HERE WE GO... and so many questions...

Hello people, first time grower and I'm going hydro. I go to estate sales and auctions on a weekly basis and recently picked up a good condition 6-pod Elite for $17. I'm a little confused because I thought the Elite had 3 lights and extra extendable arm, but I also saw someone say the only difference between the classic 6 and Elite is the trim and the 24-hour light cycle option so if anyone could clarity that I'd appreciate it.I'm going as simple and cheap as possible. Pod baskets/seed starter medium(which were missing) are on their way. I'm thinking Alaska 5-5-1 fish fert($7 at Lowes) for veg to start with. Here is a sh*t load of questions and I don't expect anyone person to answer all of them, so what ever you feel like answering is great with me:

1) Are the stock bulbs 6500k? If so, are they all that's needed for the first couple weeks or is additional CFL lighting needed from the very beginning?

2) Should I just toss the Aerogarden light hood from the beginning and use a twin light socket to run two 6500k CFL lights, or is it well worth it to use the light hood throughout the process?

3) If I do use the light hood throughout and the plants have become too tall, has anyone devised a simple way to keep elevating the hood without ordering the $100 upgrade kit?

4) Are seed pod labels truly necessary and can I just use foil in it's place?

5) Can I grow three plants at one time or it that NOT advisable?

6) My Elite already has a pump with an 1 1/2" air stone. Do I definitely need to buy an addition pump and bigger stone?

7) Is it better to run your ON light cycle during the day in a room with a little additional natural sunlight, or run it in a dark room? How do I set up mylar balloons to trap the light if I do it in a dark room?

Is there a CFL bulb brand and model that is proven to be better for the price and where can I buy them?

9) I am using Alasks 5-1-1 because I have heard it's good and is easily available locally, but I can't find the Alaska Morbloom at Lowes/Home Depot. Is there another bloom product I can use that is known to be available in nationwide stores that's good?

10)When, how and why do I use black strap molasses?

11) I have googled but am still not sure what the laws in Texas are for receiving seeds. Can anyone enlighten me as to what they are and how strict and diligent agents are in busting people? How safe is the process and is it very unlikely to get busted over buying a few seeds? Aren't there any good suppliers in the US? It seems like all I see are out of country suppliers advertised? Why would anyone buy overseas if there are good suppliers in the US? What sites are good to buy from? I'm just going to start this grow with some decent quality bag seed if it goes well, I'm going to buy a high quality strain of something from somewhere.

anybody with some help?

I know you're anxious to get this project underway, but you're probably not getting answers because all the info you need is in the forum, especially Lurkmaster and FoxCompany's Guide posts. Do the research. People here are friendly and will help you along the way, but don't waste their time when a little effort is all it takes.

With that being said, I'll prove we are friendly and try to help you out as best I can. I am by no means an expert, but I did have a relatively successful first grow. All of my comments are from my experience.

1) Full spectrum bulbs, not sure on exact K but over 5000K. My question to you is what type of seeds do you have? This will help answer some of your lighting questions. I used autoflowering White Dwarves. If you are too, the AG lights will be sufficient for the first 4 weeks. After that I would add 2 CFLs.

2) As you said, keep it simple. Use the AG hood.

3) Check out my reply to you on my thread. Make sure you gorilla glue the hooks or they will not stay attached (the given adhesive is very weak)

4) You need the pods. I didn't label mine, but I only had two fem seeds that were the same.

5) You can, but the reservoir is only 1.5 gal. You will be filling the water level every couple of hours after 3 weeks. I recommend 2 plants.

6) Yes, buy a 10 gal pump with an 8" air stone/rod to stick across the bottom (can be purchased at local pet store). You can get 1/4" i.d. tubing from Lowes very cheaply.

7) I used a dark closet. Again, need to know what kind of seeds you have. I ran my AF's 24 hours lights on for the first 4 weeks.

I don't know, but I used ecosmart bulbs. Got them at Home Depot.

9) Never heard of what you're using. I used GH (General Hydroponics), got them from Amazon. My recommendation is to only use half of what the directions say.

10) WTF? Who told you to use that?

11) No idea what Texas' laws are concerning seeds. Read up. Seeds from Attitude. They shipped, and they worked.

Good luck, and post pics so people can help.

I read and replied to your other response first and now see that you already answered the hood extension question here. I actually did read both guides before posting these questions as well as jumping around searching these boards. I have learned a lot and just had some additional questions before I start the journey with this fantastic hobby.

I have no idea what the seeds/plant are. They plant was seeded so obviously the quality was lessened, but it was decent potency and not too harsh. I will probably order a lowrider strain if this grow turns out well.

Molasses is a much talked about additive with marijuana cultivation. The Alaska Fish Fert and Morbloom are apparently well respected organic(not technically organic but still natural) nutrient formulas for the beginner with little chance of burn as long as you do it right.

Thegoodeye: In our classes they're teaching us to use a teaspoon to a tablespoon of molasses per gallon but make sure it has no sulfur. It's just a lot of carbs.

1/2 strength nutes is a good idea to start any nutrient regimen on. If your plants like the new nutes then you can go full strenth but there are some who also work up to it gradually. It's what ever you're comfortable with.

Unless I've been mislead by my friends at Aerogarden, the six hole was an experiment they aren't supporting anymore. It's not an active hydro system like the classic because there's no nutrient pump. It's only a bigger version of the A/G-3. It's a modified miniature bubble tub and I wouldn't try to grow more than one plant. The two lamps aren't enough but you may want to try some Mylar coated aimed reflectors to take advantage of the light you have. Overall it was a bad choice. That's why you see people giving them away. Do your homework next time. HSA

HSA said:

Thegoodeye: In our classes they're teaching us to use a teaspoon to a tablespoon of molasses per gallon but make sure it has no sulfur. It's just a lot of carbs.

1/2 strength nutes is a good idea to start any nutrient regimen on. If your plants like the new nutes then you can go full strenth but there are some who also work up to it gradually. It's what ever you're comfortable with.

Unless I've been mislead by my friends at Aerogarden, the six hole was an experiment they aren't supporting anymore. It's not an active hydro system like the classic because there's no nutrient pump. It's only a bigger version of the A/G-3. It's a modified miniature bubble tub and I wouldn't try to grow more than one plant. The two lamps aren't enough but you may want to try some Mylar coated aimed reflectors to take advantage of the light you have. Overall it was a bad choice. That's why you see people giving them away. Do your homework next time. HSA

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Thanks for the insight on it but there was really no homework needed, it was only 17 bucks so can't go wrong, I'm going to bubble the hell out of the nutrient mix with two 5" air stones so I think it will still be fine.

Black strap molasses is used during flower, kind of a home made version of "gravity" additive. Use 1 tablespoon per gallon last 4 weeks of flower. (some people use more, some during veg and all of flower) Use only last 4 weeks of flower until you know what to expect, MUST mix well and keep res clean and make res change on regular basis. Misused you get nasties in you res.

hey man to answer some of the questions i used the hood for the whole time until the plants got too big (i did have 2 additional lights the whole time on the side though) then i just layed it on the side for side lighting , i used foil instead of the cover it came with im only growing two and it is CROWDED so three might be a hassle i got an enxtra air pump because it seems like the roots will wrap around the stock pump easily and as for the shipping to us i live on the east coast and i got my seeds no problem go with nirvana they got alot of variety for cheap and theyre really discreet hopefully this helps check out my thread if you want