Rex's Perpetual Hydroponics, LED, 4x4 Tent Using TBC 10 Gal System: All Are Welcome, Come Learn & Help

[Rexer]

Hey brother, getting caught up.

Haven't missed too much- they're finally in and I believe are starting to catch/latch into the system. I think their roots are now feeding solely from the emitters.
Been playing with some high PH numbers- hopefully that'll be solved.

Did a bump in the MC feed yesterday. They're pretty happy right now. I just bumped the light intensity today by one click of the dimmer- so far the reaction has been one of positive phototropism (but I'll keep a close eye).
The light is now at 314 watts.

Last night when I checked the PH had risen again- was above 6.5 but under 6.9 (forgot to mark the exact number).

This afternoon it had risen again, but was at 6.5. The amount of the rise has slowed.

Day 28
Veg Day 13
Tent temp: 27.5C avg
Tent RH%: ~60-70%
Previous PPM: :649
Current PPM: 677 (slight rise)
Adjusted PPM to: 677 (not adjusted yet)
PH: 6.9 adjusted to 5.9
Res temp: 21.7C
Water level: down very slightly- not topped with water
Light draw settings from wall: 314 Watts

A slight cal/mg deficiency, I'm keeping an eye on it.

So a little something came in today, this will be for my attempt to get some seeds.

 

[DonkeyDick]

 

[Rexer]

Day 29
Veg Day 14
Tent temp: 27.5C avg
Tent RH%: ~60-75%
Previous PPM: :677
Current PPM:
Adjusted PPM to: 903 (adjusted)
PH: 6.9 adjusted to 6.0
Res temp: 19.2C
Water level: down very slightly- not topped with water
Light draw settings from wall: 314 Watts


So first things first. I noticed res temp has gotten cold a few times and the reservoir heater has arrived today. So it's now been installed- I had hoped to keep it new in box till the fall...but it's hooked up now. Ironically I'll probably be plumbing in the chiller within next week or so- gotta love Canadian Spring time.

I also noticed that my deficiency has gotten a bit worse, and some paleness in the leaves. The mega crop got bumped again.

I also added 20ml of Orca last night.
And 25ml of terpinator.



The stunted

The heater

 

[Rexer]

Day 30
Veg Day 15
Tent temp: 23C avg
Tent RH%: ~50-60%
Previous PPM: :904
Current PPM: 852
Adjusted PPM to: 889 (adjusted)
PH: 6.5 adjusted to 5.9
Res temp: 18.2C
Water level: down- topped*see below
Light draw settings from wall: 338 Watts

So last night there was a PPM drop of 50 roughly so I topped the reservoir with some mc. Went back out this afternoon and saw it had dropped roughly 50ppm again.
They're finally feeding. But the deficiency looks a bit worse.

Today I added
5 ml of cal mag
5ml of ocean magic
A small amount of MC (I really got track how much, but I prefer using the PPM when growing vs scales/weights)- roughly 30PPM worth in reservoir.
1.5ml of ph down

That brought the PPM back to 889. Depending on the drop when I recheck later, I may bump to over 900 PPM.

They're drooping. So I did a bit of looking online and raised my light to 32 inches from top of plants and adjusted to 50% power (338 watts). Apparently it's normal for this light to make them very hungry. I also lowered the temperature.

While the upward growth isn't truly remarkable yet, I believe it's in part because energy is being put into expanding roots (or I hope at least). And obviously the issues that I've noted.

While the PH is still needing adjustment twice a day, it's staying under 6.5 for the most part.

I also went ahead and hooked up the 2nd oscillating fan, and placed it onto the back wall.

 

[Itibitiguy]

All caught up... got a nice setup rex, those girls gonna bounce back i can see some darker green coming
Iti

 

[Rexer]

All caught up... got a nice setup rex, those girls gonna bounce back i can see some darker green coming
Iti

Thanks Iti! Hoping your right, though I think I'm going to dial the light down in a bit, we'll see if that perks them up

Have a seat, kick back, fire one up and feel free to jump in anytime my friend!

