2x2 Grow - Mars Hydro TSW2000 - Home Made DWC

[Eliehabib]

Hello everyone,

I am getting ready to start my new 2x2 grow.
Ive had this tent on hold for years since ive been growing in an open room for the last couple years, but now's the time to start using the mini tent again !

I am writing this post to get to know different opinions on the setup and the subject in general.

Lighting :
LED from mars Hydro : TSW2000 - Actual Draw 310w

Ventilation :
187m3/h (110cfm) 4inch Exhaust Fan
105m3/h (60cfm) 4inch Intake Fan

4inch Carbon Filter rated at 250m3/h (147cfm)

Growing Medium :
1x DIY DWC 32L (Bucket 8,4gal) bucket (1 Plant only)
Regular Tap Water
1x Air pump : 4L per minute (240l/h)
1x 13cm (5,10inches) circular Air Stone

Nutrients :
GHE Flora Series - Veg , Bloom , Micro

Growing Technique :
Topping + Scrog to optimize the space
(Not sure how many times i should top for this kind of space though)

Light should be here by tomorrow.
Building the DWC bucket when i get the parts soon.

Let me know what you guys think.
Cheers

 

[Johiem]

Sounds like my setup. Bigger tent and i have about a 350watt draw from 2 leds. They are in a 3x3x6. This so far, only my second grow is leaving what I accomplished with soil sucking wind. I dont have the fans yet, I just check on them too much and they get refreshed.

 

[CptTripps]

I think the TSW2000 is a great light. I've got 3 of them in my 4X8. You're going to want to dial the light back a little bit. I had one in my 3X3 and it was burning the plant a bit when I had it at 100%. Start at the lower setting until you hit flower, and then you can turn it back up to full power.

 

[Eliehabib]

Sounds like my setup. Bigger tent and i have about a 350watt draw from 2 leds. They are in a 3x3x6. This so far, only my second grow is leaving what I accomplished with soil sucking wind. I dont have the fans yet, I just check on them too much and they get refreshed.

Nice ! i wanted to get a 3x3 tent but already got the 2x2 so saved money on that , plus i dont have too much space where i'm at atm. Fans are really important though, how are you managing the smell ?

 

[Eliehabib]

I think the TSW2000 is a great light. I've got 3 of them in my 4X8. You're going to want to dial the light back a little bit. I had one in my 3X3 and it was burning the plant a bit when I had it at 100%. Start at the lower setting until you hit flower, and then you can turn it back up to full power.

Thanks for the advice buddy. What height is the best to start with in your opinion ? I was thinking of starting at around 18 inches (45cm). Regarding the power, do you have any idea on what setting are they programmed when you get them in the box ?

 

[Eliehabib]

Those are the pictures from today

 

[CptTripps]

There are rubber plugs that you need to remove, and then there's a little potentiometer inside that you can turn down with a screwdriver. All the way to the right is 100%, and all the way to the left is 50%. I'd put is in the middle.

If you're talking seedlings, then you can have it really high up. My seedlings are about 36-40" from the dirt. Then lower as you get closer in veg, and then 18" when your'e in flower at 100%

Hope that makes sense, and is helpful.

 

[60's Hippy]

I think with that kind of power your limiting factor is the heat generated. Too bad you don't have the room for a 3x3 with 6" ventilation. I think the added vertical growing space would add significantly to your yield. I read the stats on the lights, very impressive if it performs as published.

 

[Johiem]

Nice ! i wanted to get a 3x3 tent but already got the 2x2 so saved money on that , plus i dont have too much space where i'm at atm. Fans are really important though, how are you managing the smell ?

I'm not, mine are just starting to smell. I've got an inline fan i just haven't built the carbon filter yet.

 

[Eliehabib]

There are rubber plugs that you need to remove, and then there's a little potentiometer inside that you can turn down with a screwdriver. All the way to the right is 100%, and all the way to the left is 50%. I'd put is in the middle.

If you're talking seedlings, then you can have it really high up. My seedlings are about 36-40" from the dirt. Then lower as you get closer in veg, and then 18" when your'e in flower at 100%

Hope that makes sense, and is helpful.

Thanks alot for the info buddy ! I removed the rubber plugs when i unboxed the light but was just confused regarding the settings. So i understand you cant lower it below 50% right ?

Im actually going for a DWC system , but im reconsidering right now since i dont have too much height. My DWC bucket is 38cm (15inches) high. Im installing a plastic faucet in the bottom for evac so im going to have to put something below the bucket to lift if up a little , lets say around 10cm (4inches). 18inches is the highest i can have between the light and the top of the bucket taking into consideration the 4inches lost below the dwc bucket.

If i use my smart pot (the one in the tent right now in the picture), i can have 85cm (33inches) between the soil and the light.

