Jigfresh's Grow #3 - Flooded Tube Vertical - Querkle, Odyssey - 1000w

Alright everybody. It's finally time for a new journal. Let me tell you about myself. I'm Jigfresh and I've been a member here for a little over a year. About 6 months before I joined RIU my wife (whom I love with all my heart) suggested I grow. She was tired of watching our money go out the door, so I started researching. I read for 2 or 3 months before I started buying equipment. I had planned on my first grow costing around $500. That eneded up balooning to around $2,000. Oops. One good thing is I've been using the same nutrients for all the grows. I bought way too much.

I live in the mountains of Southern California and I have a bunch of cats. No kids yet, but hopefully my wife will be pregnant during the course of this journal. I am around 30 years old.

My first grow was a flat Scrog, in a DWC... I'm a hydro guy all the way. I grew 6 plants as I'm a medical mj patient in california and that is the suggested limit... although the state supreme court just ruled that we here in cali can grow as much as our doctor thinks appropriate. However, I just harvested 14 oz. from 2 plants last go round... so I'm not going to push the issue. I'll keep it at or below 6. Ok so the first grow was Hindu skunk and White Widow. The HS turned out great, but the WW was crap. They were all in one tank and like different ammount of nutrients. Lesson learned on multiple strains in one DWC. I ended up with 9.5 oz HS and 1.7 oz WW.

Next (or rather during the first grow) I snuck a little Purple Kush grow in there. I don't count it so much becuase I grew 4 plants on a bookshelf under 60w t-5 fluoros for a 3 week veg and the first 5 weeks of an 8 week flower cycle. I got 2.25 oz from that grow. Man was it good smoke though... just amazing.

Next is what I call my Grow #2, the Vertical Scrog. I did Casey Jones and Sour Grape. Both in their own 5 gal bucket. Now I could feed them different. However, I found it a pain in the ass to have two separate tanks to deal with. This grow was vertical meaning the lights (400w HPS and 250w MH) were hanging in DIY cool tubes in the center of my closet. The plants kinda wrapped around the lights and grew some real big nugs. However the problem was that there were also TONS of tiny buds becuase of the way I trimmed the plant. Lots of trimming to be done. But I have some of the best popcorn buds that have ever been grown. Not sure if that's something to be proud of, haha. The Sour Grape is beautiful smoke. It gave me 4 oz 10 g from the 1 plant. The Casey Jones plant gave me 2 grams under 10 oz. That was a plant to be proud of. During this grow I also tried my hand at soil. I ended up with 4 grams from one plant and 6 grams from another. And no I didn't type wrong, I got GRAMS, lol.

So let's see... I use Dutch Master Advanced nutrients. Along with DM additives: Potash+, Silica, Max, Zone. I also use Humboldt County's Own - Gravity... I've also used HCO - BushMaster, but not sure if I will this go. I also have a bottle of Purple Maxx, but I've never used it. I'm scared.

The light right at the moment is a 250w MH conversion running on a 250w HPS ballast. It's in another diy cooltube deal like last time.

For flowering I bought a 1000w MH/HPS ballast. I still don't have a bulb for it, but will at some point.

I'm growing 4- Querkle plants and 1- Odyssey. I got the plants as clones from a good friend. They have been in a small 2 gal DWC while I built the Flooded tube set up. One is in the flooded tubes as we speak. I'm trying to figure all this stuff out. I totally wasn't ready to start growing, but that's not a complaint... it just makes things a little more exciting is all.

Which brings me to this: This whole idea is taken from/ inspired by RIU member Heath Robinson - Thanks so much for the idea sir. I got the idea for the vertical cooltube from another RIU friend: Smoote1987 - Thank you too. My original grows idea was ripped from RIU member DrynRoasty, thank you as well. I've also plucked good ideas here and there from other RIU'ers. My man Hulk Nugs is always there to lend support, thanks bro. I know there are a lot of MJ references out there... but I get my info primarily from RollItUp. And you can see the results for yourself.

Everybody is free to post. Just try to keep negativity out. We like criticism, but not bashing. I want to get better, but I don't need to know how much you think I suck, haha.

Alright, so there is the introduction. Let's get this flooded tube vertical grow going.

