Hey there guys. First time growing seriously but long time reader of all the forums out there. Anyway I'm running two DWC buckets with 6 in. net pots. I'm using hydroton with grodan grow blocks. I am using a 3'x4'x7' tent in a basement which unfortunately means heating issues. Either way I'm running a 400w air cooled reflector MH in veg and HPS in flowering. I have a digital ballast that will run 400w or 600w so I'm debating switching to 600 in flowering. Any input on that would be great. Currently I am on day 13 from seed. I will add photos of set up as well as all my equipment later tonight. Cheers
DWC Pineapple Chunk
- Thread starter Samuel28
- Start date
Day 14
Ok guys so I finally had some time to upload some photos.
First off some pictures of the ladies. I've had some issues with one of the seedlings from the absolute beginning.Plant number 2 below never unfurled properly if that's the correct term. I have little to no growth or development from what is seen below. Any intelligent suggestions on that would be appreciated.
1)
2)
As I said before in my first post this is a basement grow and being in the general Northeastern US this isn't exactly a warm period meaning that I have some serious heat issues to deal with. I have a high low thermometer to monitor heat ranges and the temperature ranges have been wide to say the least. Sometimes as much as 61 F and 84 F. I am running a air cooled reflector and have the fan rigged but haven't really used it as my temperature ranges have been so crazy. Trying to fix it, I split a duct and ran some heat into the tent which was disastrous because the heat would come on randomly and wasn't linked into the grow room environment.
Anyway I just recently picked up a temp. controlled heater to put into the tent to get some stability temperature wise because I have been running the lights 24 hrs the entire time just to keep the thing heated. Anyway, I figure that working from a baseline is much better than having to adjust all the time.
As far as nutrients go I am running Advanced nutrients three part program at about a quarter of recommended strength. I also had some what I thought was mold issues (smelled atrocious) so am running about 2 ml hydrogen peroxide/ gallon. I just switched the lights to 16/8 in the hopes of saving electricity and am running two airstones/bucket for combined airflow of 10L/min in each bucket. Any questions on setup that I didn't cover just post with questions. Any and all help appreciated as well. I'm here to learn!
Ok guys so I finally had some time to upload some photos.
First off some pictures of the ladies. I've had some issues with one of the seedlings from the absolute beginning.Plant number 2 below never unfurled properly if that's the correct term. I have little to no growth or development from what is seen below. Any intelligent suggestions on that would be appreciated.
1)
2)
As I said before in my first post this is a basement grow and being in the general Northeastern US this isn't exactly a warm period meaning that I have some serious heat issues to deal with. I have a high low thermometer to monitor heat ranges and the temperature ranges have been wide to say the least. Sometimes as much as 61 F and 84 F. I am running a air cooled reflector and have the fan rigged but haven't really used it as my temperature ranges have been so crazy. Trying to fix it, I split a duct and ran some heat into the tent which was disastrous because the heat would come on randomly and wasn't linked into the grow room environment.
Anyway I just recently picked up a temp. controlled heater to put into the tent to get some stability temperature wise because I have been running the lights 24 hrs the entire time just to keep the thing heated. Anyway, I figure that working from a baseline is much better than having to adjust all the time.
As far as nutrients go I am running Advanced nutrients three part program at about a quarter of recommended strength. I also had some what I thought was mold issues (smelled atrocious) so am running about 2 ml hydrogen peroxide/ gallon. I just switched the lights to 16/8 in the hopes of saving electricity and am running two airstones/bucket for combined airflow of 10L/min in each bucket. Any questions on setup that I didn't cover just post with questions. Any and all help appreciated as well. I'm here to learn!
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randybishop
Well-Known Member
Looking good!
How are you watering the seedlings?
How are you watering the seedlings?
jpbeach28
Active Member
Well first off you should go pick up a couple buckets from lowes, the grey light proof ones. Order two waterfarm kits from general hydroponics. They each will include a topfeed watering system which you won't be able to use since you are using the 6" net pots, but they also come with water level indicators which you can topfeed yourself then just drain the right amount out. This will keep your seedlings watered till the roots hit the bottom of the netpot where the water is. The water level indicators make keeping up with your water level guess free and it also makes changing the water very easy. Then its as easy as picking up the lids and changing buckets. That is after you drill the holes in em for your airstones. I also us two airstones per bucket. It might be that your seedlings are meesed up b/c they haven't been getting any water. Have you been topfeeding? And as far as your heat issues I would hook that heater up to a timer so when your lights are off your heater is on. And your timming is wrong, you need your lights on for a minimum of 18/6. The lights only being on 16/8 is not enough and your confusing the plants. So order the kits and start topfeeding if your not and rigg your heater on a timer. Also this is just my opinion, but if it were me I would build a scrog net and scrog your plants. Dwc is great for scrog and you'll maximize your yield for your watts.
