First grow[SWC], help a newb with nutes and everything else

[Redneck1337]

This is my first attempt at growing and I have been reading around on the forums for a while now and have a general understanding of what I am going to do. I will be going SWC, my flowering box has a 2.25 sqrft footprint and is about 30" tall. I've got a 150watt hps I'm going to put in there as soon as I get the stuff for ventilation from radioshack and lowes. The medium will be RW cubes in hydroton. I will be going with a scrog to maximize yield in the small area. I am gathering supplies for my grow and since I have no hydro store in my area, I will be ordering my supplies online. (Probably at discount-hydro or altgarden) I plan on using the lucas formula (0/5/10 for veg 0/8/16 for flower) and was wondering what other nutes I should order also because I don't want to have to make multiple orders. I plan on ordering either Floralicious Bloom or Floralicious Plus and of course some pH up & down. Do you guys like the FlB or the FlP best? I was also thinking of ordering some cal-mag and maybe some koolbloom, along with some hydroguard or something along those lines for protection. I am going to order a pH and TDS testers also. So if you all could please help a newb out and point me in the right direction so i get everything i need the first time around!
Thanks!
-Red
Also: If i left anything out or you guys need some more info just ask, this is my first post so who knows..
EDIT: I've put things in bold that I am still really needing some opinions on and help making the best decision.
So far here is my list:
-GH Bloom
-Gal GH Micro
-pH up
-pH down
-FloraShield (Is this similar to hydroguard or should i get hydroguard instead? just looking for some preventative measures for rot and stuff)??
-net pots
-Hydroton Pebbles
-Rapid Rooter plugs (Thinking of going with these instead of RW cubes)??
-Floralicious Plus , or maybe Floralicious Bloom (Cost less but makes 5x less gallons of mix) (Still not sure yet here some input would be great but I figure I'll go with the plus)
I've got some Schultz Rooting Hormone i picked up at wally, it is powder but is this stuff any good or should I also throw in some cloning gel on my order too?
What do you guys think about FloraShield? Should i order it to help keep out rot or not? After reading around I also see a lot of people using koolbloom in the last month of flowering.. What do you guys think? Worth picking up or save my money for now? I also read a lot of place people using the lucas formula having deficiencies such as mag or something so I would still really like to hear some others opinions on other additives that would be a pretty good idea to have on hand or use with every nute change. Thanks!!
-Red

 

[BudLove]

Best bet is to make a list, which it appears you've already done... if you are going with the Lucas formula and running FloraB you really shouldnt need anything else (like calmag)... if it was PBP I'd say the calmag was required.

I would say you want the nutes, pH up/down, some pH and EC calibration liquid along with a cleaner solution for your probe. If you intend to do any cloning then obviously the cloning gel would be useful (though you could probably get this locally).

Other than that, most anything else you would need (such as neem oil, etc) could be acquired from a local hardware store or wally world.

Good luck! And remember, no matter how much you plan, experience usually shows that you'll end up having to purchase something else later on anyway...

BL

 

[Redneck1337]

Hey BL thanks for the prompt reply! Anybody else? So far here is my list:
-GH Bloom
-GH Micro
-pH up
-pH down
-FloraShield (Is this similar to hydroguard or should i get hydroguard instead? just looking for some preventative measures for rot and stuff)
-net pots
-Hydroton Pebbles
-Rapid Rooter plugs (Thinking of going with these instead of RW cubes)
-Floralicious Plus , or maybe Floralicious Bloom (Cost less but makes 5x less gallons of mix) (Still not sure yet here some input would be great but I figure I'll go with the plus)
I've got some Schultz Rooting Hormone i picked up at wally, it is powder but is this stuff any good or should I also throw in some cloning gel on my order too?
What do you guys think about FloraShield? Should i order it to help keep out rot or not? After reading around I also see a lot of people using koolbloom in the last month of flowering.. What do you guys think? Worth picking up or save my money for now? I also read a lot of place people using the lucas formula having deficiencies such as mag or something so I would still really like to hear some others opinions on other additives that would be a pretty good idea to have on hand or use with every nute change. Thanks!!
-Red

 

[icough2getoff]

Your list looks pretty good to me. I personally haven't been impressed with bloom enhancers, I think you can do quite well as long as you feed them properly. I know all the advertising and hype makes people want them though.

Superthrive isn't necessary. Don't get it unless you really want to spend the money.

Cloning gels are something some people swear helps, but others like myself have never used them and still get a nearly 100% success rate cloning. I had a friend who tried some cloning gel and some of his clones died. We think maybe he left too much gel on, but I think the stuff is worthless.

For root rot prevention, the best thing you can do, is keep your water temps below 70F. It's much better to resolve the problem than to patch it up with a band aid, but if it's your first time it may come in handy while you figure out how to lower your temps if necessary. Hydroguard does help.

One thing you might consider if you're thinking of doing the Lucas formula is the GH Flora Nova nutrients. There's 1 bottle for veg and 1 bottle for bloom and in my experience it's at least as good as the Lucas formula if not better. It's also easier only having to deal with one bottle at a time.

In other words, keep it simple. I use nothing except RO water, flora nova, and sometimes they need just a touch of cal-mag. Anything else is unnecessary if you feed them right IMO, and for your first time around I think extra stuff would just add to confusion, especially if things go wrong

 

[Redneck1337]

Thanks cough! I looked into to Nova series but don't like the fact that the solution settles over time, plus its not like the micro/bloom 1:2 ratio will be hard to mix. I wont be ordering the superthrive, but would still like some opinions on rapid rooter plugs over rook wool?? Still not sure if im gonna order some florashield or something along those lines or not?? i should have temps controlled but not exactly sure yet. i will finish installing the ventilation and lights tomorrow and be putting my order in. i guess i am going with a quart of floralicious plus.. this is a shit ton but is the smallest size they carry. i could go with another website but not sure yet. So anybody else out there got any recommendations?? Thanks!
-Red

 

[icough2getoff]

As far as rockwool vs. rapid rooters, I've done a lot of rockwool and tried rapid rooters once. Rockwool is a surefire bet that it will germ and sprout fine but sometimes I wonder if it messes with my pH. I've grown rockwool vs. non rockwool in coco and for some reason my plants with rockwool had problems so what I do now is sprout in rockwool and then when I see roots I very carefully tear off as much rockwool as I can without damaging the roots and transplant. When I tried rapid rooters they seemed to work fine except one of my seedlings jumped out of it's hole, which I've heard of happening with rapid rooters, so you just have to check them regularly. Rapid rooters are kind of weird, like a sponge, while rockwool feels very nice and secure for germing.

 

[ogatec]

2nd vote for nova!

 

[ogatec]

Thanks cough! I looked into to Nova series but don't like the fact that the solution settles over time, plus its not like the micro/bloom 1:2 ratio will be hard to mix.

well you have to shake the bottle up each time you use it, just like the 3 part, they settle too.

hard to mix? it is a 1 part, no mixing or forlmuas to mess up! just measure out & dump into rez.

 

[Redneck1337]

hard to mix? it is a 1 part, no mixing or forlmuas to mess up! just measure out & dump into rez.

I was referring to the Flora Series there not the Nova, but thanks!. So you guys really like the Nova? I might look into getting it instead of the GH Micro/Bloom.. Hmm
I am about to leave for the store to get the rest of my supplys for ventilation. Still not sure how I am doing it but will update with some pictures later once it is done. Here is a schematic of my box so far going with a NGB type design. I just got the door put on last night.

 

[FreezerBoy]

Cloning gels are something some people swear helps, but others like myself have never used them and still get a nearly 100% success rate cloning.

This may be the most important lesson for newbie cloners. What works flawlessly for some is disastrous for others. I won't clone without gel (though my real secret is soaking stems in liquid hormex for 60 seconds) I've tried the naked slips in bubbling water 4 times for a death rate of 400%. This DOES NOT mean you should avoid this method. Try them all til one works for you.

Thanks cough! I looked into to Nova series but don't like the fact that the solution settles over time, plus its not like the micro/bloom 1:2 ratio will be hard to mix.

GH Flora Micro will fall out of solubility as well (see pics below). If you have a smaller grow, buy the Micro at half the quantity of Bloom. It's the same proportion you use it at.

 

[ogatec]

I was referring to the Flora Series there not the Nova, but thanks!. So you guys really like the Nova? I might look into getting it instead of the GH Micro/Bloom.. .

there about the same really, nova is just easier for beginners cause you know it will work as adverized. theres just too many ways to mess up on the 1st go round & you can count on nova to work....

 

[Redneck1337]

Well i guess it is time for a little update: I've been rounding up supplys locally this week and so far ive got my cool tube built with 3" duct going through a 3x4 duct reducer to a 4" 85cfm fan from radio shack exhausting out the back of the electrical chamber. I will eventaully attach a scruber to either the exhaust or the other side of the cool tube. Do you guys think this setup will keep the 150 cool? If not I guess i could do closed system for the cooltube and another exhausting the cab. I will update once i get a chance to finish hooking everything and get some temp readings. I also picked up a dual outlet air pump and a 15L rubermade which i taped up with foil tape. How many airstones should i use in it at one time? I picked up 4 but figured I would only use 2.. I also picked up some pvc at lowes for draining and filling the rez that way i will not have to remove it from the cab. I still need to build a scruber and a screen. The screen I guess could wait a while as i still need to get a good mother going before i start my first mini scrog. My order to hydro store will have to be put off about a week or so due to a damn ticket i had to go pay. Any final suggestions would be great as I would like to get mostly everthing i need on one order. I will update my list above to reflect its current standing. Thanks!!
-Red