Worst Grow EVER!!!!

porky501 · Jul 2, 2014

+1 on the ballast. Had the same issue with a China ballast. 4 bulbs later I was given a new ballast.

ch33b · Jul 2, 2014

I always read consumer reviews before purchasing anything off amazon... Companies and Sellers always try to take your money and not give you honest answers so always be cautious when buying off the internet... Sometimes buying locally (the more expensive equipment) is best. If you have any issues you can easily take it back

I also agreed with Dr. Who sometimes your just paying for the name... I use Sylvania 1k's but also have 400w and 600w of different brands ( what I got from local hydro store ) and I have had no problem ... EXCEPT WHEN MY ROOM WAS IN THE 90'S-100'S when I first started out I had to no idea WTF I was doing and I was breaking bulbs left and right ( DUE TO HEAT ) I'm assuming your room temperature is dialed in?

Deusracing · Jul 2, 2014

chiefbootknocker said:
Man, ok I gotta vent here. After a 3 year pause in growing I decided to get some seeds of some old favorites. I'm in a lame state so getting good nugs is hard. Well I have to tell you that I have had more issues with this ONE fucking grow it is stressing me out! Check out below all that has happened.

1) I decided to go with a 1k light (as opposed to my previous 400) so I bought a complete setup on Amazon. Apollo Hort. The dingleberry that sold it to me ships a 600 and I had to get an RMA to get the right light. This would not normally be an issue except I was gifted 2 clones and them some bitches were getting real big, and I didn't want to dedicate my whole 4x4 tent to them.

2) I had my gear vegging outside and lame assed weather caused some stretch so I had to bring them inside to veg under the 400. I didn't want to run both lights for obvious reasons, but I wasn't about to fuck up my investment.

3) during the first 2 days of flowering the clones a bulb died. So basically 24hrs life on a 24,000hr rated bulb

4) Then a storm came and my sump pump decided to die. Of course my tent is right next to it, and of course it was completely flooded at 2am to the point of ripping out carpet on the finished side of the basement.

5) I had to wake the girls up in the middle of the night and move them outside....stress???

6) While I was still trying to save the carpet I had the other 8 under the 400 in another room until the worries of mold in the carpet crept up in my head. At that point I decided to give up on vegging the 8 any further and just threw them in with the clones. Most are only 8 - 10" tall with 5 - 7 nodes. This is after 1-1/2 mo of veg. WTF. That is some fucking crazy slow growing.

7) Today my wife is bitching "we need to go grocery shopping". I was like "NO let's wait", but I've been married for 10yrs so of course she won. While at the damn store (at some point) a second bulb blew (are you fucking kidding me) so I'm back in the car driving across town to get a third bulb in 2 weeks of use.

Is that not some shit? I just want some nice frosty nuggets and I'm getting shit on.

So I wanted to add a picture of one of the clones. I was told it's White Widow. Look at all of those budsites. I seriously can't do it justice, but there are a TON of budsites on this plant. The branching has been incredible.

Well thanks for listening. Hate to bitch, but sometimes ya gotta. Hope yours is better than mine

I feel ya my first grow i had pumps die my master digital controller die plant turned hermie next grow my new 1k lamp failed 2x in 2 weeks. I get your pain.. luckily i have so much shit for back ups my shit now is good

OH last thing if you guys are strapped on cash and want a good light the virtual sun line I'm on second grow with it..

chiefbootknocker · Jul 4, 2014

We'll see guys. I'm a week and a half in with a new bulb not made by Apollo Horticulture. We'll see if the name brand bulb goes. I will proudly eat my words if it dies, but I still think the bulbs are the problem. For now I'm going to stick with the bulbs being the problem. I still have 6 weeks of flower time left (maybe more) and given the rate of failure I should most certainly see another bulb go if it's the ballast. I will report back with either a dead bulb or whatever this mess harvests.

chiefbootknocker · Jul 4, 2014

Deusracing said:
I feel ya my first grow i had pumps die my master digital controller die plant turned hermie next grow my new 1k lamp failed 2x in 2 weeks. I get your pain.. luckily i have so much shit for back ups my shit now is good

OH last thing if you guys are strapped on cash and want a good light the virtual sun line I'm on second grow with it..

Well it looks like you are recovering well. It such a pain to have setbacks. It not like this stuff grows over night right?

chiefbootknocker · Jul 4, 2014

ch33b said:
I always read consumer reviews before purchasing anything off amazon... Companies and Sellers always try to take your money and not give you honest answers so always be cautious when buying off the internet... Sometimes buying locally (the more expensive equipment) is best. If you have any issues you can easily take it back I also agreed with Dr. Who sometimes your just paying for the name... I use Sylvania 1k's but also have 400w and 600w of different brands ( what I got from local hydro store ) and I have had no problem ... EXCEPT WHEN MY ROOM WAS IN THE 90'S-100'S when I first started out I had to no idea WTF I was doing and I was breaking bulbs left and right ( DUE TO HEAT ) I'm assuming your room temperature is dialed in?

Yes it is. Actually I'm getting much more consistent room temps with my 1k than I did with my 400 back in the day.....go figure??? I built a room with the 400, and I have a tent with the 1k. I think the big factor is my 1k is a cool tube that my can fan is easily keeping cool, and my 400 was a regular hood with an add on fan which was nothing more than a sheet metal enclosure with a PC fan bolted inside of it....not quite the same CFM draw.

chiefbootknocker · Jul 4, 2014

porky501 said:
+1 on the ballast. Had the same issue with a China ballast. 4 bulbs later I was given a new ballast.

