First Grow, Closet "Ghettoponics"

QUICKK

Well-Known Member
So this is my First Fairly Cheap Closet Grow,

Materials
6x 30w 2700k CFLs
5x 26w 6500k CFLs
(Ordering)1x 105w 2700k CFL
(Ordering)1x 105w 5000k CFL
Small Floor Fan(temps arent a big issue, airconditioned room)
Humidifier(not sure on it usefulness)
Hydroton 10 Lt bag
These organic soil like cubes(forgot the name), for starting seedlings, they were a cheap alt to rockwool @ my hydro shop.
2x Dual Tube Air Pumps
4x AirStones
1 quart of Pure Blend Pro Grow

Im planing on growing 4 Autos & 1 Bagseed in these containers, yes i know its transparent but im covering it with black & white poly

For right now i don't have any ph down but i have 2 gals of distilled water & a testing kit, how should i put the germed seeds in these soil cubes?
i know i need to rinse the hydroton alot, but do i need to let it soak in nutrient water before putting it in the netcups for a while first? do i soak the organic cube things or are they fine?
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im ordering my autos tomorrow, just trying to see how i can start this, im really just hoping
to come off a nice couple of zips, any suggestions, tips?

Thanks
 

BeaverHuntr

Well-Known Member
So this is my First Fairly Cheap Closet Grow,

Materials
6x 30w 2700k CFLs
5x 26w 6500k CFLs
(Ordering)1x 105w 2700k CFL
(Ordering)1x 105w 5000k CFL
Small Floor Fan(temps arent a big issue, airconditioned room)
Humidifier(not sure on it usefulness)
Hydroton 10 Lt bag
These organic soil like cubes(forgot the name), for starting seedlings, they were a cheap alt to rockwool @ my hydro shop.
2x Dual Tube Air Pumps
4x AirStones
1 quart of Pure Blend Pro Grow

Im planing on growing 4 Autos & 1 Bagseed in these containers, yes i know its transparent but im covering it with black & white poly

For right now i don't have any ph down but i have 2 gals of distilled water & a testing kit, how should i put the germed seeds in these soil cubes?
i know i need to rinse the hydroton alot, but do i need to let it soak in nutrient water before putting it in the netcups for a while first? do i soak the organic cube things or are they fine?
View attachment 1129112View attachment 1129113View attachment 1129114View attachment 1129116
im ordering my autos tomorrow, just trying to see how i can start this, im really just hoping
to come off a nice couple of zips, any suggestions, tips?

Thanks
I soaked my rapid rooters in PH water for half a day .. Some say to soak for 24 hrs others say 30 min in PH water.. Everyone who responds is going to recommend you get some PH up PH Down its a basic necessity for DWC
 

QUICKK

Well-Known Member
well, ill just go pick up some ph down tomorrow i guess, it was just the fact it was $15 each a bottle..smh, i only have enough for 1, should i get down or up first? i wont be able to get the other till nxt week
 

BeaverHuntr

Well-Known Member
well, ill just go pick up some ph down tomorrow i guess, it was just the fact it was $15 each a bottle..smh, i only have enough for 1, should i get down or up first? i wont be able to get the other till nxt week
I would get both or wait .. I always need both because i either make my PH too low or too high
 

BeaverHuntr

Well-Known Member
alright, besides that it im on the right track ?
yeah looks like you got everything get your PH meter and PPM meter though gonna need that. Keep the water temps as close to 68 degrees as you can make sure that PH is at a good number and you should be fine, you said you were going to black out your reservoir so you should be okay. Keep us updated .
 

gudkarma

New Member
1) you definitely will need ph down. for ph up, i use plain water.

2) you don't need that much hydroton for a few net baskets. and, you not only have to clean the clay you must let it soak in ph'd (5.5) water overnight before you use it.

3) set your rez ph to 5.5 and let it drift (naturally) up from there. when you get into the high 6s adjust down.

4) i call bullshit on water temps ONLY if you run a VERY CLEAN set up & change your solution every week. also, invest in some hygrozyme to keep the nasties away.

5) you definitely need ppm & ph pens. ebay is your friend.

6) word to the wise, get some solid roots going in your starter cubes before burying them in hydroton. to save a few cubes, cut them in half.

