New Grower newbie please help

[growdawg30'z]

thanks on the watering tip bro!!! another question if i have 5 3 gallon pots goin how many distilled water gallons will i have to fill up with nutes to water the plants just one right?? what should my PPM be at?(per gallon)and perfect or ideal PH?(per gallon) after i add my nutes??I have done my homework just want the right info from the right person if you get my drift!!how many times should i feed nutes after the 2-3 week period??and how many times do i flush after 2-3 week period?no i have not got a carbon filter yet dont really think ill need it seeing im only growing 5-6 plants if you think i do please fill me in??

 

[Muddy]

A 3 gallon pot will require about 2/3 to 3/4 gallon per pot. You want to water enough so that about 10% of what you gives runs out the bottom of the pot. For pH, I would run about 6.3 with the OF soil. For the nutrients, start at 1/4 of what the manufacturer recommends and slowly increase it. I doubt you'll get much beyond about 1/2 strength. Two schools of thought on how often to feed nutrients. Higher strength every other watering or lower strength every watering. I prefer the lower strength every watering. As to flushing, I don't flush till the end unless I see a need. As nutrients break down they create salts as a by product. As long as you get good run off with your feedings you shouldn't have any issues with salt buildup.

A carbon filter is a must have. Even 1 plant can stink things up a lot, depending on the strain.

 

[growdawg30'z]

so are you saying my runoff should be at 6.3??ok thanks man i appreciate the info my seeds came today so germ time then plant time then ill post pics so i can pop my autoflower fourm cherry!!!!im so excited to have you on my side muddy i feel like i have a personal trainer...and if you could please explain how tds ppm works with autos.

 

[Muddy]

Ideally you'll want both your feed solution and your run off to be about the same or pretty close to 6.3. That means that the pH is in balance.

TDS, Total Desolved Solids, and PPM, Part Per Million, are both ways of measuring the strength of your solution. Mostly you'll only be concerned with pH but ppm is handy to check the strength of what you are feeding, and to check your plain water. If your water is low PPM you may need to add some cal/mag solution to raise it for proper pH buffering.

If you really want to understand pH, take a look at this article: https://www.autoflower.org/f42/ph-information-1956.html

 

[growdawg30'z]

Thanks for the info muddy!!!so as long as im in the 6.3 range with feed soloution and runoff i shouldint worry about tds/ppm to much? next question should i mix my OF with perlite or HF if HF HOW MUCH 50/50?AND IF WITH PERLITE 50/50?.....and is this an ok carbon filter and fan for my 5-6 autos? http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Inline-Fan-Air-Blower-Carbon-Filter-Combo-Hydroponic-Odor-Control-Scrubber-A-/140713056920?_trksid=p3284.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D21%26pmod%3D290656719912%26ps%3D54
AND I HAVE DECIDED TO GO WITH THIS SET UP WILL IT BE ENOUGH ROOM FOR MY AUTOS? http://www.amazon.com/Aviditi-4-Foo...?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1330466497&sr=1-10

 

[Muddy]

I would do the 50/50 mix. A little extra perlite won't hurt but I believe both of those have a sufficient amount in them.

That looks like a descent fan/filter combo. The fan looks the same as mine, only white instead of green. Here's what I'm using. Price is about the same.

http://www.plantlightinghydroponics.com/active-air-165-cfm-in-line-duct-fan-p-2755.html
http://www.plantlightinghydroponics.com/phat-12x4-200-cfm-carbon-filter-p-3016.html

You should easily be able to grow about 6 plants in 3 gallon pots in that tent.

 

[growdawg30'z]

thanks muddy i think i finally have enough info to get me seeds up and running i really appreciate the help muddy and everybody else who has posted in my defense.lol......

 

[Muddy]

You're quite welcome. That's what were here for.

 

[growdawg30'z]

one last quick Q&A mr muddy waters......... should i flood my soil(3gallon pots) a coupple days before planting my germ seeds?? or how should i go about that or is that not a good idea?THANKS TO EVERYONE I BELIEVE I WILL HAVE A FUN NICE CLEAN GROW.i live in MIDWEST were the (green) is good but high priced.

 

[Muddy]

You can water them the day before or even a few hours before planting. You want the soil to be damp but not overly wet.

Looking forward to you getting started. I think you're going to do just fine.