DIY Closet DWC Grow - First grow ever

[jigfresh]

I can't wait to see your grow get going. Anyone who reads, and reads, and reads before getting started has got to do pretty good.

I wish I lived in your area so we could build the thing together.

And you can write all you like in my journal. As long as it's not negative, it's all good.

Speaking of pot. I saw 'Pineapple Express' last night. Man, that is a great movie for potheads (if you like seeing people get killed). It was like die hard, but instead of bruce willis, it was two stoners like us. hahaha.

(i'd like to think of myself as not like the guys in the movie, but my wife assures me, I'm am like them)

 

[dirtystacks]

I can't wait to see your grow get going. Anyone who reads, and reads, and reads before getting started has got to do pretty good.

I hope so! The cool thing about this site is the more I read and learn, the more I want to read and learn!

I wish I lived in your area so we could build the thing together.

Well, me too - cause I think we would get along very well, but when I get started, I'll start a grow journal so you can come along for the ride. I have been debating on what system to use and I think I have settled on Stinkbud's Aero/NFT hybrid system. Since I can build the room to my specs, I want to customize it to make it the most optimum. I figure I will be doing more and more reading as I begin the planning stages.

And you can write all you like in my journal. As long as it's not negative, it's all good.

How could I write anything negative when everyone here is such a great help. I don't understand why there are negative posters. Can't we all just get a bong?

Speaking of pot. I saw 'Pineapple Express' last night. Man, that is a great movie for potheads (if you like seeing people get killed). It was like die hard, but instead of bruce willis, it was two stoners like us. hahaha.

I haven't seen that movie yet, but want to.

(i'd like to think of myself as not like the guys in the movie, but my wife assures me, I'm am like them)

Well, I've been sober for about 6 weeks now...should be completely out of my system....and I'm so jonsing. I got laid off about 6 weeks ago, so needed to lay low in prep for new employment opportunities. Damn prohibition! Anyways, it just makes my mouth water to see all the dank bud on this site, and I keep thinking my reward will be the bud I will grow and harvest hopefully come fall.

 

[jigfresh]

Anyways, it just makes my mouth water to see all the dank bud on this site, and I keep thinking my reward will be the bud I will grow and harvest hopefully come fall.

And the very best part... It will most likely be the best pot you've ever smoked. Or close.

And stinkbud's system is a great choice. As you read I'm scared of Aero.

Also, about the reading. I found I reached a point where I couldn't read anymore without starting my work. I just kept going over ideas and figures and would be dreaming about watts per square foot. It is great to have such a huge mass of info.

 

[jigfresh]

DAMN BRO, you are actually reading through stinkbud's whole thread. That's dedication.

If success varies on preparation, I believe you have the scales tipped in your favor more than I have them.

Good stuff. I'm impressed.

Talking the wife into 1/15 of the basement is no small feat either.

 

[dirtystacks]

DAMN BRO, you are actually reading through stinkbud's whole thread. That's dedication.

Stinkbud's thread is a virtual wealth of info. There is so much stuff in there, that I can't believe it hasn't be stickied. I've also read all of Al B Funct's thread "Get a harvest every 2 weeks". That thread has a ton of info too. I tell you, this site rocks!

If success varies on preparation, I believe you have the scales tipped in your favor more than I have them.

Well, I figure that I am a novice, so best to learn as much as I can from those who have already done. I'm pretty handy when it comes to mechanical and electrical, and have done organic gardening (have a small veg garden in the back yard every year). I originally thought I would go organic for my grow, but after doing TONS of research on here, I am definitely going to do Stinkbud's system. Being currently unemployed as afforded me the opportunity to do lots of reading here. I joined earlier this month and have probably spent 5-6 hours a day reading threads. After lurking for a few weeks, I felt comfortable enough to make my presence known. I had started reading your thread because you started from scratch and I definitely appreciate the process you went through to get where you are. I can see right away that any budget I think I might have will likely blossom similar to yours. But since I am a total chronic (well before my layoff) I can see spending the $400-500/month I was spending on buying and invest it into growing!

