New Bubbleponic grower! Comments / Advice Appreciated!

[Diabolik]

Hi everyone,

I would first like to start off by saying how big a fan this wonderful site, especially the posts by Roseman and the other Bubbleheads.

I just recently purchased and started growing with the 6 Gallon Bubbleponics System. Dual Spectrum Bubbleponics™ Complete Kit
I also opted to upgrade to the Duel Spectrum II lights.

Let me start by saying, so far this system has been fantastic and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone!

My Setup:


I have a closet which is about 11 ' long by about 2' wide. At each end, the wall sticks out and I have about a 2' inset. This is the area I have decided to use as my grow area. I went to the store and bought rolls of ReflectixReflectix Duct Wrap 12 in x25' because at the time I couldn't find any Mylar. Using reflective duct tape, I adhered the reflective wrap onto the 3 walls, top and bottom. I then added a peice to the front to create a roll up / down door. I also installed 2 pully's to raise and lower my 2 lights.

Q1 - I have been thinking alot about ventilation lately. When the door is about halfway open, but the closet closed. The air temp stays between 80-90 and the humidity is around 40 or so. When I roll down the "door" it's almost completly sealed and reflective all around my kit. Temperatures then seem to go to about 100-110 after a few hours, so I try to open it often to keep the temp down.

I am probebly going to install 2 computer sized fans, at the top (the doorway only rolls up about halfway) hoping the hot air will rise, be vented out into my closet, and new air can be circulated in.

Let me know what you think of this setup, and if there is anything drastic I should change.


[URL="http://s586.photobucket.com/albums/ss304/Diabolik_photo/?action=view&current=IMG_0411.jpg"][URL=http://s586.photobucket.com/albums/ss304/Diabolik_photo/?action=view&current=IMG_0412.jpg][/URL][/URL]

 

[Diabolik]

My Plants:

My roommate picked up a 2-3' clone off a buddy of his. She sit's in his closet under a florecent bulb, also she is planted in soil.

I bought 2 feminized seeds off the internet, LSD and AK-48.

About 2 weeks ago, I germinated both seeds using the paper towel method. Both seeds were ready for planting 48 hours later, and I planted them in the waiting Rockwell cube's. LSD was quick to thrive and was also the first to germinate, however AK-48 seemed to be a bit slower. After constant checking over the last 2 weeks or so LSD is about 1 1/2" or so tall with 2 sets of pointy leafs, and AK now has 1 set of pointy leafs, and 1 set of round leafs, even though she is only about 1/2" or so out of the rock wool cube.

Thursday, we also decided to cut and plant our clones. We picked our 4 best bottom clones, cleaned off the bottom leafs and dipped in root hormone. (Stim-Roots #1) As you can see, they currently take up the 3 back spots and the middle front one.

PH:

It seems I am having a little issue with managing my PH. The only downfall of the Bubbleponics kit, is that they included those horrible paper test strips. I am currently looking to invest in a cost efficient Digi-meter, but in the mean time I went and bought a little bit more accurate Drop PH tester kit from a aquarium store. I'm not sure if it's just me, but I am finding it really difficult to compare the exact colors on either set.

When I first filled my tank and started the germinated seeds, I filled my tank with tap water, which sits around 7.0 PH. When I was sent the BP SH kit, it was missing a few crucial peices. (which they were quick to send replacements for, no issue) On wensday Oct. 21, I decided it was time to drain the water and replace it with PH adjusted water.

I attempted to add 6 X 1 gallon jug's of 6.6 - 7.0 PH water to the resivour, which I was conserned about because of the early stages of my seedlings. After checking a few hours later, my PH was above 7.0. Since then, I have been checking and adjusting the PH as needed, in the tank. I am pretty sure, it was advised not to add PH up or Down the resivour directly, but I find after I check after a few hours, it has raised again.

I have been testing (6.8 - 7.4) first.
Then adding a very small pinch of PH down, into the 6 gallons in the resivour.
And checking again usally changing the PH to about (6.4 - 6.. I have wanted to then lower it again, to get it to around 6.0, but as I said, this is when it is around 6.8-7.4 and the process has been repeating it self.

