My First grow! 400 W HID digital ballast, grow tent, vic's super soil

[JoeGrow420]

OK guys. The tent arrived. The verdict is not yet out on it. I thought it was garbage because I couldn't put it together, by following the Engrish instructions. Once I started thinking my way around the garbage instructions I realized that the thing may actually be allright. At least I got it put together. I'll see how it gets along with my other stuff once it comes in.

Other things, the order from DChydro is taking forever. They said that my filter was on back order and the ballast was at their other store, which has resulted in huge delays. also, they claim that they only ship Wed-Fri, or some other such arrangement, but when I talked to them on Friday they told me they should be able to ship the stuff out Monday? Pretty unprofessional, but I wasn't exactly expecting professionalism from a hydro shop.. Oh well so long as the stuff is in good shape when it gets here.

I received everything for the bubble buckets, with exception of the O-Rings which I've been searching around town for and have not found any yet.

I decided to buy the ingredients to make Vick's super soil and I'll use the hell out of that stuff until I've got an established system and then I'll switch to the bubble buckets.

Its been a hell of a time finding all the stuff for that, but everything has been located, no substitutions, some of it is being trucked in to a hardware shop and some of it is being shipped from an online vendor (couldn't find dolomitic lime locally), and most of it is already purchased and sitting in my closet. I went to about 5-6 hardware stores and made about 10 phone calls and searched a good bit on the internet. If you want to find all those ingredients you just have to be persistent.

so yeah, guys, still working towards getting something that is worth taking some pictures of, and sharing with you fine folks

[Mechanibus]

Hey Joe,

Saw your post and its original version. I do think you should give it a try. I might have tried to talk you out of it before you bought it, but not now. In a way this is good, because you can try what I was going to try. I'm sorry if you felt bad about your purchase because of what I said, I just was sharing my thought process on it. REMEMBER: A. I had one of the white PVC ones (If mine was silver I'd have kept it) B. I was going to do exactly the same thing as you, but changed course when I had to send the white one back at my expense. The point: Don't feel bad I was gonna do the same shit until I had to change course!

Let me know how it goes with DC hydro. I want to order a cooltube from them if Rump's prices are for real. Did you get one and what did it cost?

Good job on finding the Vic's crap. That list looks daunting but I'm gonna have to do it too. When I post some recent pics of my girls you're going to see the MASSIVE over fertilization that occurs when you put seedlings in Scott's potting soil. See, makin' mistakes even in soil! I'm beginning... no, continuing to heed Rump's advice, and I'm learning!

I'm going to start here in a few minutes the big task of uploading all my photos so I can begin my own thread on how it's going for me so I don't poach all over your thread.

Good work so far, Props to you and keep working at it, -Mech

Until next time, I guess I could say:

"so yeah, guys, still working towards getting something that is worth taking some pictures of, and sharing with you fine folks" -JoeGrow420

[JoeGrow420]

OK, so I've got everything except the dolomitic lime. I was able to get to the promix earlier today.

The cool tube, the digital ballast, and the vortex fan all came in from dchydro today. Mechanibus, see my post with the 6 links to dchydro.com . Those are the items I ordered. The shipping cost was very low, I think it was about $25 for everything, all boxed individually and then placed in a single box, so it was a single shipment. Here on the east coast (about 3-400 miles from DC) it only took 2 days to get here. The shop apparently ships on odd days of the week and they were out of stock on my original filter (the ELF). They substituted a can2600 w/ a 4 inch flange for no further charge. Sorry, no link - just do a search for it.

Big question here -- If I want to make a batch of Vick's super soil, lets say instead of using a whole 3.8 cubic meter bale, I use 25% of it. And I use 25% of all the other components also. And then I reseal the container that's got the pro-mix in it, and the containers iwth the blood meal and bone meal and epsom salts and the worm castings... etc


Is this stuff going to "go bad" after a while? I just don't think I'll need anywhere near a whole batch of the super soil, and I would assume that mixing it all at the same time will produce a huge batch of the stuff, and once its mixed it WILL "go bad". So I'm thinking I'll keep the individual components un-mixed until I need to make another batch.

Does this make any sense? Can anyone tell me if I should do this and leave the stuff unmixed? What kind of a shelf life am I looking at the individual components having VS the shelf life of a completed and mixed batch of Vic's super soil, going un-used?

[Rumpleforeskin]

Originally Posted by JoeGrow420

OK, so I've got everything except the dolomitic lime. I was able to get to the promix earlier today.