Good stuff. I'm impressed.

Thanks for the compliment. I'm impressed at your grow. I am wondering if I could modify stinkbuds system with a screen like you have. I also read a thread about super cropping. That has me totally intrigued too.

Talking the wife into 1/15 of the basement is no small feat either.

You aren't kidding. But it should be a sweet set-up. I intend to make the area under the stairs my veg/clone room (which actually isn't counted in the 100 sq ft.) and a 12 x 8 x 7 area for my flower room.

 

[jigfresh]

Hey guys. I'll give a full report later.

Here is some pics of the red and white hairs I found today.

Enjoy.

 

[jigfresh]

Hello again. I forgot to take pictures today. Well, after the earlier ones of the hairs. I had a long day. I have a visitor coming tomorrow. It is actually the very first person I know (aside from my parents) to come visit my house that me and my wife bought. It's been a year and a half since we moved here, and I only moved from 75, but no visits. I think people are crazy for not wanting to see the mountains. It's so nice up here, especially on a temporary basis. I guess it would help if I had more friends. Anyhow, I'll have a kid soon enough and then I'll wish for the quiet we have now.

It has been a week since my last reservoir change, and I know it's a little overkill, or waste of money/ water, but I changed it again today. It wasn't that smooth though, because I didn't have enough water right away. And I was rushing to do things before the lights went out. The only thing I really messed up was this: I ran out of the pH down mix I had made up. So I just used strait pH down. According to my earlier notes I had used about 1L of 10%pH down. So I figured 60 mL of the full strength would be alright, not enough if anything. Well, the real problem was I wasn't using my meter at the time. Because I was rushing I didn't bother to slide the meter ends down low enough to be in the low water line. So the meter computer part wasn't working correctly. So I just did things blind. Threw in the pH after all the nutes and prayed. The meter ends still weren't in water because I didn't have enough. Then I figured I could just slide them down. The reading was 1950 ppm (I was going for 1750). Also the pH was 4.75.

This was in part because the water was still at 22 of ~29 to fill. I have since filled it up to around 27, and the ppm is down to around 1775, but the pH is only up to 5.0. I believe it will climb some over the next few hours, so I'm not going to get all adjust crazy. I'll just see what it is in the morning. I don't figure 11 hours at 5.1 or something will be that bad.

Chalk it up as my second bonehead mistake (the open window/ bugs being #1, am I forgetting anything?). This wasn't even a mistake as much as being careless, rushing. I would be more upset with myself, but there were extenuating circumstances here tonight (cats not wife). Plants will be fine, so all is good.

The bulb I ordered was out for delivery at 6am with UPS today. Then at 4pm someone entered that they needed a correct address. All this on a UPS web-page with my correct address listed just an inch above this message. Tomorrow is the ballast arrival, and there is only one driver, so I figure He will figure it out. Let's hope. A ballast and socket aren't much good without a bulb.

dirtystacks, I'll reply to you soon.

 

[dirtystacks]

Hey Jigfresh, You know what they say....Haste makes waste. But I think you will be ok here. I don't say that from experience mind you, since I have NONE at growing MJ. I say that because from all of the reading I have been doing would suggest that these plants are effin resiliant. I've read and seen pics of guys who are using aero. They lost power and thus their pumps weren't running. Roots got dry....the plants looked like they were on the verge of dying. But they came back. Just go in today and check out the levels and adjust as appropriate. I should think that you are early enough in your flowering stage for the plants to cope.

Man I can't catch up on Stinkbud's thread. I read like for 6 hours yesterday and only got to page 290. There are over 450 pages in that thread! I will say though, that ALOT of the replys are people who haven't taken the time to read the thread. They just keep asking the same questions. OVER AND OVER. Stinkbud is a class act though, he never seems to get upset. Must be all of that good Ganja! I tell you, the more I read, the more I want to start growing. My lovely wife isn't real hip on me spending alot of dough right now - being unemployed and all - which I am inclined to agree with her.

