CaptainCAVEMAN's Legal Perpetual Medicinal Cave Grow
- Thread starter CaptainCAVEMAN
- Start date
CaptainCAVEMAN
Well-Known Member
Hey how's it growin? Good I hope! Welcome back to the cave.
I've gotta start with a couple probplems first.
1. Apparently we got thrips somewhere along the way in the dead of winter, so I was messing around with spraying neem and such but thought that was pretty futile. I put ladybugs in hoping they would help but they don't eat thrips. Then I tried the bug strip thing and I think they work great!
The next day all the ladybugs were dead and I couldn't find a single thrip.
Almost work too good to be true. Wonder what the downside is...I mean, with how well this worked why do they sell all that other expensive hard to apply stuff that is almost impossible to effectively erradicate with?
2. Second problem is with the Ushio Dual-Arc 1000 watt bulbs. In mid Oct. I bought 2 brand new Ushio dual-arc bulbs thinking the full spectrum would be awesome and not worrying about my bulbs for at least 9-12 months would be worth the $350 bucks.
In mid Dec. one of them quit working a mere 2 months into service! I took it back to the store and they said they would send it back to the manufacturer for testing and based on the results another bulb could possibly be sent. After a couple more trips to the store and my constant asking about it they gave me another bulb, supposed to be new. After a few weeks of service on a digital ballast I started having trouble with the bulb- it would come on but not stay on. So then I bought a new magnetic ballast in case the problem was the digital ballast.
(deep breath...lol) So a couple weeks later the almost brand new bulb on the brand new ballast blew up- literally- the inside exploded. So again I go back to the store and this time they replaced it right there for me. So now hood 1 has a BRAND NEW bulb and a BRAND NEW magnetic ballast...maybe now I will finally have worry free operation for awhile. But wait! There's more!
(deep breath...not so much lol) A couple weeks later I'm wateriung the flowers wich involves some in and out of the room. Lights are on and everything's cool, go back in and the OTHER bulb in hood 2 is off. Man at this point I am getting so pissed and tired of this shit every couple weeks.
OK so if you skipped all that here's the bottom line - FUCK USHIO BULBS! From here on out I'm gonna try top of the line. EYE Hortilux all the way...we'll see if they're worth the money.
So far theese work well. Hell at least they stay on! This was my 3 month old backup but is now in service.
I made them give me a different brand and am not fond of Plantmax but didn't have cash to upgrade to the $250 EYE Hortilux so now this is my backup bulb.
Here is the lovely Kiwiskunk from Kiwiseeds. Patients ask for this one by name.
https://www.rollitup.org/attachments/bugs/1470054d1299029230-no-pest-strips-100_2133.jpg
I've gotta start with a couple probplems first.
1. Apparently we got thrips somewhere along the way in the dead of winter, so I was messing around with spraying neem and such but thought that was pretty futile. I put ladybugs in hoping they would help but they don't eat thrips. Then I tried the bug strip thing and I think they work great!
The next day all the ladybugs were dead and I couldn't find a single thrip.
Almost work too good to be true. Wonder what the downside is...I mean, with how well this worked why do they sell all that other expensive hard to apply stuff that is almost impossible to effectively erradicate with?2. Second problem is with the Ushio Dual-Arc 1000 watt bulbs. In mid Oct. I bought 2 brand new Ushio dual-arc bulbs thinking the full spectrum would be awesome and not worrying about my bulbs for at least 9-12 months would be worth the $350 bucks.
In mid Dec. one of them quit working a mere 2 months into service! I took it back to the store and they said they would send it back to the manufacturer for testing and based on the results another bulb could possibly be sent. After a couple more trips to the store and my constant asking about it they gave me another bulb, supposed to be new. After a few weeks of service on a digital ballast I started having trouble with the bulb- it would come on but not stay on. So then I bought a new magnetic ballast in case the problem was the digital ballast.
(deep breath...lol) So a couple weeks later the almost brand new bulb on the brand new ballast blew up- literally- the inside exploded. So again I go back to the store and this time they replaced it right there for me. So now hood 1 has a BRAND NEW bulb and a BRAND NEW magnetic ballast...maybe now I will finally have worry free operation for awhile. But wait! There's more!
