New Grower First Grow- Hydro-600w LED Auto Seeds.

[CapnKrash]

Hey all, finally have everything together enough to start my first grow.

I built a 38"x38"x72" room. Made of pvc for the frame, wrapped in cardboard and lined with Mylar.

I bought 5 ea Auto Seeds Candy Kush, Diesel Berry, and got 3x Royal Queen Northern Lights free. I'm thinking of popping 2x of ea. (see my question about space)

System I'll be using is a General Hydroponics EcoGrower. Though I'm thinking about modifying it to run off a fountain pump instead of an aquarium air pump, to push the water through the 'spider' assembly at the top. Any suggestions?

Light: 24/7 @ 600w 9band LED with IR. Got it off ebay here: bit.ly/1fwyiW1

Nutrients will be Technaflora recipe for success starter kit, although I do have the 3 bottle nutes from GH as well as PH up/down

Digital PH and TDS meters

I know in the pic it doesn't show all the mylar up, but it is now.

I've read a lot of these forums, as well as others, and some books. But I'm still a little unclear on a few points:

I was going to start them in Rockwool and then move them once sprouted. But I was told that it wouldn't be a good idea with my system, because the 'spider' assembly waters from the top; and to simply sprout them till the taproot is long enough to let it stand in the hydroton, then transfer. Do I need to worry about the rockwool?

Also nutrients, Should I just be running straight ph adjusted water till they're a week or two old? Or can I start them on a low strength solution and work my way up?

With the strains I'll be rolling, will I have enough space for all of them? I plan on running them all scrog to Help fit it all, but I'm concerned they won't all fit in the bucket. My hope is to get at least 2oz off each, but I'm not holding my breath. Just need enough to get me some medicine for a good long while

Any questions or feedback would be greatly appreciated

 

[namvet25]

Welcome to AFN capn.Looks like you have every thing you need to get your grow going.I see you are doing hydro so if you have any questions direct them to our hydro forum and you will get help from experienced hydro growers.Good luck and good growing.

 

[SkatterBrayne]

I would give them a little something to eat when they are a couple days old. In hydro, they have nothing to sustain them other than the baby cotelydon leaves. Give them a 1/8 strength feeding to start.

Start them in the Rockwood. After 5-7 days or so the tap root should pop through the bottom. At that point, put her into the hydroton and top feed allowing the roots to chase the water down into the res.

I would NOT plant a seed in each of those units. To be honest, a single hydro plant would likely outgrow that space. 2 plants at the most

Keep your humidity down, since your walls are made of cardboard, and make sure your air exchange rate is on point. To be honest, you should buy a roll of panda film, and secure it with Velcro to your PVC frame. I built my own tent that way, and it is great. Cardboard and Mylar will be a pain, and a bit dissapointing. If it's too late, I would do it next run for sure.

 

[CapnKrash]

yeah I'm operating on a shoestring budget here, so no panda film. That shiz is expensive! I opted to spend more on the light/system.

I have a 150cfm can fan for air exchange, and I live in the desert, so humidity shouldn't be too much of an issue. The room is 54 cubic feet. And the cardboard I used is that plasticized stuff they use for large appliances. Its not 100% waterproof, but when splashed it just beads off.

My next grow I plan on getting a tent.

Now the rockwool thing, I was told because it holds so much water you don't want to water it from the top. The spider drip assembly would be doing just that wouldn't it? Or is that one of those myths floating around? I can't seem to get a solid answer from anyone about it lol =)

***now that I re-read
"Start them in the Rockwool. After 5-7 days or so the tap root should pop through the bottom. At that point, put her into the hydroton and top feed allowing the roots to chase the water down into the res."
Are you telling me to just sprout them in the rockwool, then pull the seedling out and place in the hydroton, or the whole cube?**

As to the space, you really think any more than 2 of those autos will be too much for my space? Just feels like a waste with those other pots available.. probably my OCD railing against it lol.
What about weight, do you think I could hit the 2oz per? Its a little dissapointing, since I can burn through a oz in a week. But that's with brick schwag, and when I'm not on my opiods. I HATE being on them, which is why I decided to grow. I just see 3 months of grow for 1 of return and go "Feeling SAD..?";_;

Either way I'm rolling the grow, since I can't brew beer anymore, and its something I love...why not learn more about it and see the finer side!
I appreciate the comments so far, keep them rolling =) As soon as my light gets in I plan on popping the seeds, will update here as I go.

 

[CapnKrash]

Just got my light in today, man that thing is BRIGHT! Popping the seeds tonight. Taking Skatterbrayne's advice and only popping two. Suppose its best that way anyhow, since its my first grow =P I'm just one of those folks that likes to jump right in.. (after reading the manual, looking up hints and cheats, and researching a few months)

 

[CapnKrash]

OK everything is setup, just waiting for the seeds to pop. I stuck them in a cup of water, waited for them to crack and then tossed them in some tiny 1" peat pots till they get an inch or two tall, at which point I'll remove the pot, and stick the peat/root ball into the hydroton.

I think that I am going to go forward with converting the spider assembly to use a fountain pump. The air pump kinda spits and spurts, I would rather have a constant flow/recirculation. So I picked up a 150gph pump at harbor freight for $8.

Here's some pics with the full setup and light going:

 

[StickMan]

Welcome to AFN CK!

looking forward to watching your grow mate!

Happy growing :smoke:

 

[CapnKrash]

When I install my scrog screen, how high do you guys think I should put it? Or when should I start the scrog?

 

[StickMan]

When I install my scrog screen, how high do you guys think I should put it? Or when should I start the scrog?

You will want to make your screen tall enough from the top of your unit (bottom of plant stalk) to get your hands in there to train your plants.
When they hit the bottom of the screen, the plants will let you know when to start training them.

Here is a Scrog tutorial that helped me a lot. http://www.growweedeasy.com/lbh-scrog-tutorial

 

[SkatterBrayne]

My first grow I planted two seeds first, and sure enough ran into some issues. If that happens, you still have a nice reserve of seeds to try again and correct any of the inevitable rookie mistakes. That pump should hopefully be enough for just two plants, as long as your water temperatures remain low.

Waiting for the seeds when everything is setup is the worst haha.