We went to one of those box stores Sunday and I wanted to start buying stuff to make my cloner and veg systems, but she talked me out of it since I haven't even started framing out the room. She was right....can't put the cart before the horse. (Even though they had totes on sale!) So I bought some things that we originally went there to buy....grease gun that was on sale, some fertilizer that was on sale for the yard...yada yada yada. It did aford me the opportunity to get some ball park figures on the build out though. Studs, fasteners,vapor barrier, insulation, door, drywall, paint, breakers, conduit, wire, wire boxes, GFI wall sockets. Doing the work myself, I think I can get it built out for ~$1000 in material. And since I totally love craiglist, I will search on there to see if I can find any material for less.

I can't believe you haven't had any visitors up to the mountains. I lived in Washington and Oregon for several years and totally miss the mountains. They are so majestic. I hate the flat plains of the midwest. Post some pics of the mountains....

Need more friends? Well, consider adding me to the list!

Peace!

 

[jigfresh]

Well, I figure that I am a novice, so best to learn as much as I can from those who have already done.

This is such a great way of doing things. Be prepared, like the boy scouts say. I read about people who say 'experience counts for everything' meaning they don't like to read, and think others idea will polute the perfection inside them waiting to come out. When in reality, you and I, we are gathering information, so that when we grow and build our own experience, that process is made easier. We have greased the gears, and not it is time to take that info, and make our OWN choices. It's like stupid people think that if you listen to anything, you have to beleive it. So they don't listen to anything. Make up your own mind. The stupid part is, only people like you will read my rant here, and we don't need it.

After lurking for a few weeks, I felt comfortable enough to make my presence known. I had started reading your thread because you started from scratch and I definitely appreciate the process you went through to get where you are.

It's funny and kinda lame, but I was so nervous posting for my first time. I've never been a part of a forum, or chatboard, anything. I don't have a myspace/ facebook page. So when I started on this site it was a first. I'm still getting used to it. Have to remember to not take things personally.

I must say as many idiots as there are on here, the % of nice, intelligent, careful people on rollitup is incredibly high. I guess it takes a bit of patience and fortuity to grow pot, and keep doing it.

I can see right away that any budget I think I might have will likely blossom similar to yours. But since I am a total chronic (well before my layoff) I can see spending the $400-500/month I was spending on buying and invest it into growing!

That's the biggest thing I'm embarrased about. Just to myself, not like I don't want you guys knowing, but I feel really siily when I consider my original estimate. I remember telling my wife "I could Totally do it for $500." You read the thread so you know, but my first order of stuff was like $700, and that was not even half of the equip. It's all good cause I'm blessed to be able to recoup my expenses in the name of medicine.

I am wondering if I could modify stinkbuds system with a screen like you have. I also read a thread about super cropping. That has me totally intrigued too.

I haven't read that much about stinkbuds system? Do you ever have the need to move the plants? Are they really close together? If not those then I don't see why not. Here's my thing. A screen is a lot of work, and if you plan on getting a job again (before the grow finished) you might not have the proper time. I mean I'm sure you could 'find' the time, but you don't want this thing to be a stress, it should be fun. So maybe set things up and run one plant under a little screen, see how you like it.

What is the plan anyways? I'm guessing this will be for you, maybe some buddies. My guess is that if you are the type of guy (like me) who gets permission from the wife to do things, you probably aren't the kinda person who's gonna bag the stuff up and slang sacks to the youngsters in town.

I'd been thinking about this and wondering, because you are going to have 100sq ft. If that is all for your personal grow space, THAT IS AWESOME. Being utilitarian and maximizing workspace is thoughtless compared to the details you could incorporate to a room that size.

Also, something I don't worry about, but Do you use a web proxy filter thing? http://www.hidemyass.com/proxy/ is one. I don't recommend them necessarily, just the first I did of a search. Don't want those overzealous midwest cops getting any ideas.

 

[dirtystacks]

The stupid part is, only people like you will read my rant here, and we don't need it.

