First Time DWC! Well RDWC!

ttystikk said:

How big is your space? Why not run one each of both MH and HPS?

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That would make things a little cheaper as well as i already have the mh bulb so would only need to buy one hps bulb not 2,
My grow space is 2.4m x 1.2m x 2m but only in one half of the tent which i regret. should of spread them out more but didn't expect the explosive growth in this rdwc!

How would you hang the 2 different bulbs so as to get a good even coverage from both lights? Angled in to each other so the completely cross?

Would using both types of light be beneficial over just hps for flower?

neckpod said:

That would make things a little cheaper as well as i already have the mh bulb so would only need to buy one hps bulb not 2,
My grow space is 2.4m x 1.2m x 2m but only in one half of the tent which i regret. should of spread them out more but didn't expect the explosive growth in this rdwc!

How would you hang the 2 different bulbs so as to get a good even coverage from both lights? Angled in to each other so the completely cross?

Would using both types of light be beneficial over just hps for flower?

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Total area of the canopy itself?

Hang the two lamps up a bit higher and fairly close together but aimed straight down. This takes advantage of reflective tent walls and will spread spectrum and intensity throughout, plus help keep the canopy temps under control.

ttystikk said:

Total area of the canopy itself?

Hang the two lamps up a bit higher and fairly close together but aimed straight down. This takes advantage of reflective tent walls and will spread spectrum and intensity throughout, plus help keep the canopy temps under control.

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Do you think the a mh and hps together would be better than 2 x hps?

Have you tried this yourself?

canopy woiuld be 1.2m x 1.2m

neckpod said:

Do you think the a mh and hps together would be better than 2 x hps?

Have you tried this yourself?

canopy woiuld be 1.2m x 1.2m

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Look, I think your lights need to be replaced with better technology ASAP- so rather than sink more money into another HPS fixture or lamp, you should be saving your money for LED lights from one of the vendors on this forum. They aren't nearly as expensive as you might fear and they're well worth the cost in every way.

You'll be giving up maybe 5% of total yield at the most and in return you'll likely get better resin production than with two HPS lamps.

The percentages are small either way and frankly you'll never notice because you're running a brand new setup and you're still dialing things in. So save your money!

... And yes, I've run every major type of lamp available in many combinations and configurations, so I feel confident that I'm steering you in the right direction.

ttystikk said:

... And yes, I've run every major type of lamp available in many combinations and configurations, so I feel confident that I'm steering you in the right direction.

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Thanks for advice I know it's old tec but it's what I know, I have thought many times about using led. Been looking into the 200w cob type led diy as this is kinda what I do for a living. Design engineer designing electron packaging and custom computer racking.
Have you used these new plasma lights I think they are called?
Thinking of setting a veg room up with just led lighting so will do some more reading on the subject. I appreciate you sharing you knowledge

neckpod said:

Thanks for advice I know it's old tec but it's what I know, I have thought many times about using led. Been looking into the 200w cob type led diy as this is kinda what I do for a living. Design engineer designing electron packaging and custom computer racking.
Have you used these new plasma lights I think they are called?
Thinking of setting a veg room up with just led lighting so will do some more reading on the subject. I appreciate you sharing you knowledge

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Check out the guys selling quantum boards in the LED section. Sexy tech and quite affordable.

@neckpod one good reason to switch over to led is reduced heat, that can only benefit anyone in hydro. Besides that if using Quantum Boards 3000k is a great choice to use from seed to harvest, no more buying bulbs either.

zypheruk said:

@neckpod one good reason to switch over to led is reduced heat, that can only benefit anyone in hydro. Besides that if using Quantum Boards 3000k is a great choice to use from seed to harvest, no more buying bulbs either.

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Thanks for the info do you have an idea how many lumens a good led unit delivers compared to mh or hps.

I do not doubt that led is the future but switching over is a bit scary after using these for so long. Will buy the bits and build one to try.

Just switched to rdwc from soil so still learning


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neckpod said:

Thanks for the info do you have an idea how many lumens a good led unit delivers compared to mh or hps.