Generally I keep the water levels at about a half inch below the net pots and allow the misting action of my air stones to saturate the grow block. I have checked regularly since day 1 and they were always damp. I have read quite a bit about different methods of feeding new seedlings in DWC. Generally it seems to be two schools of thought, either raise the water level to keep each block saturated from mist due to the airstones or top feeding like jpbeach28 suggested. Seedling #1 seems to be reacting well to no top feeding so I'm not so sure it is the lack of it that is affecting the other plant. I should have mentioned this before hand but the heater is actually temperature controlled via internal thermostat set at 65 F. Checking them tonight, so look for some more photos or updates!
Checked plants #1 and #2. I think I will try and do daily updates with pictures for completeness.
ppm= don't have a meter yet so kind of winging it at 1/4 nutes right now
ph
plant#1=5.6
plant#2=6.0
Pictures
#1
#2 Although lagging behind a bit from #1 it looks to be recovering. I zoomed in on what I believe is it's first real set of leaves breaking through.
This is how frothy my bucket gets at 10L/min split between two airstones. It splashes lots of solution into the hydroton.
ppm= don't have a meter yet so kind of winging it at 1/4 nutes right now
ph
plant#1=5.6
plant#2=6.0
Pictures
#1
#2 Although lagging behind a bit from #1 it looks to be recovering. I zoomed in on what I believe is it's first real set of leaves breaking through.
This is how frothy my bucket gets at 10L/min split between two airstones. It splashes lots of solution into the hydroton.
Ibex
Active Member
Wrap the buckets and lid in Reflectix, it will insualte and help you keep the HID from heating up your black buckets.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Reflectix-16-in-x-25-ft-Staple-Tab-Insulation-ST16025/100012574
Good start!
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Reflectix-16-in-x-25-ft-Staple-Tab-Insulation-ST16025/100012574
Good start!
Alright guys so I have a heat issue and need some guidance from some experienced individuals. I have four factors affecting heat. 1) The grow is in an unheated basement in winter. 2) I have a 400 watt MH inside a tent 3) I have a oil radiator heater inside the tent 4) I have a fan that is more than enough for my tent size. Tent= 3x4x7 with a 435 cfm fan. With all of these factors in play I am having issues controlling temp ranges and wouldn't mind a little friendly advice.
So day by day updates are too boring so I did away with them. But I have some new photos for the journal. Seedling #2 never really progressed at all so I started a new seed about three days ago. This one is a Chemdawg which is more sativa than indica which may complicate things as my two plants will have different growing requirements, but we will see. I'm still running 1/4 strength nutes in each with hydrogen peroxide. Ph seems to be holding well. When I first mix it will settle to about 5.9 which is just about perfect but it will swing within about two days up to 6.1/6.2 which still isn't horrible. Should I constantly readjust by adding ph down to try and keep an optimum of 5.8 or say screw it and let it swing within those ranges?
#1
#2
#1
#2
Hey man interested to check it out. This is also my first dwc grow.
I am growing 1 pineapple chunk ans 1 ak 47. I'm also at 14 days today.
My setup is similar to yours.
400 w mh air cooled for veg and hps for flower. Im vegging for 3-4 weeks due to height restrictions.
Running a 4 inch carbon filter with inline fan.
Using the canna range of nutes and additives.
Set up
Pineapple chunk 14 days
Ak 47 14 days
Interested to see you're progress
Goodluck
I am growing 1 pineapple chunk ans 1 ak 47. I'm also at 14 days today.
My setup is similar to yours.
400 w mh air cooled for veg and hps for flower. Im vegging for 3-4 weeks due to height restrictions.
Running a 4 inch carbon filter with inline fan.
Using the canna range of nutes and additives.
Set up
Pineapple chunk 14 days
Ak 47 14 days
Interested to see you're progress
Goodluck
Started seeds in rockwool. It's counting 14 days from when the sprout came through. That's when I put them in the baskets with clay balls.
Goodluck with your grow.
So far getting alot more enjoyment with dwc rather than soil.
Not having to worry about run off and fungas gnats is a big plus.but I have been reading its still possible to get gnats growing in your rockwool fingers crossed the buggers don't show up.
My biggest concern so far would be the bucket temps. Mine are 69-70 but worried they might rise when the outside temps do.
Whats you're bucket temp.
Btw I have read some of rumples grow guides where his bucket was at 80 degrees with no problems. So time will tell I spose.
Goodluck with your grow.
So far getting alot more enjoyment with dwc rather than soil.
Not having to worry about run off and fungas gnats is a big plus.but I have been reading its still possible to get gnats growing in your rockwool fingers crossed the buggers don't show up.
My biggest concern so far would be the bucket temps. Mine are 69-70 but worried they might rise when the outside temps do.
Whats you're bucket temp.
Btw I have read some of rumples grow guides where his bucket was at 80 degrees with no problems. So time will tell I spose.
Everything I have read has indicated 67 F is the optimum temperature. Keeping the temperatures low is how you beat bacteria problems in the solution. Also at 67 F dissolved oxygen is higher when temperature is lower.
My bucket temperatures have been running at about 64-65 F which is a little low but not something I'm particularly worried about.