+1 if you and the others admit you were wrong if my bulb does not go in the next 6-8 weeks. I've already said I will report if it dies and admit I was wrong. The manufacturer already sent me a new Apollo bulb which I'm NOT going to use. I hope that should be proof that I am not going to try and lie. It will still be in the box in 6-8 weeks. That's my guess.

chiefbootknocker · Jul 4, 2014

Stickystickyganja said:
Fuck man your life sounds a little like mine! I feel for you brother lol. Dont worry buddy its up and onwards from here. All this Fuckary will lead to a nice harvest.

I hope so. At the end I will certainly post some bud porn.....I hope!!! Thanks for the kind words.

chiefbootknocker · Jul 4, 2014

kermit2692 said:
Alot of the lighting you will find on eBay amazon etc is Chinese junk.. Some can have a tenancy to blow bulbs, some don't work right out of the box, and some don't even put out the amount of light they should be capable of, might be worth it to sell that if you can or return it and buy one from a store. They are really all made in chins but some brands are better quality. Go be friendly with the local hydro shop they will likely give you a decent deal and replace anything that breaks on you on the spot and just warranty it out... Also some advice, don't bring outdoor plants in and don't put indoor plants out, causes infestation. This also would have inadvertantly solved your stretch issue, if you want to save money on lighting simply only use flourescent lighting for veg, works just fine. You might already know these things but just giving information based on your post

I hear hear ya man, but as I said in my OP this is a one time shot. I'm done after this. My last hoorah if you will.

chiefbootknocker · Jul 4, 2014

Wilksey said:
Those kinds of experiences are shitty to get through, but you will, and you'll be able to laugh at them later on down the road.

Positive waves to you dude.

I feel ya. I'm back on track now, and I think all will be fine now that I have a good BULB :evil:

take that you ballast nazis :finger:

.....just kidding. I'm having fun here really.

chiefbootknocker · Jul 4, 2014

Dr. Who said:
Odd that your loosing bulbs so fast.....I buy industrial bulbs by the case, 1K's and get 6 for about $150 delivered.
Never had a problem (Sylvania).....Why spend the BIG $ for a name?)

Oh man if this bulb keeps going I will enjoy you eating your words (I hope :bigjoint:

). Again I will report back if something goes, and I will give credit where credit is due. Take care...

Red1966 · Jul 4, 2014

"but I've been married for 10yrs so of course she won. '..........lol.....Even if you win the argument, you still lose!

chiefbootknocker · Jul 4, 2014

Red1966 said:
"but I've been married for 10yrs so of course she won. '..........lol.....Even if you win the argument, you still lose!

Damn right. I think that's why long term marriages are so few: nobody wants to compromise anymore. It's tough to do; believe me!

EDIT: After 10yrs the voice of argument can sound like nails on a chalkboard...lol. Now you know why after 3yrs of not growing I suddenly said "hmm I need some bud" haha

Deusracing · Jul 4, 2014

chiefbootknocker said:
We'll see guys. I'm a week and a half in with a new bulb not made by Apollo Horticulture. We'll see if the name brand bulb goes. I will proudly eat my words if it dies, but I still think the bulbs are the problem. For now I'm going to stick with the bulbs being the problem. I still have 6 weeks of flower time left (maybe more) and given the rate of failure I should most certainly see another bulb go if it's the ballast. I will report back with either a dead bulb or whatever this mess harvests.

dude best inexpensive shit is www.virtualsun.com I'm on second grow with the stuff bulbs are great.. and its the electronics usually running the bulb that makes it blow or your bulb ballast not compatible maybe...

kermit2692 · Jul 4, 2014

chiefbootknocker said:
I hear hear ya man, but as I said in my OP this is a one time shot. I'm done after this. My last hoorah if you will.

Ahhh then ya don't go investing in more light lol.. good luck in finding a bulb that can handle the pressure.. Literally i mean :blsmoke:

fssalaska · Jul 4, 2014

Damn sounds like the making of the country song...

chiefbootknocker · Jul 4, 2014

kermit2692 said:
Ahhh then ya don't go investing in more light lol.. good luck in finding a bulb that can handle the pressure.. Literally i mean

Why wouldn't I? I grew perpetually for 1-1/2yrs with a 400 so I know it's limitations. 2 packs of seeds is 10 seeds plus freebees. Unless I was growing SOG I could not properly light that many plants with a 400. I got the 1k to cover that, and I didn't buy top of the line because it's my last grow. Now does it make a little more sense?

Just for the record too: I think I said that I got a SON-AGO as a replacement bulb, it's actually an Xtrasun bulb.

chiefbootknocker · Jul 4, 2014

fssalaska said:
Damn sounds like the making of the country song...

let me tell ya what happend to my dog...lol

chiefbootknocker · Jul 4, 2014

Deusracing said:
dude best inexpensive shit is www.virtualsun.com I'm on second grow with the stuff bulbs are great.. and its the electronics usually running the bulb that makes it blow or your bulb ballast not compatible maybe...

In my case both the ballast and the bulb were from the same company. I hate to say it man, but I went to check out the site you had, but it looks as though it's for sale. Are you sure that's the site? Could it be http://www.virtualsunhydroponics.com? idk?

Deusracing · Jul 4, 2014

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Virtual-Sun-600W-HPS-MH-Grow-Light-Hood-Reflector-Digital-Ballast-Dimmable-/171060255247?pt=US_Hydroponics&hash=item27d3fc5a0f

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