(deep breath...not so much lol) A couple weeks later I'm wateriung the flowers wich involves some in and out of the room. Lights are on and everything's cool, go back in and the OTHER bulb in hood 2 is off. Man at this point I am getting so pissed and tired of this shit every couple weeks.
OK so if you skipped all that here's the bottom line - FUCK USHIO BULBS! From here on out I'm gonna try top of the line. EYE Hortilux all the way...we'll see if they're worth the money.
So far theese work well. Hell at least they stay on! This was my 3 month old backup but is now in service.I made them give me a different brand and am not fond of Plantmax but didn't have cash to upgrade to the $250 EYE Hortilux so now this is my backup bulb.Here is the lovely Kiwiskunk from Kiwiseeds. Patients ask for this one by name.
https://www.rollitup.org/attachments/bugs/1470054d1299029230-no-pest-strips-100_2133.jpg
CaptainCAVEMAN
Well-Known Member
Damn you gotta thump the bulb?!? That's a trip man. So far this Plantmax bulb is working well. I'm going to replace it with an EYE Hortilux dual-arc when I get enough spare cash. Thanks for stopping by friend!
MEGAyielder420
Active Member
Yo caveman kick ass thread and monster ladies. This is my type of grow all the way! Nice strains as well wish I could get my hands on some pre 98 bubba. Im battling a thrip problem now as well. I bought the hotshot no pest strip but I have been skeptikal to use the thing. I actually sprayed them last night with Sucrashield didnt see to many this morning seems to have worked a little. Im gonna try out the pest strips. + REP bro!!!!!!
MEGA
MEGA
CaptainCAVEMAN
Well-Known Member
Right on mega good luck! I fucked around with spraying neem and had some success but it's a mess and you have to keep doing it even after you think it's all good, and if they get to your flowers then forget it cause they're too big andf you'll probably miss some bugs with the spray, and even if your're ok with all that then you can't employ that method too close to finish. I did like using ladybugs if they will eat whatever the problem is but as they die off they make a mess and also some got into the air cooled hoods and died. I don't like using poison chemicals but it worked VERY well and if you really don't like the chemical aspect then I think you could use the strip for say 24-48 hours to kill all living bugs and at the same time you could spread diotomaceus earth(basicly silica sand I think, and I probably spelled it wrong) on top of the soil and it kills the young as they hatch. That would limit the exposure of your ladies to the stuff!
MEGAyielder420
Active Member
How do you like that technoflora? Why did you switch from AN. I personally am not a big fan of AN im a GH guy. I like that crazy cheese and the bubba I like all of them! How much is your average yield per plant? How big are they when you filp em?
CaptainCAVEMAN
Well-Known Member
Technaflora is working with virtually identical results. I switched from AN because of the high price and the number of different additives they want you to use, took forever to mix up all the different gallons of nutes for the plants in different weeks of growth! So I guess I switched for simplicity also. I like the Technaflora schedule of feed-water-water...66% of the time I just give them water! Gotta admit though, after the last issue of Urban Garden I think I'm going to seek an organic line of nutrients.
I'd say average yeild is about 2.5 oz per plant, though crazy cheese gave me 4 oz. The girls are about 2 feet tall when I flip them. I just realized that my 400 watt veg lamps don't let the plants grow much beyond the reflectors so I'm going to remove the 2 400 watt lamps and intsall 1 1000watt lamp on the mover. That should allow the plants to really bush! I can't wait to see that in action! Just gotta wait on the money. Always waiting on the money. I wonder how much of life is wasted waiting on the money?
MEGAyielder420
Active Member
LMFAO!! That is so true! Im waiting on the money right now as we speak. Most def that 1k will blow those babies up keep em close as possible and they should bush out. I grow vertical so my plants get realy bushy my last grow was horizontal over head 6 ft + trees but the bottoms were shitty popcorn and garbage I only got like 8 to 10 oz per plant and I coud of yielded so much more if I had gone vertical Light would of reached the bottoms. After 4 ft your light is shit . I learned that your plants will never get as bushy overhead as would with vertical lighting and you can put more plants per light.