So here is what's going on from the beginning. I recieved 5 querkle and 1 odyssey from a friend. They came in these red cups filled with hydroton.

I made a little DWC for them to grow more roots while I built the new setup. Foil tape is one of my favorite things. I just love it as you will see.

I had them under 30w fluoro t-5 for a week or so. Maybe two, I'm not really keeping track. That's what I love about journals. Helps me keep track of everything. I really need to keep notes.

While putting things together I killed a plant. I felt horrible. I cleaned everything out so the plants would be safe, but for whatever reason I put them back in before I was totally done. Here is the closet empty, the dead plant, and a more complete closet.

So now there is my diy cooltube setup in there with a 250w MH conversion bulb running on an HPS ballast.

Here's how the roots look in the mini DWC:

Onto the construction of the new tube setup...

jigfresh said:

Onto the construction of the new tube setup...

Click to expand...

I used 4" pvc pipe. Stuff is heavy duty. I used my dual saw to cut it. Gotta love the dual saw. I bought 10 feet of pipe for about $12. I used about 5 feet. I also bought 3 - 90 elbows, and 1 - 45 degree elbow for the drain section.

Oh, haha... I feel kinda silly doing all this stuff in the bathroom, but I don't have a garage, and I'm pretty sure it was raining and near freezing when I was doing this.

It fits, WOO HOO.

I reusing an old rez from my first grow. And I'm using a water pump I already had. I need a larger one however. That will be here someday.

I used 3" netpots, so I also used a 3" hole saw.

I hope you all like the profesional water delivery system. A hose and a hole. And a clear hose at that. I still have quite a bit of work to do.

I used a trash bin to cut a dam for the setup. I used sheet metal scissors, worked real good.

I use GOOP lawn and garden variety to seal the dam in place as well as fixing the pipes and fittings. I know I could use PVC cement, but with the goop I can take things apart somewhat easily.

Here I am taping it up so the black pipe doesn't roast the water.

good luck on your journey
i would never do something like this.............................cuz im not good with tools or creativity

Closet is looking nuts jig did a great job at putting it all together, i know you had all the cats around helping out building it well at least when the drill and the saw were not being used .

Going to be another great grow!!!

Tell mrs Jigfresh thank you for being such a big support of your grows!!!

Looking forward to another great thread Jig, keep up the great work

aand i will be watching

Rub a dub sub'd....DST got a front row seat on this show.....

Peace bru.

DST

pulling up my chair jig, looking good man

Subbed. I always enjoy watching you grow Jig. You da man.1BMM

Jig how do you like that dual saw. They look quite handy.

1badmasonman said:

Jig how do you like that dual saw. They look quite handy.

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The dual saw is seriously bad ass. It cut through the thick pvc like butter. It's funny becuase it just cuts... you don't even really feel it cut. Becuase one blade is going each direction there is no pull to one side at all.... just real smooth.

All the cuts on the pipe were smooth as well. No burrs or angles... just even. Also there is much control. I cut the pipe a little too long a couple times and I was able to trim off a 'donut' from the pipe that was around an eighth of an inch, unbroken. I did that three times. And that was my very first time using the saw.

The major drawback to the thing, which isn't that bad, is that heat builds up quickly. With the opposing blades and with whatever kind of differential gear type thing that must be inside to spin them... the thing heats up. I think they say 10 on 15 off. Or maybe 15 on 20 off. Either way cooling is needed, so maybe not the best for contractors. But small jobs it's more than perfect. I LOVE IT.

Was wondering is there only one dam? right before it bends down to the res tank ? or is there a dam at each net pot?

Also wondering if you figured out how your going to let them grow, vscrog vertical screen behind them like last grow, scrog horizontal screen, LST hahaha there are manydifferent ways but you already know that

I was checking them out when they where on tv Billy Mays was slangin em. May have to get me one

Good job on the DIY Jig. Very impressive stuff. You got some skillz dooob. Peace 1BMM

subd i followed heaths thread he would b proud..lol...are u going to keep going vert with it or keep it at 1 level

And were off! Cant wait to see how the baby heath setup works out.Whats that? Sounds like a waterfall comeing from your closet....lol

That querkle is goin to be nice.TGA Subcool strains are knockouts. I got to try some vortex from Subcool, one of the fruitiest tasting smokes i've had the pleasure of smoking.

