first off this whole recessing thing sounds pointless and completely without benefit for the problem (stretching). Stretching occurs b/c of too little light/ light too far from the plant. This recessing sounds unneccessary and quiet harmful to the little girls (well, hopefully girls).
I just harvested 10 days ago from my AG. I first just want to say that an aerogarden will produce well for a experiment/ getting you some personal smoke that will definetly last until the next grow if your not a HUGE smoker. Mine started from clones and spent about 2-3 weeks in veg.I let them almost reach the lights on each setting before moving it up, and put it into 12/12 right after I raised the lights the first time. They spent 4 weeks of flower taking over the little system (unless you have 1 or 2 plants do not prune/clip at all) and I bought General Hydroponics Micro/Grow/Bloom to use instead of aeronutes (which i also started with). I only changed the tank twice. First switch about a week after starting flower and second when too flush before final harvest. Meanwhile adding slightly watered down nutes (as not to overload).
So I had 6 girls in mine and after the first 4 weeks of flower the AG light was maxed out (sitting on the holder above the highest setting) with the plants growing up into the lights. I borrowed a 400W HPS from my bud and ditched the AG light. Seriously, the buds doubled within a week. (CFLs will never do what even a smaller HPS will!!) I let them have a full 5 weeks under the HPS and they loved every minute. Just finally weighed the harvest and it came to a bit over 2 ounces. And the smoke??? SUPERB!!
I got a buddy thats very involved in growing and he was pissed that my first grow on an AG with the same strain he uses in a rock wool ebb/flow under 600W was better! He made me trade him some for personal!
Hmm anything else I could add....
Oh I used Superthrive and some kind of Organic Carbo Synthesizer ( i forget the brand) and didn't have a airstone in my tank. After the grow I realized my roots had definetly taken over the pump and it was a bitch to clean! I don't see any good way around that though. oh, haha, and one plant in the system easily had a 1/3 of the total weight and during final flush, for the most part it was supported by the other 5 plants. All but one plant produced well. the 6th tiny guy just got overtaken and crowded out. However, it gave about an 1/8 and has the best looking hairs of any of the others.
mmm...I wanna smoke some now...
Think I might need to do the recess deal and hang the white paper. Also gonna try to put my airstone in the back. Got the hose running through the front flap right now. Skerred I might be getting a little light on the roots. Thanks for all the good info and discussion on this topic. I just looking to get enough for medicinal purposes...and especially where I dont have to buy none. That would be nice. Speaking peppas here of course. 