The cool tube, the digital ballast, and the vortex fan all came in from dchydro today. Mechanibus, see my post with the 6 links to dchydro.com . Those are the items I ordered. The shipping cost was very low, I think it was about $25 for everything, all boxed individually and then placed in a single box, so it was a single shipment. Here on the east coast (about 3-400 miles from DC) it only took 2 days to get here. The shop apparently ships on odd days of the week and they were out of stock on my original filter (the ELF). They substituted a can2600 w/ a 4 inch flange for no further charge. Sorry, no link - just do a search for it.

Big question here -- If I want to make a batch of Vick's super soil, lets say instead of using a whole 3.8 cubic meter bale, I use 25% of it. And I use 25% of all the other components also. And then I reseal the container that's got the pro-mix in it, and the containers iwth the blood meal and bone meal and epsom salts and the worm castings... etc


Is this stuff going to "go bad" after a while? I just don't think I'll need anywhere near a whole batch of the super soil, and I would assume that mixing it all at the same time will produce a huge batch of the stuff, and once its mixed it WILL "go bad". So I'm thinking I'll keep the individual components un-mixed until I need to make another batch.

Does this make any sense? Can anyone tell me if I should do this and leave the stuff unmixed? What kind of a shelf life am I looking at the individual components having VS the shelf life of a completed and mixed batch of Vic's super soil, going un-used?

The longer it sits, the better it gets. Years old mix is just fine. You can do it in smaller portions (just dont have me help with the math). I mix all the small stuff together then mix it into the bail. I use a coffin sized rubbermaid to mix and store the stuff. If you wet it down and cover it, you will have the worst smell of death on planet earth. Make sure to wet it down and keep it uncovered for two weeks. After that you can store it in a sealed container. The soil has no smell if done right.

[LD100]

Originally Posted by Rumpleforeskin

I took my cool tube in the store and told them it was for a reptile enclosure. A lamp that wont burn your snake.

Well you may not need a thermostat. If the air your room intakes is around 70 and never gets lower, then you don't need to worry about it getting too cool. My intake during the winter gets below 40, so my fan only cycles a few times an hour. I like it when it does not need to be on all damn day and night (quiet). I even have one of them thermostats hooked to a small porcelain space heater to help maintain even temps during cold months. The dark cycle can get pretty chilly. They make the Ranco with dual settings that can run a cooling device and a heating device as well.

To expand on this, they also make "proportional" thermostats (not ranco, but other brands) that vary their output voltage to hold a constant temperature within .2 degrees. I have one of those for my snake rack. This will run you a lot more, and might not be good for your specific application, but maybe it will, or at least help others reading this thread.

Rancos are just on/off thermostats which means just that, it will either turn on or off depending on the temperature, so the temp may vary slightly (not a biggie, but is with my snakies :P )

Some thermostats also have an emergency shutoff, where you can set a temperature to never go over. Mine has this as well. I have a herpstat ND and a base level herpstat. FANTASTIC product, but overkill for most growing applications. However, I know some of us like to go overboard, me included, so this is more for the crazy people like myself

Also, mind the wattage limits on these thermostats!! We're careful in regard to every other fire hazzard..don't forget this one!

[JoeGrow420]

Hey guys, (and rumple especially), I've ran into a little snag[side note--- thanks for your info about the Vic's super soil. I'll mix it all at once and then store it in multiple bags, after 2 week air out].

I know I've got to buy the 5" -> 4" spacer for the exhaust on the cool tube, and I know I've got to run some duct from that spacer over to the intake side of the fan, then from the exhaust side of the fan i need to run some duct to the filter. And I assume the last thing is a third length of duct from the end of the filter, to the exhaust hole in the enclosure ( a tent, for me).


The part I'm having trouble with the third length of duct.

DCHydro included a 4" flange for the filter. I've installed it on the side of the filter that I feel is the intake. Installation was pretty easy, just used the 4 self tapping screws which were included to cut through the metal and afix the thing. Its a green metalic flange. Its obvious in the pictures I've got here. If I've installed it on the exhaust, please tell me I messed up.

