90 Watt Ufo Led Test Grow (Dwc)

Discussion in 'Hydroponic Growing' started by Cloud_Neun, Sep 17, 2014.

  1. #1 Cloud_Neun, Sep 17, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 20, 2014
    Aloha, everyone


    A buddy of mine was selling a 90 watt UFO LED for cheap, so I decided to pick it up and see how a single plant would do under just that light.

    The seed popped a little over a week ago in rock wool and I just put it into the net pot surrounded by hydroton.

    I haven't added nutes yet. I'll keep this updated as the grow moves along.

    By the way, I had an extra Northern Lights auto seed, so that's what I went with.

    This also happens to be my first DWC grow. I'm still somewhat of an amateur, having just 2 soil grows under my belt.
    Maybe my first DWC grow should be with my HID light, but whatevs, haha. Any tips are welcome and much appreciated!
     
  2. #3 Cloud_Neun, Sep 18, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 19, 2014
    Right on, glad to hear it.

    Apparently it's actual.
     
  3. Quick update: I just changed the water in my res and added nutes at 1/4 strength.
     

    Attached Files:

  4. #5 Cloud_Neun, Sep 19, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 19, 2014
    Ok so just a heads up for anyone checking this out - as I mentioned before, this is an autoflower, so naturally the end result will not be the same as with a normal photoperiod plant. To those of you who don't like autos, sorry, but the only seeds I had left were autos and I didn't want to order "normal" ones just for this.

    Secondly, my res isn't as big as most people's probably are. It holds a maximum of 15 liters (about 4 US gallons), but to keep the water below the net pot an inch or two, I can only fill up 8.5 liters (2.25 US gallons).

    Finally, I'm not really sure yet if I'm going to ScrOG. I would love to increase yield, but not quite sure how to build a screen that won't get in the way. I always have to remove the bucket and take off the lid/plant to change the water since I don't have a water pump, so I guess I would need to build a screen that is attached to the bucket lid so it can move with the plant. Hopefully you understand what I mean.
     
  5. #6 GoldGrower, Sep 19, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 19, 2014
    Looks good mate. 15 litres is plenty of root room for a plant grown under 90 watts, but I would brim it, no sense in having gaps with no water. Are you sure it draws 90 and not 45? 
     
  6. #7 Cloud_Neun, Sep 19, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 19, 2014
    Ok cool. Really? I'm not at all disagreeing with you, just the majority of info I've read stated to leave an inch or two space between the bottom of the net pot and solution, even after the roots come through. I know that doesn't mean it's the best way, though.
    No, I'm not entirely sure to be honest. There was no paper with it when I picked it up. If the number of LED nodes helps, it has 90 one watt nodes. I heard that's better than 45 two watt nodes (which I would think is still 90?) But I'm not very knowledgeable on that.
     
  7. #8 GoldGrower, Sep 19, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 19, 2014
    Leaving a gap is certainly more common practice than not. But I don't leave a gap. 
     
    Usually the LED will have the diodes' rated watts added up but only run them at about half the power otherwise their lifespan is seriously shortened. About half, or just slightly over is the norm. Most 90w LEDs use about 45-55 watts. My LED is a 450w but only uses 270 watts. I have a watt meter btw.
     
    When you leave a gap at the top the roots tend to dry out and turn to stem. All that is accomplished is effectively shrinking your reservoir.
     
    When you keep the res full you get roots growing out all around the net pot. Here are two pictures showing you what I mean. The first one is not mine, the second one is 
     
    [​IMG]
     
    [​IMG]
     
  8. Ohhh ok, I understand now.
    Maybe I'll look into a watt meter.

    Ah ha, I see. Well that's some great info, man, thank you kindly! I'll fill up my res later.

    Sent from my GT-I9305 using Grasscity Forum mobile app
     
  9. #10 Peflora, Sep 19, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 20, 2014
    Drop in on my DIY Mini-ME F&D in the hydro section
     
  10. #11 Cloud_Neun, Sep 20, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 20, 2014
    Hey, Gold,

    Before I brim my reservoir, I have a question: since the rockwool cube is in the pot, is it ok for that to be submerged in the water? Are there any risks to having it in the water or is it fine?
     
  11. Oh there's rockwool in there? That stuff really locks out the oxygen. How big is the cube? And are there lots of roots coming out of the pot already?
    When it's older it won't matter but if the majority of the roots are inside the cube it could drown them. Sorry I should have asked first. Rockwool is a terrible medium to grow in
     
  12. Nah, it's all good. It's my fault. Yeah I should have done more research before putting that in there... it's about 1.5 inches on every side. Well what was or is the tap root is pretty long now and has lots of little roots growing out of it. Most of them are quite a bit longer than they were yesterday. There is one root that I can see coming out of the side of the pot. Not sure how many others are on their way through the hydroton.

    Sent from my GT-I9305 using Grasscity Forum mobile app
     
  13. #14 Cloud_Neun, Sep 20, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 20, 2014
    Here's a pic of the cube after the seed sprouted to give you maybe a better idea.
     

    Attached Files:

  14. I would probably leave it as it is because it's working for you. Once you have a decent amount of roots you could gradually increase the waterline.
     
    I have my waterline about halfway up the pot for the first week and then after that it's kept full. I'll let it drop about 4" before topping up. but I put my seedlings straight in to the clay balls 
     
    I keep the waterline halfway up the pot in the first week to stop the balls from moving about
     
  15. Ok cool, sounds like a plan. Thank you again for your help. This is not only a test grow for me but also my first DWC grow. Only have completed a couple soil grows so far.
     
  16. If you're using the app go to your thread. Hit the 3 dots and copy URL.

    Go to home on app and push the faces for customization. Scroll down check signature. Select customize. Paste into text box and save

    "Don't let the past remind us of what we are not now."

    1000 watt Scrog Journal
     
  17. Thanks
     
    I finally found the Signature tab and added it the non techie way
     
  18.  
    Something else to keep in mind is that filling your res more means you need more air too.  If you bought a prefab system that came with a pump then the pump's power is going to be based on the assumption that your res sits 2 inches below the net pot.  In other words they tell you to only fill the res half full and provide a pump that can only originate a res that is half full.  If you fill it to the top will have twice as much water, requiring twice the oxygen so you have to make sure your pump is big enough or buy an extra pump.
     
  19. Sorry, haven't updated in a while. Not much news though..

    Growth slowed down for a few days due to the onset of pythium. I have been managing to control it, however, and it is almost completely gone.

    Other than that, I got nothing.

    Sent from my GT-I9305 using Grasscity Forum mobile app
     

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