I'm not sure if it's because we just added the new clones, and the system is stabilizing it self. Maybe when I close my roll down door, it becomes to humid and this raises the PH.

If anyone has any ideas, suggestions or comments on who I can resolve this PH issue, lower it and keep it maintained at around 5.6 - 6.4 it would be appreciated.

So far, my plants seem to not be drastically effected by all of the changes and conditions I have mentioned. A few other small issues.

- My hose from my irrigation head, to my pump keeps getting disconnected when I raise the lid, or at least I think it's only when I lift the lid.

- I figure from germination to this point is aprox, 2 weeks. Are my seedlings, where they are supposed to be at, growth wise? How can I help promote faster growth, espeically on little AK who as I mentioned is still quite small.

I plan to add 1/4 of my grow nute pack to the water later on today, with probebly another 1/4 in tomorrow. Do you think this will be too much for my little seedlings? And when should I put the remaining 1/2 in? Is there a typical schedule or rule of thumb, for adding nutes after this week? 1 pack a week ect?

- Currently my 1 veg bulb, is aproximately 8" or so above my tank. Would it be benifical to add a 2nd one beside it, and run 2 at all times?

- Should I leave my roll down door, open at all times to keep humidity down, down all the way and raise humidity levels, or do as I currently am, which is a mix of both. Are those fluxuations as mentioned before, going to be a issue for my plants?

Also I should probebly mention, that my lights are on, for a 24/0 cycle currently, until I am ready to flower. Then I plan to switch to 12/12 with 2 flowering bulbs.

Finnaly I would also like to mentioned, that I am by no means an expert speller, or grammertician. So please, all help, advice, comments, suggests will be accepted with open arms. I look forward to growing an amazing crop of bad ass plants. But please, if your critisim is not constructive, don't bother posting it.

Thanks again to everyone, and I look forward to updating this grow journal as I move foward, and participating in the bubblehead community.


[URL="http://s586.photobucket.com/albums/ss304/Diabolik_photo/?action=view&current=IMG_0415.jpg"][/URL]

 

[Diabolik]

This is a recent update to my post above.

As I mentioned, I have been trying to lower the PH by approximately .3 - .5 every 6 - 12 hrs or so, until I get to a steady 5.8 - 6.2.

When I sat down, and wrote my earlier post, I had just finished lowering the PH in my system using the method above, to about 6.4. This was at approximately 11:00 a.m.

I just checked again at 3:15, and it is once again is at around 7.0 - 7.4.

Why is PH raising so dramatically on a fairly even basis? And what could I do to lower it, and keep it stable?

 

[Illegal Smile]

Don't push the pH so hard. Check and adjust it once a day, give it time to stabilize. If it doesn't in a few days then look for a cause. And don't try to force it into such a narrow range, 5.5 to 6.5 is acceptable. As for feeder tubes, read the below link.

 

[HomeGrownHairy]

I got this one off eBay last year for $20.00 and still use it. Get the test solution as well so you can calibrate it.

 

[Diabolik]

Thanks Homegrown Hairy, I will probably be ordering one of those PH tester's ASAP it looks like a good buy.

Illegal, I will probably end up removing the hub and tubes once I have a established root system, from what I read that seems to be what all the buzz is.

It's 9:30 a.m Sunday, and I just finished checking the PH again. It was at an astounding 7.4 - 7.6, so I lowered it down by using my method above to about 6.6 - 6.8.

I realize keeping the PH in such a small window, is impossible. But, to have it constantly raise well over 7.0 makes me really concerned. I also added 1/4 of the grow and micro nutes yesterday. So far none of my plants show any issues, with the PH adjustments or nutes, and I plan to add another 1/4 of nutes when I get home later today.

 

[Dystopia]

Thanks Homegrown Hairy, I will probably be ordering one of those PH tester's ASAP it looks like a good buy.

Illegal, I will probably end up removing the hub and tubes once I have a established root system, from what I read that seems to be what all the buzz is.

