First time growing in 10 years, tell me what you think of my setup

Originally Posted by dynamitejack

I've used H&G before and you HAVE to cut the recommended A/B strength in half! That's what gives you the ppm in your solution. Aqua Flakes A/B are "FOOD", the additives are "vitamins" most of the additives can be used at full strength (Shooting Powder is NOT one of those additives!). Get a PPM/EC/TDS meter, if you don't have one, and use that to measure your nutrients not the feed chart!

Your set up is real nice, are you using reverse osmosis H2O?

I am glad you agree with me, I just changed out my water today for R/O water (PH @ 6.2 / PPM @ 0) and added the nutes back at 50% strength. I have a BlueLab PH and PPM meters and I am very happy to be using R/O water now because my tap water PPM is at 340.

I may just be kidding myself but I think my girls are already looking better. The H & G stuff seems to be real strong from what I have read and I definitely overdid it last week. I am just using A & B plus Drip Clean this run but next run I am going with the full line of additives and I will heed your advice and use the shooting powder at half strength.

BTW - do you remember what PPM range you used from veg to bloom on the Aqua Flakes nutes?

Thanks!

UPDATED PICS:

Here are some pics after I cleaned up the wiring and plumbing a bit. The bigger plant has been in the tent for a week longer than the other three.

Originally Posted by cues

Nice setup. RH is a little low for veg.

What RH should I be aiming for in veg and in bloom? I am about to go buy a humidifier. Thx.

Originally Posted by berkman858

I am glad you agree with me, I just changed out my water today for R/O water (PH @ 6.2 / PPM @ 0) and added the nutes back at 50% strength. I have a BlueLab PH and PPM meters and I am very happy to be using R/O water now because my tap water PPM is at 340.

I may just be kidding myself but I think my girls are already looking better. The H & G stuff seems to be real strong from what I have read and I definitely overdid it last week. I am just using A & B plus Drip Clean this run but next run I am going with the full line of additives and I will heed your advice and use the shooting powder at half strength.

BTW - do you remember what PPM range you used from veg to bloom on the Aqua Flakes nutes?

Thanks!

RO water is a must for hydro, especially when using H&G. In veg I kept it around 500-800, bloom 900-1200ish. Let you meters tell you what the plant needs as far as nutrients. If the ph goes down and ppm go up = too high ppm. If ph goes up and ppm goes down = add more nutrients. If the pH rises and ppm stays the same your plants are happy, don't be afraid of pH swings just keep them between 5.5 and 6.5.

Originally Posted by dynamitejack

RO water is a must for hydro, especially when using H&G. In veg I kept it around 500-800, bloom 900-1200ish. Let you meters tell you what the plant needs as far as nutrients. If the ph goes down and ppm go up = too high ppm. If ph goes up and ppm goes down = add more nutrients. If the pH rises and ppm stays the same your plants are happy, don't be afraid of pH swings just keep them between 5.5 and 6.5.

Great info, that's exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!

Just installed a small humidifier. It bumped the RH from 36% to 44% in 30 minutes. Hopefully it is powerful enough to keep the tent around 55-60%. Does that sound like a good RH range?

berkman858,

Pretty sweet setup you have there.

Originally Posted by atrumblood

berkman858,

Pretty sweet setup you have there.

Thanks atrumblood! I have put a lot of time, money, and effort into this venture. I failed miserably before and am committed to succeed gloriously this time. I have more ideas to implement but for this grow I am pretty much set.

I just setup a two pump system to empty my reservoir first to the landing at the base of the stairs, and then up to the second floor bathroom which is 10 feet of lift and 15 feet of horizontal travel. I had to go back and buy a stronger pump, this shit is pretty big but it works nice. No more carrying water up the stairs!