T5ho/HPS 400w 1st grow

OSAMAbinSMOKIN · Mar 10, 2013

What's up RIU!?! So this is my first legitimate grow and grow log. Im using fox farm OF mixed with LW and perlite. Im using 1gal pots for veg than transplant to 3gal for flower. I have four 4' T5ho lights going with CFLs mixed in for a total of 22,000 lumens and little over 600w.
The grow space is a 4x4 closet with attic access i plan to vent in.
So far its been good, no issues. My next step is to setup my ventilation system!

thatsmessedup · Mar 10, 2013

I wish you the best of luck on your first grow. However you are wasting a lot of electricity. 600Watts for 22,000 lumens is low. A 600w hps bulb would give you close to 100,000 lumens. you may want to look into that. Other then that, it sounds like you have it figured out.

OSAMAbinSMOKIN · Mar 10, 2013

Thanks for the input man!
I hear ya on the bigger light, just need my vent system setup. Some of the wattage is equivalent though. The CFL are actually pulling like 40 something watts. So i guess it ain't too bad. Im posting some pics as soon as i get outta work too.

OSAMAbinSMOKIN · Mar 10, 2013

A week after the seeds popped

My setup from an expanded view

Close up taken today

OSAMAbinSMOKIN · Mar 11, 2013

Ok so i noticed some of the leaves curling upwards on couple plants. From what i read, i think its my fan stressing them out. I moved the fan further away and Im goin to run it on a timer for now on.Still lookin for the best way to vent my 5x5x8 closet. Have a rough idea but any tips would be much appreciated

.

mrwood · Mar 11, 2013

Your venting may depend on your required 'stealth' needs.
If you don't have to grow in secret, I would have a passive air intake at the bottom of the door, and a fan exhaust at the top of the door. I would include a carbon filter for odor control.

I am not a big fan of venting to the attic. Too many variables. Venting humid air to attic is rarely good. Attic insulation can be messy. Odors may re-enter your living space.
Where is the exhausted air going to go from the attic? Do you have a vent? attic fan? Can you duct into some existing exhaust ductwork?
Do you own your home or rent?
What part of the world do you live? (temp swings may impact the viability of venting to the attic).

msptvyhn · Mar 11, 2013

it sounds like you have it figured out.

OSAMAbinSMOKIN · Mar 12, 2013

Im don't have to be too stealthy, noise is more my issue because the closet is in my room. I like the idea of adding passive intake and exhaust to the door. I just Dnt know abt exhaust hot air into my room.
I am renting but landlord is nonexistent and were i live its hot and humid during the summer mild in the winter.

OSAMAbinSMOKIN · Mar 12, 2013

On another note more of leaves got crispy and i think it has to do with a couple of things.
I was under watering, to much heat, and extremely low humidity.
So i hooked up a humidifier with a shit ton of ice in the rez(not sure if this will help but we'll see), started misting the girls, and moved the fan closer to the door to pull cold air from under it. We'll. See if this helps over the next couple days. Goin to post some new pics soon.

mrCRC420 · Mar 12, 2013

I keep my seedlings under a 7" humidity dome for the first 1-2 weeks; they love humidity and moist soil. The humidifier is a good addition but for those early seedlings or clones; a dome is a home. lol.... smh @ myself.

OSAMAbinSMOKIN · Mar 12, 2013

Ya tht sounds like a good idea for my next batch (live and learn lol).
But after doing some research Im almost positive its a humidity and watering issue. Good news is only half the plants seem to be affected by it. Hope the extra humidity and misting will turn the others around.
Now i just got to clear the rest of my GFs clothes outta the closet lol.

mrwood · Mar 12, 2013

I am not sure you can cut holes in the closet door or the ceiling if you rent.
If it is a common door, you could cut holes & replace the door when you leave, but still......

For me, I don't mind the fan noise. Sounds like 'white noise' and can drowned out other noises (e.g., traffic, etc.)
You can build a box for the fan to minimize the noise & insulate the ductwork.

Crispy leaves sound like too much nutes?

OSAMAbinSMOKIN · Mar 12, 2013

Well the door is 25 bucks. Not an issue for modification. And the the closet has attic access through the crawl space so realisticly I can get a square piece of plywood and fit it in the hole modified to except ducting.
I could also do tht through the closet light fixture because it already has a nice round hole there after its removed.
I was thinking nute burn too. But I figured I would address the env. issues before tht bcoz I haven't added any nutrients. I also cut the FF OF with LW, perlite. But time will tell

OSAMAbinSMOKIN · Mar 12, 2013

These are the two burnt ones

These are doin good but could be better

And this is the best one so far

OSAMAbinSMOKIN · Mar 14, 2013

Alright, so the humidity adjustments, misting and increased waterings have helped turned things around. The two damaged plants have recovered and the other ones are growing with a force. Here is some new pictures

Here are the good ones

And the burnt ones.

Hope the sex will show on these soon so i know how many :leaf:

ill be deal

OSAMAbinSMOKIN · Mar 15, 2013

OK, so now my plants are really taking off and its getting kinda cramped. I've grown before but nothing tht got this bushy so fast. This is by far my best grow.
I need a better option for spreading out my cfls so I can get my t5s closer and give my plants more room to branch out.
I'm actually thinking of taking out the cfls all together and getting another 4' t5ho. I was just wondering if I should even bother with the extra veg time and start flowering these plants? Or are they too small?

OSAMAbinSMOKIN · Mar 18, 2013

Plants are doing good. Growing rapidly without any issues except my grow space is getting cramped. Had a couple questions though:
1. Wondering when Ill be able to tell the girls from the boys?
2. Should I begin to trim them up now?
3. When should I trans plant them?
He're some pic taken today

OSAMAbinSMOKIN · Mar 18, 2013

Anybody out there stick with one gallon pots all the way through thier grow? I was considering doing this but I already have to water a lot so I dnt want tht to become an issue...

mrwood · Mar 19, 2013

Depends on your grow - some guys grow in PC boxes with SOLO cups!

I think 1 gallon pots are too small.
I read somewhere to figure 1 gal per month of grow.
You can supplement the nutrients in the soil, but you will probably get root bound.

I got a small grow box & use 2-gal smart pots. In hindsight, I wish I would have got 3-gal pots.

OSAMAbinSMOKIN · Mar 20, 2013

I think im going to go with the 3 gal smart pots. Called the hydro shop today and they have them for a decent price. Going to pick up my 400w light, fan and filter Friday so ill probably grab those too.. Cant wait to start flowering!!

T5ho/HPS 400w 1st grow

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