LED / Fluorescent Grow
Snow White seedlings and Dutch Dragon clones.
Second Grow
Snow White seedlings and Dutch Dragon clones.
Second Grow
I decided to build a grow cabinet.
I have a flowering room setup at a friend’s house so I want this to be the Veg Monster.
After reading JohnnyB's super closet journal I had to have one.
But wanted to save money and I wanted something original. So I built one.
I have a flowering room setup at a friend’s house so I want this to be the Veg Monster.
After reading JohnnyB's super closet journal I had to have one.
But wanted to save money and I wanted something original. So I built one.
This journal with plenty of pics will be updated every couple days once posted.
Ok, we want low wattage, and it has to be quiet so I am going to try LEDs and CFLs.
I checked out the light spectrum needed by plants:
I checked out the light spectrum needed by plants:
Chlorophyll b 410-453nm
Chlorophyll a 642-662nm
Chlorophyll a 642-662nm
So, I used compact fluorescent, T-5's and LEDs to hit those wavelengths.
After doing some research I found out I could build LED panels to save cost.
The best deal is the 14 watt kits. Here's what I got,
Three panels, 272 LED 0.05w bulbs per panel.
42 watt (3x14w Panels) = 25% blue @ 455-485nm 75% red 615-655nm
42 watt (3x14w Panels) = 25% blue @ 455-485nm 75% red 615-655nm
Then added 18 watts LED red 662-680nm: Four 90 led PAR 30 spotlights
Next I needed some dark blue so I got 10 watts LED Blue 460nm High power 1 watt Luxium star.
I got ten of them. here is a pic. They came attached together in a grid so I broke them up in sets of two so
I would have five lights at 2w each. You can see one set that isnt lit up yet.
I got ten of them. here is a pic. They came attached together in a grid so I broke them up in sets of two so
I would have five lights at 2w each. You can see one set that isnt lit up yet.
The fluorescents are high output so they are the equivalent of 320 watts
The LEDs supply only the spectrum needed by plants. Based on the theory only 10% of the light rays
we get from artificial light are actually used by the plant when using HPS and MH,
This should be equal to 400w MH.
I am actually using 154 watts.
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This almost gave me the spectrum I wanted but I needed some T5 lighting around the array.
So I got 2X 24 watt T5 High Output 24 inch tubes at 6500k =80w of normal lights.
Then I got some CFLs (4X14w cfl) = 180w normal lights at 6500k Daylight Full Spectrum.
The LEDs supply only the spectrum needed by plants. Based on the theory only 10% of the light rays
we get from artificial light are actually used by the plant when using HPS and MH,
This should be equal to 400w MH.
I am actually using 154 watts.
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This almost gave me the spectrum I wanted but I needed some T5 lighting around the array.
So I got 2X 24 watt T5 High Output 24 inch tubes at 6500k =80w of normal lights.
Then I got some CFLs (4X14w cfl) = 180w normal lights at 6500k Daylight Full Spectrum.
Cost?
3X 14 watt LED panel kit $128 Total 42w led
4X 4w 90 LED red spot lights $76.95 Total 16w LED
1 soldering gun, flux ohm meter $28
4X 4w 90 LED red spot lights $76.95 Total 16w LED
1 soldering gun, flux ohm meter $28
10X 1 watt Luxeon Star Midnight blue 470nm LEDs $60 Total 10w LED
parts to assemble circuits $20 ($10 S&H fees)
parts to assemble circuits $20 ($10 S&H fees)
2X 2 foot 24w T5 HO 6500k $55
1X 24w T5 HO 3000k bulb $14
1X 24w T5 HO 3000k bulb $14
2X 3 pack GE 60w cfls 3000k $13
1 Bathroom light bar $10
4x sockets $5
1 extension cord $1
2X power strips $3
1 Bathroom light bar $10
4x sockets $5
1 extension cord $1
2X power strips $3
10 LB co2 tank free
Regulator $70
Regulator $70
1 SPER LIGHT METER $30
2x four inch fans 119 cfm $30
2x four inch fans 35 cfm $19
2x four inch fans 35 cfm $19
The cabinet I got second hand. 36x18x72 Paid $100
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2/15/08
OK Lets get to work. I just got the cabinet home and realized this wasn't what I had in mind.
I wanted one with adjustable shelves. These are fixed. Humm I will cut the shelves out.
Back to DYI center for blades.
OK Lets get to work. I just got the cabinet home and realized this wasn't what I had in mind.
I wanted one with adjustable shelves. These are fixed. Humm I will cut the shelves out.
Back to DYI center for blades.
Got the shelves out that I didnt want and cut the vent holes, Put up the insulation and mylar.
Next I installed the exahust fan its pretty loud. I tried putting it on a light dimmer switch.
That didnt work very good. I will use smaller fan untill summer.
Next I installed the exahust fan its pretty loud. I tried putting it on a light dimmer switch.
That didnt work very good. I will use smaller fan untill summer.
Built a light array. I needed some way to hang the led panels so I mounted them to a board
and attached metal braces. wired them all up. (I will do this over someday) hung the lamp.
and attached metal braces. wired them all up. (I will do this over someday) hung the lamp.
After searching to hell and gone I finaly found the right size tub for my upper shelf.
Then I bought a standard sink drain I think its a 1 1/4 inch. fits flush, thats all I cared about.
Also large enough to run my 1/2 up through for the drip system and drain through the same hole.
Then I bought a standard sink drain I think its a 1 1/4 inch. fits flush, thats all I cared about.
Also large enough to run my 1/2 up through for the drip system and drain through the same hole.
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2/28/08
So, We are up and running.
