Cheers RUI
Finally got done rebuilding my grow space, and want to share my first grow in it.
The new space is 11'x8'x6'
The plants are 1 week veg. and will be scroged. I've been scroging for a while, so I don't expect much to go wrong in that regard, but since it is my first go around in my new space there are bound to be some issues relating to the cge environment. For that reason I am still exhausting for 3 min. every 3hours until I'm sure that there are no 'offgassing' issues.
So technically speaking, as long as I vent my grow space every so often I can't really call it a cge environment. But then again I'm not a purist on this matter, mainly I want to reduce the venting as much as possible is in order to maintain my supplemented co2 and reduce energy consumption as it relates to the ac etc. I do run MERV16 air filtration, and a carbon filter, but there is something to be said for replacing the air completely every so often. Hard to find clear science on this, some authors advocate fresh air, others say it is not needed, I think my plants are doing better with the fresh air exchanges. Also, the size of the space (cubic feet) as well as the building materials play a very important role in determining air exchanges needed. I hope this makes sense, I'm very open to hear other growers ideas on this.
All the walls and ceiling in this new space have between r-20 to r-30 insulation, otherwise I might as well grow in a tent, would be a lot cheaper. But with the insulation, I run a lot more efficient.
The space is designed for either 2x 600w (4'x8') or 2x1000w (4'x8'), but for my first run I only run one 600w.
The light is isolated from the cge, and all the other stuff we need for a cge environment is in there as well: A/c, dehumidifier, humidifier etc. I run a Current chiller, some air stones and my res is outside the cge for more convenient access. Co2 is controlled by a controller and delivered from a 20# tank.
Currently my drains are still back-drafting a bit during venting, which can cause some gritters to enter. Easily fixed though with a drain-trap.
So, that is about it as it relates to the grow space, I hope it will put out a good crop
So far there are no apparent problems, which might just mean that I am too stoned to notice anything. I have upped the co2 to about 1000 ppm and so far it looks like they are soaking it up.
This strain is growing very stocky and compact, I hope it will not give me problems with the scrog. The leaves are huge, especially considering how small the plants still are. The main stems are going to be thick, which is usually a great sign.
They can carry a lot of weight
I still have the MH conversion bulb in there for now, great spectrum, but significant lumen loss over the HPS.
I figure another 4 days to reach the screen, and another week before I flip.
Conditions:
81F
1000ppm co2
EC 1.5 / 750-800ppm
45% RH
24h light cycle
Finally they are touching the screen, them are some stocky girls. Decided to skip my res change this week, topped off though. I figure another week and a half before I can switch, those big ass fan leafs are sure taking it away from vertical growth.
Well, I decided to go ahead with the res change, felt like the girls lost a bit of their 'luster' if you know what I mean. I started to bring the humidity down to about 45-50% in an effort to bring my temps up. I supplement with co2 and temps below 78f will waste a lot of that. My new space will drop down to about 73f overnight (cali) and that is in a sealed room, anyone operating a sealed room knows that that is not bad, cause you tent to build up more heat in a sealed space. Anyhow, the dehumidifier raises the temps nicely, and the ac takes care of the rest. Currently I'm at about 81f.
On the down side I'm noticing my co2 to only last about 3 weeks a 20# tank, in my old space it lasted about 6 weeks at this point in the game. Clearly, venting still 3min. every 3 hours has got something to do with this, but I'll take the hit for now, don't want to take a chance with outgassing of the newly build room.
The strain, well I'm not sure yet how this Masterbubba will adapt to my scrog screen. There are huge fan leafs, and things are going to get busy underneath and on top of this screen. The roots are growing well pas their pot and are heading toward the lower drain lol.
Water temps are at their usual 68f, air temps are at 81f, co2 levels are at 1200-1300ppm, 45-50RH, Light cycle 24/24 (might start giving them a bit of dark time, maybe 4 hours or so), EC 1.5, A/B 5ml HG
I'm still using the mh bulb, but should probably change to the HPS in order to get the full 6oow.
So here we are, any input is welcome guys
Had to change my co2 tank yesterday and decided to take the plunge and test my cge without venting every 3 hours. So far so good, plants are still happy and pushing along nicely
BTW, 211 views and no comment?! Come on guys, I need at least 1 every 200 to keep going lol!
Hey, somebody likes Asterix and Obelix lol, used to be my favorite comic. What's a planet system?
My system kind a grew out of the need to minimize energy consumption while establishing a consistent year around growing environment in a California desert climate. My space is in a uninsulated garage, were temps can get up to 120f+ for a good part of the year.
Tents were not an option due to the excessive temps in my area. I wood framed the space and insulated all walls and ceiling.
The lighting is completely isolated, it draws from the garage and exhausts outside, therefore reducing overall temps in the garage (ventilation).
Chiller sits in the garage, but not inside the grow space. Res sits also in the garage, on the slap actually to help maintain lower temps (less need for chiller).
AC is a window unit with no conditioned air exchange from inside to outside. I run a 5000btu unit, due to all the insulation etc. it does not run during the night (lights on) at all, only during veg at day time for a view min. every 10-15min. when the outside temps are high.
My space has to be supplemented with co2, a 20 pound tank and a cap co2 controller does that just fine.
I rigged myself a need little contraption that can particle filter my air (MERV16), as well as carbon filter it, as well as circulate the heavier co2 over the plant tops all with one fan.
My growing medium is hydroton, top feed 30sec. every 30 min. at this stage.
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CGE Masterbubba Scrog 600w
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