First timer here (DWC) could use some pointers

[CasperLungs]

So first off, Hi everyone I've been lurking around the forum here for a while researching topics, and found answers to nearly all my questions, and found some great "tutorials"... I've decided to model my grow closet after Pipe Dreams 150W closet since my dimensions are virtually the same. I'm starting off with some bag seeds just to get a hang over everything first, then go live with some seeds I have yet to order

I pretty much have everything ready to go... except 1 key ingredient... the nutrient solution. I've gone to my local hardware stores (home depot and lowes) and stood in the fertilizer section, feeling lost, and confused.

Anyways, along with that, i was wondering if some of the more advanced growers could give a newbie like me some tips or pointer on what to do/look out for.

I'd really appreciate your guys help

CasperLungs

 

[Hydro-Soil]

So first off, Hi everyone I've been lurking around the forum here for a while researching topics, and found answers to nearly all my questions, and found some great "tutorials"... I've decided to model my grow closet after Pipe Dreams 150W closet since my dimensions are virtually the same. I'm starting off with some bag seeds just to get a hang over everything first, then go live with some seeds I have yet to order

I pretty much have everything ready to go... except 1 key ingredient... the nutrient solution. I've gone to my local hardware stores (home depot and lowes) and stood in the fertilizer section, feeling lost, and confused.

Anyways, along with that, i was wondering if some of the more advanced growers could give a newbie like me some tips or pointer on what to do/look out for.

I'd really appreciate your guys help

CasperLungs

General Hydroponic's MaxiBloom

It's a dry fertilizer and it has everything cannabis needs for an awesome harvest (Lucas formula in a dry fert.... look up Lucas)


You can find it in a lot of nursery's and some hardware stores. Have them order it if you don't see it.... lots of rose and other flower gardeners use it as a staple ingredient in their gardens.

Make sure your res temps are below 69F.
Plenty of bubbles.


Stay Safe!

 

[CasperLungs]

hmm there is a little hydro shop next town over, also couple nurseries, so I guess, I'm going shopping tomorrow

I've checked out the lucas formula, and so far, it looks Chinese to me... I've never grown anything in my life... But I'm sure couple more hours or reading, and testing and playing around will get me somewhere where it sorta makes sense

 

[FreezerBoy]

I've checked out the lucas formula, and so far, it looks Chinese to me...

Once you see it happening in front of you, it starts to make sense. I didn't know squat when I started my first DWC and look what I got stuck with. Stalk was so thick, I needed a tree lopper.

 

[CasperLungs]

^ dude thats awesome! i can only hope mine turns out half as successful!

 

[bendoslendo]

This is the recipe I use. I've done lucas but find this recipe more cost effective while producing excellent result. I skip the protekt because I use silica rock mixed with hydroton.

Its from the OG growfaq http://www.stonerforums.com/lounge/growfaq/92.html

 

[CasperLungs]

thanks bendoslendo! i will definitely check that out and give it some consideration after comparing the 2... Your link looks alot cleaner than other sites I've seen when it comes to explaining the lucas formula

forgot to metion, the temperatures in the particular room ussually fluctuate between 65-85... long story short, the room has a vent from the heating system to the house that leaks, but there is also a AC unit in the same room (stupid, I know, but thats just what I'm dealing with, once summer comes heating will be off) So the room never really has a constant temperature, its always rising and falling at this point. Also I've read that humidity can cause issues like bud rot, I have a dehumidifier in the room as well.

on a side note, during my search for a HPS i came across a post talking about a $20 150W HPS, yet the link is dead... has anybody heard of this? Is this still available, or should i still get the regular $150 lamp that is on the way. I'm going to be using CFLs for the first few weeks. I will post pictures of the cabinet tomorrow. Couch-locked

 

[FreezerBoy]

on a side note, during my search for a HPS i came across a post talking about a $20 150W HPS, yet the link is dead... has anybody heard of this? Is this still available, or should i still get the regular $150 lamp that is on the way.

Was that a lamp or a system? $20 is good for a 150 watt HPS lamp, $150 is a MAJOR rip off. $20 for a system is likely garbage requiring much modification, $150 for a system ain't bad depending on what it is.

... add .....
There was a time E-conolights sold a $40 unit but, that required some modification. I think $70 is the low entry now.

 

[GuerrillaRed]

Dude as someone who's felt your pain about the overwhelming confusion associated with entering hydroponics. Let me pass this on to you. I tried and failed multiple times trying to do hydro until I finally figured out a formula that works for me. I also use DWC.

Once you get it down, it couldn't be easier.

What I do

Stuff you'll need

A measuring shot glass

General Hydroponics Micro

General Hydroponics Bloom

Now what you do is fill your reservoir with water (I like to run mine through a Brita filter first) and then for every gallon of water you add 5ml of Micro and 10ml of Bloom in Veg. When you advance to Flower up your dosages per gallon to 8ml of Micro and 16ml of Bloom.

That's it, follow that formula and you'll have success.