I just don't know how to put a cap on the end of this filter, the exhaust side (I think its the exhaust)[THE THIRD PICTURE IS the exhaust side, i just flipped the filter over the other way, in case you COULDN'T TELL in the pictures]. Do I just need another spacer, just like i've got on the other side? Do I just install it so that the holes are inside of the spacer so that the air moves through these holes? I'm not familiar with the material that this side of the filter is constructed with, it is coated with charcoal but beneath the coat of charcoal I think its black plastic, but not sure. Anyways, if you guys can help me sort out which side is intake/exhaust,
what kind of flange to buy for the exhaust side (If i need one), etc

Thanks guys

[Master_Kush]

The simpler you keep it, the better your results. As time goes on & you learn you will understand more of exactly what you need for you & what method to use.

Everyone has diffrent needs & opinons as to what is best. Everyone having diffrent needs does what to the opinions ?

I'm just trying to tell you friend to keep it as simple as possible & don't buy something for advertising. I seen many of diffrent things that are sold in the Hydropinic & Growing Supply industry that is complete bullshit.

The plant doesn't know your using a 10 dollar digital timer from Harbor Freight.
The plant don't know you watch humidity & temp w/ a $12 digital unit from Home Depot.

Keep it simple man. If you get too far into it & dump out a bunch of cash your going to fail & give up & either sell it all on CL or try Again.

There is alot of stuff you can buy at hardware stores to cheapen up a 1st grow. They plant won't know. You will see in time that it is not so much your method but more your genetics. Your just manipulating nature.

[Rumpleforeskin]

Joe, I am not sure what the question is. That filter needs a cap on one end. The air goes from the center outward through the batting. If not capped it wont filter anything. Your question might be better over the phone with the retailer.

[soapman]

Originally Posted by Master_Kush

The simpler you keep it, the better your results. As time goes on & you learn you will understand more of exactly what you need for you & what method to use.

Everyone has diffrent needs & opinons as to what is best. Everyone having diffrent needs does what to the opinions ?

I'm just trying to tell you friend to keep it as simple as possible & don't buy something for advertising. I seen many of diffrent things that are sold in the Hydropinic & Growing Supply industry that is complete bullshit.

The plant doesn't know your using a 10 dollar digital timer from Harbor Freight.
The plant don't know you watch humidity & temp w/ a $12 digital unit from Home Depot.

Keep it simple man. If you get too far into it & dump out a bunch of cash your going to fail & give up & either sell it all on CL or try Again.

There is alot of stuff you can buy at hardware stores to cheapen up a 1st grow. They plant won't know. You will see in time that it is not so much your method but more your genetics. Your just manipulating nature.

I dunno about that mate, from what I see the people who keep it simple usually end up failing or having major problems. Trust me that seemed to be the trend, I read a lot of grow journals and just other info before I started buyin shit for my grow...A LOT. I think the op is doin just fine with his equipment, I mean he's gettin his advice from rumple, can't go wrong with that.

[Master_Kush]

Im talking to you from actual experience. I know how to grow dro & how to grow soil. I been there & done it. I bought all kinds of shit I didn't need & learned how to cut corners.

Look at my gallery. Im not new to this & watched it a million times. People think they are gonna start off running w/ some hydro lol.

They read & read & read & what they don't realize is that it boils down to trial & error. What works for me may not work for you.

Don't rattle your brain about your grow. Would you do that w/ a tomatoe ?

Take things slow & keep it simple & you will prosper. People can only tell you so much & you can only read so much & watch as many youtube videos as you want.

It boils down to you doing it & the errors you find on the way, learn how to correct. You will find you don't need 1/2 the shit you thnk you do. Do you think they won't take advantage of people via advertising when it comes to growing ?

I was just trying to give helpful advice. Im not telling you anything to get or not get. I just advised keeping it simple until you have hands on experience. I say this so you don't waste money.

I know a guy who grows in his backyard in SoCal. No added soil, he is using whats there. The genetics of his plant are so good that his shit beats alot indoor shit i've seen around lately. Why is that ?

He keeps it simple. Remember this all boils down to plant genetics. Your plant can never be better than what it came from no matter how much you spend on equipment. You can just make it grow bigger & faster.

The guy who has the best genetics has the best weed, not the guy w/ a better setup. All I'm saying. I grow for a stoner "me" not for others or to profit. I know what real dank is & how to grow it.

Take or leave the advice but I was just trying to help. Not start an arguement in a blog.

[JoeGrow420]

OK guys, the answer was procured via telephone conversation to hydrofarm. Wow, the tech support up there is amazing, and i guess free. But I was justified because the cool tube (which i just bought) is manufactured by them.

