Newbie just picked up 2xhlg550, co2, 12 pot hydro, and tons of nutes... Want advice

1st post...
Hey guys, I want to introduce myself. I am out here in the Sacramento area and have wanted to grow for at least 15 years but hurdles were in the way. Now is the time for me to grow. I recently stumbled upon this forum and have been extremely impressed with the amount of knowledge here. While doing research on this site I came across DIY lighting and was stoked that cobs and quantum boards were finally being used for growing. Originally, I wanted to build a light myself and customize it perfectly to a tent to get maximum benefits. Then I started checking out good ole craigslist for a possible deal. Deal found. I had a moment of weakness and pulled the trigger on a package yesterday that included (pictures attached):
2x HLG 550 Lights
Titan CO2 Regulator
20lb Aluminum CO2 Tank
Active Aqua Grow Flow 12 Site Hydroponics System with 5 Gallon Growth Modules & 55g drum
A reverse osmosis filter
Tons of nutrients
pumps timers ph & ppm meter

First off, did I buy crap or do OK (what would you pay)?

Knowing that I am a newbie and that everyone says you should start in dirt, is this 12 pot hydroponic system worth keeping or should I sell it? Current plans have 1 tent in a room (maybe 4x4, the room is 10x10) with a possible expansion of a second tent for a constant flowering cycle.

As far as tent setups with these lights would the community recommend 2 4x4 tents or one super 5x5 tent?

Thanks in advance

Boy do I see a lot of future posts. You jumped right in. Have you grown a cannabis plant before?

Nope, I have never grown but it was a package deal and too hard for me to pass up. I'm quick learner and a decent normal plant gardener. Plus I am starting out with one tent and soil with no co2. I know I have to learn the basics first.

Hi Jesusgrows,
I don't think there's much to be gained by discussing price. It's yours now and it's what you do with it that counts. You certainly aren't following the K.I.S.S. principal.

I would set aside the CO2 setup for awhile. I maintain that it would complicate your grow too much for a noob to handle...unless you have a degree in horticulture or some other pertinent experience.

What's the hydro system...meaning is it Ebb and Flow or DWC or what?

Lots of nutrients and supplements...many of which you don't actually need. But the basic grow and bloom stuff is where you want to start.

Get a copy of the Marijuana Grow Bible at least. Read about various hydro techniques.

Pick a strain that is fast finishing...not a 12 week sativa (that also is for experts)

That's all for now...
JD

Thanks for the quick reply.

I don't plan on using co2 for a few grows but I will eventually.

The hydro system is an ebb and flow system but I'm not sure I want to start with a hydro setup. To keep it a little more simple I was going to start in soil.

JG,
I have grown small plant E&F called Sea of Green and did very well but the people I've seen using a large system like that seemed to have chronic root rot issues.

So I would say soil grow might be best. Just depends on your personal preferences. Soil isn't necessarily that easy...depending on how you do it. Full on organic is best.

And forget about downloading the Marijuana Growers Bible. I shouldn't have suggested that. Jorge spent 25 years putting that book together. Go buy a paper copy.

Regarding one tent or two. Most folks have a separate area for vegging. Also you need an area to pop seeds and do cloning and such.

But if you can buy clones locally...then just use one tent and veg and flower in the same tent. Do lots of planning looking at how it will work over time...including turnaround to get another grow going right away. A flow chart sort of thing.
Good luck,
JD

Just had a flash...convert some of your buckets on the hydro system to Hempy buckets. Super easy hydro and you could use your hydro nutes too. Research that...
JD

Thanks!

Jesusgrowsmygrass said:

1st post...
Hey guys, I want to introduce myself. I am out here in the Sacramento area and have wanted to grow for at least 15 years but hurdles were in the way. Now is the time for me to grow. I recently stumbled upon this forum and have been extremely impressed with the amount of knowledge here. While doing research on this site I came across DIY lighting and was stoked that cobs and quantum boards were finally being used for growing. Originally, I wanted to build a light myself and customize it perfectly to a tent to get maximum benefits. Then I started checking out good ole craigslist for a possible deal. Deal found. I had a moment of weakness and pulled the trigger on a package yesterday that included (pictures attached):
2x HLG 550 Lights
Titan CO2 Regulator
20lb Aluminum CO2 Tank
Active Aqua Grow Flow 12 Site Hydroponics System with 5 Gallon Growth Modules & 55g drum
A reverse osmosis filter
Tons of nutrients
pumps timers ph & ppm meter

First off, did I buy crap or do OK (what would you pay)?

