My first Hydro setup.

[Hilltophigh]

I bought the table for $100, I build the stand out of 1" aluminum box tube 1/8 thick. Bought the res on graigs list for $100. already had the water and air pump. I put a circulatory pump in the res to keep the water moving and 2 good sized air stones. I have a heater in the res but it almost never comes on because the room stays between 68 and 75 this time of year. I have a crawl space under my house so i took a large canister filter off a piece of heavy equipment and put a 6" flange on it and piped it into the room for my fresh air intake. The air coming from under the house is very cool. I took the suction line that cools my hood and attached it to the wall. This helps cool the room and the light. I vent the warm air that cooled the hood out on the other side of the room through the floor and then vent it outside. I got a controller from a friend who can no longer can grow due to having to move. Anyhow I set it up as a flood to drain system I flood it 3 times a day for 15 minutes. I went with Botanicare nutes because my friend had good success with it. I have 3 blue dream clones and the rest are Northern Lights seed starts. I got the seeds from a friend who bread them last year. Both the same northern light male and female. I use 1/4 strength on the nutes due to how little they are. I phed the res to 6.1, it does seem to fluctuate everyday. I ordered a ph controller that says it does both ph up and down. I posted on here asking if anyone had tried it. I saw it in a 420 magazine grow and they said it worked flawlessly. It is called a pinpoint ph controller. I bought it at bulkreefsupply.com for $199. and hanna pumps for the ph solutions from Farmtek for $135ea. Because i work out of town often and live alone, i feel this is my only option. Considering the price of good medical marijuana it will not take me long to recoup my costs. I just took photos and will post them tonight. The temp in the room stays between 68 and 75 and the humidity seems to stay between 45 and 60% so far. Any thoughts or input would be helpful, since this is my first hydro setup. I have only grown in dirt and mostly outside.

 

[Hilltophigh]

A few more things I forgot to mention, I have 2 fans in the room to circulate the air. One on the end by the door and one on the side. The one on the side dried the leaves on my dirt grow plants out so I zip tied shade screen to it to cut down on the blow trough..

 

[powerslide]

Lookin good bro, just kind of skimmed it but looks like you have a good chance to get some buds

 

[little butch]

Looks like you did the research, and pretty much have your shit together. My guess is that you will do well. + rep. & be kind

 

[curiousuk]

ssetups ok iguess. i would provide more imput but its not worth the effort since feedback on setup ideas is a rare occurance on roll it up as ive seen first hand. hope it fails for you

 

[newtogrowneedhelp]

Hi, I would like some opinions on using hydroponics versus other systems. What I had in mind is using something like this here: http://www.stealthhydroponics.com/product.php?xProd=713 . I know this is an expensive way to start but do you think I would be able to produce 4-8 oz per plant using this system? Is there anything else I would need besides the clones to start this? Would you have a rough idea of an electric bill with just this system? Would I be able to harvest within 3 months? I would like to start with a good strain with high yield potential that can be done start to finish in 3 months. Your thoughts and ideas are very much appreciated.

 

[Norcalbay]

Are u using coco ....I just set up my 1st hydro aswell

 

[midnitetoak]

Hi, I would like some opinions on using hydroponics versus other systems. What I had in mind is using something like this here: http://www.stealthhydroponics.com/product.php?xProd=713 . I know this is an expensive way to start but do you think I would be able to produce 4-8 oz per plant using this system? Is there anything else I would need besides the clones to start this? Would you have a rough idea of an electric bill with just this system? Would I be able to harvest within 3 months? I would like to start with a good strain with high yield potential that can be done start to finish in 3 months. Your thoughts and ideas are very much appreciated.

The double pounder setup is impressive but you should DIY all you can for 2 reasons: 1. You will learn how to do it by doing it 2. You won't spend more than you need to to achieve similar results. Your yield depends upon too many factors to give a definitive answer but if you do everything right expect a couple zips per plant at least your first try. The only other thing you need besides clones/seeds is patience and a willingness to try & learn. Expect your electric bill to go up quite a bit because you are planning to run 1000w lights. I only saw a small uptick in usage... My bill went up $20-40 depending upon light cycle but I'm running 400w. Do more research on strains; there's too many to suggest just one. You can get away with smaller lights (ie 600w, 400w) you don't need 1000w unless you truly want double pounders(& hell who doesn't?).
3 months is so finite...what's your rush? Take your time don't worry about how long it takes but yes if you veg for 4 weeks you can flower cycle for another 8 weeks & be close to finishing your plants in 90 days but you are better off w/ longer veg IMO....look into SCROG!!! You won't be disappointed & it may take much longer than 3 mo turnaround but your results will be worth the wait. Good luck peace

 

[waterdawg]

First attempt at hydro and scrog is suggested lol. Perhaps keep it simple for the first few grows and be happy they survive! DIY does have advantages and disadvantages, if your handy and have access to materials then it can be fun but having it all c

 

[waterdawg]

Opps hit the wrong button lol! As i was saying, having it all come in box is nice too lol.