You should also consider other nutes you can add like Superthrive, Hydroguard, and maybe some Root enzyme. However, that's all you need to be a success at this.

The main thing though is you need patience. I fucked up so many of my early grows because I didn't have the patience to let the plant do the work. Follow the formula, keep your grow space clean, and everything should work out. Remember marijuana is a weed, it's quite resilient, and will grow in even horrible conditions.

 

[flat5th]

Just a quick correction...

General Hydroponics BLOOM (not grow)

Sorry...don't want our friend casper to be confused by that.

I've used lucas for a while and love it. very simple and productive.

have fun!
Fifth.

 

[GuerrillaRed]

Hahaha I'm sorry my bad...

Obviously, I enjoyed the fruits of my hydro labor earlier this morning

 

[rollinmachine]

as hydro stated maxibloom is the best bet for a beginer in hydro DWC. also is both gh micro-bloom in 1 easy to use bag/container and a bag costs just a few pennies more then 1 bottle of bloom or micro of wich u need both. easy to use no mixing required besides shaking up a jug and adding ur desired amout of powder to best suit ur plant. either way u go the gh bloom/micro or just maxibloom they both are the same just 1 is dry and the others are liquid.

 

[bendoslendo]

Never mind that shot glass! Measuring syringes FTW! One tip though, cover outside of syringe with clear packing tape, grads typically wear off after a couple months if you don't.

http://www.discount-hydro.com/productdisp.php?pid=449&navid=14

 

[CasperLungs]

I love you guys already awesome tips guys!!!

 

[medi-useA]

I've never grown anything in my life

I suggest start with a tomato plant in a tub/pot...practice...will give you an idea of wh@ you're doing....both right and wrong!

muA

 

[CasperLungs]

So after calling about 7 different nurseries in the area, I found a shop not even 3miles away that carries all of GenHydro's products

Now, i got 2 more prolly rather dumb questions.

#1 Does the airpump run all day, or 3 times a day?
#2 using the method suggested above, how often should I flush out the rez and refill the nutes? Daily, Weekly, bi-weekly?

sorry for the n00bish questions

 

[Hydro-Soil]

So after calling about 7 different nurseries in the area, I found a shop not even 3miles away that carries all of GenHydro's products

Now, i got 2 more prolly rather dumb questions.

#1 Does the airpump run all day, or 3 times a day?
#2 using the method suggested above, how often should I flush out the rez and refill the nutes? Daily, Weekly, bi-weekly?

sorry for the n00bish questions

The questions could be answered with more reading but that's ok....

Run the airpump all day, every day. Almost can't get too much oxygen in the water.

Dumping the res depends on how you're maintaining it.

Just checking pH:
Dump the res when you've topped off with the same amount the res holds. If it takes a month to add 10 gallons of RO water to a 10 gallon res... change it in a month. If they're sucking mad water and you're adding that 10 gallons in a week, change it in a week.

Checking pH and tds/EC/ppm:
Set your pH at 5.2 and let it drift up to 6.1 before dropping it back down.
Add nutes every few days to keep the ppm between 1300 and 1400ppm @ .7 conversion. (850-950ppm @.5)
Always top off the res before checking pH and ppm/tds/EC. Add nutes to drop pH when you can.
Stay Safe!

Edit: Please be sure you keep your reservoir temps BELOW 69F. If not, you're going to need something to combat the root rot/slime.

 

[medi-useA]

I would strongly suggest th@ you use the biggest res available to you...a 20 L bucket needs topping up and maintenance daily by the time you get to flowering...an 80L tub, once a week if th@!....

If you get a 60-80 L tub, you can put 2 holes for netpots in it, but grow only one plant...use the other netpot hole to check and fill your res...
Make sure you have some way to measure ph...drops are cheap and usually widely available...a ph pen is my recommendation...as well as an ec pen...
Spare airstones are another staple to keep around...my first DWC was done with a simple $1 airstone...but the 4"-6" air disks are better.
If you can afford it, buy a second airpump for backup and a battery powered airpump for emergencies...{from aquarium store}

Keep the nute level 1/2"-1" from the bottom of the netpot until the roots appear...it can then be left to get lower....but I personally like to keep it as close to the bottom of the netpot as possible as I feel the roots benefit and don't get woody...

muA

 

[GuerrillaRed]

I like to use five gallon Igloo Coolers

You never have to fuck with the top as you can take water readings from the tap. Plus the tops are reinforced really well so you won't have a plant falling through the top in a retarded fashion.

Generally I'll change the res our when I flip from Veg to Flower and then again when I flush. I don't believe in over changing the res as it's a waste of nutes and money. Others believe different things. Figure out what works for you.

Also the more air you have in your DWC the better. I use 80-100 gallon capacity aquarium air pumps in 5 gallon buckets. Plants dig it

 

[medi-useA]

GuerrillaRed...I've thought of something like th@!..but I was looking @the 60-80 Ltr rectangular ones...not tap, I'll have to add th@...but the insulation factor and strength is interesting.

muA