My experience with Cree CXB3590. Fertilizers, DWC and soil

Hey guys I'm back after a bit of a hiatus.

I feel a bit like I'm learning to grow all over again with these lights for the past year.

Here is a link to my setup:

https://www.rollitup.org/t/first-led-build-cxb3590.868236/

Inspired by supraSPL.



I have been growing for 10+ years.
Dwc mostly , but experienced with soil as well.

I built a killer rdwc system for this light. Chiller , quality accessories. Including the light I spent 3000 on this thing.

Using the dwc with GH initially, they were looking OK. But started showing g deficiency around week 4 veg. I attributed it to cal-mag, as the symptoms seemed to match. My ppms were around 500-600. Ph was great between 5.6-5.8. The cal-may wasn't touching it, and adding more fert would start burning tips. I backed off the ppms and the situation got worse.

Next I tried AN. Same exact thing happened.

Let me say I eliminated every other possibility. My air exchange is pulled through the heat sinks and directly out of the room. Air exchange occurs once ever 2 mins. Temps never go above 79 in the room. Res temps were around 68.

Frustrating.

I build this system because I wanted a Ferrari. So far I'm driving a dodge.

OK back to the drawing board. I pulled the dwc. Got some ocean forest and General organics.

Holy shit.

It's very clear that organics provide something that these lights need. Complete 360.

Unfortunately ...... due to unforeseen life changes I have only peppers, tomatoes and strawberries growing. I will continue to perfect the MO under these lights until the time comes that I can have girls again.

I have read tons of fourms about these lights and I see people having the same problems so I figure I would share my experience.

The organics are simple, very effective, and produce more fragrant sweeter fruits hands down. One strawberry plant I have has over 60 blooms.

Thanks again to @SupraSPL and everyone else who guided me!

I have the lights running at 452w x12 cobs.

The Internode length is insanely short and it's more than enough light.

The pics of the green bean really show this.
I have grown this same strain in my yard for 3 years.

Under the leds, the leaves are twice the size and it's growing twice as fast, And twice as short. The pics you see are just under 4 weeks from seed.

A few things I realized in hindsight:

I definitely did not need 12 cobs for my space. These lights Max at 1100w an it will toast the plants even with canopy temps of 79.

Forget hydro with these lights. Organics. Period. This is the first time I used GO and I am thoroughly impressed.

Putting shrouds over the heatsinks and having my exhaust fan pull from the center of the sink up and directly out provides ventilation and kept my room temps 6 degrees lower than fan cooling.

Here's some pics:

I am no where near as experienced as you, I am on my first grow. However, almost two weeks ago I also switched from DWC to soil. I was not getting the results I expected with the DWC and I as well was on top of the water/nutes etc. When I combined my new LED's running 3590 COB's and transferred to Fox Farms OF everything started blowing up just like you said. Even the texture on the leaves is different. The plants just look and feel healthier too it's hard to explain if you don't see it first hand. I am convinced and just started my second run that will be soil and COB's the whole way through and it's getting exciting. I have a bunch of veggies and herbs outdoors as well in the same soil. Nothing but tap water for everyone and getting better results than I was before.

Good Luck, plants look great!

Evil-Mobo said:

I am no where near as experienced as you, I am on my first grow. However, almost two weeks ago I also switched from DWC to soil. I was not getting the results I expected with the DWC and I as well was on top of the water/nutes etc. When I combined my new LED's running 3590 COB's and transferred to Fox Farms OF everything started blowing up just like you said. Even the texture on the leaves is different. The plants just look and feel healthier too it's hard to explain if you don't see it first hand. I am convinced and just started my second run that will be soil and COB's the whole way through and it's getting exciting. I have a bunch of veggies and herbs outdoors as well in the same soil. Nothing but tap water for everyone and getting better results than I was before.

Good Luck, plants look great!

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Awesome man! Exciting stuff!

I was really worried for a while that these lights were a bad investment. So glad I was wrong. These are by far the best growing , most efficient, coolest running lights ever. As long as you are using organics.....!

Viva 3590!!

