Happy Jack's 1st Hydro Grow Journal - DWC - LED - Nirvana Blackjack - WW - Etc

[Happy Jack]

Hello all. It's my first time here--please be gentle. I'm excited to join your community.

Though I've grown under lights before, I want to play it safe for this, my first hydro grow! So I've focused my research orgy on determining a common, safe, tried-and-true method, with good bang for the buck--hoping to avoid disaster, and get advice from people who are familiar with what I'm doing, not "WTF? Good luck!"

So here's my plan. I'm about to order the stuff, and will lay it out below as clearly as I can, in hope that if I'm making any obvious mistakes or missing any easy benefits you'll let me know. Thanks for all the great advice you've already given me through your posts and grow journals.

***
Equipment:
Hydro Method: DWC
Growing Strategy: Photoflower, longish veg, going for fewer, bigger plants.
Plant Density: 4/tent, each having 2"x 2" area.
Main Tent: 4x4 Mars Hydro
Main Tent Lights: 2 of Mars Hydro Reflector 144, 28" x 10", 317 actual watts
Nursery Tent: 3x3 ebay special
Nursery Tent Lights: 2 of Mars Hydro Reflector 96, 23" x 10", 203 actual watts
Containers:4 of Sterilite 10 gal totes, 20.75 x 14.50 x 13.13 IN , 216sq in bottom (Walmart), approx 6gal nutrient solution per tote.
Air Pump: EcoPlus Air Pump Eight Outlet, 25LPM ==> 6LPM/6galOfSolution
Air Stones: 4" flat circular stone, 2 per tote
Baskets: 6" wide lip bucket basket, over hole in tote lid
Media: Plant!t Clay Pebbles
Water: Well water, unfiltered, hard
Nutrients: General Hydroponics Flora Micro *Hard Water Solution*,
General Hydroponics Flora Bloom, Botanicare Hydroguard Bacillus Root Inoculant
Nutrient Shedule: Lucas Formula--16ml Bloom + 8m lMicro per gallon, entire grow
PH Control: General Hydroponics GH1514 Ph Control Kit
Ventilation: VenTech VT DF-6 DF6 Duct Fan, 240 CFM, 6",
VenTech VT SPD-CTRL VTSPEED Variable Speed Controller for Duct and Inline Fans, 6"
Timer: Intermatic TN311 15 Amp Heavy Duty Grounded
Seeds: Nirvana feminized Blackack, Wonder Woman, Pure Power Plant, Master Kush

***
Grow Strategy (Month:Action):

0: Germinate and grow seeds in 4x4' main tent in 4 totes (10gal Sterilite, unless otherwise noted)
0.75, and as available: root and grow 6 clones in 3 totes, 2 plants per tote, in 3x3' nursery tent
1.5: switch big tent to flower, keep small tent on vegetation.
3.5: Harvest big tent, switch 4 clones to main tent, leaving 2 clones in nursery tent, all on veg
4.5: Switch both tents to flower
6.5: Harvest both tents

***
Equipment Discussion and intentions--for your comment and correction:

Grow Strategy & Training: I'm planning to use LST and training wires to coax the plants into low, dense, 2' x 2' shapes with many colas. Sort Scrog-ish, maybe with a 3.5" x 3.5" weave trellis net for support.

Lights: using two Mars Hydro Reflector series per tent allows me to spread the light more evenly, and gives me 40w/sqft of actual LED power consumption. My understanding is that intensity is in the middle of the 30-50W/sqft ideal range.

Air infusion: I want to have sufficient volume as quietly as possible. So I'm going for the EcoPlus Air Pump Eight Outlet, which looks like it has acoustic insulation, and provides 25LPM, 1LPM/gallon of solution.

Nutrients: I'm trying to go tried and tru with the GH Flora *Hard Water* Micro & Bloom, on the Lucas formula. I'm planning to use unfiltered, hard well water, and hope this combination is a safe and reasonable one. I will also use Botanicare Hydroguard Bacillus Root Inoculant.

I plan to use a large tote to mixing nutes, and transfer with a pump, Lucas Formula, monitoring PH, topping up water and nutes, changing every two weeks.

***
Okay, that's it for now.

I know that's a lot of info, but I wanted to put it out there for your convenience, and in hopes that it might help others--if it's remotely useful.

I hope to hear your advice, make new friends, and join the community. Thanks again for all the help your posts and grow journals have given me already.

Best Regards,

Happy Jack

 

[Happy Jack]

Maybe this Weed-Specific GH Schedule, Instead of the Lucus Formula?

