Help me with my 600w MH/HPS 2x4 tent grow

Hi All,

I grew a couple cycles about 7 years ago but didn't stick with it due to starting too big too fast and life circumstances changing. Anyway, I have some space and the means to grow again now so have been reading and slowly collecting things. Hoping some experienced people around here can guide me through this so I don't screw anything up. Thanks in advance!

These were started from healthy female clones from a reputable grower. They are about 3-4 weeks along.

Jack Herer, Jack Herer, White Widow, Pineapple Express, Pineapple Express

I'm thinking of going down to just 2 or 3 plants total. They are currently in 1 gallon pots but I'm transplanting them to 3 gallon smart pots today. Will post updates later.

you didn't go into much detail about your set up. if you have all this just ignore me, but if you can physically cram a 600 watt hps into a 2x4 tent, you better have the room to cram a big ass exhaust fan in there as well. i had a 400 in a 3x3 and it was too damn hot, if i turned the exhaust up enough to keep the tent under 85 it was like a wind tunnel and was dropping my rh so much it was stressing the plants, causing leaf taco-ing and windburn. if your ballast is dimmable you might want to think about running it at 75%.
i know theres gonna be people tell you 600 watts is just fine. after you follow their advice and burn everything, come back and re read this

Roger A. Shrubber said:

you didn't go into much detail about your set up. if you have all this just ignore me, but if you can physically cram a 600 watt hps into a 2x4 tent, you better have the room to cram a big ass exhaust fan in there as well. i had a 400 in a 3x3 and it was too damn hot, if i turned the exhaust up enough to keep the tent under 85 it was like a wind tunnel and was dropping my rh so much it was stressing the plants, causing leaf taco-ing and windburn. if your ballast is dimmable you might want to think about running it at 75%.
i know theres gonna be people tell you 600 watts is just fine. after you follow their advice and burn everything, come back and re read this

Click to expand...

Thanks man I appreciate that advice. To be honest I mostly have had the ballast turned down to 50 or 75%. I have some more ventilation on the way and the room is air conditioned. But yeah keeping temps down seems important . I'll post more details about the setup soon

So I have transplanted 4/5 to 3 gallon smart pots with FFOS.

If it's a 2x4x5 then you'll need to invest in a cooltube if you don't already have one. It's the only way to keep your temps in check.

I have a cooltube 600watt and ive been keeping it dimmed to 50% for now until I get airflow under control. Just trying to keep the ladies alive til then.

Bad news...
Found some little white bugs on the underside of a few unhealthy leaves i cut off... So I just finished applying a spray of neem oil on all the plants and getting ready to apply some diametaceous earth. I dont have anything else for now, But I've heard of another product called azamax. I really hope the neem oil and the diametaceous earth get rid of all critters... I wonder if they came with the clones or with the soil or if they were already in my house. UGH!

Sounds like white flies. The neem should help but you'll want to use something else as well and apply 3 days apart 3x. Also if youre using neem do so only in veg because of the smell. To me it's burnt peas.
I have my tent set up with the cooltube open ended. You can also attach ducting to it. Then I use ducting as passive intakes. I cover the ends with cut up nylons as a filter. The tent stays within acceptable temperatures like this.
And they probably came in with the potting soil.

Okay yeah the neem kinda smells like burnt peas, not too too terrible but not wonderful. I'm gonna keep applying neem oil every couple days and leave a top layer of diametaceous earth on the soil. I am considering buying some "mighty wash"

Left a sticky ribbon hanging this morning to see if it catches and critters... Will post an update later this evening or tomorrow.

So I applied neem oil and diametacous earth 2 days in a row and haven't seen another insect. I honestly want to spray again just in case but ive heard several people say not to do it every day...If I see more insects im planning on trying some more aggressive stuff but try to stay organic/natural..

fingers crossed but things look good so far. i am regretting not doing any LST or topping and wondering if its too late to start now



heres a closeup of the 2 jack herer in the back


heres one of the pineapple express

I watered and used some light nutrients (foxfarm grow big and kelp me kelp you)

I also dropped quite a few lady bugs on them in the tent..

I haven't seen any bugs, but hoping they take care of anything I missed...

Hoping it wasn't too early to water, but I last watered on saturday morning and its wednesday afternoon/evening so...

Doing okay so far

Just a quick update. I picked up the clones exactly 7 days ago and they seem to be doing pretty well in their new home.