My first real grow: hydroponic CFL stealth!!

zaq1234

zaq1234

Active Member
Hey, hows it going? After 2 years of starting seeds in my friends dads planter in his front lawn and seeing how big we could get them after we moved them out back, and having just graduated college, I want to actually do some real growing, and after a quick google search I got here and got some great ideas! Im going to try and post pics as much as I can to show you guys how its turning out!

I just started 4 seeds a few hours ago so I should have at least my veg section done by the time they bust out. Anyone have any tips for my setup or what kind of nutes? right now i am working on a drip system but eventually two plants will reside in the two square holes you see.

Thanks!:mrgreen:
 

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pppfemguy

pppfemguy

Well-Known Member
nutes.........theres really no better or worse nutes there all gonna do the same thing in the end its really all on preference some will do better things for certain grows but for the most part there all gonna do the thing u want the most GROW ur plants u can go with anything really flora nova...hesi....general hydroponics.....barneys farm.....organics i could go on for hours just choose one and see how it works gooood luck dude hope all goes well
 
On3Tim3OnLy

On3Tim3OnLy

Well-Known Member
Bio-Bizz of Holland, the leaders in everything to do with growing our favourite plants in soil. This is a 100% organically based product designed to increase flower production in soil grown plants. Topmax is also noted for increasing the sugar content of produce for a smoother sweeter taste. Also suitable for use in hydroponic applications. OMRI and EKO/SKAL listed organic product
 
pppfemguy

pppfemguy

Well-Known Member
On3Tim3OnLy said:
Bio-Bizz of Holland, the leaders in everything to do with growing our favourite plants in soil. This is a 100% organically based product designed to increase flower production in soil grown plants. Topmax is also noted for increasing the sugar content of produce for a smoother sweeter taste. Also suitable for use in hydroponic applications. OMRI and EKO/SKAL listed organic product
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dude hes using a drip system now soil
 
pppfemguy

pppfemguy

Well-Known Member
On3Tim3OnLy said:
Nutes hav different shit in there ..turst look at the back ...some are stonger some are weaker
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and yes some are weaker and some are stronger but are they or are they not gonna all do the same thing? and some are better and some are worse for beginners
 
zaq1234

zaq1234

Active Member
Awesome, thanks for the help so far, Im starting a list and Im gonna try and hit up the store today or tomorrow.

Just alittle bit more about what I have set up. I just finished the drip system. Right now I have two tubes on the bottom of the tank I can swap around, I can put the water to the drip or to the main part. I didnt have anything to attach the second tube so it would fit snug into the pump so I used the mouthpiece off one of those dumb little pipes someone gave me free at the town fair (I keep everything!!). I have the drips going at around one drip every 3-4 seconds for 15 minutes, 3 times a day.

The lights I have are set up to 18 hours on and 6 off, 1 3200k and 1 5600k 100 watt CFLs. Is this enough?

So far, with the setup alone, Ive encountered 2 problems: the first being the drain to the drip tray doesnt drain. I think my tube is too small so I am going to replace it today. The second is when I have the water on the main part, the pump will shoot the water so it splashes the top of the pvc and a good amount will get out. The pump is on its lowest setting and I am going to try to put some screens over it to maybe lessen the upward force and plus it should probally have one on it anyway as it drains back into the pump when it goes off.

Shopping List so far: Nutes, ppm meter (>$20 hopefully), small and large rockwool cubes, thermometer, carbon filter.
 

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gvega187

gvega187

Well-Known Member
damn dude get you some black spray paint or somethin. Your asking for trouble with that clear resevoir and white tubage. By the way save up your big monies and go for a 400watt hps please when your ready to flower. The CFL's will not cut it...sry mebe dis is your plan already. great closet to get a few goin in. :mrgreen:
 
igrow08420

igrow08420

Active Member
not true check out my sig link, i used only 190 watts of CFL and ended up with almost two ounces + on three plants at 49-54 days flowering due to i had to get them out... and i used no nutes. You can flower with CFL but yes HPS is the best solution for big sized nugs.
 
zaq1234

zaq1234

Active Member
On3Tim3OnLy said:
are the Cfls real wattage (100w) or is it 23w
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Just checked, your right its a 100watt replacement, using 23 volts, so I have 2 23watt bulbs making a total of 3200 lumens. Hmm, maybe I should get some more bulbs...


gvega187 said:
damn dude get you some black spray paint or somethin. Your asking for trouble with that clear resevoir and white tubage. By the way save up your big monies and go for a 400watt hps please when your ready to flower. The CFL's will not cut it...sry mebe dis is your plan already. great closet to get a few goin in. :mrgreen:
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Sure, I have some black spray paint out in the shed. I understand the white tub needs to keep the light away from the roots, but why the tank too? Will the nutes break down under light? Thanks! Oh and I think if i get enough money I might invest in an hps but as it stands now Im gonna try and manage with the CFLs



Also another question about nutes: Would Scotts Miracle-Gro All Purpose Liquid Plant Food work? I tried looking for those other ones listed earlier but could not find anything. Today when I'm out I will look around for them in different stores.

Oh and good news! 3 out of my 4 seeds have cracked! I'm off to go get some rockwool so I can get em started!!
 
gvega187

gvega187

Well-Known Member
yes, as that dude stated...obviously cfl's will flower plants; however it would be worth it for you to get a 250 hps even off of ebay or somethin...mebe next time. NEwho be sure that no light penetrates your growing chambers and res. If you do not do this there is a high likelihood that your crop will fail.

Since you are going to to go buy rockwool from the store why not pick up some GH hydro nutes. Their 3 part chemicals will cost you a grand whopping total of $30. Your miracle grow may not have the correct ratios of N,P and K. Good luck my man :]
 
420inmyapt

420inmyapt

Well-Known Member
More specifically if you get a lot of light to your res your gonna have algae problems, which will lead to clogs and lots of head aches....
 
sublimed

sublimed

Well-Known Member
i'm starting a hydro cfl grow in about a week using drip irrigation aswell.
but only 1 plant, maybe two.

and zaq, i'm planning on using about 6 40w cfl's all around my one plant, so you'll need alot more. cfl's are basically the option for those who have limited ventilation, money and space.

check out garden knowms stuff, shows the true potential of cfl growing. 8oz from 2 plants or something

How to grow marijuana - See More Buds - video DVD reviews
 
sublimed

sublimed

Well-Known Member
anyone have any suggestions as to the concentrations of p-p-k in the nutrient solution a hydro cfl grow should havethrough sprouting, vegging and flowering?

much appreciated.
 
420inmyapt

420inmyapt

Well-Known Member
sublimed said:
anyone have any suggestions as to the concentrations of p-p-k in the nutrient solution a hydro cfl grow should havethrough sprouting, vegging and flowering?

much appreciated.
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I believe it is N-P-K .....

Read the FAQ it will outline it for you....
 
R

rickhorror

Active Member
On3Tim3OnLy said:
Bio-Bizz of Holland, the leaders in everything to do with growing our favourite plants in soil. This is a 100% organically based product designed to increase flower production in soil grown plants. Topmax is also noted for increasing the sugar content of produce for a smoother sweeter taste. Also suitable for use in hydroponic applications. OMRI and EKO/SKAL listed organic product
Click to expand...

haha you say bio bizz is the best... who will believe you when youre still using fluorescents lol get a HID and stop wasting fertilizers
 
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