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balactus

Well-Known Member
Hello community,
I am a returning member that's been gone for about 9 years since attempting my first stealth grow using a hollowed out computer tower. Could not see that to fruition but those were different circumstances. This forum is a wealth of knowledge and while I enjoy trolling for answers I thought documenting what I am doing will give me better results if I can get more experienced eyes on what I am doing. I have the basics down overall but its all book smarts. Have not put much into practice yet.

Equipment: Everything except the light was ordered together as a kit from a local grow store. It included the minimum to hook up everything aside from soil and seed.

Tent: Gorilla Grow Tent Shorty 2x4 with extension on. So just under 6ft tall.

Light: Spider Farm SF2000 LED

Inline exhaust: Common Culture Inline 6" 400 CFM
- Common Culture Carbon Filter rated for CFM

Soil / Nutrients:

Fox Farm Ocean Forest
FF Big Bloom
Happy Tree Frog Fruit and Flowering
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With how potent FFOF is by itself I wanted to see how well something grew without too many inputs. The Big Bloom I plan to use regularly every other or more watering. The flowering dry amendment I'd probably apply a conservative amount on last transplant around a week before changing light schedule. I plan to recycle the soil so I can add more inputs later to tweak how much I give them.

As a first time user of a grow tent with the ducting, fan, and filter on top of that, it has been a bit of a learning curve. The tent itself was near impossible by myself and that may just be lack of perspective. Had to get a 2nd set of hands to help me zip it all together. The fan and filter had me stumped for awhile. Eventually I had to get some zip ties to help me get the fan in place so I can use some tent straps to support it. Then I just put a foot of ducting between the filter and fan securing first with reflective tape followed by using the only 2 hose clamps that came with the kit. The exhaust is coming out the right side of the tent near the garages vents. I added an intake on the bottom right also next to rooms vent for fresh air. Temperatures are some degrees warmer inside than outdoors. Humidity is fluctuating. We had a rainy day and humidity is max value right now on thermometer/hygrometer. I added a rubber mat plus blanket underneath the tent so it isn't directly on the ground as well as an old fashioned blanket draped over the top.
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Already first concern is the light coming in and out via the intake. Length is a problem because the kit only provided one roll and it isn't long enough. Second possible is the tent has too much negative air pressure so it looks like its going to implode. I opened up the other intake on the other side of the tent with a little more ducting from the other side. Question: What do you recommend as a solution to keep light from getting through the intakes without having to expand them? I thought maybe some sort of black fabric that breathes or a light sink out of a box.

This experiment first started earlier this month by trying to germinate some old seeds that are at least 8 years old. Not sure if I kept them safe and in a cool dry environment but needless to say they did not germ. Part of it is because they molded before I can give them more time. I think it was too wet. The second round I tried 5 more bag seed plus 1 auto I got through Attitude. The strain is Moby Dick XXL from Dinafem and I got it during the Xmas promotion they had for like 2 days. I honestly was not planning to buy seeds yet but that promotion really caught me off guard. It included more than a handful of different strains. I am starting with the only auto to gain a little more confidence as I know they typically don't get that large. I want to fill the space with 2 or 3 other strains after this one.

To germinate I used the soak method and just left the seeds in separate cups in water that has been PH'd. I don't have a proper PH meter yet as I am just using the standard PH Up and PH Down pack with PH test solution. I left both cups under a dark container up on a shelf to maintain some warmth overnight. The auto popped almost instantly overnight. The bag seed I left for a full 24hr+ with no change.

The MDXXL was planted in a 3gallon fabric pot taproot up with a light watering. Then covered with a halved plastic water bottle for a humidity dome. I was getting impatient waiting to see something come out. When it finally started standing up I made the mistake of removing the water bottle thinking it would be fine. Fast forward to this morning I found it laying on its side. My guess is it dried out too quickly. Lesson learned. I bunch up some dirt to stand it up then splashed some water to moisten deeper than I was doing. Then the bottle was placed back on top.
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We have a cold week next week so I don't want to start anything else right yet but after next week regardless of how well this auto is doing I will be starting my first round of photos. One will be a seed from an 8th of Jilly Bean I got from a local dispo. The other 2 will be Pineapple Express from G13 labs and Critical Orange Punch from Dutch Passion Seeds.

I'll add more pictures hopefully after a recovery from nearly killing the seedling.
 

anexgrower

Well-Known Member
I was able to get some old bag seed to germ after about 5 full days, I kept changing the paper towel and using tap water to fight mold, only 1 out of 15 survived but imagine how tough that sole survivor is:
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anexgrower

Well-Known Member
A buddy of mine I got the seeds from thought the weed tasted like some Colombian he used to grow, but bag seed is always a mystery and part of the fun. You never know what you are gonna get.
 

anexgrower

Well-Known Member
BTW, it sounds like you need a Light Trap.
If you can see light coming out, then the tent can see light coming in. The inside of the ducting should be non reflecting (spray flat black paint) so that the light will not reflect around the corner.
You could also grab a black carbon filter pad, cut it to size and use the Velcro to attach. That's what I do, works great. Blocks light pretty good and keeps my passive intake filtered. Then you won't have sides sucking in.
 

