Hi everyone. Been lurking for a while whilst planning my first grow. Wanted to make it as easy as possible, not worry about mixing nutrients and balancing pH, and also wanting to keep it organic, so thanks to lots of info here, decided to try the BioTabs route.
Set up:
110 Litre (approx 24 Gallon) food grade black bin/bucket with locking lid – lined with reflective foil tape.
2 x 100mm (4”) passive air intakes at bottom with short duct 90 degree bends and vent grilles with insect mesh for light proofing.
2 x 120mm USB 3 speed fans for air circulation inside, 1 at mid bucket level (in line with stem of plant) and 1 at high bucket level (for plant canopy when grown enough).
Ducting from lid to Black Orchid Mixed Flo 100mm (4”) extractor fan (with speed controller) into Rhino Hobby 100x300 Carbon Filter.
Internal heating (for the cooler nights) currently being provided by a 25W Brewers Heat belt attached to a Digital Heat Mat Thermostat Controller. I had tried a heat mat but that never got warm enough, and the Brewers belt is only marginally better, so I will be changing to a 9 metre 80W Reptile heat cable.
Main grow light – FECiDA 50W LED Sunlike Full Spectrum (300W CFL equivalent) fixed 5cm inside lid.
Side lighting (for when the plant has more of a canopy) 11m Waterproof LED 5050 rope light.
For lighting controls, I started with mechanical timers, but the ticking drove me crazy, so I changed to smart plugs which worked out cheaper than digital timers.
Monitoring
VegTrug Bluetooth 4 in 1 Soil and Light monitor.
Tapo TP-Link smart security camera with PC connecting via iSpy software to take pics and Timelapse (1st few pics were taken by phone camera, hence different angles/positions). Hope to fit in next few days.
To be added for post harvest drying:
Inkbird IHC-200 Humidity controller
Compact dehumidifier (with mechanical switch). Due to space inside the bucket, cannot be installed during grows.
May be added for future grows:
Reptile Humidifier/Fogger. Can be left outside the bucket for easier filling and lack of space within the bucket as the fog is transferred via hose.
I didn't start taking pics until day 11. I check the plant daily, but for the 1st 2 weeks, I will only note events.
Day 1
Added seed to pre-watered Jiffypot and placed inside a germination/seedling tray. Placed tray in bucket with lights off and set Thermostat Controller. I can't recall the temp, wish it was due to having a nice toke, but not been able to get any since Lockdown, hence trying my first grow.
Day 3
Seedling has sprung (though still has her husky hat), so on with the main light and extractor. Temp sitting around 25C. Set on timer for 6am to 12am (18 hours). Changed Thermostat to 22C for night time when light off.
Day 4
She still has her hat on, but it falls off with a gentle touch.
Day 5
Jiffypot is a little dry, and a root is poking though the bottom. Add a little water to the base of the germination tray, which includes reservoir type channels.
Day 6
A few more roots have poked through bottom of the Jiffypot and are enjoying a swim in the germination trays reservoir channels, so it's time to get the main grow medium ready.
Filled a 3 Gallon fabric pot with Biobizz Lightmix mixed with Startrex from BioTabs.NL. Put inside bucket (with germination tray above) to allow mix to come to same temp for 24 hours.
Day 7
Created Jiffypot size hole in centre of soil pot. Sprinkled with5 grams of Mycotrex. Transplanted seedling into soil mix. Gave ½ Litre water with 1 gram of Bactrex and 5ml of Orgatrex mixed in. Placed a DIY humidity dome (large zip lock clear plastic bag from a certain Swedish Furniture store lol) over the seedling.
Day 11
Took 1st pic (temporarily removing the DIY humidity dome to do so).
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14
Added 1 Growtab and lightly watered. Permanently removed the DIY Humidity dome.
Day 15
Day 16
Pic and lightly watered.
Day 17
I will try to keep this log updated as close as possible to daily as I can. Any advice is obviously welcome.