Hi Folks,

Yeah, I know my journal is boring until I get photos.

In the meantime, I'll share this specific cannabis schedule for General Hydroponics, which I'm thinking might be a little better than the one-size-fits-all Lucas Formula?

I hope my proposed setup seems a reasonable, safe one. Thanks for any comments, and happy growing!

Happy Jack

PS. Oops, I'm having trouble uploading to a gallery--I've followed the instructions and get a "image uploaded successfully" message, but don't see them. I'll keep trying.

"Wooonwy, so woooonwy...

 

[Stinky Snid]

You still doing some journaling? I'll be here waiting for the prelude and the main event. I'll See ya then...

KiG cheers

 

[David Bowman]

Hope all is well in your world.

Is this grow still alive?

We would love to be updated with some pictures and info.

How about posting a 420 Strain Review?

If you need any help with posting photos, please read our Photo Gallery Tutorial.

I am moving this to Abandoned Journals until we get updates.

Sending you lots of love and positive energy.

 

[Happy Jack]

Hi David,

Thanks for checking in--I appreciate it.

Yes, it took me a bit to get my equipment in and set up, and, after some challenges, I'm germinating now--well, actually my seeds are.

I have photos, and will post and hope for guidance. I had trouble trying to post photos before, out of general cluelessness--is the best place to learn about posting the sticky posts in this forum?

Thanks again David. Best wishes.

George

 

[jayne]

Happy Jack huh? :cues up Boris the Spider:

As to posting photos, did you check out the how to? Photo Gallery Guide - How to Resize, Upload & Post Photos

I'll be following with interest as pure power plant is in my queue, and I'm planning on Blackjack next time I order.

 

[David Bowman]

Hi David,

Thanks for checking in--I appreciate it.

Yes, it took me a bit to get my equipment in and set up, and, after some challenges, I'm germinating now--well, actually my seeds are.

I have photos, and will post and hope for guidance. I had trouble trying to post photos before, out of general cluelessness--is the best place to learn about posting the sticky posts in this forum?

Thanks again David. Best wishes.

George

If you need help with the gallery, please check out the tutorial on how to post photos:
Photo Gallery Guide - How to Resize, Upload & Post Photos

There is also a tutorial video - Uploading Photos: A Video Guide

 

[Happy Jack]

Happy Jack huh? :cues up Boris the Spider:

As to posting photos, did you check out the how to? Photo Gallery Guide - How to Resize, Upload & Post Photos

I'll be following with interest as pure power plant is in my queue, and I'm planning on Blackjack next time I order.

Thanks Jayne C and David Bowman for pointing me to the photo upload info. I've uploaded photos to my member gallery, and will try to include them in my next post--a grow report, yay!

Yes, Jayne, you got the reference! My name isn't Jack, but I thought the sentiment ideal for a grower:

"But they couldn't stop Jack, or the waters lapping
And they couldn't prevent Jack from feeling happy"

And now for my first grow report--barring accidents.

 

[Happy Jack]

Okay, here's my first groooooow report!

Report

For my first (sigh) germination attempt, I placed two seeds each of Nirvana's Black Jack, Master Kush, Pure Power Plant, and Wonder Woman--a total of eight seeds. between moist paper towels. That's the number of seedlings I want to grow.

In the past I've used the Jiffy Pellet loose-peat-in-a-mesh-bag pots, but I decided to try GH's Rapid Rooter pots, which are made of peat processed into a spongy pot. I had bad luck with the Rapid Rooters--I had trouble anchoring the sprouted seeds in the pots without trapping or damaging them, and only 3 of the 8 sprouted successfully--two MK and one PPP. So I got some Jiffy Pellets for my second try, and found the loose peat much easier to work with--I could gently bury the sprouted seeds, and I even added one BJ sprout that lost most of its root in my clumsy Rapid Rooter attempts. I had 100% success with the Jiffy Pellets, and even amazed myself by saving the BJ sprout I broke.

As of today I have 6 Jiffy Pellet seedlings, and have transplanted the three Rapid Rooter into their permanent home in 6" baskets with clay pellet media. For the rooting-in-clay phase I have the baskets in 6" pots in a couple of inches of water, so I don't have to fill my totes with water just to keep the baskets moist.

Observations:

I love the Mars Hydro Reflector lights.