Well, we all have to rant once in a while. It's good for the soul. As for being prepared....Why re-invent the wheel? They've done it....and continue to do it very successfully. Have you seen the bud pics these guys are harvesting? I tell you I nearly drool all over my keyboard!

... I feel really siily when I consider my original estimate. I remember telling my wife "I could Totally do it for $500."

I would have done the same....in fact, I still am kidding myself at how much it will cost to set up my secret room. I tend to do things overboard...but since I need to keep it stealthy....I like to use that little fact for justification. Plus I just plain like to build shit. lol.

I haven't read that much about stinkbuds system? Do you ever have the need to move the plants? Are they really close together? If not those then I don't see why not.

Well, in SB's system, you have to move them from clone system, to veg system, to the final flower system. But you wouldn't use the screen in the clone/veg. So no. But, seems like a large net might be easier. SB's system has PVC pipes to support the plants during flower. They have worked well for him and all his followers. I suppose I shouldn't try to fix what's NOT broke. But I like to tinker...

What is the plan anyways? I'm guessing this will be for you, maybe some buddies. My guess is that if you are the type of guy (like me) who gets permission from the wife to do things, you probably aren't the kinda person who's gonna bag the stuff up and slang sacks to the youngsters in town.

My plan is to make enough for me and some buddies. Besides, I'm am tired of paying top dollar for stuff that is ok to good at best. And shopping around for other sources is a risky business. And it seems when ever I went dry....they were dry. I'd have to wait a week or two. I'm tired of that shit.

I'd been thinking about this and wondering, because you are going to have 100sq ft. If that is all for your personal grow space, THAT IS AWESOME. Being utilitarian and maximizing workspace is thoughtless compared to the details you could incorporate to a room that size.

Oh, I know 100sq ft is overkill...Remember I like to overdo things? Here's the deal, I have the room... SO ... Why not use it? Our house is already ~3000 sq ft and that doesn't include the 1500 sq ft unfinished basement. Having that much room should aford me the ability to completely seal it off and no one will be the wiser. I'm thinking of walling it in completely and having access under the basement stairs. Use a creeper to slide under the stairs to get in. NO VISIBLE DOOR. Once inside, I'll have all of the room I need to work, grow, trim, dry...oh...and dare I say....smoke..

Also, something I don't worry about, but Do you use a web proxy filter thing? http://www.hidemyass.com/proxy/ is one. I don't recommend them necessarily, just the first I did of a search. Don't want those overzealous midwest cops getting any ideas.

You are right, I don't want anyone poking around in my shit, but I haven't done anything illegal... It's not illegal to build out a room...well, unless they want to give me hastle about not getting a building permit....but then half my neighbors should get the same hastle.

At some point, I should probably look into that though...Thanks for the tip.

 

[jigfresh]

I don't say that from experience mind you, since I have NONE at growing MJ. I say that because from all of the reading I have been doing would suggest that these plants are effin resiliant.

You don't have to agree (I have a healthy ego that doesn't need any help), but I think you and I (and other studious folk like us) know more about a lot of this growing stuff than half the people who have actually grown before. Mainly becuase they are idiots, the same ones who don't read though a thread and ask the same questions over and over. I'm not saying that mistakes shouldn't be made, nobodies perfect, but the lack of attention to seemingly everything that is demonstrated by some it just jaw dropping. Man, if we were all trying to grow some delicate, finiky plant, no one would be able to do it. (excercising that rant muscle)

I will say though, that ALOT of the replys are people who haven't taken the time to read the thread. They just keep asking the same questions. OVER AND OVER.

See above.

... but she talked me out of it since I haven't even started framing out the room. She was right....can't put the cart before the horse.

The biggest secret to my sucess in growing and life is a great wife. I can't even tell you how much she has helped with the grow. Yes, she know's nothing about growing pot, but then again, neither do I. She has given great objective common sense advise throughout, and it has really helped. In my grow (like life) I have come to accept and trust her opinions, becuase as much as it sucks to admit she actually is always right. (it really kinda sucks)

Sounds like you have a good team-mate over there.

