New Member, First Post. HELP

Tom369 said:

How’s my list looking to you? I’ve altered it slightly as the price for a 4x4 is barely much more but I’m leaving for a 5” fan.

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Looks good. You will be happy with the bit of extra space to work with even if you dont grow more plants. You could even fill that space with 2 plants if done right. I have never seen a 5" carbon filter setup, its normally 4, 6, 8 or 10". I would go with a 6". The only things I see missing are a PH and PPM meter. The ppm meter is super cheap and the PH can always be done with a drop test kit which is also very cheap. A decent PH meter will cost a bit but a drop kit will work to get you started.

Doug Dawson said:

Looks good. You will be happy with the bit of extra space to work with even if you dont grow more plants. You could even fill that space with 2 plants if done right. I have never seen a 5" carbon filter setup, its normally 4, 6, 8 or 10". I would go with a 6". The only things I see missing are a PH and PPM meter. The ppm meter is super cheap and the PH can always be done with a drop test kit which is also very cheap. A decent PH meter will cost a bit but a drop kit will work to get you started.

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PPM?

The 5 inch extractor fan is fine but if in future you decide to grow more than 2 plants then a 6 inch would be better. I have a 4x4 with 6 inch but I regularly fill the tent. You will need a pH meter and ph down as our UK tap water is hard water although I have grown before not adjusting the water but it's risky I've had plants grow fine but I've also had problems so I test and adjust water everytime. I have a ppm meter but never use it unless or until I run into a problem, I'm not condoning using this way that's just what I do so it's good idea to have one on hand. I just buy cheap ones off flea bay not the best obviously but do the job "I've tested these compared to a pals bluelab one"

Tom369 said:

So here’s my basket at the min, have I got everything covered?
4x4x6.5 tent
600w digital dimmable light with reflector
5” Fan with filter
Heavy duty timer and contactor
4x ratchet hangers
Organic soil and nutrients
Heat resistant metallic tape.

Extras I’ll be getting elsewhere:
Radiator/heat tubes with inkbird
Humidity meter
Pots and saucers

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Oil filled radiator it doesn't matter how many fins if the price is right as they have a thermostat on but always read reviews before buying., As to PPM buy a blue labs truncheon, always buy a decent pH pen, cheapi ones can help you ruin your grow, like the guy said above use pH test kit drops till ya can get a good pen.

BTW if your going to use tap water let it stand for at least 24 hours ( this is NOT bro science) I read you are getting organic soil, use tap water if you can, a garden butt is great.

Tom369 said:

PPM?

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Ppm stands for parts per million and measures your water/nutes total dissolved solids. So for example RO water is almost 0, my tap water is around 150 ppm. With my nutes mixed in I am at around 1100 ppm. PH is also important as you want your water/nutes at a specific PH level to allow your plants to take up the nutes. I would just get the drop test kit which will keep you close until you can buy a decent ph pen. Dint buy a cheap one, they cause more trouble than they are worth. It can feel a bit overwhelming and starting up is always the toughest part but once you have the stuff you are set for quite a while.

insomnia65 said:

Oil filled radiator it doesn't matter how many fins if the price is right as they have a thermostat on but always read reviews before buying., As to PPM buy a blue labs truncheon, always buy a decent pH pen, cheapi ones can help you ruin your grow, like the guy said above use pH test kit drops till ya can get a good pen.

BTW if your going to use tap water let it stand for at least 24 hours ( this is NOT bro science) I read you are getting organic soil, use tap water if you can, a garden butt is great.

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Cheers pal,
Yes I was planning on doing that with the water as I used to do this with my All Grain brewing

I have Ph strips that I use for brewing? If it the water I’m focusing on, could I not just use these to give me an idea or will I need something more accurate as we’re not just looking at 6 and 7 are we. Don’t I need to look for 6.5.....?

Tom369 said:

I have Ph strips that I use for brewing? If it the water I’m focusing on, could I not just use these to give me an idea or will I need something more accurate as we’re not just looking at 6 and 7 are we. Don’t I need to look for 6.5.....?

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Your test strips should be fine for a baseline. Your soil will adjust ph some.

Tom369 said:

So here’s my basket at the min, have I got everything covered?
4x4x6.5 tent
600w digital dimmable light with reflector
5” Fan with filter
Heavy duty timer and contactor
4x ratchet hangers
Organic soil and nutrients
Heat resistant metallic tape.

Extras I’ll be getting elsewhere:
Radiator/heat tubes with inkbird
Humidity meter
Pots and saucers

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Looks like it will be a decent little setup.

As a side note; I'm in the US and have never been anywhere in the UK but would love to.

Tom369 said:

What size oil radiator would you say for 1x1 then mate?
mum happy to get a dehumidifier in summer but trying to focus on the first grow lol, which hopefully will be soon

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You wouldn’t need a big one in 1x1, But the problem is that it will take up your floor space which in a tent that size you want for your plants. A couple of tube heaters may be enough to do it depending how cold it gets and would take up less space. You can mount them to a piece of wood and fix that to the poles keeping them off the floor. I’ve got 2x3 and use a 2kw oil filled radiator. I don’t use all the space for plants, I can get in there to work and still have loads of space for my fans n rad etc. Another thing you can do is cover your tent in celotex, it’ll help a lot. A mate of mine did it, He just cut holes in where he needed to and screwed it together and rested a piece in front of the door which he could just lift in n out. But I thought it was a pain the arse, too much fucking about for me. Which is why I just brought a bigger tent, So I now basically have a room in a room

If you want to dechlorinate your water fast look at ecothrive neutralise. Also if you are doing soil look at ecothrive living soil my mate also uses that and is doing some great stuff. No nutrients needed just add water, Been wishing I had done that looks well simple.

Tom369 said:

Cheers pal,
Yes I was planning on doing that with the water as I used to do this with my All Grain brewing

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Shizzza I meant rainwater ( if ya going organic) not tap water,sorry mate, good growing, last few days I have seen guys who have turned their grows around from following advice, here, anyway you can grow there is someone here who has done it and done it well.