8 Waterfarms, 1600 watt grow

[Hovz]

Hello Icmag, this is my grow to redeem myself from last grow, where i grew some shitty bagseed that turned out all leafy and barely got me high. Okay so lets get started. I ordered the GH waterfarm 8 unit controller. Also i orderd a Hanna continous PH and EC meter. From my point of view i have everything setup and ready to go. The system is put together, the drippers are working. I filled the system with tap water and i let it run through the system for a day before testing it. I tested it this morning and it was PH: 7.8 and PPM: 210. I don't know if this is bad, can i still use this water if i PH adjust it? I havn't added anything to the tap water yet, and for nutrients i plan to use the lucas formula all the way through. I really want to put some clones in this thing, even though ill only be able to use one 600w hps until i can get a A/C unit in the room. Also, do you guys think a chiller is necessary with 1600 watts over 8 waterfarms in a 4' x 8' area? Last grow was a disaster and i really want to grow some quality buds this time. Any and all help is appreciated, i will post pictures upon request. Stay safe and keep it real.

 

[bkob89]

Setup sounds good, that pH and ppm sound bad for only water. Ideal water to get should be as close to 0 ppm as possible. As far as pH, most tap water ranges from 7.3-7.5 I BELIEVE, so 7.8 is still high, yes.

Now that you let your water sit and run through, add nutes to get your target PPM. Let THAT sit for a day, then I believe adjusting your pH will be more accurate. In my case, that worked Might help you too, good luck with your grow.

 

[smoke3]

Well lets see some pics.

Dont worry about your base water ph and ppm, mine is like 300ppm and 7.4ph and i do fine.

So technically your a newbie grower dont worry relax. U can follow the lucas or just get some floranova grow and bloom and pour some in.

I had a waterfarms kit and converted it into ebb and flow been with that ever since.

A few things i have noticed with that kit is that the holes at the bottom are quiet small. so grab a drill and drill some holes in the bottom of the upper bucket. Not large holes so that the hydroton falls thru. (I realized the roots barely made to the bottom bucket they just stayed in the top compressed pushing the hydroton upwards.) If your lazy buy some netpots with lids the big ones and they fit great into the tan bucket.

Tip too do ur self a favor and plant your clones close to the top as possible. Dont bury them at the bottom and fill with hydroton.

Veg until u see roots coming out the bottom of the bucket u dont have too but more roots before flower is always a good thing. Providing you added more holes to the upper bucket u shouldnt have a problem seeing roots after two weeks of veg.

I dont let my water sit, i dont have any time for that. I just fill the res up and add my base nutes one by one while im filling so they get mixed up really well. then check your ph and ppm and adjust from there. I usually wait 15 to 30 mins then check ppm levels and ph. Write it down so you can note progress.

Since your new at this do this the first time so you know what nutes do what, in according to ppm and ph. Fill your res with water, Add your nutes one by one, after each nute mix check ph and ppm record at next nute add and record and so forth.

Nutes will lower your ph, nutes with silica will raise your ph. Silica should be mixed first, not always but initially on a new res.

Depends how well your lights are ventillated depends if u need a chiller or not. but a chiller is always good but not always necessary. Install the A/C check room temps and res temps. Your looking for a res temp between 70 to 80. Shoot for the middle. Ph should be around 5.5 and 6.5 5.8 to 6.0 is your sweet spot.
ppm's vary from person to person i start off 1200 and end up hitting 2800ppm in flowering but thats me. the plants will tell you.
Tip burn means back off a little and maintain, Leaves folded under means your over feeding.

 

[Hovz]

Thanks for the help guys, I already have the stuff for the Lucas formula so I'm just gonna use that all the way through. Here's some pics for ya

That's what the ph read after I let it run through for two days. Okay, so i think i want to start the clones at about 450 ppm and slowly work my way up. I'm gonna mix my nutes today and probably put in the clones. I'll drill more holes in the upper buckets today right before i put the clones in.
I plan on adding airstones to each bucket after the roots grow into the water. I have a clipboard ready to put in the growroom once i start adding nutrients.

 

[MickFoster]

One thing I noticed in the picture - you need to add more hydroton to the buckets - the drip ring needs to set on top of the rocks or it will splash like hell causing loss of nutrient solution and it will splash on your babies.

 

[littlebud]

you need to get a recirculation pump to mix everything or you will have a ph nitemare from bucket to bucket who cares what the main rez says..or you can do like me and just run all waterfarms independently..i run 12 trees under 1600 watts by the way

 

[Hovz]

Okay so i need to recirculate everything or i get a PH nightmare, which i don't want. So i've heard of the recirculating kit from GH, but can't seem to find it. What are some ways i could recirculate everything? Also i only had 60 liters of hydroton opposed to the recommended 75 liters, so i could possibly order another 10 liters. The reason i ordered the controller module is so that it would be a little less maintenance as opposed to filling up each bucket all the time. A recirculating pump will probably raise my temps as well, and with hot months comming, will i need a chiller? and what would be a good chiller for this system?

 

[MickFoster]

Okay so i need to recirculate everything or i get a PH nightmare, which i don't want. So i've heard of the recirculating kit from GH, but can't seem to find it. What are some ways i could recirculate everything? Also i only had 60 liters of hydroton opposed to the recommended 75 liters, so i could possibly order another 10 liters. The reason i ordered the controller module is so that it would be a little less maintenance as opposed to filling up each bucket all the time. A recirculating pump will probably raise my temps as well, and with hot months comming, will i need a chiller? and what would be a good chiller for this system?

As I mentioned in your other thread - 4hydroponics.com has the circulating upgrade kit for $29.95 - it includes a pump and all the necessary thing a ma jigs. I suggest you read the waterfarm modification tutorial thread by whobeboo that was just started if you haven't already - good stuff. 1/10 hp chiller would be adequate for your system.

 

[Vegan]

Hey Hovz , I'm really liking the pics,,I'm debating whether or not to try a system like this ..
I'm really interested in the res temp..thing,,..now I'm reading temps are OK in the mid 70's ??..
what have you read about res temps??

 

[littlebud]

waterfarms stay cool man dont worry..i have mastered the waterfarm..truly is a fantastic system..your on your way to lots of bud..the pumping columns get clogged every once in a while..you have to pull out pumping column(center only) and where the line connects at the bottom of the column is where the salts get clogged at the tip of line just squeeze it and flick it a few times and hook it back up lol..any more questions just ask

 

[CMoon]

watching with great intrest hovz.......best of luck man

cmoon

 

[Hovz]

Hey everybody i planted four clones under the 600 watt to get things rolling. Money is tight right now, i need a job. My ppm meter went haywire and is showing 1 0 with spaces between the numbers. Maybe it needs to be calibrated. I'll post more pics later of the four clones in the system.
Mickfoster - thanks for stoping by, i partially covered the 4 drip rings im using on my four clones.
Vegan - Hey, i've read no more than 75 is what you wan't your res temp. I believe i heard somewhere that at 72 is when it can have the most oxygen.
Littlebud - thanks for the encouragement man, i really hope i can harvest some nugs.
Cmoon - thanks for stopping by man.

 

[socbutter]

Sending Good vibes your way

Sending Good vibes your way

I have a keen interest in your grow having bought a single WaterFarm. Though not using it to grow perhaps as I gain more experience I bring into the fold.

Getting the popcorn ready!!

Sending Good vibes your way.