What do you think would be best ? Yield vs height ?

 

[Eliehabib]

I think with that kind of power your limiting factor is the heat generated. Too bad you don't have the room for a 3x3 with 6" ventilation. I think the added vertical growing space would add significantly to your yield. I read the stats on the lights, very impressive if it performs as published.

It is heat indeed ! I already have a small fan blowing air on the top of the light on the boards. I could always place the boards outside of the tent if het really becomes an issue.

My ventilation should take care of the heat though ! (i hope)

The way i calculated everything , the air should be exchanged 5 times every minute.

Oh and i didnt understand what you meant by the vertical growing space ?

The light is really impressive indeed ! Was feeling really demotivated when i knew i couldnt use my 600w hps light anymore, but this light gave me a little hope!

 

[Eliehabib]

I'm not, mine are just starting to smell. I've got an inline fan i just haven't built the carbon filter yet.

Well if your extraction is going outside through a window and no people around its fine. But if smell is an issue you should consider getting an extraction fan (STRONGER than your inline for negative pressure, connected to a carbon filter, and always add 20% more for the carbon filter)

 

[Johiem]

Well if your extraction is going outside through a window and no people around its fine. But if smell is an issue you should consider getting an extraction fan (STRONGER than your inline for negative pressure, connected to a carbon filter, and always add 20% more for the carbon filter)

Right now they are just in the garage. I will be venting and filtering when they get closer to flowering, but right now they have no smell.

 

[Boatguy]

I'm not, mine are just starting to smell. I've got an inline fan i just haven't built the carbon filter yet.

Buy a good one. You will be glad you did

 

[Eliehabib]

Hello everyone,

Here are a couple pictures of the grow getting set up right now.
Im still waiting for the small pieces to complete my hydro bucket (Plastic faucet, tube, air pump, air stones, etc ...)

All i have right now is 15cm (6inches) between the bucket and the scrog net + 55cm (21.6inches) from scrog to light.
Ive dimmed the light to the minimum where it says "25" (there are 4 marks : 25 - 50 - 75 - 100).

Will see how things go.

 

[Eliehabib]

Update :
Seed has been germinated succesfully.

Keeping RH between 85 and 95% in the dome.

Temperature between 21C and 24C (69F-75F)

 

[CptTripps]

You're on your way now!

Are you still rethinking the DWC?

Exhaust fan: If you can afford it, get the Cloudline T4. Super quiet and has a built in temp gauge that adjusts the fan speed based on the desired temperature.

 

[Eliehabib]

You're on your way now!

Are you still rethinking the DWC?

Exhaust fan: If you can afford it, get the Cloudline T4. Super quiet and has a built in temp gauge that adjusts the fan speed based on the desired temperature.

Hopefully everything goes and stays well !

Not rethinking ! Doing everything i can to execute this grow successfully , DWC is totally worth it after all..

Decreased the light power to the minimum where the mark says "25". Not sure how many watts that is but logically speaking should be 1/4 of the full power which is 300/4=75W for both or 37.5W for each board.

Keeping the exhaust fan at level 1 which is 145m3/h (85CFM) and temps are around 24C (75F).
I can always switch it up to level 2 which is 187m3/h (110CFM) to lower temps , but ill keep that for later when upping the light intensity.

Edit : Forgot to answer to your last phrase , i can afford it but prefer not to anymore ! Already spent so much

 

[Eliehabib]

Quick Update :

Seedling has been loving the environment so far :

- TSW2000 set at 25% at a height of 110cm (43inches) from seedling
- Rockwool cube watered with a PH of 5.6
- Humidity in the tent at 30%
- Humidity in the dome at 95%
- Temperature in the tent at 24C (75F) during lights on
- Temperature in the tent at 22C (71F) during lights off

Conclusion :
At 25% power , the TSW2000 doesnt seem to give off too much heat in a 2x2ft or 60x60cm tent , taking into consideration that i have a PC fan installed blowing on the drivers , and my extraction fan is set on minimum power (145m3/h or 85CFM).

When the plant gets to the early veg stage and gets in its new DWC bucket , ill increase the TSW2000's power to 50% and the light will be placed at a height of 55cm (21.6 inches) above the plant. If heats starts to increase , ill switch the extraction to power level 2 (187m3/h - 110CFM).

Photos from today :

 

[CptTripps]

FYI: I have my TSW2000 at 100%, but up really high. I found those potentiometers a PITA to mess with, so I'm mostly just adjusting height right now. I got a LUX meter, and can dial it in with height. The amount of heat won't really change based off of the % you have the light at.

Great sproutlings. You're really on your way now. This is the fun part....the next 4 weeks. Every day, it'll appear to double in size. The trick is keeping your head out of the tent.