Edit- light has been dialed down to 142 Watts

 

[Michael Hunt]

Day 30
Veg Day 15
Tent temp: 23C avg
Tent RH%: ~50-60%
Previous PPM: :904
Current PPM: 852
Adjusted PPM to: 889 (adjusted)
PH: 6.5 adjusted to 5.9
Res temp: 18.2C
Water level: down- topped*see below
Light draw settings from wall: 338 Watts

So last night there was a PPM drop of 50 roughly so I topped the reservoir with some mc. Went back out this afternoon and saw it had dropped roughly 50ppm again.
They're finally feeding. But the deficiency looks a bit worse.

Today I added
5 ml of cal mag
5ml of ocean magic
A small amount of MC (I really got track how much, but I prefer using the PPM when growing vs scales/weights)- roughly 30PPM worth in reservoir.
1.5ml of ph down

That brought the PPM back to 889. Depending on the drop when I recheck later, I may bump to over 900 PPM.

They're drooping. So I did a bit of looking online and raised my light to 32 inches from top of plants and adjusted to 50% power (338 watts). Apparently it's normal for this light to make them very hungry. I also lowered the temperature.

While the upward growth isn't truly remarkable yet, I believe it's in part because energy is being put into expanding roots (or I hope at least). And obviously the issues that I've noted.

While the PH is still needing adjustment twice a day, it's staying under 6.5 for the most part.

I also went ahead and hooked up the 2nd oscillating fan, and placed it onto the back wall.

Hey @Rexer lookin good in there man. Glad to see you got it all set up and running smooth!
regarding the light color, they’ll definitely darken up once they establish roots but they look pretty big already to not have enough roots to feed and develop at the same time. Have you tried running the ph a little lower around 5.5-5.6? I recall a chart that showed nitrogen being more available at the 5.5-5.6 range in hydro and less available up higher around 5.9 and up. I flower ours in the 6.0 range give or take .1 for this very reason. Just gotta make sure not to cause an acid rain effect driving it too low by accident.

 

[BassBuds]

Great to be here @Rexer. I have a bit of bucket envy. Your system is so clean looking. In the past, I've had an issue with top feed drippers leading to algae at the top of the medium. What timing are you running on your watering pump?

It's funny, looking through your grow I saw so many parallels to mine.

 

[TheZebraKing]

Hey @Rexer hope you don’t mind if I grab a seat and watch the show. I grow in hydro as well and have been loving the megacrop so this is right up my alley. Let me know if you have any questions, I may be able to help. In return I will hopefully be learning some new things at the same time.

 

[Rexer]

Hey @Rexer lookin good in there man. Glad to see you got it all set up and running smooth!
regarding the light color, they’ll definitely darken up once they establish roots but they look pretty big already to not have enough roots to feed and develop at the same time. Have you tried running the ph a little lower around 5.5-5.6? I recall a chart that showed nitrogen being more available at the 5.5-5.6 range in hydro and less available up higher around 5.9 and up. I flower ours in the 6.0 range give or take .1 for this very reason. Just gotta make sure not to cause an acid rain effect driving it too low by accident.

Trying it right now-

Great to be here @Rexer. I have a bit of bucket envy. Your system is so clean looking. In the past, I've had an issue with top feed drippers leading to algae at the top of the medium. What timing are you running on your watering pump?

It's funny, looking through your grow I saw so many parallels to mine.

Hey @BassBuds thanks for dropping by! You've got one heck of a nice system- as I'm playing in a completely new environment, with a new light, in a new system- its like relearning to grow. If mine take off like yours I'll dance a terrible jig.

Currently I'm keeping the water pump on 24/7. Algae has been on my mind, and I've got some panada film coming to cover the buckets (going to cut some covers out).

Hey @Rexer hope you don’t mind if I grab a seat and watch the show. I grow in hydro as well and have been loving the megacrop so this is right up my alley. Let me know if you have any questions, I may be able to help. In return I will hopefully be learning some new things at the same time.

