Best investment to increase output?

[Shik]

So I had my first successful cycle and now time for the second. I yielded 8oz from a single plant under a 600w light. I expect to hit 1lb this time.

I want to make some more investments. I ordered quality nutrients this time, and more than I had last time. I've ordered a new DWC system, using a hempy style bucket setup with 7gal buckets.

Any suggestions on what I can do to increase output? I am considering buying 2 more lights and growing 2 more plants, but that will also mean I need extra ducting, extra hoods, extra fans, nutes, a/c, and carbon filter system.

Just wanted to ask the experts here if anyone had any other suggestions as to important investments I should make.

 

[althor]

Pictures of your 8 ounce plant?

 

[Shik]

Sure, will have them up soon.

 

[gagekko]

Sounds to me you got it pretty much figured out if you are pulling 8 ozs off one plant - assuming you are taking dry weight. If you are getting that kinda weight, get 2 more light/hoods/ducting like you say and try to throw 3 or 4 plants under it.

 

[Shik]

Sure, will have them up soon.


Thanks, I am pretty sure thats the way I am going, I just want to get other peoples opinions to make sure that I am doing the best I can.

Measure three times cut once ya know!?

Oh, that was 8 dry. Yes.

 

[stonerman]

CO2!!! It makes a big difference in plant growth, just crank up the ppm. Back when the dinosaurs ruled the earth, co2 levels were much, much higher then what they are today, thats why plants grew so big back then. That is a great investment, co2 levels play a substantial role in a plants growth. Hope that helps, happy growing

 

[jondamon]

You grew one plant under 600w??

Why?

IMO you would be better suited doing 4x3ft plants under a 600w with anything over 4oz per plant. Making your total yield 16oz or more




J

 

[hotrodharley]

Agree with stonerman. You have the basics and then some. Add the CO2. Of course more light is always part of the answer for questions regarding quality and yield.

 

[jondamon]

IMO you don't need Co2 yet.

Maximise your existing setup.

When you are yielding upwards of 600g from your 600w and YOU can control temps exactly then look to add Co2 if you want to.

However with Co2 comes a whole other grow room setup.

With Co2 you need to run a sealed setup otherwise its wasted by exhausting the grow room and ends up costing you more money without seeing a great return.




J

 

[Shik]

You grew one plant under 600w??

Why?

IMO you would be better suited doing 4x3ft plants under a 600w with anything over 4oz per plant. Making your total yield 16oz or more




J

I could only afford one plant last time, and I followed the supervision of FlowaMastas massive plants under one 600w, and figured if he could pull over a lb I could too! I made a few mistakes along the line though that hurt overall yield.

I agree with the CO2 comment, I am moving to a new room, but so far have had trouble keeping temps down below 80 degrees F.

I have been thinking of adding in an A/c unit to the room. I have sealed the window, I have sealed the door, and all holes. The air is pulled from the room, through the light, and out of the room. But the room still manages to heat up from the radiation under the hood.

 

[hotrodharley]

I could only afford one plant last time, and I followed the supervision of FlowaMastas massive plants under one 600w, and figured if he could pull over a lb I could too! I made a few mistakes along the line though that hurt overall yield.

I agree with the CO2 comment, I am moving to a new room, but so far have had trouble keeping temps down below 80 degrees F.

I have been thinking of adding in an A/c unit to the room. I have sealed the window, I have sealed the door, and all holes. The air is pulled from the room, through the light, and out of the room. But the room still manages to heat up from the radiation under the hood.

You're pulling air from the room and exhausting it outside the room. So where does the replacement air come from? And what is its temperature?

 

[jondamon]

Bends and angles in ductwork cause up to a 20% efficiency loss from your fan.

Carbon filters cause 15% efficiency loss on your fan.

Each air cooled 600w-1000w light needs an increase in fan power of 5%.

Tell me your room size.

Then tell me your fan size?

Filter size?

How many bends in ductwork etc?

If you give me the list of your setup and let's see first off if we can't get your room to a more manageable temp without buying anything.



J

 

[jondamon]

You're pulling air from the room and exhausting it outside the room. So where does the replacement air come from? And what is its temperature?

This is a very valid point.