 

[Hilltophigh]

Ok here is an update. The grow is going better than I expected. It is about 1 month later and just kicked to 12/12. They are on the big side I really did not expect them to grow so fast, guess because i always grew soil. They are about 20" tall. The plants are healthy and everything is a beautiful green. I never did hydro before because everyone acted like it is difficult and complicated. I have to say it is the easiest thing i have ever done. I have it down to where i only have to spend about 4 hours a week to take care of them and that time is scrubbing the table and changing the res. Of course i go in and look at them every night when i am home but don't have to do anything. The pinpoint ph controller is bad ass. It keeps the ph perfect and does not fluctuate. I do need to add some water during the week at this point because they are taking up a lot more. This week I had to add about 30 gallons. Thinking about making a remote res on a float system to refill it when I work out of town all week. I added poles to the table so I can stretch a trellis net across the table to tie them to. I really like the way the Blue Dream (humbolt) and the Northern Lights grow. anyhow here is a photo of how things are going. I moved most of them up to 9" pots still have a few to transplant.
The small plants I moved to the vedg room.

 

[Hilltophigh]

Hi, I would like some opinions on using hydroponics versus other systems. What I had in mind is using something like this here: http://www.stealthhydroponics.com/product.php?xProd=713 . I know this is an expensive way to start but do you think I would be able to produce 4-8 oz per plant using this system? Is there anything else I would need besides the clones to start this? Would you have a rough idea of an electric bill with just this system? Would I be able to harvest within 3 months? I would like to start with a good strain with high yield potential that can be done start to finish in 3 months. Your thoughts and ideas are very much appreciated.

You might want to look on graig's list or something like that. Many people think all there is to growing is add water and you end up with beautiful plants. When things don't work so easy they quit and sell everything. I have seen a lot of grow equipment on there in my area. Just a thought. Depends on what you like when it comes to plants. I have grown DNA's Chocolope and love it. It is saliva but grows fast and 8 to 9 week flower time. It is very forgiving and a hearty plant. I think almost anyone could grow it with good results. Cannadential by DNA is a 50% 50% split and is a good yielder with a 8 week flower time. KC Brains Northern Light Special Says a 53 day flower time but when I grew them outside it was about 60 days. It yields a nice amount of bud and is strong. My friend had his tested at 22% THC. It is great for daytime and if you smoke a little more it will knock you out. It is indic a and saliva also. Hope this helps.

 

[Hilltophigh]

Are u using coco ....I just set up my 1st hydro aswell

I am using rock wool chunks not coco. I have no idea how coco works in hydro as this is my first hydro setup. I use the aluminum bubble wrap on the top of the pots for 2 reasons. It does help reflect the light back up to the undergrowth of the plant and makes the lower branches thrive and it keeps the light off the rock wool so it does not grow algae. Many people will say this does not work and will create hotspots but I have done it time and time again and have had great results with it. It also saves you from buying the little red rocks at the hydro shop. I bought a roll of it on line for $40 and still have most of the roll left because you can use them again and again.

 

[Hilltophigh]

I netted the plants and bent the tall ones over. Will probably add another net a little higher later in bud seeing how fast they grow. They will be on auto pilot for 3 weeks while I am overseas. My friend will change the res while I am gone. Hoping all goes well.

 

[Hilltophigh]

Just arrived home from over seas. The only attention they lades got while i was gone is my room mate changed the res 2 times for me. The PH controller worked awesome, and everything thrived. They are about 3' tall now I had 8 males out of the bunch and i moved some to the vedge room before i left and repotted them in soil to go outside the end of jan. I am down to 13 plants in flower, 2 Humbolt Blue Dream's (fem) and the rest Northern Lights Specials (reg I forget the original breeder a buddy gave me). I will grow them both again because of the overall ease of them, they are both a very nice smoke and of course Yeild. Here are a few photos, they are now in week 3 and have some nice sized little sticky buds. I began removing the undergrowth yesterday when I arrived home, still some things I need to do. The leaf is from a Northern lights special all have nice leaves for the most part.

 

[Hydroburn]

How is the water condition in your res? The white plastic generally lets light shine through and algea bloom in the res... could wrap it in insulation to light proof it and help keep the temps stable, but a lot of people never have a problem with it. I use a black 100 gallon res with a water pump fountain, and only have to change the res once in veg and twice in flower... the ph stays rock solid with dynagro and general hydro ph down. Do you run any kind of beneficial microbes or sterilizers? Plants are looking good, my current run is about the same point of flower.

