Did you buy anything that turned out to be useless

[B. Self Reliant]

Pretty much all the gear I bought for micro grows was a waste, at least long term. Things like vortex fans, ballasts, HPS bulbs, hoods, etc. are all great because they transfer easily from place to place. The micro grow gear was different in that it was all only useful in one specific situation, but when expanding or moving your garden, it suddenly becomes useless.

If I were to go back in time & do my first grow again, I'd use a Botanicare 1'x2' tray set up as a drain to waste, with a 2' 4 bulb T5 fixture and a 4" vortex fan with a can filter. When I went bigger after two harvests, i could have had a nice veg or mom setup, but instead I had a bunch of fucking computer fans and homemade CFL fixtures. What a waste.

 

[puffin fresh]

Air cooled shades that leak air, aka anything I have tried bar cool tubes.
Most air pumps from aquarium shops burn out in 2 months. (why they only stock chinese crap I will never know.)
Bubble/Fog/Aero cloner......still sitting on the shelf after one use each.
Thin panda plastic......it is damn near see through.....useless for keeping light in.
Any non big brand a/c.......fucked in no time.
Multiple poisoness tents.......get a money back guarantee before you purchase any that havent been highly reccommended.
1/8" irrigation line and any associated drippers etc, just blocks too easy. 1/4" or bigger all the way.

I disagree with the books being useless, I have many good books which I would never want to get rid of and that I am always referencing too, after all a lot of what you read on IC is just someones opinion and many times one that is unresearched or not backed up with any useful data. Of course there is also plenty of respected and knowledgable posters as well.

 

[theroadwarrior]

I disagree with the books being useless, I have many good books which I would never want to get rid of and that I am always referencing too, after all a lot of what you read on IC is just someones opinion and many times one that is unresearched or not backed up with any useful data. Of course there is also plenty of respected and knowledgable posters as well.

I am not saying all the books are useless and I often reference back to The Indoor Outdoor Grow Bible. Books are not very interactive and often some of the material is outdated but has not yet been edited for new editions.

Every so often you hear Cervantes or Rosenthal take back something they believed ten years ago as some of the conventional wisdom has changed.

I would trust some of the people here over any expert as I can see what they do. Some of the folks here are master gardeners. Maybe Cervantes can grow awesome nugs but I have never really seen any.

Buy a good book or two for sure but read, read, read online forums like this. And for sure don't just take anyones advice. 2000 posts doesn't make someone a good grower though they may just be. Look at the persons accomplishments and decide for yourself if they are credible. Alot of credible people here at ICMAG, RIU, CC you just need to look.

 

[KickNader]

ive had a problem with buying too small to be modest then end up really wanting the bigger one..

here is a few things

-econowing reflector.. upgraded to "supersun - classic"
-12v power supply.. using inline fans now pc fans just suck.. or lack of..
-rockwool.. hate that stuff killed so many plants..

planning on upgrading
-250watt galaxy to 400watt switchable Harvest Pro Elite
-supersun classic - CoolSun 6" aircooled

i really like the cervantes book its not perfect but most of the stuff in there is pretty good..

 

[keeper]

6in Big Blue Inline ozone generator, i never use it
might come in handy some day though........

 

[KickNader]

6in Big Blue Inline ozone generator, i never use it
might come in handy some day though........

words that i live by i have so much extra crap that could be used.. but not worth selling cuz wont get enough..

 

[canadiancracker]

^^^ yeah used equipment isnt worth poop unless a friend buy the things but if your selling it cause its useless chances are it will just collect dust and possibly be more "evidence" if ever you get raided. i like keeping shit simple cause its easier and quicker to erase signs of a grow..

Lol its kinda a catch22 but with nft or aero your have no medium but you have these long ass tubes that are impossible to dusguise.

turning out to be a pretty good thread.

anyone ever use bc blue magic ferts, i have been for a while but the are incosistant and hard to feed plants with but im still gonna finish them off before trying the next company.
at 40$ 4l i cant complain...

my cooltubes are air tight and do not leak smell.... someone mentioned it above

cC

 

[puffin fresh]

double post

 

[puffin fresh]

my cooltubes are air tight and do not leak smell.... someone mentioned it above

That was me and I said that the cool tubes are the only ones that are air tight. It's the other crappy shades made from multiple pieces that leak.