I feel you about the AN too much shit and its a rip off too much hassle mixing all those additives Ive had great results with GH spending half the price and a more simple formula. Great white is the shit I noticed you use it as well kick ass. Good luck hope the money comes in soon for ya.
Peace
MEGA
I feel you about the AN too much shit and its a rip off too much hassle mixing all those additives Ive had great results with GH spending half the price and a more simple formula. Great white is the shit I noticed you use it as well kick ass. Good luck hope the money comes in soon for ya.
Peace
MEGA
CaptainCAVEMAN
Well-Known Member
Cave Report
A few days ago after the lights came on in my flower room I went in and one of my newer green in-line ActiveAir fans was making noise, again. So at this point I have a total of 7 of those fans and up until now I was a strong advocate for them - at $60 for an 8" 412cfm fan isn't bad, even if you need to buy 2 or 3. I had 1 hooked up to each 1000k light timer so if a light came on so did a fan. Figured it was good to have a backup in case one failed.
So now I have 7 of those green fans and only 3 of them are working quietly, with another 3 that work fine but are noisy wich I wont have. I'd finally had enough. I went to buy an 8" Valuline centrifugal fan from CAP that was $175 but of course they had 4", 6", 10", and 12" but no 8".
They did have a Badass fan from AN. Now I must say that I am not an AN fan but this thing is awesome! I did not realize how underpowered the fans on my lights were! I have since turned my AC UP 3 degrees and am using less Co2. I learned the hard way but I am now a firm believer of LOTS of air moving across the lights. Also this thing has a 6 month unconditional money back guarantee - no questions asked simply return to point of purchase for a full refund. I figure if I don't like it I'll return it after they get the chaper ones - this one was $225 after discount. It also has a 20 freaking year warranty! That is incredible! I know I wont end up with a pile of theese that are noisy.
It was my lucky day. They had new issues of theese mags. The Urban Garden issue about organics was awesome!
A few days ago after the lights came on in my flower room I went in and one of my newer green in-line ActiveAir fans was making noise, again. So at this point I have a total of 7 of those fans and up until now I was a strong advocate for them - at $60 for an 8" 412cfm fan isn't bad, even if you need to buy 2 or 3. I had 1 hooked up to each 1000k light timer so if a light came on so did a fan. Figured it was good to have a backup in case one failed.
So now I have 7 of those green fans and only 3 of them are working quietly, with another 3 that work fine but are noisy wich I wont have. I'd finally had enough. I went to buy an 8" Valuline centrifugal fan from CAP that was $175 but of course they had 4", 6", 10", and 12" but no 8".
They did have a Badass fan from AN. Now I must say that I am not an AN fan but this thing is awesome! I did not realize how underpowered the fans on my lights were! I have since turned my AC UP 3 degrees and am using less Co2. I learned the hard way but I am now a firm believer of LOTS of air moving across the lights. Also this thing has a 6 month unconditional money back guarantee - no questions asked simply return to point of purchase for a full refund. I figure if I don't like it I'll return it after they get the chaper ones - this one was $225 after discount. It also has a 20 freaking year warranty! That is incredible! I know I wont end up with a pile of theese that are noisy.
It was my lucky day. They had new issues of theese mags. The Urban Garden issue about organics was awesome!
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CaptainCAVEMAN
Well-Known Member
Well, come on back they are still here! lol Just kidding man, I'm sure you have your reasons. I agree, cost be damned. Too bad we can't just use the fucking sun! lol
CaptainCAVEMAN
Well-Known Member
I've changed how often I clean the EZ-Clone machine. Upon recomendation from the inventor I tried letting the resevoir go for 6 weeks and it works! For 6 weeks straight I've been able to cut clones and drop them in and pot them in 7-10 days. Pretty cool because I hate cleaning the damn thing. I've been thinking about getting a little 8 site Daisy cloner for $80 because that would be easy to clean say once a week and I just dont do that many clones.
Flushing the Kiwi Skunk.
