Grow #2

[chefbeanstock]

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

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.

[chefbeanstock]

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.

[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 ...

[chefbeanstock]

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 ...

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.

[chefbeanstock]

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.

[chefbeanstock]

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?

[mainegrown]

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..

[frostedwonder]

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:

[deleafer2220]

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

Long as its stabling out

[Sensibowl]

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

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: