Hi All
I am attempting HPA for the first time. It may be somewhat ambitious of me, but from everything I've read, HPA is the Holy Grail of indoor growing. I want to thank everyone who has posted a thread and/or contributed information to this forum. I have absorbed more information about growing than I ever knew was out there, and I have barely scratched the surface. I have many years to go and grow before I become proficient. With all of you helping, that task may one day be attainable.
My first attempt at hydroponics was using the General Hydroponics Rainforest 66 system. I read some good things about it, and as a noob, I got caught up in the hype. So, to any other noobs out there considering the General Hydroponics rainforest 66 system, don't. I thought it would be a perfect balance between aeroponics, as it claims to spray a fine mist, and DWC, as it sits in a 17 gallon reservoir. Truthfully, it's mostly just a DWC that sprays the roots with nutrients. It is a fine spray, but no where near "mist" quality. Also, the 17 gallon res is no where near big enough to accommodate 6 plants. I used it to grow 3 plants, and even at that, it wasn't big enough.
My next attempt was a RWDC. 4x18 gallon reservoirs with another 18 gallon reservoir outside my 4'x4'x7' tent. Fairly easy to do, using the LUCAS Formula with add-back. But, changing out the res every two weeks was a major pain!!! Toting what seemed like endless 5 gallon buckets to first drain the system, then refill the system was not my idea of a good time! I have a 50GPD ro system, so res changes need to be planned a few days in advance.
Now, I want to go HPA. Actually, HPA was my first choice, but I chickened out. As it would have been my first attempt at growing this wonderful mass of greenness, I was looking for something idiot-proof, hence the GH Rainforest 66. Here in Canada, we can legally grow 4 plants for personal enjoyment. Gotta love Canada, eh?
So, I have read countless threads and am ready to try HPA. I'm glad I didn't try HPA as my first grow. I learned sooooo many things with the rainforest and rdwc that I never would have considered. I am humbled by all you successful growers out there. The vast amount of knowledge required for a successful grow was far beyond what I expected or was prepared for.
So, without further ado, let's get to the details of my newest attempt and first HPA attempt.
1xUPS in case of power outage
1x Geekpure pump to evacuate effluence
1x Air pump with air stone to agitate nutrient solution
1xAquatec 8800 pump to pressurize tank
1xWell-x-trol accumulator tank
1x10" inline 5 micron filter placed before pump
4xinterval timers for the solenoids
1x24v transformer for solenoids
40x24v NC solenoids! YES 40 SOLENOIDS!!! (explanation to come...)
40xTefen nozzles
1xBlue Lab pH controller with peristaltic pump
1xBlue Lab Monitor for ppm, temp and pH
1xTitan Controls Spartan Temp/Humidity/CO2 controller
1X 8" inline fan with Phresh Active Charcoal filter
1x Pressure reducer valve set to 100psi
1x Digital pressure switch
1x Titan Controls CO2 Regulator
1x 15,000 BTU window unit air conditioner
1x 15,000 BTU portable air conditioner
1x 12 head mist maker
4xfans for air circulation
several Nearpow timers
Lots of 1/4" tubing and connectors
Ok, so I know what you're thinking,... How many nearpows?!?
But... WHY 40 solenoids?!?!?!
Well, my reasoning is that the dollar store was having a fire sale...
No, really, it's because my biggest fear is a clogged nozzle. I farted around with aeroponics and had a beautiful lady die on me while I was at work due to a clogged nozzle. So, to prevent this, EACH lady will have 4 nozzles.
So, what I did was to surround each site with 4 nozzles to spray for 0.3 sec every 23 seconds. If that sounds confusing, let me explain...
I have 4 cycle timers, each set for 0.3 sec on/92 sec off. So, once the first timer sprays, the second will spray 23 secs later, the third will spray 23 secs after that and the fourth? When will it spray, you ask? Well, I like uniformity, so, 23 secs after the third one.
This way, if a nozzle clogs, the lady will only lose 25% of her spray. I think she can survive that. I will also inspect each nozzle daily to make sure they are all working correctly. That means I will be required to spend a minimum of 10x92s or 920 seconds or 15 mins and 20 seconds in a box filled with lovely bud producing ladies every day! There are worse ways to spend 15 minutes...
So, this past Wednesday, I received my seeds, 10 Super Bud Feminized. I soaked them for 16 hours (as per the the supplies instructions).
Thursday morning, I performed the paper towel/plate manoeuvre.
Friday morning, 9 of 10 had popped. YAY!!! So far, so good. I have always used clones before, so starting from seed in new to me!
Saturday morning, 5 little baby girls had impressive taproots. I placed them into a foam collar and into my mist maker contraption set for 1min/2min on/off cycle with 240w LED full spectrum light at 10% 36" above humidity dome.
This morning, 3 of the 5 baby girls are beginning to get curious about the world outside a foam collar.