It's 9:30 a.m Sunday, and I just finished checking the PH again. It was at an astounding 7.4 - 7.6, so I lowered it down by using my method above to about 6.6 - 6.8.

I realize keeping the PH in such a small window, is impossible. But, to have it constantly raise well over 7.0 makes me really concerned. I also added 1/4 of the grow and micro nutes yesterday. So far none of my plants show any issues, with the PH adjustments or nutes, and I plan to add another 1/4 of nutes when I get home later today.

I'm wondering if you thoroughly rinsed your rockwool cubes and let them sit in 5.5 pH water overnight? Rockwool is made out of Dolomite, which is a very basic (high pH) material, and you need to rinse out the Dolomite dust and pre-adjust the pH on them before use, or they can mess with your pH.

Just a thought...

 

[petrol420]

Does rockwool need to sit in water for a 24 hour period? I ask because the instructions that Grodan provides with it's 4" rockwool cube tell you to soak the cube for 30 mins in PH 5.5 water and then you're ready. The 1.5" starter cube instructions tell you that you don't have to soak those for long at all. I followed those instructions and have had no problems.

 

[Diabolik]

Dystopia I think you may have a valid point. At first when I got the system I didn't have anyway to test the ph, and I didn't know I had to soak the cubes. The latest 4 for the clones were pre soaked in 7.0 water.

So then, if that is what is causing the fluxuations with my PH what is the best way to amend it, without killing my babies?

 

[loolagigi]

Dystopia I think you may have a valid point. At first when I got the system I didn't have anyway to test the ph, and I didn't know I had to soak the cubes. The latest 4 for the clones were pre soaked in 7.0 water.

So then, if that is what is causing the fluxuations with my PH what is the best way to amend it, without killing my babies?

stay with us diablo, this too shall pass. keep the updates comming my friend.

 

[Diabolik]

Hey guys,

Last night I adjusted my PH (using my pinch and test method) to about 6.4 or so. Closed up my roll down door, and went to sleep. This morning I woke up, checked the PH (which was about 7.6 or so (it's still really hard to get exact reading with these drops)) and noticed that my reservoir water was really warm. I don't yet have a water thermometer, but the Temp in the room was about 100 or so, dropping to about 80 once I opened the grow door, but closed the closet door.

As I mentioned before, when I first started up the system and my grow cycle I was unaware that I needed to pre-soak the Rock Wool cubes. Even the 4 cubes I later installed for the clones, were only soaked 2-3 hours in PH 7.0 water. My PH comparison chart only goes down to 6.0, so I plan to use Roseman's advice by mixing up a gallon or so of water, lowering the PH to 6.0 and pouring a shot glass of 6.0 water over my cubes.

I'm thinking about also putting some ice cubes, or something in the reservoir to try and cool down the water temp a bit. I'm thinking I might also try and flush out all the water later this week, installing new PH 6.2 - 6.6 water.

Let me know what you guys think, my babies still look healthy but I'm not sure if they should be further along by now.

Advice and comments always appreciated!

I plan to do as Roseman suggested,

 

[fatflathead]

Hey guys,

Last night I adjusted my PH (using my pinch and test method) to about 6.4 or so. Closed up my roll down door, and went to sleep. This morning I woke up, checked the PH (which was about 7.6 or so (it's still really hard to get exact reading with these drops)) and noticed that my reservoir water was really warm. I don't yet have a water thermometer, but the Temp in the room was about 100 or so, dropping to about 80 once I opened the grow door, but closed the closet door.

As I mentioned before, when I first started up the system and my grow cycle I was unaware that I needed to pre-soak the Rock Wool cubes. Even the 4 cubes I later installed for the clones, were only soaked 2-3 hours in PH 7.0 water. My PH comparison chart only goes down to 6.0, so I plan to use Roseman's advice by mixing up a gallon or so of water, lowering the PH to 6.0 and pouring a shot glass of 6.0 water over my cubes.