2/28/08
So, We are up and running.
I got two clones from my bud (Dutch Dragon) that were not doing very well. They got shocked,
well over nuted. Lets just say they didnt have much chance we will try and save at least one.
My Plan is to have a mother Dragon I will take six clones at a time.
well over nuted. Lets just say they didnt have much chance we will try and save at least one.
My Plan is to have a mother Dragon I will take six clones at a time.
Well new cabinet needs new growth too so I bought 5 feminized Snow White seeds from Narvana
I got them in 14 days.While I was waiting for them to arrive I found two seeds in the med bud I had.
They are Apolo seeds. Now these could be male who knows. But if they are ladies I sure liked the smoke.
I got them in 14 days.While I was waiting for them to arrive I found two seeds in the med bud I had.
They are Apolo seeds. Now these could be male who knows. But if they are ladies I sure liked the smoke.
Used paper towel method and got all seven to sprout in 2 days. I used rapid rooter plugs
because I have a hard time with rockwool retaining water. seems like there isnt enough oxygen.
I will use rooter then put them in the larger rockwool cubes. Much eaiser for me to manage the
watering.that way.
because I have a hard time with rockwool retaining water. seems like there isnt enough oxygen.
I will use rooter then put them in the larger rockwool cubes. Much eaiser for me to manage the
watering.that way.
I made a bubbler to germ with, submersible heater and two air sticks. Blue LEDs and heating mat.
Put that in my prop tray so I could cover with the super dome. I will use this mainly for cloneing.
Put that in my prop tray so I could cover with the super dome. I will use this mainly for cloneing.
Ok after two days in the bubbler I see tiny tap roots comming through the bottom of the plug.
Actualy they are about one inch longer than the plug. It's time to put them in 3 inch rockwool cubes.
We have six seedlings out of seven. Lost one. It sprouted but then nothing. root turned brown. history.
Actualy they are about one inch longer than the plug. It's time to put them in 3 inch rockwool cubes.
We have six seedlings out of seven. Lost one. It sprouted but then nothing. root turned brown. history.
Here they are at 4 days from seed. I will dip the cubes in plain R/O water every other day for two weeks.
Day 5
One of the two Dragon clones looks like its going to make it. Yea! I got a mother
OK Back to the kids. Its been a week now and I think they are ready for some light so I moved them up.
They are much smaller than the clone so I made a shelf for them. I cut a tray in half and fit one side in the other.
They are much smaller than the clone so I made a shelf for them. I cut a tray in half and fit one side in the other.
Couple shots of the light array, I am not running the four CFL's yet. Plants need to get bigger.
Here you can see the different lighting.
I turned off the T-5s so you can see when the red and blue LEDs are mixed they make purple.
The lower shelf is where my res is and where I started them.
I got CO2 also, I know to mazimize it I need higher temps but I figure it will just be a supplement for now.
I turned off the T-5s so you can see when the red and blue LEDs are mixed they make purple.
The lower shelf is where my res is and where I started them.
I got CO2 also, I know to mazimize it I need higher temps but I figure it will just be a supplement for now.
OK on with the show,
Day 9
Dont mind my little Mylar runway there. I'm just thinking of the alge on the cubes... Moms doing great.
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Day 11
Started 24 hour lighting. Still on R/O water around ph 6.0, going to start 1/4 nutes in a couple days.
The Dragon is almost ready to snip a few clones.
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Day 14
Took 6 small clones from the Dragon. I know she was small but I need two more plants for this grow and
I figure I should be able to get two out of the six to make it. Here is a shot of them.
I figure I should be able to get two out of the six to make it. Here is a shot of them.
I found out the rooting gel I used "Olivias gel" needs to be refridgrated after opening and we didnt do that.
Well, lets see what happens.
Well, lets see what happens.
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Day 16
OK I see roots comming out of the bottom of the 3 inch cubs, Time to transplant to larger containers.
I brought the Mother Dragon over to my buds house so we have room.
I brought the Mother Dragon over to my buds house so we have room.
I got six inch containers and lined them with 1/2 gallon grow bags.
This way it will be eaiser to transplant them again to the flower room. Just cut the bag.
There they will flower in hydroton filled Waterfarms.
This way it will be eaiser to transplant them again to the flower room. Just cut the bag.
There they will flower in hydroton filled Waterfarms.
I found the best way to get them started is to add a second water line to the roots for the first week or so.
Here we go, Started the 1/4 nutes watering 24/7 as well as lights. Been keeping temps at 85 degrees day
and 75 at night. about 50% humidity.
and 75 at night. about 50% humidity.
I found those little covers at the hydro shop.
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Day 18
Clones are not looking good, but still hopeing
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Day 20
Turned on the CFLs and moved the plants around a bit. Wow the CFLs work great.
Now the four on the right are the Snow White and the two on the left are the apollo.
Turned on the CFLs and moved the plants around a bit. Wow the CFLs work great.
Now the four on the right are the Snow White and the two on the left are the apollo.
The Apollo havent been sexed yet and might be male so I am adding some blue LED to try and get females.
I read cool temps, blue light, High humidity and increased levels of Nitrogen create more females.
I read cool temps, blue light, High humidity and increased levels of Nitrogen create more females.
Thats another reason why I am trying to get some more Dragons. I want to flower eight.
(I have eight Waterfarms under 1500 watts on a light rail for my flower room)
(I have eight Waterfarms under 1500 watts on a light rail for my flower room)
I almost lost the one on the left from damping off when it was a few days old.
I got to it in time but the stem is bent. I figure its old enough now to bend it back.
I got to it in time but the stem is bent. I figure its old enough now to bend it back.
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