7) imo, one plant per container would have been sufficient... i say they're too close together ...if you start getting growth you'll see.

eight) score a cheap digital thermometer/hygrometer ...again ebay/wallmart is your friend.

9) i would not use distilled water. you'll need nutes you dont even have : cal mag being one. micro being another.

10) don't have lofty expectations for zips when dwc has a learning curve.

before i dropped one seed that i bought into something i never tried, i'd fuck around with some bagseed. save the beans you'll buy or rock some dirt in that closet with your bubbler.

the above is in NO WAY criticism. just want to help you help yourself.

i run a perpetual harvest, with both soil & dwc, out of three closets in my detached garage pushing 1800w of light haversting 10 to 15 o-zees every 60 days.

with everything i already have learned in 10 years of growing, my first experience with dwc was daunting as it's a little more involved than dirt farming.

read this : http://www.thcfarmer.com/forums/f95/diy-standalone-dwc-bucket-2551/

good luck.

be fly. stay high.
 

QUICKK

Well-Known Member
Ok, well i guess i should make a list. lol

How should i go about starting roots in my cubes?
 

BeaverHuntr

Well-Known Member
Ok, well i guess i should make a list. lol

How should i go about starting roots in my cubes?
I used rapid rooters but most people will tell you to soak them in a PH balanced water then plant them about 1/4'' ( i use a mechanical pencil I made a line with a marker at the 1/4'' ) drop your seed cover lightly and let that seedling veg once you see roots transfer them.. I started mine off in a covered dome and sprayed them twice a day with Ph water.

View attachment 1129581View attachment 1129582View attachment 1129583View attachment 1129584
 

BeaverHuntr

Well-Known Member
Ohh yeah I'm also a noob grower this is my first DWC but so far so good .. I know how ya feel buddy just be patient and dont be cheap or cut corners..
 

gudkarma

New Member
lol.

i am in a listing type mood.

cut cubes in half. poke small hole 1/4 deep into cube. soak the cubes in ph'd water for 30 minutes. add seed. & tear off a small piece to cover the hole/seed.

you can use the whole cube, no problem, but i never use the "factory" hole.

i flip it over & make my own... not as deep.
 

BeaverHuntr

Well-Known Member
lol.

i am in a listing type mood.

cut cubes in half. poke small hole 1/4 deep into cube. soak the cubes in ph'd water for 30 minutes. add seed. & tear off a small piece to cover the hole/seed.

you can use the whole cube, no problem, but i never use the "factory" hole.

i flip it over & make my own... not as deep.
Cool I will be transferring my seedling to my reservoirs as soon as I get home from work!!!! question if i may? How long should I soak my hydroton in PH water? or can I just rinse the shit out of it with R/O water.
 

QUICKK

Well-Known Member
thanks for all the advice, im gonna start some seedlings now, btw, about the netpot space, is it really that close together?
im not trying to grow trees in these things, but i would like to knw if they would be at least decent this close.
 

BeaverHuntr

Well-Known Member
thanks for all the advice, im gonna start some seedlings now, btw, about the netpot space, is it really that close together?
im not trying to grow trees in these things, but i would like to knw if they would be at least decent this close.
I'd be more worried about the roots getting tangled together being so close. I'm sure a expert grower will give you the advice you need just keep posting and keep adding pics people will respond when you post pics.
 

gudkarma

New Member
beaver,

rinse the pellets to the 10th power.
then, rinse some more & let it dry out after cleaning.

then, take the clean & dry hydroton & soak it for 24 hours in ph'd water ...and then put it to use right away.

take the leftover, let it dry out, and store.

think about it like this, and hydroton is known for fucking with your ph if not prepared right, you'll have the clay at one ph & the rez at another... sounds like a recipe for plant shock.

quickk,

i would start my plants in that bubbler you made. i would definitely drop clones in that bubbler too.

but, finishing some beefy plants in that unit is not going to bode well.
i am not sayin it aint possible.
i am saying your stacking the odds against you.

i use a 3.5 gallon bucket for EACH plant. one bucket per root mass. more control over each environment.

i do use a bubble cloner that holds 15 clones.
and, when they root up all good & pretty & nice, i transfer them to a single bucket.

any leftover clones i drop in soil.

i am not trying to discourage you.
by all means, my interet hommie, grow, grow, & grow some more.

experience is the key. you'll learn what works over time.

i dont want to brag & boast. just trying to drop some knowledge.

you can definitely start your plants in that bubbler, buy a bigger tote (or buckets) when you get the cash, and when the plants show good growth just transfer them.

you can eaily plant the 2" net pot right into a 6" net pot if you're worried about removal from the pot.

i use 2" net pots for clones. i transfer them when they have LONG, WHITE, HAIRY roots.
i use 6" net pots for the rest of the process.



