new member, here's the setup, got a few Qs

[included]

Howdy everybody. I've been reading around here for a few months now, gathering all the information I could, and I've learned quite a bit.

I'm an experienced outdoor grower, and indoor soil grower, and now I'm making my first jump to hydroponics. My living situation dictates a closet setup, so that's what I've built.

I'm doing a small, 3-plant, waterfarm system using all the bells and whistles (CO2, overkill ventilation, carbon filtration etc...). The whole thing is contained in a large "armoire" that's divided into 3 separate chambers (see pics). The closet is about 80% complete (still need to add mylar, hang the filter, and run power and CO2 lines).

The grow chamber is 31"w X 20"d X 65" high, and I have one 6" 265cfm axial fan on the bottom left side for intake, a 265cfm Squirrel Cage blower sucking air through my carbon filter for exhaust out of the cabinet, and there is a 190cfm squirrel cage blower for running air through my light hood (400W HPS with SuperSun hood).

I think I'm covered as far as ventilation goes... my only questions are about CO2 and basic watering schedules.

For a small setup like this, how should I run my CO2 system? It's a hydrofarm regulator system (slow release)... but it's designed for much larger areas. I have a controller that will shut off my fans when it's time for CO2... but how often should I pump in CO2... and how long should I try to allow before kicking on the ventilation system again?

And for watering, I'm just wondering if there are any other waterfarm users in here.. and I'm curious how often you run the watering system?

I'm thinking one hour on, one hour off... like the manual says, but I'm wondering if anybody else got better results with another schedule.

Here are the pics (sorry for crappy cellphone pics... my digi is being borrowed):

included Reviewed by included on 03-08-2006. new member, here's the setup, got a few Qs Howdy everybody. I've been reading around here for a few months now, gathering all the information I could, and I've learned quite a bit. I'm an experienced outdoor grower, and indoor soil grower, and now I'm making my first jump to hydroponics. My living situation dictates a closet setup, so that's what I've built. I'm doing a small, 3-plant, waterfarm system using all the bells and whistles (CO2, overkill ventilation, carbon filtration etc...). The whole thing is contained in a large Rating: 5

[included]

***UPDATE***


The system is fully up and running. My plant are actually now in their third day of flowering.

I've three little San Juan Ridge Purple Goo clones in her... and they're doing GREAT. I only Veg'd for 7 days, and the plants range from 8" to 12" tall.

I'll have pics up soon.

Here's some info on the system:

Temp: ~80 degrees F
Watering: 2 hours off, 45 min on
PH: 5.6
PPM: 400 (for starting), 660 (when they got set), 880 (now)

Nutrients:

Veg - General Hydropoincs 3-part (worked like a charm)

Flower - I've now switched to a combination of Pure Blend Pro Bloom, Dr. Hornby's Big Bud, and Green Fuse Grow and Bloom Stimulators.

Foliar - I use a wonderful little Spray n' Grow/Coco Wet/Green Fuse cocktail for foliar feeding. I do it twice a week.

I have not yet started to use my C02 system.... mainly because my exhaust fan is on WAY too much to keep the temp down. I'm currently drawing up some mods to increase the efficiency of the ventilation system.

[included]

Here's the images....

[included]

Here's a couple shots I grabbed at day 7 of flowering.

These girls are SUPER healthy now. A couple mods to my cabinet, and I have the temp down to 76 degrees. I'll start pumping in the CO2 as soon as my ar conoditioner comes in.


The little fuckers already smell skunky.

There are only two plants pictured here.... the shot of my third one came out all messed up.... so it's not here.

[included]

BTW - I miss overgrow.


People actually had something to say there.

[potman420]

nice setup man:thumbsup: plants look healthy too, how's the water farm units working out for you? i almost bought one last year, but dicided to stick with my 5 gallon DWC buckets.

[included]

Waterfarms are doing great.

I added airstones to them to get a little more oxygen to the roots, that worked nicely.

It takes clones a little while to set root, and they require fairly consistent attention during that time, but once they get set... it's on. My plants grew faster than could've ever imagined.

[included]

Here's a shot of all three 16 days into flowering.

They are so healthy it's stupid now.... and they have grown exponentially over the past week. It's pretty insane.

They are spitting crystals everywhere... even the big fan leaves have good coverage.

I'll have to take out my nice camera and get some closeups in the next couple of days.

I'd like this thread to stand as a VERY VERY positive review for The Waterfarm systems. They are working wonderfully.

Currently my nutes are at about 900ppm and contain:

- Dr. Hornby's Big Bud
- Green Fuse Bloom
- Dark Energy
- Pure Blend Bloom

PH is at 5.8... temp is about 77 degrees.

[included]

Here's some more shots....

This is day 20 of flowering.

I feel like I'm talking to myself on this forum.... but hell, I need someplace to put my growlog.

[included]

BTW... Nutes:


- Big Bud (400ppm)
- Green Fuse Grow/Bloom Combo (400ppm)
- Cal-Mag (150ppm every other watering)
- Pure Blend Pro Bloom (300ppm)
- ark Energy (100ppm)


This little soup has done quite well. It's not at it's most potent. The plants are loving life.

Just a note for anybody that decides to use Pure Blend or Dark Energy.... it SMELLS. Pure Blend is one of the nastiest smelling concoctions I've ever been around.