I've been doing rdwc using 3590's and 3070's with fantastic results. If you're not recirculating your water 24/7, you're not doing it right imo. That's the key. Add 6" air Stoned and a commercial pump, dialed in GH flora trio series, (grow weed easy.com's recirculation schedule almost to a tee) I add bottle directions H2o2 & a bit of super thrive. Like a DROP per Gal. Beautiful plants. You guys need to give it a try again.


https://www.rollitup.org/t/my-8-3590-cob-diy.898185/page-11

Looks good @Airwalker16 , but after going to SIP's it's going to be hard to continue in anything else for me. With health issues it simplifies my life a lot.

Evil-Mobo said:

Looks good @Airwalker16 , but after going to SIP's it's going to be hard to continue in anything else for me. With health issues it simplifies my life a lot.

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Rdwc is a breeze you just throw a pump in the res bucket when water needs changin, drain it out. Then add your newly mixed nutes and RO water (if you didn't use RO water or tap with lower than 50 PPMs that's your problem right there) and fill it back up with the same pump. That's literally it. Everything else is automated some people don't even change the water. Just top off with nute water. I just like to change it cause it does get a little gnarly but H2o2 would keep you in check to never change

Airwalker16 said:

Rdwc is a breeze you just throw a pump in the res bucket when water needs changin, drain it out. Then add your newly mixed nutes and RO water (if you didn't use to water or tap with lower than 50 PPMs that's your problem right there) and fill it back up with the same pump. That's literally it. Everything else is automated some people don't even change the water. Just top off with nute water. I just like to change it cause it does get a little gnarly but H2o2 would keep you in check to never change

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I respect your preference brother, and not trying to get in a pissing match over whats better or easier. "RWDC" makes more sense to me for medium size grows and larger, not for smaller spaces to grow 3-4 plants at a time. I was doing 5 gallon DWC that circulated itself and had an air stone, everything was dialed in, but just wasn't getting the results I expected. I was using R/O with a post mineral filter, and had the hydroguard and cal mag.

I am happier the route I went, and the OP and I are just sharing similar experiences.

The SIP's I am running combine soil and hydro for a kind of best of both worlds, without much of the trouble of each separately. Win/win "for me".

Good luck with the RWDC

Airwalker16 said:

I've been doing rdwc using 3590's and 3070's with fantastic results. If you're not recirculating your water 24/7, you're not doing it right imo. That's the key. Add 6" air Stoned and a commercial pump, dialed in GH flora trio series, (grow weed easy.com's recirculation schedule almost to a tee) I add bottle directions H2o2 & a bit of super thrive. Like a DROP per Gal. Beautiful plants. You guys need to give it a try again. View attachment 3680622


https://www.rollitup.org/t/my-8-3590-cob-diy.898185/page-11

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I'm glad it's working for you.
I made multiple attempts with a custom built RDWC. I've used the same system with killer results under HID.

I will never go back. The organics are so easy. No ppm. No ph. I water once every 3 and fert once a week. No fuss no muss. Have you run a full cycle under rdwc?

DoctorDelta9 said:

I'm glad it's working for you.
I made multiple attempts with a custom built RDWC. I've used the same system with killer results under HID.

I will never go back. The organics are so easy. No ppm. No ph. I water once every 3 and fert once a week. No fuss no muss. Have you run a full cycle under rdwc?

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Yes. 3

I just put my DIY RDWC system away after 2 years. It never lived up to its expectations. I went back to all coco on drippers. I just give them GH 6/9 their whole life. Too easy.

DoctorDelta9 said:

I will never go back. The organics are so easy. No ppm. No ph. I water once every 3 and fert once a week. No fuss no muss.

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This. I don't know why I waited so long. Stuck in old habits I s'pose

Rols fo life

Jeeyah said:

I just put my DIY RDWC system away after 2 years. It never lived up to its expectations. I went back to all coco on drippers. I just give them GH 6/9 their whole life. Too easy.

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I like the only water aspect if it. I don't like dirt or coco. Bigger yields and faster too in rdwc.

Everyone has their comfort zone. For years it was rdwc for me.

I'm glad I changed. My new job keeps me on the road sometime 3 days at a time.

I never have to worry about a pump dying, topping off or ph swings again.

I'm not trying to convert anyone by any means. If you have your shit dialed in by all means do not change!!

Just an old stoner sharing his experience.