Hi @TheZebraKing! Pull up a chair, this run is a big learning experience for myself. I'll take all the help I can get- and never hesitate to give me a tag, makes my day!
Feel free also to drop a link for your journal and a bit of bud porn at will!


So I dumped the res tonight. Decided a reset was in order, and with the light now sitting at 3 feet away at 142 watts it should give them a stress break.

I put 65 grams of Mega Crop in
25ml of hydroguard
2.5 ml ph down

Ph was at 5.6
Ppm: 708

 

[TheZebraKing]

Well then count me in Rex, I’m late to the party but looks like your just getting started still so if I see something I think I can help with then I’ll point it out I’m about to start a journal up of my flowering plants soon so I’ll make sure to tag you in that! I actually just created this account so I haven’t really been taking too many pictures but that’s about to change now that I have a reason to give all my ladies a photo shoot on a daily basis. Haha
Good job on the grow thus far, I’m sure you’ll get the nutritional needs fixed soon enough and they’ll be booming.

 

[BassBuds]

This is my third grow, second hydro grow. My last grow was around 3-4 years ago. Most of the gear I'm working with is new, I only borrowed some hydroton and water pumps/tubing from my last grow.

Megacrop looks pretty awesome. I've been using advance Nutrients Connoisseur so I don't need to worry about ph and it's pretty idiot proof, but it's expensive as hell, and I have the feeling I'm overpaying.

Only other thing I'd call out is be careful with your heater so close to the reservoir. My plants that are closest to the heater always grow less well than the other plants. The suggestion I've heard was to move the heater to the room outside the tent, but I don't think my tiny heater would be able to produce enough heat.

My solution was to get a smart power strip, and run my heater 1 minute on, 2 minutes off in loops. Since I made that change the thermometer next to the heater is only a couple degrees higher than the ambient air temperature.

 

[Dusty Kiefers]

Looks like there are settling in brother, gots me a rainy day off, im kinda ready for summer. Atleast temp swings will minimize..... perhaps lol

 

[Rexer]

This is my third grow, second hydro grow. My last grow was around 3-4 years ago. Most of the gear I'm working with is new, I only borrowed some hydroton and water pumps/tubing from my last grow.

Megacrop looks pretty awesome. I've been using advance Nutrients Connoisseur so I don't need to worry about ph and it's pretty idiot proof, but it's expensive as hell, and I have the feeling I'm overpaying.

Only other thing I'd call out is be careful with your heater so close to the reservoir. My plants that are closest to the heater always grow less well than the other plants. The suggestion I've heard was to move the heater to the room outside the tent, but I don't think my tiny heater would be able to produce enough heat.

My solution was to get a smart power strip, and run my heater 1 minute on, 2 minutes off in loops. Since I made that change the thermometer next to the heater is only a couple degrees higher than the ambient air temperature.

My experience with the mega crop to date has me thinking it's a serious hit or miss. When it works and is dialed in, you can get some fantastic results. Soon as you start showing deficiencies it's a lot harder to rein in.

The heater...well the garage isn't heated, and right now the heat system in there needs some work- I got until fall to sort that out. If you look right above the heater, there's a spare inline fan (4 inch) blowing right on it. The heat is dissipated quickly- you can comfortably put your hand on it.

Well then count me in Rex, I’m late to the party but looks like your just getting started still so if I see something I think I can help with then I’ll point it out I’m about to start a journal up of my flowering plants soon so I’ll make sure to tag you in that! I actually just created this account so I haven’t really been taking too many pictures but that’s about to change now that I have a reason to give all my ladies a photo shoot on a daily basis. Haha
Good job on the grow thus far, I’m sure you’ll get the nutritional needs fixed soon enough and they’ll be booming.

Thanks- I'm considering ditching the MC on this grow, I've got some other options.