It did aford me the opportunity to get some ball park figures on the build out though. Studs, fasteners,vapor barrier, insulation, door, drywall, paint, breakers, conduit, wire, wire boxes, GFI wall sockets. Doing the work myself, I think I can get it built out for ~$1000 in material. And since I totally love craiglist, I will search on there to see if I can find any material for less.

Dude, now you are just teasing me. As much fun and as rewarding as having these beautiful plants in my closet, I have my real fun building and planning things. I am already looking forward to setting up my next grow space. Who knows when that will be, but it will be fun.

Need more friends? Well, consider adding me to the list!

Consider yourself added. You have a place to stay in SoCal (as long as I live here, and debateable once I have a kid, haha).

I'll post some mountain pics soon.

 

[jigfresh]

Have you seen the bud pics these guys are harvesting? I tell you I nearly drool all over my keyboard!

Some of these guys are such studs. Growing absolute Monsters. There is one guy, I can't find his name now, but he grows outdoors in the desert in Australia (i guess it's all desert). But man, his plant is so Massive. And MyGirls grows some fat plants inside. Trees the guys are making, I messing with little sprouts. It's all good though, I don't feel bad, just different strategies.

About the screen in your set up, maybe try it on some of the plants. Who knows how things will eventually be situated, but you could use it on a couple, and super-crop the others, compare results or something.

My plan is to make enough for me and some buddies. Besides, I'm am tired of paying top dollar for stuff that is ok to good at best. And shopping around for other sources is a risky business. And it seems when ever I went dry....they were dry. I'd have to wait a week or two. I'm tired of that shit.

Lucky buddies you got. I hear you on paying top dollar. My room will pay for itself rather quickly just based off the savings of not having to buy. This is going to be a very good thing, this growing.

Our house is already ~3000 sq ft and that doesn't include the 1500 sq ft unfinished basement.

3000 ft. Is that another example of you overdoing things? That's a pretty huge house, no? I'm not knocking it, I just think I would get lost in a place like that. Our place is ~600. I could totally stand 1500, but I'm very impressed.

I'm thinking of walling it in completely and having access under the basement stairs. Use a creeper to slide under the stairs to get in. NO VISIBLE DOOR. Once inside, I'll have all of the room I need to work, grow, trim, dry...oh...and dare I say....smoke..

Are you sure you aren't james bond. I bet you are at least a member of the A-team with the creeper idea. That is an awesome plan. Plus it forces you to keep a slim profile.

At some point, I should probably look into that though...

It's all speculation/ fun + games until you take pics, or have plants. That's my thought.

 

[jigfresh]

Hey everyone. Plants are still great. pH when the lights came on was a little above 5.4, and with a couple hours after that it was above 5.5, so I'm just going to let it be, raise up to 5.8 on it's own.

UPS was very good to me. I got my 250w ballast, my t-15 shape 250w MH bulb, and my mogul socket. I slapped it all together, made some shady wiring connections, took down the batwing enclosure for surgery, and BAM - it is brighter than the sun in there. It really look super super cool with both lights and the different colors and everything. There are these crazy shadows on the wood separator thing, part blue, part orange.

The extra bulb, and extra restricted airflow through the enclosure has made things hotter. I haven't had to move the light up at all, but the room overall is getting hotter. It would be up near 90 with no exhaust fan, and the door closed, but I leave the door cracked when the lights are on, and I have the thermostat as well.

I also got delivered the dehumidifier. I believe it does Nothing. Maybe heats up the air some. I'm going to give it 48 hours or so, put it in different places in the closet, but I think it is worthless. Bummer. I really want my humidity down.

I also have been working on the plants still, tucking leaves, positioning branches. It is coming along very nicely.

Thanks everyone for following along. It is much more enjoyable to grow together, and I am still holding out hope for some freak occurence that would get all of us at the same place at the same time, with all our homegrown and no law, (and a few lighters).

Just my biased opinion, but I think the pics look awesome.

 

[robotninja]

looks like I won't be buying that dehumidifier then...

