Waterfarm 1st Timer: HELP!

Sup Everyone-
So I'm going to start my first grow experience in about two to two and a half weeks. I just want to get all the information I can before starting. Some details about my "planned" setup:

PLANS--(400-450 Budget)
1. Grow Two Plants (Start with clones: age/? (about 5-6 inches)
+ Want to grow them to about 4.5'-6'
2. Grow space is about 4wx5lx6H
3. Plan to use GH Waterfarm (two separate for each plant).
4. Plan to use 400W HPS light w/ timer.
5. No Ventilation Ideas yet. (Is it completely necessary?)
6. Plan on using Foxfarm nutes.
7. No materials yet just want to get the knowledge first.

QUESTIONS--
1. Is this a good system to use?
2. Is all my equipment appropriate or do I need to change some things?
3. How should I start upon getting my clones?
4. When should I flower and how long?
5. Is ventilation really necesary?
6. How bad will a big plant stink?
7. Tips on setting up for my jump started clones?

Ventilation is important and big plants stink. Other than that your looking at around 9 wks for flowering and the only way to get clones is from someone/some place you know of otherwise you need to start from seeds. You can flower at any time you want as long as your seedlings/clones have a decent root structure.

YoYo gROw!
Hey thanks for answerin' that. I am planning to setup a custom grow box so I was thinking about using just regular fans and then maybe like a ONA Absorber & Mister. What do you think? Here's a rough draft of my box. Anyone else that would like to chime in and share your widsom feel free. Thanks again YoYo gROw, it's comforting to know a fellow grower can always get help here at RIU!

Nevermind the picture, I don't know how to do it. Could you hellp me?

Odor Precaution:
Uvonair Junior 1000 Odor Free Ozonator
-or-
4" Carbon Air Filter w/ Inline Fan (170 CFM)

yea carbon filters are the best...most reliable

If I am running a 400W HPS Light, at what height should I increase the light source?

sphan89 said:

Sup Everyone-
So I'm going to start my first grow experience in about two to two and a half weeks. I just want to get all the information I can before starting. Some details about my "planned" setup:

PLANS--(400-450 Budget)
1. Grow Two Plants (Start with clones: age/? (about 5-6 inches)
+ Want to grow them to about 4.5'-6'
2. Grow space is about 4wx5lx6H
3. Plan to use GH Waterfarm (two separate for each plant).
4. Plan to use 400W HPS light w/ timer.
5. No Ventilation Ideas yet. (Is it completely necessary?)
6. Plan on using Foxfarm nutes.
7. No materials yet just want to get the knowledge first.

QUESTIONS--
1. Is this a good system to use?
2. Is all my equipment appropriate or do I need to change some things?
3. How should I start upon getting my clones?
4. When should I flower and how long?
5. Is ventilation really necesary?
6. How bad will a big plant stink?
7. Tips on setting up for my jump started clones?

Click to expand...

clones can be any size, as long as they have a good root structure. about 6' is about right. with a grow space only about 6' in height you will only want to grow them to be about 3'. I have full confidence in GH products, just follow the instructions and you should be fine. the equiptment seems fine, and 400w is appropiate for your space and only having 2 plants. I live in an area with no clubs so I clip my own clones. if you live in an area with clubs you can get someone that you know that has a card to get them for you. if not start from seed, grow some mums and clip clones. with your height restrictions I would start flower at about 10-12". flowering is strain dependant but you are looking at about 8-12 weeks of 12/12 lighting. most of your hairs will change color and your trichs will become milky and some amber (get a 30x pocket scope for about $10 at a hobby shop). Ventilation is necessary!!! you need to keep the air moving, plants breath like we do only CO2. not ventilation = shitty results. vent through the celing and out the roof if you can. plants stink the closer you get to harvest and allot of them can create a huge problem. only two should not really be much of an issue. when you harvest, trim and dry there will be a great amount of smell for a few days. you should plant your clones in what ever medium that you are using as soon as they have roots or you obtain them. make sure that your medium has the required moisture before you plant them. not a master horticulturist, but do decient for myself. others might not agree with me but like I said it workes for me.

oh, ya. you wont really need to increase your light source using a 400w on two plants and you should keep the light about 2' away from your ladies. ventilation and a fan are needed to cycle air and keep temp down. keeping the temp around 75-80 degree is good. too high of a temp and you will degrade the buds.

would 2 lowryders STINK or would i get away with not using filters?

sorry, meant 6" clones are about right

as far as two plants stinking, you will have to see where they are on your comfort level. I really don't see 1 or 2 being that much of a problem, but I could be wrong. if it starts to stink more then you like then buy or make a filter.

check out this thread, panhead has got something going here that can be really usefull especially if cost is an issue

https://www.rollitup.org/grow-room-design-setup/63004-my-3-carbon-filter.html

Durbin, thanks for bein so much help man. Anyways, I should be starting my grow experience in about a week or two now. I am a patient so I can get clones that are allready about 5"-7". If anyone here wants to watch I will upload pics and shit as I get started.

One thing: Durbin you said keep the light 2' off hte plants? That's hella high don't you think.

I also have been considering making my grow space bigger. I am thinking about 4' long x 2' wide and 6' tall. Any input?

I'm using the waterfarm modules myself this time around, and it was my first time with them. They're great little units, though I'm a sucker for the external res which makes things WAY easier, especially since i'm using the 8 unit setup.

Anyways, the only two problems I've run into is that the stalks of the plants were getting much too wet and lost 2 of them due to rot. I believe this was due to me using an air pump per bucket, and it was creating too much pressure and thus too much moisture. I've since gone from 8 pumps to 3 with t connectors and the issue seems to have stopped.

The other problem I WAS having was that the plants weren't getting much support from the hydroton rocks as they shift easily, even after I tried packing them down as much as possible. I've since put in supports to help prevent shifting as this problem and the above mentioned were the two reasons that made me lose two of my girls.

Other than those two workable issues i've been happy with my investment in the buckets.

With 6 foot high ceilings and depending on the buckets or totes you use you will probably only grow like 4 footers. I have 7 foot and can only get about 4 footers.

looks good so far....

You might want to get a water proof thermometer to be able to check your res temps. I am also using a waterfarm and would love to get all of the opinions i can get on how to lower the temps. They are about 79F and i know that is too hot and need to get it down before me girl leaves the seddling stage. If you guys want to you should come to the Waterfarm club forum and post your progress and success with your waterfarm. I would love to get all of us Waterfarmers together!! Come Join up!