Check my first ever grow set up...and possibly answer a question or 2

[Gr8fulgrasshopper]

Hey all I'm running a 320 watt xl qb v2 rspec from hlg
Tent is 2.5x5x6.5 with an AC Infinity T6, vivosun 6" carbon filter
All fastbuds genetics grown in 5 gallon bags, Kind Soil, Roots Organic and seedling mix for the sprouts

This is my first grow EVER and I plan to start one seedling right in the final pot in a crater of seedling mix, another in a clear solo cup of seedling mix, and the third in a 4" peat pot. Lights on as soon as they hit the soil. No paper towel germination. The soil will be layered as to the specs given by the kind folks at Kind Soil. (Approx 3 gallons per pot at the bottom of the pot.) I have a small dehumidifier in there as well as a Vivosun clip on fan. With that background provided here's some of my concerns...

1. What temperature and humidity range should I be shooting for while this young plant is starting it's hopefully fruitful life? Should I worry about 10 or 12 degree temperature swings at night? And also why is my AC Infinity probe showing upwards of 15 degree differences in humidity when compared to my small AcuRite guage? I'm seeing between 50 to 65 percent RH in there over the course of the 2 days this tent has been set up.

2. This AC Infinity T6 is a beast . On the lowest setting it creates enough negative pressure to suck my tent inward. I do not dare go above setting 4 as the damn tent felt like it was going to implode. With that being said do y'all think I'm getting enough fresh air? The only vent is half open and on the back side of the tent, which is caddy cornered. All smaller holes for misc shit are closed.

3. HLG recommended a 30" hanging height for this board. I'll start with that and I'm assuming I'll just be running this baby full power...question mark? Lighting schedule will be 18/6 so they can get their zZzZz, I guess.


Again, new grower here so maybe I'm just overthinking but I like to have my geese in order. I took the time to put this together, put in a fair amount of research and now I'm right on the cusp. Any and all help is always appreciated . I'm on instagram under the same tag, looking for like minded individuals, and will be on grow diaries under the same tag as well within the next few days. Thanks all again for your time

 

[cotum3]

You will need some trays under those growbags, you can lose a lot of water when watering imho, the ground sheets of grow tents are NOT waterproof. Apart from that the setup looks great.

 

[Ders]

Hello Gr8fulgrasshopper! You have a really good setup! I like your elevated drainage stools for your plants, very good!

Yea humidity and temperature is important. Id do some reading on VPD if I where you (google is your friend). During the last half of my first grow I was able to hold on to the VPD numbers and the plants thrived! My problem to solve, and probably will become yours too, was to extract the heat from my Mars II 1600w without drying out the ambient air in my 4x4 tent. I have a half gallon humidifier with a volume type controller for vapor amount and the humidifier is then hooked up to a simple hygrostat. I have a yet another simple weather station to monitor the climate in my tent from my living room. I had to put my hygrostat at 65%RH and my humidifier set to half power and do a lot of tweaking on my fan controller to achieve 55%RH and 26C on my weather station. Is my weather station correct? No idea. Hygrostats seems to differ quite a a lot. For my next grow i will use more cold air from a cold air vent to enable my extraction not to run as hard and dry out my ambient air.

Subbed, good luck!

 

[Gr8fulgrasshopper]

Appreciate the kind words @cotum3. I'll be grabbing some trays today.

@Ders thanks for the informative response. I'm looking into the ink bird ITC 608T which will allow me to control both humidity and temperature it looks. I have done very little reading on VPD but from what I have read and understand is that there's a target that I'm shooting for in my environment that'll allow the best possible growth for my babies. Was trying not to worry about it too much as this will be my first grow ever but shit I want some healthy ladies. Thanks for relaying your experiences and I'll be doing some more researching today.

 

[Arthur]

Catch trays and something to keep your bags out of the runoff. Everything looks great! VPD chart will help with temps and rH. Leaf temp, not tent temp.

 

[420Forever]

ppp

 

[Deke]

Looks like you're ready to go. I'm on my first grow in years. Things have changed dramatically, and people on here were very helpful so remember no question is a dumb question. Well.....lol.
This is what many told me and it took a bit to sink in. 1. Keep it simple. 2. Less is more. 3. Don't over think it, relax and enjoy.

 

[Newbee14]

Setup looks great and as Arthur pointed out trays are a must. I drill a few holes on the top of their lip to tie things up if you’re LSTing. What else is missing?? I’d say soil in the bags and 3 beans in them. Like you I read until I had a headache and still do about everything but there is no substitute for getting your fingers dirty and learning from your mistakes. Trust me on my third grow and learning every time. Good luck with it all. Peace.

 

[Gr8fulgrasshopper]

Thank you for the words of encouragement @Newbee14 @Deke. I'm trying my best to keep it simple but somehow i keep adding equipment lol.

Speaking of equipment, I quickly found out why I needed a humidifier with a volume control knob @Ders. The small one I had doesn't turn back on properly with the InkBird controller. Nothing Amazon prime couldn't fix and ty again for providing me the solution to a problem looming on my horizon.

And @Arthur ty for hitting me off with that VPD chart. It's been by my side since. BTW you've also added to my Amazon Prime bill bc hey now i have to know them leaf temps! Lol

 

[Classof69]

I'm trying my best to keep it simple but somehow i keep adding equipment lol.

My first grow was in an old paint bucket with scraped up dirt and a bag seed. About a thousand or two dollars later I'm just about ready to harvest my second photo and begin my first auto grow. I also know, and have finally convinced my wife to go along with the fact, that it will NEVER end. She is of the opinion that at least it keeps me off the streets. LOL.