1st Tri: 400 Watt DWC 3.5 Gal X 5 (NL Fem)

SET UP
Tent:Secret Jardin DR90
Reflector:SunSystem Yield Master II - 4" Classic
Light rope ratchet:ProGrip
Inline fans: Eco Plus Model 736430, 4" 160 CFM
Fan: Air King 6" Clip-On Air Circulator
Dehumidifier: Frigidaire (Energy Star) 70 Pint
Thermometer/hydrometer:Dual Meter, Springfield Comfort Monitor (look to upgrade)
Ballast:SunSystem 10, CropMaster 400 SW (interchangeable between 400 Watt (HPS) or M59 (MH) lamp
Bulbs : 400 Watt HPS, Brand Unknown
Air pump : EcoPlus Eco Air 4
Air Stones: SunLeaves 2" OxyStones
Nutrients: Botanicare: Pure Blend Pro (3-2-4), Pure Blend Pro Bloom (2-3-5), Cal-Mag Plus
PH/EC/TDS meter: SunLeaves TDS Expert Plus & PH Expert Plus
Seedling stage light : SunBlaze T540 - 22, 24 Watt Flourescent
Water Choices:
Tap water: 8.32PH, 129PPM
Water from Dehumidifier: 6.84PH, 14PPM

Very sorry, I originally began this journal in the Hydroponic Room, and realized I should have posted the thread in here. This is a 1st timer's grow, so I will be looking for sage advice, and hope to learn, have some fun, and grow some great green! This began with the thought of spending about $500 and getting a little set up that could keep family and friends in a little green. I am not certain what the total cost has been, but it's definitely much higher than that. In fact, I spent $200 alone just to rewire my cellar to get the energy I needed.
I originally ordered 10 Fem seeds from amsterdamseedbank.com to the tune of about $150. They never showed up. The seeds in the root cubes right now arrived from Nirvana on 9/8, they were ordered on 8/29. Needless to say, I am very happy with Nirvana.
I used the water and paper towel method to germinate the seeds, and all 5 sprouted beautifully on 9/10. I placed the sprouted seeds in a root cube tray, with a heat matt under the tray. The flourescent light is about 12 inches above, and on 9/11 (hopefully there is some good Karma there vs bad), the first tops are starting to appear.
Lastly, I look forward to this endeavor, and willlingly seek advice, support, and community, and hope in the end to share some really good green with my loving wife who thank god, loves to partake, otherwise she would have killed me by now, and its only the beginning.

I will try to provide pics very soon.

Sounds like you are off to a good start and what not. I won't be able to offer much advice because I don't know anything really about hydro, just soil. But it will be nice to watch your grow

Im subbed. Looks like you are off to a good start...I'm currently in DWC as well and the growth is amazing! Just make sure to monitor your ph and go easy on the nutes at first. Good luck!

Good luck.
p.s.Post some pictures .

Hey guys thanks much for the feedback. I took a bunch of photos this morning, but I am not sure how to post. I searched posting photos, but didn't get any help. Can anyone assist, send me in the right direction? By the way, what does it mean when you are subb? RO76, I checked your set up, aside from the 600Watt vs, 400Watt, seems our set ups are similar.

Finally, today's readings, 8:00AM, Temp 75, RH 46, 24 Watt Fl @ 12 inches. With the RH being down so low, I put the hood on the Rooting Tray, and after 1 hour the RH was back to 60. 2 teaspoons to each of water = 6.61PH, 130PPM (tap water, with PH Down - tap water starts at 8.32PH).

Questions: How close should the lamp be? How often should I water? Should I use the Tap or the Distilled water from the Dehumidifier? The distilled is very clean with only 14PPM, and I wouldn't have to add as much PH Down, which worries me with the girls being so tiny and fragile.

If anyone can give a hand with the photos, I will post this morning.

I figured it out! Here are the baby girls. Having grown a great many seedlings outside, I know this is a crucial part, and you can lose em quick if things aren't right. BTW, I am sending photos of the set up in the next post.