Journal update


so...like a kid on Christmas morning I check my camera in the tent as soon as I wake up. This morning was a good sight, two of them have shown some positive phototropism and are spreading their leaves. The runt...well she's just doing her thing. One in the front left, she seems to still be unhappy. She's also showing some nute burn signs and is still droopy. I'm glad I dumped the res last night- sometimes it pays to trust your gut.


Day 31
Veg Day 16
Tent temp: 21C avg
Tent RH%: ~70-80%
Previous PPM: : 708
Current PPM: 760
Adjusted PPM to: 786 (adjusted)
PH: 6.5 adjusted to 5.4
Res temp: 18.6C
Water level: down very slightly- topped*see below
Light draw settings from wall: 142 Watts

So...there was a slight rise, which I expected. There was still nute solution in the medium that was running at 900ish. When mixing it would obviously raise PPM.

I added 3grams of MC
And ph'd to 5.4

 

[Rexer]

Looks like there are settling in brother, gots me a rainy day off, im kinda ready for summer. Atleast temp swings will minimize..... perhaps lol

Pouring rain here too today, but the nasty damp chill kind. I'm going to take today to do some relaxation- well till I get bored and start tinkering away on something.

 

[Michael Hunt]

My experience with the mega crop to date has me thinking it's a serious hit or miss. When it works and is dialed in, you can get some fantastic results. Soon as you start showing deficiencies it's a lot harder to rein in.

The heater...well the garage isn't heated, and right now the heat system in there needs some work- I got until fall to sort that out. If you look right above the heater, there's a spare inline fan (4 inch) blowing right on it. The heat is dissipated quickly- you can comfortably put your hand on it.




Thanks- I'm considering ditching the MC on this grow, I've got some other options.



Journal update


so...like a kid on Christmas morning I check my camera in the tent as soon as I wake up. This morning was a good sight, two of them have shown some positive phototropism and are spreading their leaves. The runt...well she's just doing her thing. One in the front left, she seems to still be unhappy. She's also showing some nute burn signs. I'm glad I dumped the res last night- sometimes it pays to trust your gut.


Day 31
Veg Day 16
Tent temp: 21C avg
Tent RH%: ~70-80%
Previous PPM: : 708
Current PPM: 760
Adjusted PPM to: 786 (adjusted)
PH: 6.5 adjusted to 5.4
Res temp: 18.6C
Water level: down very slightly- topped*see below
Light draw settings from wall: 142 Watts

So...there was a slight rise, which I expected. There was still nute solution in the medium that was running at 900ish. When mixing it would obviously raise PPM.

I added 3grams of MC
And ph'd to 5.4

Wow i swear they look greener already

 

[TheZebraKing]

Thanks- I'm considering ditching the MC on this grow, I've got some

Just curious, what nutrient line would you switch to?
Also I apologize because you probably stated this earlier in the thread but I jumped to the end to catch up. So the system your running, is it RDWC with 4 plants?

 

[Rexer]

Wow i swear they look greener already

Oh they are...and the nice thing with the camera in there is that I can rewind it a couple hours- zoom on a plant, then click live view. It'll show me if they're perking up- or drooping further. So far this morning they're still perking up, which should mean they're improving.

Later today they will get their 1st night rest of 5hrs of lights off.

Just curious, what nutrient line would you switch to?
Also I apologize because you probably stated this earlier in the thread but I jumped to the end to catch up. So the system your running, is it RDWC with 4 plants?

I'm toying with just using some floranova bloom or a micro+bloom combo (both are Lucas Formula grow possibilities).


Hmm it's would be considered a top feed RDWC with 4 plants. Each container is 10 gallons, and the reservoir

 

[DutchinAB]

Interested to see how the sts kit works for you, Rexer. That’s the first complete kit I’ve seen offered for this purpose.

 

[Rexer]

Interested to see how the sts kit works for you, Rexer. That’s the first complete kit I’ve seen offered for this purpose.

Me too that's why I jumped on it. The instructions were a bonus. But before I can play with it I need to have a bit of medicinal surplus, I can't afford to keep buying from OCS and LPs.
For what it's worth, I got it from fleabay.