The guy advised me that I CAN connect the stuff in this order:

filter->fan->cooltube->exhaust port on tent

It would be better if I would hook it up this way though,

filter->fan->exhaust port on tent
NEW FAN I HAVEN'T BOUGHT YET->cooltube->OTHER exhaust port on tent (so there are 2 seperate systems)

so the way he is recomending is two seperate systems. I agree with him, its more optimized, but it is also much more costly.

I'm going to try to go with the option for what I CAN do. What I've got to do, is buy the cooltube spacer (BTW, its 6"->4" not 5"-4"), and about 15 feet of duct. I'll use 3 lengths of about 5' each. I could buy clamps, but I've already got duct tape and I'm gunna use that instead.

so yeah, the answer to my question was, yes, I installed the 4" flange on the correct side of the filter. The side that I was wondering about, as to what it needed, the answer to that is, nothing. It just needs to be exposed to air and its gunna suck air through it.

I thought the filter was the end of line in the system, just before the exhaust port on the tent, and actually it is the beginning of the system, the furthest from the exhaust port. The fan pulls air through it, it doesn't push it through.

[kingkoko]

Originally Posted by JoeGrow420

The guy advised me that I CAN connect the stuff in this order:

filter->fan->cooltube->exhaust port on tent

It would be better if I would hook it up this way though

You might want to consider running it like this to get the heat from the light (cool tube) out of the tent

Intake fan....ducting.....cooltube.....ducting....to the exhaust port
this way the heat is the only thing leaving the tent..
then you can get a squirrel fan to pull air in to the tent..
then you use a inline fan to push the air out of the tent into a filter.


this way the cool tube doesnt really give off heat cause its getting push out of the tent

Just a thought looks like it gonna be a great set up good luck

[sensi13]

Originally Posted by JoeGrow420

I received everything for the bubble buckets, with exception of the O-Rings which I've been searching around town for and have not found any yet.

If you have a Lowe's near by, they have them in the section with the replacement parts for faucets, etc. They are the #15's.

[JoeGrow420]

Originally Posted by sensi13

If you have a Lowe's near by, they have them in the section with the replacement parts for faucets, etc. They are the #15's.

omgwtfbbq

i've checked lowes, but didn't know where to go-- this is one hell of a tip. Thanks a ton

[JoeGrow420]

OK guys, I've been at it straight since the last post. I hooked up all the equipment and mounted it nice and neat, using the bars that the tent comes with, string, rope, chain, and zip ties.

I also did all the duct work (except for the 6 inch clamps I need to buy, I forgot those) using 4" duct and some 4" clamps and duct tape. I worked for a couple of hours trying to get stuff clamped off either in place inside the tent or removed from their place, clamped, and then returned to their place. It was a lot of work and the clamps didn't seem to be affixing solidly. I had a couple of pop offs and I wasn't even halfway done. I threw in the towel and started using the duct tape everywhere. I checked for air leaks when I was done by running the fan and everything seemed fine. (by the way, I have both of the 6"->4" converter pieces for the cool tube, and they are in place)

Of course I've got to take the ducting off from around at least one side of the cool tube when I get my bulbs.

Guys, I need some help with the bulbs.

Today, I took my ballast and my cool tube to get the cool tube rewired so that it would directly plug in to my ballast. The guy at the hydro shop didn't sell the converter but offered to rewire it if I bought the cable from him. So for $15 I had a solution. It was the same price as an ebay auction for a converter piece, but I didn't have to wait for shipping. It was a winner.

Anyways, he had this light -> UltraGrow SuperLux 400 Watt HPS Hoticultural Grow Bulb for $59.95 and this bulb -> UltraGrow SuperLux 400 Watt Hoticultural Grow Bulb for $69.95. I almost bought them from him.

I got a chance to let him deal with another customer before ringing me up, and I checked google shopping for the bulbs and I saw that he was double-tripple charging, so I backed out and just gave him the $15 for the cable / rewiring job(which he said was free, nice guy, he was really cool).

Before checking the price online, I asked him why I should buy his bulbs and not go to home depot. He said that his bulb was tuned specifically for growing plants with the right
color temperature. I see now when I check the onlnie vendor's information that the temps are showing to spec out @ 2000 kelvin and 4200 kelvin. Well, according to growing basics.pdf on my machine the most desirable are 5500 @ 2200. I think I picked up the file here but not totally sure. I reference it occasionally when I'm reasoning things out.

But anyways, what I'm getting at here is what bulb is the best bet for this cool tube and this ballast?

Should I buy those two bulbs that I've linked up there? I am thinking they are probably good buys but I'm a little wary of the temperature discrepency.