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Looking good man.

Thanks, I am still wondering how close my lamp should be to the little girls, I don't want to burn em up so early.

I searched the web for about 1 hour or so, and decided to put my lamp at 6" above the rooting tray. Hope this will keep the seedlings for getting lengthy without burning them up.

You should be planning transplating them soon, are you going to use 3.5g bucket with hydrotons and net pots?

About the lights it should be no problem for now how far away, if they stretch a little bit, it can be easily fixed by planting them lower. you can cover the baby leaves and just leave like one inch from the first internode. You wont have a stretched seedling anymore.

Thanks for the advice. I will be placing them in 3.5 gal buckets with hydroton. I was thinking of waiting until the first serrated leaves showed before I transplanted them. I will look at roots tomorrow, and see what they are like. If they are growing well, I will transplant.

By the way, what does it mean when you are subb?

It means they subscribed to your journal, and they will see every update on their User CP (homepage). You can subb just by posting a message on the thread.

ps I am subbed too

Keep you T5 as close as you can with out creating too much heat . If you keep your temps below 85f or so you should be fine(82F and below will be better). If roots are getting water (reached water level) you do not have to "water" them anymore(meaning you do not have to keep "sponge" wet . Just keep your humidity level high for now.
You must adjust PH. keep it as close as possible to 5.8.Do not use water from the facet.With in 3-4 days you can put them under MH ,you do not have to wait 2 week like some people recommend,as long as humidity is high and heat is under control you will be fine. I put my seedlings under 600W(full blast) after 5 days from germination and kept my light 12" away, you can probably go as low as 10" with out problem.

Edited by RO76, 12 September 2011 - 10:21 PM.

Id say cover the extra sites in that tray. You dont want light getting into the water.

Everything is looking good though man!

As far as water goes the cleaner the better.
That being said I use tap water at 160ppm straight from the tap and into my rez. I just make sure it's ph'd first and have had no issues. However, lol, I will be going R.O. as soon as I have extra money to buy an R.O. system.

Edited by smokin5280, 12 September 2011 - 11:10 PM.

looks good man

Well, I just put them in the buckets. I hope its not too soon. I only have the water filled to the bottom of the net pots. The seedlings and roots are very small. They have an incredibly long way to grow before they reach water - 4 inches I would imagine. I am not certain where the water level should be, here is where I have varying advice.

What are the recommendations for water levels at this point? BTW, the water is at 5.8PH and 15PPM. In addition, I applied 2 teaspoons of the same water to each seedling. The sponges are moist.

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Lost one seedling today, the roots just didn't make it, and I only had 4 pots anyway, so I kind of culled the herd.

I have the 400 Watt HPS set at 36" above the seedlings. The reflector is
at about 33", I estimate about 36" to the lamp itself.


Temp = 77 and RH = 49. I am concerned with the RH, but don't have the capability to raise at the moment. When I developed the space in my cellar, the concern was primarily high humidity. It was running at 80 to 85%, since turning the lights and fans on the humidity is remaining around 48 to 50 without running the dehumidifier.

Finally, I keep thinking of my experience growing outside for the last several years, and I am very worried/vigilant at this point. I found if you were going to lose a plant its at this point in the growth cycle, not after she had some legs. Over the years, I found the side the house where you received morning sun, mid day shade, and evening sun created the best seedling, so my instincts tell me not to give it too much right now. The problem is, I am not dialed in yet as to what that means with this lamp. Let's see what happens at 36". I can never raise it back up after killing them, but I can always move it down if they stretch!

Wow the pics suck! I will take some more in the morning.

The pics are cool. Not much to see in the first place, know what I mean?

Seems like your off to a good start. From what I have read, I THINK your water level is at where it needs to be. Not totally 100% though.

Water level is ok, and your rh is fine. They will do fine, as soon those roots touches water you'll see incredible growth. Keep it up. Also your light are ok.