 

[Hilltophigh]

How is the water condition in your res? The white plastic generally lets light shine through and algea bloom in the res... could wrap it in insulation to light proof it and help keep the temps stable, but a lot of people never have a problem with it. I use a black 100 gallon res with a water pump fountain, and only have to change the res once in veg and twice in flower... the ph stays rock solid with dynagro and general hydro ph down. Do you run any kind of beneficial microbes or sterilizers? Plants are looking good, my current run is about the same point of flower.

My res has a lid on it and it stays dark inside it has never had algae inside. The table will get algae on it if it is not cleaned in about 2 weeks. The temp is not a problem, it has a heater but almost never comes on as i live in a warm climate. It might not be the correct way to do it but i want the best flavor and growth from the plants so i change the res every week. This is the only real work i have to do with the ladys. Like the post says it is my first hydro setup and run so i am sure there are many things i need to learn about. I also have a 100 gallon res, with 2 circulation pumps, 2 3" flat round in shape air stones, and a heater inside just incase it gets cold(but almost never comes on) How long do you vedge your plants for? Only changing it twice in flower? What do you do just add nutes every week? What are your PPM's when you change the res? Here is what i ran in vedge Orca( for the root growth) it works very good from what i have seen and botanicare pro grow. It was simple and gave me results i was happy with. In flower i am running, Orca for the first few weeks after repotting them into 9" pots( then the roots are already blowing out the bottom of the pots, Botanicare pro bloom and Botanicare RAW for a sweet flavor. I will flush before harvest but thats is all i have been using and having results i am very happy with. I do not use any microbes or sterilizers in the setup. The Ph controller takes care of any PH issues i might have, keeping the PH in check. All i have to do is make sure it doesn't run out in the PH res(which i just used a 1 gallon jug with a hole in the top for the suction line. How long have you been running your system and how is the flavor of your herb after it is cured? Flavor is the main thing i am after, of course i want a good yield also.

 

[Hydroburn]

well i start seeds and clones in a small tote and I guess they are in that thing for about 2 weeks before they have a decent root ball... at which point I put them in my 100 gallon system and veg for 3-5 weeks depending on strain and plant count. not much happens in veg with the nutrient solution... the plants are small and the nutritional demands are easy to meet. I run about 420ppm in veg and top up two or three times with plain water. after the 12/12 stretch i switch the nutes to flower and defoliate the scraggly popcorn under the scrog net and I will push the ppm to 550. I don't have an exact number because I run 2 - 3 different strains at same time in the system.

let that go until about mid flower topping up once, then change res again around mid flower, top up when water gets low, and generally change the res one final time to plain water while they ripen. so I guess 3 - 4 res changes over the entire grow... maybe more if I fuck something up (get slime/algae) or flower 11 weeks+ . 100 gallons is a lot of water and it just stays so stable like a big pond. i don't use an external controller or anything becuase I only have to adjust the ph every couple WEEKS no shit. I could literally go on vacation for 3 weeks and the system would run itself. i think the combo of so much water and dynagro and the general hydro ph up/down and dg protekt that stuff is just engineered to buffer at 5.8 and stay there.

the bud tastes good I describe it as 'clean' I guess. I used to use pure blend pro with coco and liquid karma / fulvex ect for that organic flavor but i prefer the cleaner salt/mineral nutes cuz i feel it is a closer or more pure representation of the terpens adn what the plant should taste like. just personal preference though.

 

[Hilltophigh]

A little update, 4th week of bud the plants are thriving still and looking good. The Blue dream is a keeper for sure. The has a lot of tri-combes on it already, in its 4th week it is completely frosty looking and they're are a lot of buds on it. It can handle a good amount of nutes, The leaves are a little yellow, but not bad yet so i will up the nutes this change. The Northern Lights Special is a very hearty plant, it is growing very nicely, Has a lot of buds on it as well, they are starting to become frosty. Both are friendly plants and easily grown. I have noticed a few things with my hydro setup. In vedge the PH seemed to buffer up and i would need to add PH down. Now that i am in flower I have noticed I have had to add PH up to the res. Little strange for me but ok, i get it the plants are taking up different nutes and it is changing the res PH differently. Only one problem I have noticed with the PH controller. This last res change I clean everything like i always do. When i put everything back together i didn't put the PH probe all the way to the bottom of the res like i normally do. YOU NEED TO PUT THE PROBE TO THE BOTTOM!!!! I always sit and watch the first flood and drain cycle after the res change just to make sure everything is good. What happens is this, when the res drains the probe is left in the air and can not check the PH. This screws with the controller and the controller started shitting PH down in to the res while the table was flooding. This could have caused me some serious problems. Otherwise everything works flawlessly. I will upload some more photos of the girls this weekend.

 

[Hilltophigh]

Here are some photos of the girls. The first one is the Blue Dream, the second photo is of the table but you can see the Northern Lights Special. I am very happy with the way they are growing.