Second failed attempt w/ AG - I've moved on

So after my second failed AG grow I've moved to soil. I tried easy ryders twice. The first time they seedlings died within a week. Same thing the second time, but this time I pulled them before they completely died (I hope). It's weird because I read everything and had the airstone, pH meter, correct pH, no nutes, proper temp., etc.

When I germ'd the second time I did three seeds, but put one in soil and two in the AG. The soil one was doing better from the very beginning and the AG ones started going downhill; I pulled the two AG seedlings and put them in soil.

Anyway, the reason I was drawn to the AG was the fact the lights were built into it and I didn't have to worry about mounting. Thanks to a guy on this board and his grow journal I ended up constructing It a 8 CFL bulb attachment to hang down onto them. It's more light than the AG and works for me. The total cost was about $60, compared to the $150 I spent on the AG.

The thing that really bugs me is that I have no idea why my AG grow failed. I know it works for many and it was really disappointing when it didn't work out for me (I had incorrectly assumed it was pretty much a sure thing, which in hindsight makes no sense b/c I've read about so many failed grows on here).

It's a sure thing. The only reason it would have failed is due to user error.

good luck with your soil grow. :>

That's what's frustrating though. I did everything "by the books" yet it didn't work out for me. I wish it had, as it would have been a lot easier/faster. Oh well, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the soil grow...so far so good.

DDS:
I'm sorry you had such a rough initiation. I've grown my meds in my I A/G's for years now, but you really have to know what you're doing because there are so many variables. In the beginning I had my disasters too. First, you need to consider that A/G's weren't designed to to grow M/J. We're simply adapting them for that purpose so it makes sense that there are going to be some bumps along the way.
Like you, I've had some scares in the past and a few disasters but thank God M/J is such a resilient plant. As a former dirt grower, I can appreciate the simplicity of growing in soil, but only to a point. There were a lot of conditions, pests and diseases I had to contend with when I was growing in dirt in my garage that I've never been troubled with in my A/G's in the more hospitable environment of my house. I wouldn't throw away your A/G just yet. It sounds like you still have some learning to do. If you're able to pollinate a bud or two, you'll get plenty of seeds, save them, and do some experimenting. Once you get used to the A/G's you might like what you get after all.

hey man, hows the box, is everything up and running good now? how are the temps? any new pics? how are the plants?

CD is "the guy" on here I was referring to in my first post. Thanks again man.

The original soil one is growing great. The two transplants are still borderline - they might be a little bigger but I think they're stunted or something. This may end up a one plant grow and the next one I'll do two in the kitty litter pots you found.

Temps are hovering in the high 70s with the door open. With the door shut they got up to 87. It's going to cool down substantially here soon so I think in about a few weeks I'll be able to keep the door shut and have optimal temps. Insaw your newest pics and was about to post on your thread - they're looking great man.

great temps, 87 is starting to push it though, i dont like higher than 86. so you dont have any fans in there at all? you should at least have one for air movement in there. some kinda flow over the plants to make them happy, LoL.

good luck with the dirt grow CD..

sometimes we must crawl b4 running with the big dawgs

well, ive done 3 small successful soil grows so far so im very happy the way everything has gone. as far as AG, i have no idea about it nor do i want to try it. i was just giving DDS some tips box he made and growing with soil.

Yeah you're right man. I'll look into installing some fans next week. What do you think the best way to do it is? I'm going out of town for two days so I'm ezcited to see them after two days. Usually I see them
Every 12 hours at least so I think I'll see noticeable growth.

I'm already excited about my next non AF grow. I think I'm going to do some OG Kush and maybe something from Cali Connection, but who knows by then.

yeah, i look at mine 3 or 4 times a day, LoL. i use a computer power supply to run 4 80mm computer fans and 2 electric fans, ones a 10" which is my main exhaust fan and a 5" one that helps with intake. i also use a big passive intake hole. on the intake holes, i made defuser boxes to go over the openings. for your box since you have such cool weather, i would do a passive intake down low and 6 or 8 inch exhaust fan at the top of the box on the opposite side. that way the exhaust fan would draw fresh cool air in from the bottom up and across the plants and out the top along with the hot air. heres some pics. the last pic is a piece of wood the same size as the box i put on top to use as a spot for all my supplies.

I'm not sure why there is so much hype about the Aerogardens. I hear about problem after problem. I have used the Aeroflo 60's now for years and it is the shit. You can adjust the water level in the runners to get the seedlings started. Lower it to promote root growth and, you can add ez cloner sprayers to the laser line and the roots go apeshit! Aeroflo's for life!