I love the 4' x 4' Mars Hydro tent, but the assembly instructions on the sheet that comes with the tent are wrong, and make it impossible to assemble. If you google for "Mars Hydro Grow Tent Assembly Instructions" you'll find a YouTube video from MH that shows how to do it--the tent needs to be draped over the top of the frame and the top positioned first, then the sides and bottom wrapped around.

So far I'm very happy with the Nirvana seeds, both in price and quality. 12 of 13 seeds sprouted, and the sprouted ones that failed were my fault. In terms of germination, the Master Kush seems most vigorous, and the Black Jack the least. That's in keeping with my expectations, for I believe the Black Jack is the most exotic, least robust of the strains I selected.

Questions:

I'm using the General Hydroponics three-part Flora nutrients, with the Hardwater FloraMicro, and well water. So far I'm just using plain water. When should I start adding nutrients, and in what strength? I have the GH cannabis nutrient schedule, and it says 1/4-1/4-1/4 tsp/gal of Micro-Grow-Bloom. Is that a good place to start, and should I start once they are in the baskets?

I also welcome any suggestions, comments, cautions, etc. based on my setup.

I've grown in dirt under lights before, but this is my first hydro. I want to be very conservative, follow standard procedures, and try to avoid as many disasters as possible.

Thanks for welcoming me. I'm glad to be here.

George, aka Happy Jack

Beginning second germination:

Rapid Rooter seedlings transplanted into 6" baskets.:

Progress as of today:

Closeup of Jiffy Pellet sprouts. The tree in front are MK, the next two are WW, and the one in back is PPP:

 

[jayne]

Thanks Jayne C and David Bowman for pointing me to the photo upload info. I've uploaded photos to my member gallery, and will try to include them in my next post--a grow report, yay!

Yes, Jayne, you got the reference! My name isn't Jack, but I thought the sentiment ideal for a grower:

"But they couldn't stop Jack, or the waters lapping
And they couldn't prevent Jack from feeling happy"

And now for my first grow report--barring accidents.

I used to have that album on vinyl. I have no idea what happened to it though.

Forgive me for not answering any of your grow questions, but as I am just starting myself I am wholly unqualified.

 

[Happy Jack]

I used to have that album on vinyl. I have no idea what happened to it though.

Forgive me for not answering any of your grow questions, but as I am just starting myself I am wholly unqualified.

No worries Jayne, I'm glad for your companionship, and love music. I'm not sure which album Happy Jack is on, but Tom Petty says The Who Sell Out is one of his favorite albums. It is an overlooked gem. Wishing you and your garden a fine day.

 

[camper2016]

Man, that is amazing to look at...it's like the inside of spaceship from Space 1999 or something just need some computer panels lighting up in the background....happy growing, Happy Jack

 

[jayne]

No worries Jayne, I'm glad for your companionship, and love music. I'm not sure which album Happy Jack is on, but Tom Petty says The Who Sell Out is one of his favorite albums. It is an overlooked gem. Wishing you and your garden a fine day.

Apparently in the US the name of the album was Happy Jack. In the UK it was called A Quick One.

Love the new avatar btw.

 

[Happy Jack]

In the absence of adult supervision, I've gone ahead and started watering my sprouts with 1/4-1/4-1/4 tsp/gal of Micro-Grow-Bloom. So far nothing has exploded. "Somebody stop me!"

Thanks Camper2016! My setup pales in comparison with many, but fun's fun.

Thanks Jayne--the Dude abides. Yeah, I wasn't sure if Happy Jack was on The Who Sell Out, but the album is well worth it anyway.

The full title is "A Quick One (While He's Away)"

Best wishes to all.

 

[Happy Jack]

Grow update:

Roots have emerged from the bottom of my Jiffy pots, 6 days after starting germination--I'm pretty happy about that. Looks like tomorrow I'll be moving all six seedlings into hydro baskets. Woo hoo!

Scrog thoughts:

What do folks think of the notion that scrog is optimum usage of light--i.e. buds/watt--for virtually any setup. The argument is that the sweet spot of light intensity is a relatively thin plane, and getting maximum buds in that plane is ideal. That seems like a good argument to me. Thoughts?

So my present newbie strategy is to train to a low scrog, even though my tent has plenty of height, switch to flowering when the screen is 40% covered, and bloom until I'm satisfied.

Rinse, repeat. Thoughts?

Hey, it's almost time to go stare at my grow again. Thanks for visiting, wishing you peace and gratitude.

 

[jayne]

From what I've read SCROG seems like a great idea for indoor grows. A wider plant to have more budsites that get more light. I'll be doing it on my next grow for sure.

 

[Happy Jack]

Hi Friends! I'm back, with a...