 

[jigfresh]

looks like I won't be buying that dehumidifier then...

No way man. DONT DO IT, haha. That thing sucks.

It is the lamest design and clearly doesn't do much as I left it on in the closet overnight. The humidity gets up to around 88% and there was seriously NO water at all inside.

I think I'm going to try something else. I'm going to search the forums for suggestions, and search the web some more.

I read about the work trip. That's a bummer. You better coach your roommate good.

How are the plants over there anyways?

 

[Survolte]

lookin great bro. Im fascinated with your canopy, I can see it is going to fill in really nice. I cant wait to see those buds!

 

[jigfresh]

Im fascinated with your canopy

Me too. I sit and just look up at it sometimes. It is a beautiful sight to see from below, the light is shaded very nicely and there is a cool breeze blowing. I feel like I'm lounging on a tropical beach as I lay on my bedroom floor and soak up the bits of hid light making it's way through the gaps.

The screen makes for a very different looking plants. Not that I have grown before, but looking at all the pictures of people just letting their plants grow it is amazing how differently our grows look. It's all the same plant, but ours (with screens) are weird. I think I like it.

For my next grow I'm thinking of using the same setup, except instead of using 6 plants, I'm thinking about 3 or 4. I could probably veg them the same time as this go, and still fill the screen. I'm thinking of building an extra cabinet to flower a couple more plants. I want to stay in my 6 plant limit, but figure if I'm providing a medical service, I might as well provide more of a medical service.

Thanks for watching everyone.

 

[jigfresh]

Today was another spray day. I almost forgot to raise the lights to spray them. How much would it suck to totally mess up the plants now over a stupid mistake like that. But I remembered and they loved it.

One silly thing I keep forgetting to confess to, I totally didn't think about the pH meter when setting things up. What I mean is that the pH and ppm meters stay in the reservoir all the time. So I just dropped them though a 'plant hole'. The wires run between the pot and the tank lid. Well now that my screen is firmly in place and the plants aren't moving, I can't take my pH meter out. So I am going the rest of the way with no Calibration. How's that for flying by the seat of your pants.

The flowers are developing slowly. I am getting really excited seeing all the hairs and such.

My timing on the lights is on 11:30am off at 11:30pm. So it is torture every morning waiting to see my plants.

Also, in case you hadn't gathered from previous posts my dehumidifier I ordered does nothing so I am returning it. Going to order something off of ebay.

The dual light action is great. It's also really cool that on one wall the plants look all orange and on the other they look all blue. I think they like the extra light, and I think they really like the fact that there are two light sources now, it reaches more nooks.

 

[Hulk Nugs]

hey man just was wondering what time did you take that pic ?? dont be tempted to open the door in the dark period might stress them and turn to hermies..... screens looking great man did a great job filling that thing up ...... cant wait to see those flowers start forming........keep up the good work

 

[jigfresh]

Hey guys, the plants look great today. The flowers are getting bigger, more hairs. Things are definitely not stretching much anymore. There are secondary branches that I am unable to tuck under the screen at this point. I also mess up a branch today. I was trying to pull it under and it sorta snapped. They are becoming less elastic. It didn't totally break off so I am hopeful it will just be bent.

There was a super tall shoot in the back that I decided to do something about. I did the old pinch and roll on about 2 inches of stem. The branch sorta folded in two spots, and now the branch does a 180, and hangs down. But still, that was yesterday, and today the flowers on it are just as good looking as any others. It's not that I don't believe people on this site, obviously I do, or I wouldn't try what they say. But I am absolutely amazed that the branch is still alive. It seems to me it should be dead, but apparently not. I'm hoping the one I broke will similarly keep going.

I gave the dehumidifier another overnight to try and redeem itself and nothing. 12 hours with the door closed, at around 90% humidity and it did not collect one drop of water. I do know it is not defective as it collected about 30mL the first day.

I'm feeling as if the work of rearranging is coming to an end, or at least slowing down.

Thanks for watching, and dirtystacks, I got those pics of the mountain coming.