Royal Haze
Deep Sweet Grapefruit
Cave right and Cave left
Cheese
Kiwi Skunk
Great White Sark
Flushing the Kiwi Skunk. Royal HazeDeep Sweet GrapefruitCave right and Cave leftCheeseKiwi SkunkGreat White Sark
CaptainCAVEMAN
Well-Known Member
I picked up this digital microscope from the grow shop...it's pretty cool! I love seeing it on the full screen instead of a tiny little shot through a squinty eye. Hmmmm...now I'm going to have to get twice as many pics when I harvest.
CaptainCAVEMAN
Well-Known Member
Last weekend's harvest of 2 Kiwiskunks. They turned out beautiful!
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CaptainCAVEMAN
Well-Known Member
Oh yea, it's definitely sweet. I picked it because I thought, like you, that it wasn't sweet just Kiwi Seeds version of regular old skunk. It is awesome though! Almost white when cured...mmmmmmm(homer impersonation) lol
CaptainCAVEMAN
Well-Known Member
Funny thing happened this weekend. My patients decided to up the performance of things here in the cave. It was time to change my veg bulbs, actually about a month ago. I can see now that the veggers growth has been slowing. Last time I went to put 2 more Kiwiskunks into flower 1 was so small I had to leave it in veg, just too small.
Old bulbs
I decided since I have a mover in the veg room anyway, and I have an unused ballast (The 1000watt digital from the four month long Ushio dual-arc bulb flower room fiasco) so I'll just buy a good bulb and use the 1000watt and remove the second hood currently in there.
Here's the new bulb. This thing is awesome! Better be for $240, right?
Bulb & Ballast
Heres the spectral analysis of the old EYE Hortilux 400 watt metal halide bulbs
This is the new EYE Hortilux Metal Halide Blue! If theese graphs are right it should be well worth the money!
Here's the old setup
When I bough the bulb the guy said it would work with my Galaxy 1000watt Digital ballast. So I remove the old hood and hook up the tubes and make sure all the cords can move with the mover and stuff and fire it up and it wont work. I just keeps lighting for about 15 seconds and then turning off. Every few minutes. So back to the store with the bulb and the ballast. The guy tests the ballast and its ok but not with that bulb. Turns out that when the Galaxy digital ballasts first came out they had a problem with firing specialty bulbs like dual-arc or halide-blue.
I said fuck it I'll buy another magnetic 1000watt ballast.
This bulb is AWESOME! But wait! It's not over yet! I started smelling something nasty in my veg room. Smelled like urine. Started thinking it was the new ballast but wasn't sure. After the light came on today I went in and it didn't smell so I though it was a fluke or something, but after the ballast warmed up for awhile it stank again! Back to the damn store AGAIN.
I got another ballast, wich doesn't stink by the way, and a bag of this stuff. I want the diverse biology to mix in my Pro-Mix BH. That's the first half of it....
Old bulbsI decided since I have a mover in the veg room anyway, and I have an unused ballast (The 1000watt digital from the four month long Ushio dual-arc bulb flower room fiasco) so I'll just buy a good bulb and use the 1000watt and remove the second hood currently in there.
Here's the new bulb. This thing is awesome! Better be for $240, right?Bulb & BallastHeres the spectral analysis of the old EYE Hortilux 400 watt metal halide bulbsThis is the new EYE Hortilux Metal Halide Blue! If theese graphs are right it should be well worth the money!Here's the old setup When I bough the bulb the guy said it would work with my Galaxy 1000watt Digital ballast. So I remove the old hood and hook up the tubes and make sure all the cords can move with the mover and stuff and fire it up and it wont work. I just keeps lighting for about 15 seconds and then turning off. Every few minutes. So back to the store with the bulb and the ballast. The guy tests the ballast and its ok but not with that bulb. Turns out that when the Galaxy digital ballasts first came out they had a problem with firing specialty bulbs like dual-arc or halide-blue.
I said fuck it I'll buy another magnetic 1000watt ballast.This bulb is AWESOME! But wait! It's not over yet! I started smelling something nasty in my veg room. Smelled like urine. Started thinking it was the new ballast but wasn't sure. After the light came on today I went in and it didn't smell so I though it was a fluke or something, but after the ballast warmed up for awhile it stank again! Back to the damn store AGAIN. I got another ballast, wich doesn't stink by the way, and a bag of this stuff. I want the diverse biology to mix in my Pro-Mix BH. That's the first half of it....