If you are dumping hot air into the surrounding area where your grow is then the ambient air is heating up and could be causing your grow room to heat up more too.


J

 

[gagekko]

I have been thinking of adding in an A/c unit to the room. I have sealed the window, I have sealed the door, and all holes. The air is pulled from the room, through the light, and out of the room. But the room still manages to heat up from the radiation under the hood.

Can you snap a picture of your light and exhaust? I'm kinda interested in a set up like you described.

 

[Sir.Ganga]

If your looking to yeild a pound per plant , one per light is the way to go. You need to keep them in veg. for 6-8 weeks and lollipop them in the last couple of weeks of veg. 600's have a smaller grow window, 24-30 inches below the light any farther and popcorn starts to lessen your yeild.

Have a look at your veg area, roots, topping and removing lower lateral will all increase your yeild.

 

[gagekko]

Bends and angles in ductwork cause up to a 20% efficiency loss from your fan.

Carbon filters cause 15% efficiency loss on your fan.

Each air cooled 600w-1000w light needs an increase in fan power of 5%.

Tell me your room size.

Then tell me your fan size?

Filter size?

How many bends in ductwork etc?

If you give me the list of your setup and let's see first off if we can't get your room to a more manageable temp without buying anything.



J

Good info here.

 

[hockeyrichard]

What was your veg time on this?

 

[althor]

So you pulled 8 oz off what appears to be a perfectly trained canopy on your first successful grow.
That is freaking incredible. We may be experiencing the beginnings of the greatest grower of our lifetimes in the making.
Infreakingcredible.

 

[Shik]

Bends and angles in ductwork cause up to a 20% efficiency loss from your fan.

Carbon filters cause 15% efficiency loss on your fan.

Each air cooled 600w-1000w light needs an increase in fan power of 5%.

Tell me your room size.

Then tell me your fan size?

Filter size?

How many bends in ductwork etc?

If you give me the list of your setup and let's see first off if we can't get your room to a more manageable temp without buying anything.



J

You're pulling air from the room and exhausting it outside the room. So where does the replacement air come from? And what is its temperature?

Room size is currently 4x4. It will be 10x5 soon. I currently only have 1 - 60 CFM fan inside the duct for the fan. I was thinking of increasing it to 400 CFM?

I will have a max of 20' of duct, probably closer to 10'.

I don't have a carbon filter yet, going to need it. Last time was so stinky it could be smelt 20' outside the home.

Summer is approaching and temps hit 100 degrees outside, so venting from outside to cool the light I think is not an option?

I imagine, only 1 bend in my duct with a max of 2.

I have 25' of insulated 6" duct I just bought.

My 600w light, has a euro hood, I am actually pretty satisfied with it. I could feel the 60 CFM sucking air in, and blowing air out, yet I notice for at least 12inches underneath the glass it is unsafe. Part of my mistake I made last cycle was due to putting the light closer, I crisped the middle of my baby pretty bad and caused her to foxtail, so I cut my losses and cut 7 weeks in.


HotRod - It was winter for this cycle so I allowed the room in the air to be vented to the light, being that it was in a tent, the tent usually remained at 80+ degrees, and outside stayed about 70degrees if not lower.

With summer coming though temps will hit 100 degrees plus. =/


I vegged for 5 weeks, flowered 7 -cut.

I did not lolipop, I did not cut any of the lower buds really. I realize now I should have.

I had a worm problem in the roots the whole cycle, I do not have it this time - new room, new gear.

Sir Ganga - Will you explain the grow window a little more? I am not sure what you mean - don't let the plant grow tall possibly?

Gage - I am currently still in the tent, I can snap one of it if you'd like, but I believe you may be more interested in my room setup which will come together the next month or so.

Also I have a budget for the new lights, or what ever I decide to do of $400 but I can reach up to $600 if I feel its worth the investment.

I know I can just buy another light and etc and double output, but I am not sure thats the best scenario at this time. If you catch my drift... I upgraded security around here, but could use a lot more too.

 

[Bigby]

Back when the dinosaurs ruled the earth, co2 levels were much, much higher then what they are today, thats why plants grew so big back then.

Not sure if that's true - best things I've read all day though.