Aeroflow systems from GH

[Hazemaster]

Hi all,

Just wondering what method or tips you might have to growing in one of these machines. ANY info or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

This model has 3" cups. Not sure if I should use all the cups or skip every other cup to allow for more space? Not sure if I should top them or not. Some have said to try the SOG method.

I have plenty of light (2X 1000W), just thought I would get some more input for those who have used a system like this in the past.

I saw a video where someone grew them in 2" cups, tight and close to each other. I know ventilation could be a problem having them so close, but it worked out fine and his yield was HUGE. So I assume 3" shouldn't be a problem. I will be starting from rooted cuttings.

This is going to be my first hydro attempt and this system looks rather complex, ANY advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

Hazemaster Reviewed by Hazemaster on 04-06-2007. Aeroflow systems from GH Hi all, Just wondering what method or tips you might have to growing in one of these machines. ANY info or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. This model has 3" cups. Not sure if I should use all the cups or skip every other cup to allow for more space? Not sure if I should top them or not. Some have said to try the SOG method. I have plenty of light (2X 1000W), just thought I would get some more input for those who have used a system like this in the past. I saw a video Rating: 5

[alwayssleepdeprived]

with 2000w and that aero setup I wouldn't top at all just get a crop of clones ready, fill every whole, flower, chop & repeat

I don't know much about those big grows but with my aero grow I've found the lower the ph I use the lower the ppm the plants want...the higher the acidity the quicker they get the nutes or easier or something it's in the faqs somewhere

I think the idea is about 500ppm veg and 800-900 for flower and 1000 at the very end....ph always between 5.2-5.5...I'm sure there is a little change depending on the strain and all that but just keep a ton of air moving through the room if yer gonna grow that many plants and you should be fine...what sorta things are you iffy about I can help better if you just post a few questions

[Hazemaster]

Thanks alwayssleepdeprived!

Some told me to top them off, others told me not to because I don't have the room with 3" cups. Those whos said to top them off, said I could use a net to keep the heavy buds upright. But if my yield will be better not topping them, I wont.

I plan on using the 3 part flora kit and was advised to pick up some Big Bud nutrient. How long should I veg the clones for before flowering? I know I don't want them to be all that big because I know they will continue to grow when I go 12/12. Yet, I still want HUGE buds.

OK, so I'll use all 60 cups, no topping off. Using 2 strains, Matanuska Thunderfuck and Endless Sky.

I'm also a little confused about water. I have well water, don't know the ppms yet for my reader has not yet arrived. What's the best way to fill and empty the res? Again, thanks!!!

[LOC NAR on probation]

Don't top and start to flower at about 8 to 10 inches. 2 1000 hps man are you going to be happy. Try to get hortilux bulbs when you can and see the difference. You will be tieing up stings to hold buds up no big deal.
alwayssleepdeprived, Has got you covered on the areo. I don't have one. Good advice.
Get an RO system off ebay cheap and worth every dime. Sounds like you been doing home work your on the right track for sure. Keep your rez temps 70 or just below that. Man wish I could see them finish.
Check out my grow LOC NAR1958 (papaya) it's back a ways last year but still here. 3 inch netpots, ten gallon drip, 5 gallons water, 6 plants. A little over 3/4 pounds. 1000 watt hortilux.

[alwayssleepdeprived]

Loc nar's info is right on...if you have well water yer almost definately gonna need the RO don't get the ones that have the DI cause that's mainly for drinking and taste and you want the water to have as close to 0ppm as possible to start

GH makes good nutes so yer fine there

How large is your res? How does it empty?(hopefully it has a bottom drain valve) I have the aero9 which has a 20 gallon and found that less than 10 led to ph and ppm flux so just keep it topped off and you'll be fine...the only time I let the res volume drop is the few days before a change cause there's no valve and 1 gal = 8 lbs haha 160lbs in a swuishy open container is not fun to move...I let it get just under 10 before I'm willing to attempt the strongman event ;-)

Post any questions ya come up with I'm glad to help and good luck!

[Hazemaster]

Yeah, been doing my homework...wana get it right the first time. Thanks for your replies guys, the reserve tank is 40 gallons. Have a few more questions...

I hear 70 degrees is the ideal temp, if it gets hot, I was told to toss some frozen bottels of water in to lower temps?? I have the lights and room well vented so I don't think I should have a problem with water temps. Worst case, I'll put a small AC unit in, but I hope not. I have a dehumidifier just in case.

Thinking about covering the top of the res with mylar as I am making top reflective covers for the 60 3" baskets. I suppose I could cover the trays in mylar as well...but would prob be a bitch to clean and a pain to do.

Any advise on what converter MH bulbs to get for my 1000 watt HPS ballasts? Do I really need the MH bulbs? I was told I can get away with using the HPS from the time the clone is rooted till flowering. If I'll get better results with the MH bulbs for 2 weeks, I guess it's worth the extra investment.


I'm going to get an RO system like you guys suggested. What is the "DI" in the RO system? Can you suggest an economical brand/model for me? Pardon my ignorance with lingo.

OK, so not going to top them and I will flower when clones reach a good 8-10 inches. I understand that will take very little time with these types of systems. Do these systems really take time off the flowering period?

The lights have hortilux bulbs, special for flowering state. I think I'm going to get some MH convertion bulbs for when the clones are veggin.....good idea or not worth it??

How long are your average flowering times with this sytem (and 2 X1000 watters)? Say 50/50 sativa-indica mix or a white widow or something close to that??

Oh..and about how large is the expected harvest size for a 60 site sytem with 2 1000w?? (know it depends on strains, nutes, etc....just ball park).

Again, thanks so much for your help guys. This is soooo much fun!!

[LOC NAR on probation]

Man this keeps my mind off the bad thing right now. Thanks for being here. Sunmaster makes a good conversion bulb for MH lights. BGHYDRO is a good place. Might take afew minutes off your veg time. The blue is better for veg, if you have the bucks. You will like the results of the hotilux for sure. Your looking at 8 to 10 weeks, more like 8 though. You have to keep and eye on the trichomes, 80 percent cloudy is peek. radioshack has a scope to look at them with for ten bucks. You get what your light puts out but I would guess at least 2 pounds in 8 weeks flowering. Good luck and some nutes and add ons could go much more. White widow is the bomb and so is papaya if you get a chance. The DI in ro water is new to me to so don't get that. It must put something back for taste. I will have to look it up. We hope to see a few pic of the grow.

[jawndoe]

When looking at RO units... DI means they have a deionization module. It removes all the shit that isn't removed by the water passing through the RO membrane.