What strength nutes are you running because mine are still behind yours time wise? I run 1/4 strength of the manufacturer recommended strength.
My bucket temperatures have been running at about 64-65 F which is a little low but not something I'm particularly worried about.
What strength nutes are you running because mine are still behind yours time wise? I run 1/4 strength of the manufacturer recommended strength.
First week ran canna nutes at 430 ppm this second week im running at 560 ppm which is according to their grow guide.
I have seen successful grows at 75 deg plus all the way to 80 degrees so im not overly worried at this stage about root rot. Its the start of summer here so the temps are no doubt going to rise.
Goodluck keep us all updated
I have seen successful grows at 75 deg plus all the way to 80 degrees so im not overly worried at this stage about root rot. Its the start of summer here so the temps are no doubt going to rise.
Goodluck keep us all updated
Seedling #1: Day 23 (from seed)
Seedling #2: Day 9
So I started to see what I think was a bit of nitrogen deficiency so I upped the nutes on seedling #1 to try and remedy that. Seedling #2 which was a second Pineapple Chunk I scrapped because there was zero progress and replaced it with a Chemdawg.
Seedling #1: Pineapple Chunk
Seedling #2: Chemdawg
I'm a bit behind because of the holidays, so I will upload another post tonight with the more current situation.
Cheers!
Seedling #2: Day 9
So I started to see what I think was a bit of nitrogen deficiency so I upped the nutes on seedling #1 to try and remedy that. Seedling #2 which was a second Pineapple Chunk I scrapped because there was zero progress and replaced it with a Chemdawg.
Seedling #1: Pineapple Chunk
Seedling #2: Chemdawg
I'm a bit behind because of the holidays, so I will upload another post tonight with the more current situation.
Cheers!
I growing the same thing as well and it seems to be a picky thing. I am refering to the pineapple chunk try some cal/mag mine had brown spots as well its doing much better now but its stretching like crazy and the separation from stem to stem on the main stalk is really weird also it came out the seed light green and now almost every stem is purple but its still growing so I don't know. I'm thinking bad genetics.
I am not so sure about strains because I'm rather new to it but I also think that it is a calcium or magnesium problem. It has spread to the other leaves so hopefully ill be able to catch it before it wreaks havoc on the entire plant. I'll upload more photos of the issue tonight and am hoping to see more suggestions!
Cheers!
Cheers!
The first two photos are of the Pineapple Chunk Day 43
I had some issues which originally I thought were due to a Calcium deficiency however, I had previously ran some pretty high levels of nutrients as well so I was halfway between a calcium deficiency and nute burn. As you can see in the photos below I have some brown spots on the lower fan leaves as well as some twisted growth on the upper leaf tips. Either way I purchased some Cal-Mag supplement as well as backed off on the nutrients to a more reasonable level and am hoping for a positive response.
This is the Chemdawg Day 16. I also had some issues with this plant as well running nutrient levels way too high. You can see the yellow spotting on the outside edges of the leaves.
To correct the issues with both plants I added Cal-Mag to both reservoirs and backed off a bit on the nutrients.
Also I recently purchased a ppm meter from Bluelab and tried it out but the results were extremely confusing. For instance my Chemdawg reservoir is at 2000 ppm and the Pineapple Chunk is at 2180 ppm which are both ridiculously high. I then did a reading of the tap water which came out at 280 ppm. Even disregarding the ppm of the tap water I would be running 1720 ppm and 1900 ppm which is still quite high. I uploaded a picture of everything that goes in both reservoirs every time in the hopes that someone can explain the issue.
Pictured Above:
Advanced Nutrients
Grow
Bloom
Micro
General Hydroponics
Cal-Magic
Great White Mycorrhizae
Hygrozyme
I had some issues which originally I thought were due to a Calcium deficiency however, I had previously ran some pretty high levels of nutrients as well so I was halfway between a calcium deficiency and nute burn. As you can see in the photos below I have some brown spots on the lower fan leaves as well as some twisted growth on the upper leaf tips. Either way I purchased some Cal-Mag supplement as well as backed off on the nutrients to a more reasonable level and am hoping for a positive response.
This is the Chemdawg Day 16. I also had some issues with this plant as well running nutrient levels way too high. You can see the yellow spotting on the outside edges of the leaves.
To correct the issues with both plants I added Cal-Mag to both reservoirs and backed off a bit on the nutrients.
Also I recently purchased a ppm meter from Bluelab and tried it out but the results were extremely confusing. For instance my Chemdawg reservoir is at 2000 ppm and the Pineapple Chunk is at 2180 ppm which are both ridiculously high. I then did a reading of the tap water which came out at 280 ppm. Even disregarding the ppm of the tap water I would be running 1720 ppm and 1900 ppm which is still quite high. I uploaded a picture of everything that goes in both reservoirs every time in the hopes that someone can explain the issue.
Pictured Above:
Advanced Nutrients
Grow
Bloom
Micro
General Hydroponics
Cal-Magic
Great White Mycorrhizae
Hygrozyme
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