Knowing that I am a newbie and that everyone says you should start in dirt, is this 12 pot hydroponic system worth keeping or should I sell it? Current plans have 1 tent in a room (maybe 4x4, the room is 10x10) with a possible expansion of a second tent for a constant flowering cycle.

As far as tent setups with these lights would the community recommend 2 4x4 tents or one super 5x5 tent?

Thanks in advance

Click to expand...

What did you end up paying for all that?

$800, was that a good deal? Im not really sure about the resale value of used grow equipment.

Jesusgrowsmygrass said:

1st post...
Hey guys, I want to introduce myself. I am out here in the Sacramento area and have wanted to grow for at least 15 years but hurdles were in the way. Now is the time for me to grow. I recently stumbled upon this forum and have been extremely impressed with the amount of knowledge here. While doing research on this site I came across DIY lighting and was stoked that cobs and quantum boards were finally being used for growing. Originally, I wanted to build a light myself and customize it perfectly to a tent to get maximum benefits. Then I started checking out good ole craigslist for a possible deal. Deal found. I had a moment of weakness and pulled the trigger on a package yesterday that included (pictures attached):
2x HLG 550 Lights
Titan CO2 Regulator
20lb Aluminum CO2 Tank
Active Aqua Grow Flow 12 Site Hydroponics System with 5 Gallon Growth Modules & 55g drum
A reverse osmosis filter
Tons of nutrients
pumps timers ph & ppm meter

First off, did I buy crap or do OK (what would you pay)?

Knowing that I am a newbie and that everyone says you should start in dirt, is this 12 pot hydroponic system worth keeping or should I sell it? Current plans have 1 tent in a room (maybe 4x4, the room is 10x10) with a possible expansion of a second tent for a constant flowering cycle.

As far as tent setups with these lights would the community recommend 2 4x4 tents or one super 5x5 tent?

Thanks in advance

Click to expand...

You still need some stuff to make that whole system work. You need ventilation/climate control, and a water chiller just to name a few. You may already know that. Starting with hempy buckets or coco is definitely a good start. You'll get a good feel on how to keep plants happy with some degree of error being tolerable. With hydro things can go south very quickly if you don't have everything under control. One thing I will mention, the co2 works best when temperatures are elevated, so if you do find your ambient temps higher than optimal it wouldn't be a bad idea to go ahead and run it. Your not going to be very efficient with it at first, but the co2 will help your plants cope with the heat. Just a suggestion if you have good access to co2.

You did the right thing by coming to this forum. There's an incredible amount of information floating around and awesome people willing to help.

JG,
Did you get a good PH/PPM meter? That can set you back $100 right there. How about the hydroton for the E&F system.
JD

It came with blue labs ph and ppm testers (even cleaning fluid and calibration mediums). The hydroton was not included, that stuff gets expensive.

Jesusgrowsmygrass said:

It came with blue labs ph and ppm testers (even cleaning fluid and calibration mediums). The hydroton was not included, that stuff gets expensive.

Click to expand...

Did he not have the hydroton? Never used the system? Maybe he still has it? Shipping is what really kills you on that stuff.

Good that you got a tester.

Perlite and vermiculite (for Hempy buckets) is readily available locally at garden supply places.

Here's the Rollitup Hempy thread...

https://www.rollitup.org/t/an-idiots-guide-to-hempy.386008/
JD

Jesusgrowsmygrass said:

$800, was that a good deal? Im not really sure about the resale value of used grow equipment.

Click to expand...

That’s pretty good for all that

JohnDee said:

Did he not have the hydroton? Never used the system? Maybe he still has it? Shipping is what really kills you on that stuff.

Good that you got a tester.

Perlite and vermiculite (for Hempy buckets) is readily available locally at garden supply places.

Here's the Rollitup Hempy thread...

https://www.rollitup.org/t/an-idiots-guide-to-hempy.386008/
JD

Click to expand...

The 60 year old woman I bought it from dumped the hydroton in her backyard in some planters.