I'm thinking about also putting some ice cubes, or something in the reservoir to try and cool down the water temp a bit. I'm thinking I might also try and flush out all the water later this week, installing new PH 6.2 - 6.6 water.

Let me know what you guys think, my babies still look healthy but I'm not sure if they should be further along by now.

Advice and comments always appreciated!

I plan to do as Roseman suggested,

I would add some Ice or frozen water bottles as needed. Also i would be more worried about your high temps than anything else. I think you'll see that once you get in all your balanced nutes your ph will be just fine. Stick with it and dont over think it too much, remember this is suppossed to be fun!

 

[Diabolik]

permalink
Oct. 26 6:30 p.m

PH: 6.0
Temp: 84 F
Hum: 50

I just recently finished draining out 1 gallon of water from the reservoir, and adding back in 1 gallon of 6.0 PH water. When I checked it, it was again close to 7.2. So lowering it by approximately 1.2 is quite a bit, but since I only added 1 gallon of 6.0 water to 5 gallons of 7.2 water I am hoping it balances out. I will also be watching my plants very closely, and at any sign of curling or yellowing leaves, I plan to re drain and refill using 6 gallons of 6.4 water.

However, now when I am testing my reservoir PH (with the 1 gallon added) it's reading 6.0

I also added in my 1/4 pack of grow and micro nutes at this time. (mixed and strained in aprox 950 ml of water, and strained.

It should also be mentioned, that earlier today I filled up a water bottle with tap water (7.0 - 7.2) and lowered it down to 6.0 and pouring a ounce or so over each rock wool cube, at 2 - 3 hour intervals to help and lower the PH of them.

I know I am probably asking retarded questions, but I'm just trying to be as active and efficient as I can, being as this is my first time.

Note: Also as the result, of temperature fluctuation, I have been rolling my door down, so that there is about 16 " - 24" of open space at the bottom. This seems to have kept my "Grow room" at a steady 85 or so F and 45- 50 Hum. I also have another frozen bottle of 6.0 water at the ready.

 

[SlickRickMcgee]

Do you have a ocilating fan in there? Those computer sized fans aren't big enough IMO. Get about a 12" fan, need to move the air, it's also good for strengthening up the plants. I know you know already that you need to get the temps down. 70 to 75 degrees F, is a good goal.

 

[Diabolik]

Do you have a ocilating fan in there? need to move the air, it's also good for strengthening up the plants. I know you know already that you need to get the temps down. 70 to 75 degrees F, is a good goal.

Yea, if you can see in the pic where I show the top of my room, I got a small oscillating fan, running all the time. (It's the purple thing, a bit hard to see) Also, I was thinking about buying like a ceiling bathroom fan, and installing it at the top, that way it would even be easy to put a air filter on. Or the other idea was to install 2 computer sized fans, at the top of my make-shift roll up door way. I was thinking of one to suck in fresh air, and hopefully getting one to suck out.

Also, I heard temperatures a little bit higher, were good for vegging? I was aiming for the 75 - 85 F mark.

 

[SlickRickMcgee]

Yea, if you can see in the pic where I show the top of my room, I got a small oscillating fan, running all the time. (It's the purple thing, a bit hard to see) Also, I was thinking about buying like a ceiling bathroom fan, and installing it at the top, that way it would even be easy to put a air filter on. Or the other idea was to install 2 computer sized fans, at the top of my make-shift roll up door way. I was thinking of one to suck in fresh air, and hopefully getting one to suck out.

Also, I heard temperatures a little bit higher, were good for vegging? I was aiming for the 75 - 85 F mark.

Cool, Yeah move the air and get your temps to level out at whatever you feel is best. I've read that you want it to be consistent if anything. I've had mine at always 70-75 through the whole grow, I think that too dramatic of a fluctuation may be a negative.

 

[Diabolik]

11:30 p.m

Earlier when I added that 1 gallon of 6.0 water, I was pretty worried, thinking my plants might not handle that drastic change. So, I played the waiting game and decided to check again before I went to bed. The PH is back to 7.2, this was like 3 hours ago! and I added 1 gallon of what I believed to be 6.0 water. I also have now, poured 1 ounce of 6.0 water onto the cubes, 4 times today and still no change.

