First Grow - Aero FAIL moving to DWC

sccerfrk26

sccerfrk26

Member
After a year+ of reading on RIU and checking out different set-ups, I finally started my own grow. Woot.

My plan was to use StinkBud's aero setup in a closet in my 2nd bedroom. After dealing with noise, heat, pump problems, algae and other issues I decided to move my couple healthy ladies (<-hopefully) to a DWC setup because of the simplicity.

First pic is how they started from seed. 2nd is the space I am dealing with.
IMG_3562.jpgIMG_3566.jpg

I started with AK47 Lowryder seeds on 11/24. Moved them to the closet 12/4. I guess that puts me on day 20 and super worried that my babies are about to die.

Here are the current sad pics (in old aero unit):
IMG_3587.jpgIMG_3588.jpg

Need to take some pictures of my new set-up but should have those up by this evening.
 
dart420

dart420

New Member
if your not using ro or distilled id make sure to do so. algea in your res is never good and if you had it in your aero unit then if you continue to use the same water in dwc you will have the same results. how often did you change the water? ph and ppm's good?
 
sccerfrk26

sccerfrk26

Member
Alright. My grow closet is back up and running with a different look. I scrapped everything that I had before. No more Rubbermaid, no more pumps, no more tap water.

So it's day 20 from seed, day 1 of DWC.
Here's a list of what I have going:
400W MH Light on yo-yos. 18/6
2 - 5 gallon buckets. Store only had 1 black and 1 white lid. I used foil tap on the white lid to shield light. I will probably do the black lid as well to keep heat out.
Air pump
2 - 5" air disc
Hydroton, 4" net pots
Couple timers
Fan

General Hydro Nuts - Running 1100 ppm for a few days to let these guys recover from all the stress of the last couple days.
pH is at 5.5

IMG_3590.jpgIMG_3589.jpgIMG_3593.jpgIMG_3592.jpgIMG_3591.jpg

I'm fortunate that the closet has a rail system in it. I have the lights hung from an upper shelf and used one of the supports to clip the fan on to. I have another fan but wanted to see how the temperature would hold with just 1.
 
Weedler

Weedler

Well-Known Member
Just FYI my ladies like it below 950 PPM max flower and 650 PPM max veg! They look too young for those high of PPM's
 
dart420

dart420

New Member
^^^^agreed^^^^^

and you still need buckets that let no light into your roots. with that 400 mh you will get algae in your res and your roots will be exposed to light, and be sure to change the water weekly.
 
Dicky

Dicky

Active Member
keep the buckets u have for when u do ur res change. take the plant out of the cooler and into the bucket while u do ur schtuff back into the cooler..peace
 
sccerfrk26

sccerfrk26

Member
Quick update in my plant killing world! I picked up some coolers to deal with the hot water issue:
IMG_3596.jpg
I actually think that I will save these until some more seeds arrive for some fresh plants. The res temps on the buckets are so far stable and if I need to I can utilize ice containers.

Currently I am flushing with pH'd tap water with a splash of H202 and have moved the light a few feet above my clinging to life plants. Plant surface temperature is down and they appear to be aiming towards the light which gives me hope that there is some life in them. If anything I would like to get them to a large enough size to pull some clones off of so that I don't have to start completely over from seeds.

Also, I am waiting for a T5 light assembly in the mail to further reduce the heat on these poor babies. I will then use the HPS for flowering and the T5 for clones or extra light as needed, haven't decided how I am going to work that yet.

IMG_3595.jpg

I am debating trimming off the burnt to a crisp leaves (nut burn and light burn) so that the little gals can focus more resources on getting back on the growing train. Thoughts :confused:

I am sure some will say to cut my losses and scrap these and start over but I think that mother nature is a little more robust than some people give it credit for. The worst case scenario would be that I spend a couple more weeks on these plants and they both turn out to be male/hermies. Ugh.
 