~gudkarma
 

BeaverHuntr

Well-Known Member
beaver,

rinse the pellets to the 10th power.
then, rinse some more & let it dry out after cleaning.

then, take the clean & dry hydroton & soak it for 24 hours in ph'd water ...and then put it to use right away.

take the leftovers, let it dry out, and store.

think about it like this, and hydroton is known for fucking with your ph if not prepared right, you'll have the clay at one ph & the rez at another... sounds like a recipe for plant shock.

quickk,

i would start my plants in that bubbler you made. i would drop clones in that bubbler too.

but finishing some plant in that unit is not going to bode well. i am not sayin it anit possible. i am saying your stacking the odds against you.

i use a 3.5 gallon bucket for EACH plant. one bucket per root mass.

i do use a bubble cloner that hold 15 clones.
and, when they root up all good & pretty & nice, i transfer them to a single bucket.

any leftover clones i drop in soil.

i am not trying to discourage you. by all means, grow & grow some more.

experience is the key. you'll learn what works over time.

you can definitely start your plants in that bubbler, buy a bigger tote (or buckets) when you get the cash, and when the plants show good growth just transfer them.

i use 2" net pots for clones. i transfer them when they have LONG, WHITE, HAIRY roots.
i use 6" net pots for the rest of the process.

~gudkarma
Cool thanks for the advice can I get away with soaking the Hydroton for 30 min in PH'd water after rinsing ??? I need to transfer my seedlings ASAP . Some people say 30 min is good others say 24 hours. Ed Rosenthal says soaking your stuff for 30 min in PH water is fine, Jorge Cervantes says 24 hours .. either or ok?
 

gudkarma

New Member
i never tried soaking for 30 minutes (and i will not because my 24hr routine works for me).

but, if you need to transfer give it a shot.
 

BeaverHuntr

Well-Known Member
i never tried soaking for 30 minutes (and i will not because my 24hr routine works for me).

but, if you need to transfer give it a shot.
Man being a stoner MAKES YOU FORGET !!!! Fuck man I was taking bong rips last night getting frozen water bottles ready and my stoner ass completely forgot to soak the hydroton something I knew I had to do, i spent months studying...
 

gudkarma

New Member
when you get those roots crack-a-lackin be careful with the frozen water bottles... prolonged exposure to the cold bottle will kill roots.

i never do the frozen bottle thing... & i grow in a hot as hell detached gargage.

granted my closet temps (fresh air intake & exhausted in all three spaces) never get over 87 degrees during the day... i still dont sweat water temps cause i clean & monitor my shit all the time.

a little hygrozyme is your best friend.
h202 is great to solve an nasty issues as well.

i do want to convert my system to rdwc, and maybe use a chiller, but what i rock works like new money.

dont be a lazy gardener because your plants will sufer.
 

BeaverHuntr

Well-Known Member
when you get those roots crack-a-lackin be careful with the frozen water bottles... prolonged exposure to the cold bottle will kill roots.

i never do the frozen bottle thing... & i grow in a hot as hell detached gargage.

granted my closet temps (fresh air intake & exhausted in all three spaces) never get over 87 degrees during the day... i still dont sweat water temps cause i clean & monitor my shit all the time.

a little hygrozyme is your best friend.
h202 is great to solve an nasty issues as well.

i do want to convert my system to rdwc, and maybe use a chiller, but what i rock works like new money.

dont be a lazy gardener because your plants will sufer.
These roots are already coming out the bottom of the dome container I have to move them pretty soon here. Yeah Im using a walk in closet in a spare room lined the walls with reflectix was trying to veg with a 1000W MH but couldnt get the temps low enough so I bought a portable AC and T5 now the room stays at 75 degrees . I couldnt even cool my hood with a 440 CFM can fan so that one is strictly for the carbon filter now, I will be purchasing a 8'' can fan with about 750 CFM in the next couple weeks.
 
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