Kindbud421

Well-Known Member
if everything works right, the tent should suck in when extractor is on. I use bracing between verticals about 2’ up from floor. Fixed with zip ties so they are easy to slide up and down but tight enough not to fall. I used 2”x1/2” slats of wood. 1/2” ID pvc is what you want. Easy to drill and notch for fit!
 

Kindbud421

Well-Known Member
I was able to get some old bag seed to germ after about 5 full days, I kept changing the paper towel and using tap water to fight mold, only 1 out of 15 survived but imagine how tough that sole survivor is: View attachment 4803440
I only soak in ph’d water then straight to soil. 100% green rate. Did the paper towel method but could never get better than 50% germ rate using that method
 

anexgrower

Well-Known Member
if everything works right, the tent should suck in when extractor is on. I use bracing between verticals about 2’ up from floor. Fixed with zip ties so they are easy to slide up and down but tight enough not to fall. I used 2”x1/2” slats of wood. 1/2” ID pvc is what you want. Easy to drill and notch for fit!
True there will always be some sucking in, extra intake doesn't hurt, and will reduce the suckage, and will take some static pressure off the fan.
 

anexgrower

Well-Known Member
I only soak in ph’d water then straight to soil. 100% green rate. Did the paper towel method but could never get better than 50% germ rate using that method
I rely on the chlorine in the tap water to keep things clean, I keep in a freezer bag, and as soon as I smell anything off I change the towel and water, and bag, with new seeds I'm 100% also. Those old seeds had been in a non-climate controlled building in Texas for many years, truly a miracle anything survived.
 

Kindbud421

Well-Known Member
I rely on the chlorine in the tap water to keep things clean, I keep in a freezer bag, and as soon as I smell anything off I change the towel and water, and bag, with new seeds I'm 100% also. Those old seeds had been in a non-climate controlled building in Texas for many years, truly a miracle anything survived.
In my experience, chlorine is not good for seeds,plants. I used to work in dairy industry and we sanitized with chlorine atomizer. Had to have proportions right cuz too little and it will promote mold. Too much and it left chlorine film on everything. Standard ph’d spring water is best I’ve found. Some use RO water with weak nute tea for soak. Also old seeds can be germinated if you can find gibberilic acid and add a little to the water. Just trying to help...
 

Kindbud421

Well-Known Member
In my experience, chlorine is not good for seeds,plants. I used to work in dairy industry and we sanitized with chlorine atomizer. Had to have proportions right cuz too little and it will promote mold. Too much and it left chlorine film on everything. Standard ph’d spring water is best I’ve found. Some use RO water with weak nute tea for soak. Also old seeds can be germinated if you can find gibberilic acid and add a little to the water. Just trying to help...
Also, I am new to indoor as well. Only about 2 yrs now. On 6th grow with new tent,lights,soil... after a break of 26 yrs. was outdoor guerilla grower back when I was in my early 20’s39C4C6F9-1236-4B2A-BED7-728BDDCE83B2.jpeg
 

anexgrower

Well-Known Member
In my experience, chlorine is not good for seeds,plants. I used to work in dairy industry and we sanitized with chlorine atomizer. Had to have proportions right cuz too little and it will promote mold. Too much and it left chlorine film on everything. Standard ph’d spring water is best I’ve found. Some use RO water with weak nute tea for soak. Also old seeds can be germinated if you can find gibberilic acid and add a little to the water. Just trying to help...
I guess I've been lucky my tap water is good enough, it's hard water also, so the minerals are like nutrients and buffer the PH.
I didn't know gibberillic acid could be used for that, I knew it was used for reversing a female.
 

balactus

Well-Known Member
I guess I've been lucky my tap water is good enough, it's hard water also, so the minerals are like nutrients and buffer the PH.
I didn't know gibberillic acid could be used for that, I knew it was used for reversing a female.
I read a similar comment somewhere else about using the chlorine in the water as a natural cleanser. Really interesting though. We just moved not too long ago and the area Im living in now has a more noticable chlorine smell. Probably gonna get a filter for the hose outside and see about using our water rather than buying all the time.
 

Kindbud421

Well-Known Member
I read a similar comment somewhere else about using the chlorine in the water as a natural cleanser. Really interesting though. We just moved not too long ago and the area Im living in now has a more noticable chlorine smell. Probably gonna get a filter for the hose outside and see about using our water rather than buying all the time.
Just have to let it sit uncovered for 24 hrs so chlorine can dissipate. If you plan on using for feeding and watering that is...
 
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