Grow Update:

Today I:
Transplanted all my seedlings into their 6" hydro baskets.

Powered up my full lighting--2 of the Mars Hydro Reflector 144 for 640 total actual Watts, on the lower Grow setting for now. I have them at 20".

Went to the second week of the GH cannabis schedule--1-1-1 tsp/gal. The PH of my well water with the GH Hardwater micro came out right on the nose at 6.5. I haven't broken out the PPM pen yet.

Discussion:

Things are looking good to me! I'm trying to be conservative, and avoid overdoing lights, nutes ,etc. So far, nothing has exploded.

Firstly, I lurv how the dual, long Relector 144 fixtures illuminate the 4x4' tent evenly. The uniformity looks perfect to me.

I'm thrilled with them--320W of actual power each, 5W LEDs, Grow and Bloom Settings, little heat (I'm not even venting them outside yet), $240 from the manufacturer. I feel fortunate to have come back to growing when this technology is affordable. I hope that I can do all the tech and info I've collected justice!

Here's the setup under white light. I used my headlamp, so it's a little bleached out:

The seedlings are looking good to me, and the later batch in the Jiffy Pellets is catching up to the original 3 in the Rapid Rooters. All seem green and happy.

In terms of layout, Black Jack is in the center. Then, going clockwise around the perimeter starting at 12 o'clock, there are two each of Black Jack, Master Kush, Pure Power Plant, and Wonder Woman. Alphabetical order, heh.

In terms of vigor, so far the Master Kush and Wonder Woman are in the lead, with Pure Power Plant just behind, and Black Jack far behind--the one at 12 o'clock is barely growing.

Next, I'll get my totes ready. I have some ideas on how to accommodate single or dual baskets, and mount the scrog frame.

Okay, time to relax with my beloved Vapor Genie Glass Bat. Thanks for looking, comments invited.

 

[Happy Jack]

160510 Grow Update

Hi Friends,

Things are looking good in the tent. In the last two days my seedlings have become more vigorous, and are up to about three nodes, showing leaves with more lobes, and are starting to differentiate themselves. Even the lagging Black Jacks are showing some sass--the one at 1 o'clock whose root I broke off is now growing vigorously, and even the special needs baby at 12 o'clock is beginning to grow, recovering from poking its root tip straight up through the soil.

Twice I day I use a baster to water them from their saucers--the water is about 2" high. I've been gradually lowering the lights, and they seem to love it--I just went from 18" to 16.5". No sign of stress that I can see.

Discussion:

I need to get my totes up and running so I'll be ready.

I tried out the 4" flat-disc air stones I bought with the Hydrofarm 25LPM 8-out air pump, and was disappointed in both components. The air flow was mediocre, and the air stones emitted big bubbles all from the point where the air hose connects, not fine bubbles from the center of the stone, like a video on YouTube showed.

I did some more research, and some advice having pumping about 1 unit of air per minute for every two units of grow solution. My tent will have 4 totes with about 10 gallons each, which is 20GPM of air = 76LPM. So, it looks like I'm undersized, blush.

So those are going back, and I'm going for a Hydrofarm 70LPM pump and 8 of the Bubblematic 1.5" x 1.5"x3" fine-pore fused glass silica air stones. Researching air stones has been difficult, for there seems to be a lot of variation. I settled on these from a manufacturer that seems to have a good reputation. Time will tell.

Thanks for looking. Here's some sprout-porn, in hopes of soliciting your comments.

Wishing you a moment of appreciation and gratitude in your day.

 

[Stinky Snid]

I just went with the cheap airstones. I'm not in dwc, and it aerates my watering Buckets just fine. But when it comes to relying on an air system for the life of the plant, there's no sense in going cheap. It's gotta run 24/7 indefinitely right... Good luck brother,

KIG cheers

 

[Happy Jack]

I just went with the cheap airstones. I'm not in dwc, and it aerates my watering Buckets just fine. But when it comes to relying on an air system for the life of the plant, there's no sense in going cheap. It's gotta run 24/7 indefinitely right... Good luck brother,

KIG cheers

Thanks Snidrajsed, I appreciate your insights. Yeah, I've gone with an 1100GPH pump, 2 airstones per tote, and when I put my second tent in I plan to have an airline from both pumps to each tote, so if one fails there's still air.

I'm also setting up my house for an emergency generator, so power-out doesn't cause disaster. I wanted to do it anyway, but growing motivated me to do it.

Thanks for checking in my brother, I appreciate it.

HJ