Set up:
110 Litre (approx 24 Gallon) food grade black bin/bucket with locking lid – lined with reflective foil tape.
2 x 100mm (4”) passive air intakes at bottom with short duct 90 degree bends and vent grilles with insect mesh for light proofing.
2 x 120mm USB 3 speed fans for air circulation inside, 1 at mid bucket level (in line with stem of plant) and 1 at high bucket level (for plant canopy when grown enough).
Ducting from lid to Black Orchid Mixed Flo 100mm (4”) extractor fan (with speed controller) into Rhino Hobby 100x300 Carbon Filter.
Internal heating (for the cooler nights) currently being provided by a 25W Brewers Heat belt attached to a Digital Heat Mat Thermostat Controller. I had tried a heat mat but that never got warm enough, and the Brewers belt is only marginally better, so I will be changing to a 9 metre 80W Reptile heat cable.
Main grow light – FECiDA 50W LED Sunlike Full Spectrum (300W CFL equivalent) fixed 5cm inside lid.
Side lighting (for when the plant has more of a canopy) 11m Waterproof LED 5050 rope light.
For lighting controls, I started with mechanical timers, but the ticking drove me crazy, so I changed to smart plugs which worked out cheaper than digital timers.
Monitoring
VegTrug Bluetooth 4 in 1 Soil and Light monitor.
Tapo TP-Link smart security camera with PC connecting via iSpy software to take pics and Timelapse (1st few pics were taken by phone camera, hence different angles/positions). Hope to fit in next few days.
To be added for post harvest drying:
Inkbird IHC-200 Humidity controller
Compact dehumidifier (with mechanical switch). Due to space inside the bucket, cannot be installed during grows.
May be added for future grows:
Reptile Humidifier/Fogger. Can be left outside the bucket for easier filling and lack of space within the bucket as the fog is transferred via hose.
I didn't start taking pics until day 11. I check the plant daily, but for the 1st 2 weeks, I will only note events.
Day 1
Added seed to pre-watered Jiffypot and placed inside a germination/seedling tray. Placed tray in bucket with lights off and set Thermostat Controller. I can't recall the temp, wish it was due to having a nice toke, but not been able to get any since Lockdown, hence trying my first grow.
Day 3
Seedling has sprung (though still has her husky hat), so on with the main light and extractor. Temp sitting around 25C. Set on timer for 6am to 12am (18 hours). Changed Thermostat to 22C for night time when light off.
Day 4
She still has her hat on, but it falls off with a gentle touch.
Day 5
Jiffypot is a little dry, and a root is poking though the bottom. Add a little water to the base of the germination tray, which includes reservoir type channels.
Day 6
A few more roots have poked through bottom of the Jiffypot and are enjoying a swim in the germination trays reservoir channels, so it's time to get the main grow medium ready.
Filled a 3 Gallon fabric pot with Biobizz Lightmix mixed with Startrex from BioTabs.NL. Put inside bucket (with germination tray above) to allow mix to come to same temp for 24 hours.
Day 7
Created Jiffypot size hole in centre of soil pot. Sprinkled with5 grams of Mycotrex. Transplanted seedling into soil mix. Gave ½ Litre water with 1 gram of Bactrex and 5ml of Orgatrex mixed in. Placed a DIY humidity dome (large zip lock clear plastic bag from a certain Swedish Furniture store lol) over the seedling.
Day 11
Took 1st pic (temporarily removing the DIY humidity dome to do so).
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14
Added 1 Growtab and lightly watered. Permanently removed the DIY Humidity dome.
Day 15
Day 16
Pic and lightly watered.
Day 17
I will try to keep this log updated as close as possible to daily as I can. Any advice is obviously welcome.
NL was me first indoor grow as well..they can take a bit of time, but the medicine is worth it imo 
ppp
It's not needed yet, but wanted to make sure I was ready.