But to come full circle here I don't know if I want to deal with the headaches of hydro for a while. Soil first then maybe think about hydro and if I do hydro I don't know what style I would do.

The hydro equipment takes up a lot of room in my garage so I might end up selling it. I don't want to look at a 55 gallon drum all the time.

With the HLG gear and the Bluelabs alone, you have some key pieces of quality equipment secured.

Okay, not here to hurt feelings and not trying to come off rude.

First you should have done more research on the types of systems even possible as well as research on all the equipment you bought so you knew how it functioned and what it required before spending near a thousand dollars on it. But like many said let’s forget the price, it’s all yours now whether you like it or not. Some of that equipment (co2 equipment) is for horticulture pros that have years of experience and 5+ thousand dollars sunk into their operations. Then some of it is for beginners. The 5 gallon bucket system is the “simple” system everyone seems to lean towards when they begin but it is also the system that ruins people’s opinion on hydro. I love hydro! It’s by far the best way to provide your plants exactly what they’ll need to grow you big fat buds. But DWC unless you’ve got yours down to a science is a huge hassle and a pain in the ass to maintain. I discussed with a fellow grower on another forum all about the difficulties of DWC bucket systems. (The bigger the worse!) here’s the link.

Never mind this site won’t let me post links cause I just set my account up. I need two posts and two likes first lmfao.. when I get access I’ll post the link in the comments lol

We don’t discuss it till towards the end but I get very in depth and the threads not long at all.

Ebb and Flow is my favorite and the medium in which I push people towards when they venture to the wet side

I don’t mean to discourage your knew found excitement to grow. Everything you bought is considered valuable to many different growers and I don’t believe it’ll be hard to resell anything you decide you don’t need. So your fine! Consider it an investment.

To explain what you’re going to need to complete your grow I’ll continue.

With co2 (if you’re going to use it) you want a sealed room environment. Along with co2 alarms/monitors. Co2 can be very dangerous.

If you’re set on tents you’ll need them first then exhaust fans and intake fans as well as filters for each tent you purchase.

You’ll also need a separate system for each tent unless you’re reservoir (for those buckets) is outside and between the tents, running the feed tubes through the side.

You also don’t need a tent for veg, it doesn’t create a ton of smell. So I’d only buy tents for flower. (Unless you want to be super clandestine!) Plus you’re going to want to scrog those tents so the whole footprint is canopy. So basically decide how much canopy you want during flower and buy your tent off that size. Buy your flower tent first then buy a veg tent that is half the size. This will help you know when your photo period plants are ready for the switch. Plants almost always double (if not triple) in size during flower, so if your filling the veg tent it’s time for the flip!

Water chillers are needed for hydro if you’re air temps ever exceed 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Hydro Water can not go over 72 degrees Fahrenheit or you risk root rot. I’d suggest a chiller anyway so you could run hot air temps and eventually put that co2 system to use.

I know Hydro sounds complicated and the equipment I will admit can get confusing. But once your system is set up. With general understanding of your system you’ll be able to run it effectively and efficiently. Growing much higher quality bud, FASTER than your friends.

My setup—>
Perpetual harvest
Sealed Room
Full hydro
Ebb and Flow
Pure Hydroton Media
1000w HPS
Botanicare Nutrients

If you have any questions or problems please feel free to ask!!!

Much Aloha my friend!

Start simple ...

Simple soil grow , use 1 ) quantum rig . ( Which by the way , you scored )
Use the GH line up ( 3 part )

That one quantum rig will cover up to a 5x5 by itself , and is dimmable .
No need to run max at start ... Run it at half power to start - 18" to 20" from plant top.
You will be able to run 4/6/8 plants easily under the quantums footprint
Get a good soil medium .... Sunshine mix , Pro mix , Black Gold , Dr. Earth veg garden soil .

Most " good " soil will have been amended right from the bag with many of the elements the plant will use like : mycos , ph buffers , kelp , guano , earth worm castings , etc.

So no unnecessary reason to add more shit .... Keep it simple.
Buy a ph pen and ph up/down for water / feed adjusting.
Look for the nute brands ( feed schedule) online and look to see recommendations.
NOTE : use as a guide only - try 1/2 strength and go from there.