I am attempting HPA for the first time. It may be somewhat ambitious of me, but from everything I've read, HPA is the Holy Grail of indoor growing. I want to thank everyone who has posted a thread and/or contributed information to this forum. I have absorbed more information about growing than I ever knew was out there, and I have barely scratched the surface. I have many years to go and grow before I become proficient. With all of you helping, that task may one day be attainable.
My first attempt at hydroponics was using the General Hydroponics Rainforest 66 system. I read some good things about it, and as a noob, I got caught up in the hype. So, to any other noobs out there considering the General Hydroponics rainforest 66 system, don't. I thought it would be a perfect balance between aeroponics, as it claims to spray a fine mist, and DWC, as it sits in a 17 gallon reservoir. Truthfully, it's mostly just a DWC that sprays the roots with nutrients. It is a fine spray, but no where near "mist" quality. Also, the 17 gallon res is no where near big enough to accommodate 6 plants. I used it to grow 3 plants, and even at that, it wasn't big enough.
My next attempt was a RWDC. 4x18 gallon reservoirs with another 18 gallon reservoir outside my 4'x4'x7' tent. Fairly easy to do, using the LUCAS Formula with add-back. But, changing out the res every two weeks was a major pain!!! Toting what seemed like endless 5 gallon buckets to first drain the system, then refill the system was not my idea of a good time! I have a 50GPD ro system, so res changes need to be planned a few days in advance.
Now, I want to go HPA. Actually, HPA was my first choice, but I chickened out. As it would have been my first attempt at growing this wonderful mass of greenness, I was looking for something idiot-proof, hence the GH Rainforest 66. Here in Canada, we can legally grow 4 plants for personal enjoyment. Gotta love Canada, eh?
So, I have read countless threads and am ready to try HPA. I'm glad I didn't try HPA as my first grow. I learned sooooo many things with the rainforest and rdwc that I never would have considered. I am humbled by all you successful growers out there. The vast amount of knowledge required for a successful grow was far beyond what I expected or was prepared for.
So, without further ado, let's get to the details of my newest attempt and first HPA attempt.
1xUPS in case of power outage
1x Geekpure pump to evacuate effluence
1x Air pump with air stone to agitate nutrient solution
1xAquatec 8800 pump to pressurize tank
1xWell-x-trol accumulator tank
1x10" inline 5 micron filter placed before pump
4xinterval timers for the solenoids
1x24v transformer for solenoids
40x24v NC solenoids! YES 40 SOLENOIDS!!! (explanation to come...)
40xTefen nozzles
1xBlue Lab pH controller with peristaltic pump
1xBlue Lab Monitor for ppm, temp and pH
1xTitan Controls Spartan Temp/Humidity/CO2 controller
1X 8" inline fan with Phresh Active Charcoal filter
1x Pressure reducer valve set to 100psi
1x Digital pressure switch
1x Titan Controls CO2 Regulator
1x 15,000 BTU window unit air conditioner
1x 15,000 BTU portable air conditioner
1x 12 head mist maker
4xfans for air circulation
several Nearpow timers
Lots of 1/4" tubing and connectors
Ok, so I know what you're thinking,... How many nearpows?!?
But... WHY 40 solenoids?!?!?!
Well, my reasoning is that the dollar store was having a fire sale...
No, really, it's because my biggest fear is a clogged nozzle. I farted around with aeroponics and had a beautiful lady die on me while I was at work due to a clogged nozzle. So, to prevent this, EACH lady will have 4 nozzles.
So, what I did was to surround each site with 4 nozzles to spray for 0.3 sec every 23 seconds. If that sounds confusing, let me explain...
I have 4 cycle timers, each set for 0.3 sec on/92 sec off. So, once the first timer sprays, the second will spray 23 secs later, the third will spray 23 secs after that and the fourth? When will it spray, you ask? Well, I like uniformity, so, 23 secs after the third one.
This way, if a nozzle clogs, the lady will only lose 25% of her spray. I think she can survive that. I will also inspect each nozzle daily to make sure they are all working correctly. That means I will be required to spend a minimum of 10x92s or 920 seconds or 15 mins and 20 seconds in a box filled with lovely bud producing ladies every day! There are worse ways to spend 15 minutes...
So, this past Wednesday, I received my seeds, 10 Super Bud Feminized. I soaked them for 16 hours (as per the the supplies instructions).
Thursday morning, I performed the paper towel/plate manoeuvre.
Friday morning, 9 of 10 had popped. YAY!!! So far, so good. I have always used clones before, so starting from seed in new to me!
Saturday morning, 5 little baby girls had impressive taproots. I placed them into a foam collar and into my mist maker contraption set for 1min/2min on/off cycle with 240w LED full spectrum light at 10% 36" above humidity dome.
This morning, 3 of the 5 baby girls are beginning to get curious about the world outside a foam collar.
but I do enjoy watching the mad scientist rigs with all the controls and what not lol sooooo may I ask what strain your growing I did not see it mentioned in either detailed post?
and the photo they got up lookz pretty good to.