My ladies, still seem to be doing fine, even though all the mad scientist adjustments to my PH.

What are my next steps?

Should I try to maybe empty my entire system, and resupply it with 6.0 water, in hopes to offset the high balance of my non soaked cubes? Or will that be too much stress for my baby seedlings? Maybe I should remove the Rockwool cubes (with seedlings / clones in them), and let them sit in a bowl of PH lowered water for a hour or 2? At least these are all mistakes, I will know not to make next time.

Let me know what you guys think...

 

[Diabolik]

permalink
October 27 2009
6:25 p.m

Today I decided to make a few major adjustments. After having constant fluxuations keeping my PH down, I went and bought some R/O water, 2 X 5 gallons. Then I emptied my system and replaced it with 5 gallons of the R/O water. The last Gallon, I mixed in exactly 1/4 of a Grow Pack and 1/4 of a Micro Pack and then added that giving me 6 gallons.

The SH guy told me apparently a lot of people having been having issues with High PH and the R/O water almost always fixed there issue. I have also been pouring 1 ounce of 4.0 water over my cubes every 3 hours, in hopes of lowering their PH. I'm kinda try the R/O Water, I've heard mixed reviews but I guess we will find out...

I also decided to add a 2nd 12 " air stone to my tank and attach it using a coupler to my air pump. And I added a Duel Spectrum flowering light bulb, so now I am running 1 flowering 1 vegging.They are hanging side my side aprox. 10 " from my plants.

LSD is starting to get a yellowish streak running down it's center 4 leafs, I have included a updated pic. And AK just started growing it's other fan leafs but not getting much taller. I promise myself, if my babies make it threw and stabilize I'm going to smoke a big one in their honor, and relax.

 

[Diabolik]

Oct. 28 2009 11:00 a.m

PH: 6.4
Temp: 86 F
Hum: 45
Wat. Temp: 90 F

LSD: 1 3/4 " (8 or so fan leafs, have shown themselves but are still showing signs of discoloration)
AK: 1" (now has 4 or so fan leafs, still the runt)

Notes:

- The PH still seems to be raising slightly, but I assume that's because of the still high PH of my Rockwool cubes. I was wondering if I should still be pouring a ounce or so of 4.0 water over my cubes. now that I have switched to R/O water. Advice?

- I don't plan on adding any more nutes, at least for a few days. Depending on how my babies adapt to all the changes. I will probably add 1/4 pack or so on Saturday.

- Now that I have switched to the R/O I don't plan on playing with the PH at all, regardless of it's little spikes. If there are any drastic changes, I will address them as they come up.

- With the additon of that flowering light, my room temperatures have risen quite a bit. Therefore, I have been keeping my roll up door, fully open and closing my closet door. This has been keeping my room alot cooler (closer to the 75 - 85 F range) but I had to turn the flowering light off last night, and just run the vegging one, so I could sleep in the same room. Later on today, me and my room mate are probably either going to install a small Bathroom sized venting fan up top, or 2 computer sized fans at the top of my roll up door way. Opinions and advice on the best way to keep my room vented, and temperatures down are always appreciated.

- Also, if you can see in the full view pics, my clones seem to be wilting quite a bit. I just pulled them out of the cubes 1 by 1 and still havent noticed even the smallest of root growth. Prob gonna try Petrol420's guide on cloning on Saturday to see if I can establish some good clones.

 

[sumthingnew69]

im in the same boat as you. but what i believe i have been reading is that each day after everything is rooted and has a root system that your going to be adding more water daily. i have about a 3 week old one right now. the root system is already hitting the bottom of the bucket. well ive been checking and it goes slightly up through the week. ive read this can be from the plant eating the nutes. and you can tell what its eating more of. but i took and made a 1 gallon water jug. put 1/2 nutes in it. and have been adding it as needed. daily that should keep your ph lowered. but this is my first grow and i only have 1 plant going incase i fail epicly.