Turn Key systems? any good?

[hewhispers]

Thanks all...
The more I think about it..the more that I think I can throw up my own system.

It allows me more control at less cost.
I think I want to make a go with the HydoHut Mini and T5 lights.
I am not sure (at this point) what watering system but I like

the autopots http://www.futuregarden.com/cgi-bin/shop/50-3006.html

or the Waterfarm http://www.genhydro.com/genhydro_US/waterfarm.html

or the 6 Cell Living System™ w/ Assembled Heart http://www.gchydro.com/detail.asp?product_id=LS6CELLWAH

Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

[BlueBear]

I would stay away from the auto pots. They are a passive hydro system and the idea behind them is to constently keep a layer of water in the bottom of the pot and MJ does not like sitting in water that is stagnit and they will develop root rot. The T5 lights are OK, but you will need to grow about 8 to 10 small plants to really make it worth and you will have to adjust lights quite often. I would think about a 400W. They are cheeper than the T5's as well.
Adieu

[danlboy]

wow my plants are really kicking in to high gear in my mini-stealth! IMpressive growth in the last week

[hewhispers]

BlueBear - Thanks for your input. I am looking to go soil-less so I am thinking that the water wont lay there on the bottom....it drains out. (unless you know someone who has used them.) I also like that you wont have root issues if you need to yank a male. There's no clogging. You can move each plant pretty easy if need be. It also eliminates the need for a pump. I wonder if you know anyone who went with autopots?

Check out the girl who does the the auto pots web demo! Yummy http://www.futuregarden.com/video/autopot.wmv

Is the T5 a poorer light source? It doesnt run hot, it is super quiet, and eats less juice...all pretty important to me.

Danlboy- you should start a log. Would like to see your progress.

[Duke420]

I have a rainforest 66, 6, 6 in pots using a vortex sprayer. Kicks ASS! I also have a 2x4 ebb/flow system which is great! I use a waterfarm for my mother, and since I usually have a few spare clones around, I throw them in soil to fill in the voids in my room. I have 5 soil and the 66 in flower right now with the ebb system vegn. =) I just use flourecents for veg and a 1000hps for the bloom. I've seen the t5's and they are nice, but they end up using the same amount of wattage as the 400mh. I would only get a t-5 if I had a small space or can't handle the heat of the 400.

It's all damn fun anyway you go.

good luck my friend.

[BlueBear]

What kind of yields do you see int the 2x4 and the Rain forest?
Those auto pots can't work like that. The water is triggered to come into the pot when the soil or coco is dry threw a special vowlb that they have pattened and if you don't have a growing medium such as soil or coco/promix/sunshine then the water would just continually try to fill the pot until full and then your plants would just sit in a pool of water which is not O2 saturated.
Adieu

[hewhispers]

Duke420
- any clogging with your system?
- how much water per day do you run through? How big is the res.?
- scale of 1-10, how loud is it?
- hows clean up?

BlueBear
I cant believe that water would drain back down into the base but I will go see the unit in action tomorrow.

[Duke420]

[quote=hewhispers]Duke420
- any clogging with your system?
- how much water per day do you run through? How big is the res.?
- scale of 1-10, how loud is it?
- hows clean up?

never had a clog issue
during veg, it uses about a gal every other day. flower, im adding gal perday
very quiet, quieter than my 16 inch fan. sometimes i have to put my hand on the vortex to make sure its still working. :thumbsup:

cleans easily, after first grow, it was a mess and was worried, but it cleaned up just like when i received it.

and Bear.
i have 8 baskets in my ebb system 2x4 vs. the 6 in my rainforest. they both grow the same size plants, 2 footers mostly. the ebb takes 20 gallons while the rainforest uses 15. I also have a 18 rainforest i use for veg (couple of weeks)

I'm partial to the forest for is ease and being compact. I can put 2 rainforest 66's next to eachother in the same size the 2x4 uses.

[latewood]

buy the hydrofarm system with drip ring, for 55 bucks...it comes with nutrients and everything you need , but the seeds. and lights.

If I knew what I knew now; when I 1st started...I would have just bought a hydrofarm...Peace

[BobMarley5190]

danlboy, i don't think they make 200w hps lamps. I got a mini with the 600w and plants are doing great. On my second harvest with the mini. No problems so far. Plants seem to luv it... Works just as good as the BCNL bloombox I paid over $3000 for.