The quantums can be used for both veg and flower .... No swapping shit.
With two , you can eventually EXPAND to one quantum rig for veg plants and the other for flowering. Or setup one large room with both.

You will find them to be a very good light system. And will give you years of use.

Contact @robincnn for info on your particular rig. He is from HLG and will take care of your concerns.

*man ... If I seen that ad ... I would have grabbed that shit myself .... Lol

IslandColas said:

Okay, not here to hurt feelings and not trying to come off rude.

First you should have done more research on the types of systems even possible as well as research on all the equipment you bought so you knew how it functioned and what it required before spending near a thousand dollars on it. But like many said let’s forget the price, it’s all yours now whether you like it or not. Some of that equipment (co2 equipment) is for horticulture pros that have years of experience and 5+ thousand dollars sunk into their operations. Then some of it is for beginners. The 5 gallon bucket system is the “simple” system everyone seems to lean towards when they begin but it is also the system that ruins people’s opinion on hydro. I love hydro! It’s by far the best way to provide your plants exactly what they’ll need to grow you big fat buds. But DWC unless you’ve got yours down to a science is a huge hassle and a pain in the ass to maintain. I discussed with a fellow grower on another forum all about the difficulties of DWC bucket systems. (The bigger the worse!) here’s the link.

Never mind this site won’t let me post links cause I just set my account up. I need two posts and two likes first lmfao.. when I get access I’ll post the link in the comments lol

We don’t discuss it till towards the end but I get very in depth and the threads not long at all.

Ebb and Flow is my favorite and the medium in which I push people towards when they venture to the wet side

I don’t mean to discourage your knew found excitement to grow. Everything you bought is considered valuable to many different growers and I don’t believe it’ll be hard to resell anything you decide you don’t need. So your fine! Consider it an investment.

To explain what you’re going to need to complete your grow I’ll continue.

With co2 (if you’re going to use it) you want a sealed room environment. Along with co2 alarms/monitors. Co2 can be very dangerous.

If you’re set on tents you’ll need them first then exhaust fans and intake fans as well as filters for each tent you purchase.

You’ll also need a separate system for each tent unless you’re reservoir (for those buckets) is outside and between the tents, running the feed tubes through the side.

You also don’t need a tent for veg, it doesn’t create a ton of smell. So I’d only buy tents for flower. (Unless you want to be super clandestine!) Plus you’re going to want to scrog those tents so the whole footprint is canopy. So basically decide how much canopy you want during flower and buy your tent off that size. Buy your flower tent first then buy a veg tent that is half the size. This will help you know when your photo period plants are ready for the switch. Plants almost always double (if not triple) in size during flower, so if your filling the veg tent it’s time for the flip!

Water chillers are needed for hydro if you’re air temps ever exceed 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Hydro Water can not go over 72 degrees Fahrenheit or you risk root rot. I’d suggest a chiller anyway so you could run hot air temps and eventually put that co2 system to use.

I know Hydro sounds complicated and the equipment I will admit can get confusing. But once your system is set up. With general understanding of your system you’ll be able to run it effectively and efficiently. Growing much higher quality bud, FASTER than your friends.

My setup—>
Perpetual harvest
Sealed Room
Full hydro
Ebb and Flow
Pure Hydroton Media
1000w HPS
Botanicare Nutrients

If you have any questions or problems please feel free to ask!!!

Much Aloha my friend!

Click to expand...

Thanks dude. I have been doing research for about a month or two before I pulled the trigger. I noticed that there was a flood of great LEDs on Craigslist about two months ago and lately the amount of LEDs on Craigslist has gone done tremendously. After the market was a little dry I saw these two lights and wanted them so I just made everything a package deal. I buy and sell a lot of stuff on CL so I am not shy about selling some of the stuff I got.

I do want to do hydro eventually but I figure I will do dirt for at least one grow.

As for the CO2 I won't use that until I get an automated controller that monitors PPM and only adds when needed, I have seen a few on CL but that will be a later purchase (I know I have to worry about the sensor accuracy of used equipment).

For the Tent(s) I was thinking about maybe just having two complete setups so I can go from veg to flower and not have to move anything. I have been thinking about throwing the two HLGs into one 5x5 tent but that might be a little too crazy for the first couple of gorounds.

I'm getting excited for my first grow!