I do not doubt that led is the future but switching over is a bit scary after using these for so long. Will buy the bits and build one to try.

Just switched to rdwc from soil so still learning


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lumens is for humans, par is for plants. haha. but seriously, that is true. there is variables, as with anything, but generally speaking cob led's can provide equal light output at a lower wattage and less heat and customize-able spectrums. $ savings comes from improved efficiency and less a/c usage

neckpod said:

2m

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this is the only issue i see. 6 ft tall tent minus height of rdwc bucket minus bulb/reflector and you are slowly running out of space when these get done stretching. you might need to think about tying down some of the taller bud sites.

rkymtnman said:

this is the only issue i see. 6 ft tall tent minus height of rdwc bucket minus bulb/reflector and you are slowly running out of space when these get done stretching. you might need to think about tying down some of the taller bud sites.

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Alright pal i have had big issues before with stretch and the guy i had the cuttings off has had to take harsh action bending, snapping, cutting!!! Not at all what i ever want to have to go through again.
The net was only 5 inch above the pots and plants where only 8 inch max when i flipped over 12/12, i am only half way up the tent light is about 18inch above plants and i have another 18 above the light so hopefully this will be enough room...

18 days into flower now and about 12inch of stretch and still going but slowing. I now have nice little buds growing all over.
I'm thinking a few more days on the mh then over to hps.
On full flowering nutrients now after a 9 day transition from canna vega to flores Boost to follow later this week.

I must say i'm loving how the whole RDWC thing but wont be growing purple haze again gonna go indica next again maybe afghan kush or something short haha

rkymtnman said:

this is the only issue i see. 6 ft tall tent minus height of rdwc bucket minus bulb/reflector and you are slowly running out of space when these get done stretching. you might need to think about tying down some of the taller bud sites.

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What do you think will I have room? Day 18 of 12/12?

With only using that cheap reflector I can get the light really high in the tent.

neckpod said:

What do you think will I have room? Day 18 of 12/12?

With only using that cheap reflector I can get the light really hight in the tent.

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you should be good to go. day 18 they should be done stretching.

rkymtnman said:

you should be good to go. day 18 they should be done stretching.

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Thought so but great to here it from someone else with experience,

I tried Dutch passion blueberry some years ago and they stretched like crazy ended up bending an snapping got loads of seeds.

Guess the burning snapping and bending caused stress and they turned hermie on me.
Kept all the seeds as a reminder. Research the strain before you start and ask about.
Could also have been bad genetics but the stress I put them through was bad.

Got me all worried when you mentioned tying them down don't wanna go back there again.

Really appreciate all the friendly input and advice you guys have given nice to know people still enjoy just helping people with out as I do.

neckpod said:

Thought so but great to here it from someone else with experience,

I tried Dutch passion blueberry some years ago and they stretched like crazy ended up bending an snapping got loads of seeds.

Guess the burning snapping and bending caused stress and they turned hermie on me.
Kept all the seeds as a reminder. Research the strain before you start and ask about.
Could also have been bad genetics but the stress I put them through was bad.

Got me all worried when you mentioned tying them down don't wanna go back there again.

Really appreciate all the friendly input and advice you guys have given nice to know people still enjoy just helping people with out as I do.

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no prob! i started with dwc so i've probably seen and had to deal with just about everything.
what is your light situation? that pic looked like a MH?

It is mh 600w but I will be adding a 600w hps tomorrow so really gonna bake these with both lights?
Think I may have a look at making some cob led lights up as I'm a design engineer with 3d cad and access to cnc mill.
Also got an electronic/electrical background so should be easy.
What do you think about running both lamps?

This am

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They have stopped now what temps do you run your res, I got sick of the frozen bottle thing so stuck a chiller on but my plants seem happier at 17c to 18c?

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rkymtnman said:

no prob! i started with dwc so i've probably seen and had to deal with just about everything.
what is your light situation? that pic looked like a MH?

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Sorry forgot to quote on last few things I put up.

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