With that 1000 watt in there your going to be tieing up some huge nugs from falling over.


How long are you going to veg for?

Hulk Nugs said:

Was wondering is there only one dam? right before it bends down to the res tank ? or is there a dam at each net pot?

Also wondering if you figured out how your going to let them grow, vscrog vertical screen behind them like last grow, scrog horizontal screen, LST hahaha there are manydifferent ways but you already know that

Click to expand...

There is only one dam right before the end as you guessed. I'm not sure if more dams would mean more aggitation of the water. I think this is going to be a trial run for sure. I hope it works out well.

I beleive I will put up a screen behind the plants again... just a short foot and a half thing maybe. Not sure. I do think I will need someway to keep them away from the light.

Solcyn26 said:

subd i followed heaths thread he would b proud..lol...are u going to keep going vert with it or keep it at 1 level

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I am going one level this grow, with ideas to expand a level sometime soon. I want to stay within legal limits (whatever that means). And I am good to grow 6 at the moment.

miztaj said:

And were off! Cant wait to see how the baby heath setup works out.Whats that? Sounds like a waterfall comeing from your closet....lol

That querkle is goin to be nice.TGA Subcool strains are knockouts. I got to try some vortex from Subcool, one of the fruitiest tasting smokes i've had the pleasure of smoking.

With that 1000 watt in there your going to be tieing up some huge nugs from falling over.

How long are you going to veg for?

Click to expand...

No idea how long I'll veg. I'm taking things slow as I have a 10 day vacation coming up, and I think I still want them in veg for that. Not sure if I'll be able to get away withiout checking on them for that long. Not sure if the pet sitter is capable. Should be an adventure.

So.... with the plants and pots and stuff... I'm pretty much a dope. I was thinking the pots I had when the clones arrived would be perfect to use. They are about 4" netpots. I didn't really put together that 4" netpots wouldn't fit too well in 4" pipe. I would basically have to cut the pipe in half to put the pot in. So I've got 5 plants rooted in netpots they can't be in.

I tried cutting the netpot from around one plant, so I could re-pot it in the 3" netpots I got. I just kinda piled the roots up at the bottom of the pot, not sure how good or bad that is.

That plant is the only one I've repotted becuase I don't know if it's going to survive, and I really don't want them all to die. The repotted one is in the Tube system and not looking too great.

The other 4 are still in the DWC. I'm thinking of just using the net pots they are in, and cramming them in the holes. They will be sticking up, but at least their roots will be dangling. Not all crunched up.

Here's a couple pics.

Hey Jig i think the screens a good idea. lol youll have walls of green lol

Subscribed. I really am fascinated by vertical scrog after seeing your results in that closet. I have a similar size space and would like to try it in the future. Look forward to watching this grow develop.

jig
you are in inspiration

how does it look with the 4inch net pots in the 3 inch holes ?? I am thinking the bottom of the 4 inch net pot might be close to 3 inchs maybe not.

You could cut some cups up to protect the net pots that are above the flood tube.

Hmmm just thought of somthing, they are called pucks i believe or sponges lmao i really dont know different people different names. They are used for cloneing with ez cloners or diy cloners. Only problem is they dont support the plants very much. But yea there the black circles with the cut in the middle to slide cuttings/clones in and the roots hang out the bottom, dont even need the pellets.

Hulk Nugs said:

how does it look with the 4inch net pots in the 3 inch holes ?? I am thinking the bottom of the 4 inch net pot might be close to 3 inchs maybe not.

You could cut some cups up to protect the net pots that are above the flood tube.

Hmmm just thought of somthing, they are called pucks i believe or sponges lmao i really dont know different people different names. They are used for cloneing with ez cloners or diy cloners. Only problem is they dont support the plants very much. But yea there the black circles with the cut in the middle to slide cuttings/clones in and the roots hang out the bottom, dont even need the pellets.

Click to expand...

A friend of mine made some of these with some foam floating noodle toys. Worked out pretty good in his DIY cloner.