I am not saying all the books are useless and I often reference back to The Indoor Outdoor Grow Bible. Books are not very interactive and often some of the material is outdated but has not yet been edited for new editions.

I was referring more-so to the University text books and scientific Journal articles which are constantly being updated, of course you have to already have a reasonable understanding of biology and the associated terminology to fully utilize these sources. Whatever works for each individual is best for them, and I wasn't trying to discredit any IC members, just saying there is a lot of shit to sift through unlike books most of which on my bookshelf are properly researched and referenced.

 

[sirripalot]

~$400 on the hydroGEN water-cooled co2 generator. it's now sitting packed up in the box, basically brand new...never going to get used.

another $200 on the 6" water heat-exchanger, it leaks..lol

who knows how much money on random pvc fittings, nutes, etc...

WHY REMIND ME? hahaha

 

[B. Self Reliant]

I've found mylar to be pretty crappy compared to flat white paint or plastic. The additional light reflected (a very small amount) isn't worth the fact that it's pourous and therefor harder to clean than plastic that can be wiped down with bleach water or simple green cleaner.

I had mites once and all the mylar that I had meticulously glued to large pieces of cardboard had to be thrown out because it's pourous and I didn't want to risk getting them again. WHat a pain in the ass. I immediately switched to plastic which is SO much easier to clean.

 

[THRIPS AHOY!]

Penis pump,Penis enlargement pills,condoms (never get to use em). And an odor sock.It didnt stop the smell at all.

 

[Dopeboy668]

The 6" inline fan with odor sock that was stolen off my front porch when it was delivered last week. Definetly wish I hadn't bought that. Not only did I loose $205, Now im paranoid someone knows what im doin. Been real skitzy this week.

 

[ItsAllOver]

Mylar is porous? WTF? I know plastic is somewhat porous but worrying about spider mites in the pores? I wouldn't be.

 

[keeper]

think he meant the cardboard

 

[theroadwarrior]

Whatever works for each individual is best for them, and I wasn't trying to discredit any IC members, just saying there is a lot of shit to sift through unlike books most of which on my bookshelf are properly researched and referenced.

Very true and I didn't think you were discrediting anyone. I'll be the first to admit some of the people here have no clue what they are talking about but post like they do which could mess up new growers.

Now that you mention it I was thinking a good book on wiring and plumbing would come in helpful although with electrical don't get in over your comfort level. I have used those alot.

 

[theroadwarrior]

So the lesson to take home here kids is, start ghetto and only buy piece by piece and only what you really need. You'll save yourself alot of cash or alot of time from having to grow all your cash back.

Sorry for the back to back posts but this is really well said. And don't forget to get the stuff that isn't flashy. White paint is a good one as I had to move 60 girls to paint my room. I meant to grab it when I was building the room but then I would see a new gadget and never got around to it until I saw I was getting crappy yeilds.

Get the basics and go from there as the basics work for a small or big grow alike. Someone mentioned having all sorts of left over pots and buckets after switching to hydro.

I went hydro first then soil so I have stacks of 8' lengths of pvc stacked in the garage with hundreds of holes drilled through it. If I remember right its about $600 of 6" pvc from home depot. Now who feels stupid.

 

[Mister Postman]

Odorsok carbon filter... I give them two Big Green thumbs down..

 

[EvilTwin]

~$400 on the hydroGEN water-cooled co2 generator. it's now sitting packed up in the box, basically brand new...never going to get used.

Sir,
Just curious...why aren't you going to use the CO2 generator? Do they NOT work?
ET

 

[sirripalot]

The 6" inline fan with odor sock that was stolen off my front porch when it was delivered last week. Definetly wish I hadn't bought that. Not only did I loose $205, Now im paranoid someone knows what im doin. Been real skitzy this week.

dude, don't want to scare you..but that's definitely sketch.