First Hydro Grow (800 W HID, 12 plants, ebb and flow)

[torchedlh]

well i finally have my grow room completely setup. tell me what you guys think. i'm going to try to flower the soil ones quickly to get them out of there so i can get the light more on the hydro setup. i purchased 20 seeds from dr chronics, they were nirvana big bud and white widow. i germinated these seeds tuesday, they sprouted thursday, and i transferred the cubes into the pots about 2 (saturday) days ago.

the light i have is a dual ballast reflector with a 400w hps and 400w mh. i got these used, and the guy also threw in a co2 system. the regulator is adjustable between .2 and 2 cfh. my room is 175 cft. have any suggestion for schedules/rate of the co2? i also have a indoor climate controller but i'm not sure if it would really help me...

the lights are 18/6 and the pump is on 15mins twice a day, no nutes yet. those gallon container are to displace water in the grow tub so the whole system doesn't require as much water (still about 40-45 gallons in the res).

as of now the ph of the water is about 7.1 but figured that would change when i added the nutes (maybe 1/4-1/2 strength, will be using GH flora series). when is it the right time to start adding nutes? do you guys think that ph is too high right now? i dont have any ph adjuster at the moment but i do have lemon juice on hand...

to me it looks like my babies are stretching a little bit, is it because the light's too far away (it's 30" away)? it's unfortunate, because i can't really lower the light or it will cut off the light to existing soil plants.

[torchedlh]

picture of mature female. the leaves are very wavy and warped but they really perk up when the light's on them.

[BONG0]

[Tokinzergling]

Thats a very nice looking set up you have there cant wait to see it over flowing with weed, one question though what are the milk jugs for?

[torchedlh]

the milk jugs are to displace water in the grow trays. without them, the res can't hold enough water to reach the proper fill level of the grow trays.

[cultivationist]

ingenious...i might say x cellent setup what it take like 3 days to build it or an all day driven to success story

[torchedlh]

are my seedlings stretching too much? should i put them back into a tray right under the light?

[torchedlh]

i added nutes last nite, set the watering schedule for 15mins 3 times a day. i also made a cardboard cover for the trays so light does hit the solution. anybody have any feedback for me?

[redrumcamaro]

Originally Posted by torchedlh

i added nutes last nite, set the watering schedule for 15mins 3 times a day. i also made a cardboard cover for the trays so light does hit the solution. anybody have any feedback for me?

get some milar and rap the cardboard in aluminum foil should be fine good luck

[Elrod]

light on the water for 30 minutes a day ain't gonna make a bit o'difference. lovely room, by the way. how are you venting it, and what is the rh?

[torchedlh]

i have a 6" inline fan exhausting hot air into the next room. unfortunately, it has to be reduced toa 4" duct before leaving so that creates a bit of drag. secondly, the intake hole is actually under the hydro setup so it doesnt do a whole lot.

usually, i just leave the door cracked open when i'm home and the temps stay around 75.

at the moment, the ph is right at 6.

i do have a co2 system ready to go but not sure if i should use it or not. to use the co2, i know i'm suppose to keep the room sealed as to not let it all escape. with the door closed and lights on, the temp reaches upwards of 85-90 but not higher than 90. i know high temps are ok with co2 but i really have no way of measuring the co2 the room, i can only add calculated amounts.

so should i not use the co2 and let the temps be around 75 or should i use the co2 and keep the door closed, letting the temps reach 88 or so?

[torchedlh]

here are some new pics of my babies. they are 8 days from seed.

just got an rh meter for home depot, it reads about 47%.

[torchedlh]

i also got a trifoliate (i think?). you guys think i should keep her?

[Spanishfly]

Neat set up BONGO. +rep

[chimera]

You should bump your PH down to 5.5.