BeaverHuntr

BeaverHuntr

Well-Known Member
Were you using a MH to Veg with??? You could easily cool that especially in the winter you need a cool hood for your light the one with the glass window . What you need to do is cut a whole somewhere and bring air from outside through your duct into the MH light and exhaust it somewhere else not only will this cool your light but you now have a sealed environment. T5 is also good I veg with one too.
 
BeaverHuntr

BeaverHuntr

Well-Known Member
sccerfrk26 said:
Quick update in my plant killing world! I picked up some coolers to deal with the hot water issue:
View attachment 1326815
I actually think that I will save these until some more seeds arrive for some fresh plants. The res temps on the buckets are so far stable and if I need to I can utilize ice containers.

Currently I am flushing with pH'd tap water with a splash of H202 and have moved the light a few feet above my clinging to life plants. Plant surface temperature is down and they appear to be aiming towards the light which gives me hope that there is some life in them. If anything I would like to get them to a large enough size to pull some clones off of so that I don't have to start completely over from seeds.

Also, I am waiting for a T5 light assembly in the mail to further reduce the heat on these poor babies. I will then use the HPS for flowering and the T5 for clones or extra light as needed, haven't decided how I am going to work that yet.

View attachment 1326814

I am debating trimming off the burnt to a crisp leaves (nut burn and light burn) so that the little gals can focus more resources on getting back on the growing train. Thoughts :confused:

I am sure some will say to cut my losses and scrap these and start over but I think that mother nature is a little more robust than some people give it credit for. The worst case scenario would be that I spend a couple more weeks on these plants and they both turn out to be male/hermies. Ugh.
Click to expand...
If they do turn out to be males chill and harvest the seeds as long as you have no females in the room.. also make sure to wipe down everything if you go that right .. That pollen sticks everywhere.
 
sccerfrk26

sccerfrk26

Member
I'm in a condo building so I can't just be cutting holes everywhere. And no attic to vent to. I am contemplating using foam board to create a room in a closet to keep the heat away. I should have gotten a cool tube but went the cheap route which it turns out probably wasn't worth the savings.

MH for veg?
HPS for flower?
 
BeaverHuntr

BeaverHuntr

Well-Known Member
sccerfrk26 said:
I'm in a condo building so I can't just be cutting holes everywhere. And no attic to vent to. I am contemplating using foam board to create a room in a closet to keep the heat away. I should have gotten a cool tube but went the cheap route which it turns out probably wasn't worth the savings.

MH for veg?
HPS for flower?
Click to expand...
Makes sense then.. Yeah if controlling heat is a problem your best bet is a portable AC ( I did that live in the desert and doesn't get cool until Nov.) or using the T5... I might veg with my 1000MH because its now cool here I can use the outside cool air at night to cool my light and finally use C02 in my garden. Plus in summer running a 1000W MH is mass expensive with the AC, pool garden lights etc...Definitely flower with your HPS or you will be waiting and waiting and waiting ...
 
BeaverHuntr

BeaverHuntr

Well-Known Member
sccerfrk26 said:
Do you think that I should trim off the crispy leaves? They crumble when you touch them.
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Doesnt matter they are dead anyway if they easily come off it means they are dead and the plant wont be pulling stored nutes from them plus you can give more light to the lower branches with the dead leaves gone.
 
BeaverHuntr

BeaverHuntr

Well-Known Member
+rep for using the coolers I have the same ones but igloo from Lowe's .. Guarantee res temperatures wont be a problem nor will algae or root rot! And if you use a T5 you will just set the temp and not have to re set it for a good week. I even use the lids that come with them.
 
sccerfrk26

sccerfrk26

Member
BeaverHuntr said:
+rep
Click to expand...
Thanks

BeaverHuntr said:
I even use the lids that come with them.
Click to expand...
I am undecided on to use the lids that I already cut up and put foil tape on or cut up the insulated ones. The current ones have a little port hole on them which makes checking pH and water level a snap.
IMG_3604.jpg

Here are some shots of the trimmed plants. Look a lot better:
IMG_3602.jpg
Here are some new growths on one of the plants too:
IMG_3603.jpg

Need those roots to catch up and I'll be in business.
 
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