start using it 1-2 weeks into bloom once I see the first sign of flowers. Even at lower temps 70-75 co2 will make a good differnce you only need 600-800ppm when you go over 90 or more you can keep the plants respiration going with 1200-1500. Never ever let it go higher then 1500ppm, I usually never go over 1200ppm.

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE: Make sure you have a CO2 DETECTER just ouside the grow area. It's a good idea to have one if you have any gas burning appliance in your house.

I meant to say "get a carbon monoxide detector" not co2 detector.

You should have a Carobon Monoxide dectector in your home if you have aany appliance that burns gas.

Thx OldMac,
Was still having some heat issues so I switched the 18/6 to go on at night when it's cooler and off from 12-6pm when it's warmest. Let's see if this makes a difference. Hmmm so maybe I'll turn the CO2 off until flowering. It will probably save me a refill during the grow too.

Placed the aerator unit outside the grow room cuz I read (forget which thread) that the unit just uses the hot air in the room to aerate the resevoir. Makes sense, seems to have dropped the temp a couple degrees. Thinking of putting the sprayer on a timer too to keep the pump cooler. A few strands of the roots seem to be a bit brown. I think this is from heat stress. Any thoughts on this? Can I remove the brown strands? The healthy ones waaay outnumber them. Timing for the pump?

CO2 is off until flowering.
Topped them all last week. They loved it. They are very tight and bushy. 5+ nodes already.

Just re sealed the leak, yep it came back. Had the sprayer off all night to let the caulk dry and most of the plants were starting to wilt. Turned the sprayer back on and they were perked up by the end of the day with the exception of a couple leaves/leaf tips that I removed. I'm going to have to give all reservoir seals an overhaul after harvest with a more permanent sealer. I'm thinking aquarium glue. I wonder if chemicals from the dried glue or caulk can leach into the reservoir? Don't want that shit in there.

Pics: The last three were taken 4 days after the first ones. CO2 shmiO2
Noticed a couple yellow spots that appeared 10hours after turning the sprayer back on. I misted them this am and have heard that the light shining through the droplets on a leaf can singe a spot like a magnifying glass would. I wonder.

Changed the res today. Did a quick flush with bottled H20. Just ran it like that for a few minutes to flush everything. Also poured a little through each net pot to rinse the medium a bit. Was that an ok way to flush? Nutes still at half strength. May have forgotten to mention I am using liquid earth Vigor along with the nutes. + a drop per gal. of superthrive. Here's a couple pics.

Where is everyone? Whoever checks this log next has a lot of questions to answer! JK, I'm doing just fine, as are the plants.

The ones in the middle, directly under the procyon are taller than the rest. Is this due to the light being too close? It's 8'' from the canopy. I've raised it up a few links to even out the light distribution. They're above where the screen is to be mounted for Scrog. I'm gonna flip to 12/12 next res. change in a week or so.

LOL, looks good Joe. Hope mine turns out half as good.
Ben watching from the shadows from the beginning.


Just fix'n to start my first "hydro" grow.

Actually I'm growing some curly leaved basil in DWC as practice.
I quite intimidated even though I've been growing my whole life on and off.

You make it look easy (LOL)

M.P.

My fingers is a li'l stiff, of late, so I lurk n read.
Lookin' good, brah!:thumbsup:

W.

Hi joe,

Been off and on cancom with work and all so haven't had much free time to respond, view new logs etc. Read through the thread and I'd say you learned and listened well bc those girls are looking very well after all the headaches endured so far. After the switch I believe if you keep the c02 levels reasonable, you'll be a happy farmer at harvest :greenthumb:

Sorry though, can't help on your questions because I'm not sure of the correct answer and would never give out false info. I'm an in/out cocoa grower but aero is on my 'to do hobby list' and your grow makes it seem like a promising investment.

Like I said, I don't have an adequate amount of time on here lately but i'll be sure to check back and see how you make out. Keep giving the Tlc and it'll pay off for sure.

take care,
mgm

Thanks y'all.
I make it look easy? Wow. That's nice to hear. And it is kind of easy, as long as you keep checking your levels and stuff. And of course reading and studying the subject with a passion.

Been still having some heat issues. It's been around 80 in the closet for a week or so and they don't seem to mind it, but I did put an AC in the adjacent room to help. I'm gonna switch to bloom next week and still have to install the ScroG. Can't wait to weed out the bastards and start womanizing!

Took some clones today. Will either put them outside or in the aerospring once they're sexed. Trimmed a bunch of fan leaves and added 1/4 strength bloom nutes. Will change to 12/12 and all bloom nutes in two days.

good log joe just going to subscribe will be starting a new hydro tomorrow so will be keeping a sharp eye on this thread as there is some really great experts giving great advice and its answered lots of questions i had already
keep it up
:rastasmoke:

I f'n hate Res. changes. My carpet is soaked. Oh well.
So, today I:
changed resevoir
switch to all bloom nutes (1/2 strength)
switch lights to 12/12
installed the ScroG (raised it to 12" from 9")
trimmed the shit out of the lower branches/leaves
began training tops/branches through the screen (2" chicken wire)

pray 4 pistils