Optimal Setup

[indicapimp]

I want to use a HomeBox XXL - Portable Grow Tent. What would the optimal setting be?

Thinking 2 3x3 flood trays with hand watered COCO in pots. Lighting not sure what would be enough or too much?

Thanks,,

 

[Lazyman]

Set the knob on it to 11. That's the best setting for anything with a knob.

Ok fine, real answer: What size is that tent? Use 600's for a 3X3. Why not put a reservoir under those trays and flood and drain? Works great, I've done it.

 

[mikecar312]

the homebox xxl fits an 4x8 tray or 2 4x4 trays. for this tent, they recommend 2-1000w or 3-600w or at the lowest amount 2-600w. other companies (i believe secret jardin) make tents specifically for a 3x6 tray or 2 3x3 trays which they recommend 2-600w. i'm personally running a sun hut xxl with 4 2x4 trays (4x8 footprint) with 3-600w. i agree with the poster above that ebb-n-flow is much easier than handwatering.

 

[indicapimp]

Lazyman, thanks always appreciate your input...Now about that knobby thingy. No 3x600 was what i was thinking.
What about the weight of the lights though inside the tent?
What size can and filter to use and type...Lighter weight options?

Should I split the ebb and Flows into two reservoir, thinking more a sea of green with two week staggers between runs? Downside to staggered plants in same tent is that older plants may overgrow younger???

Do I vent the hoods separate from the tent....
Did I mention Optimal

Thanks Mikcar312.... always like a Majority Rule

 

[indicapimp]

One Question About Ebb and Flow is when using Coco Pot's how much of the water is lost at each feeding??? Seems like it would be a lot?

 

[EvilTwin]

One Question About Ebb and Flow is when using Coco Pot's how much of the water is lost at each feeding??? Seems like it would be a lot?

I think you should get the "odd question of the day" award. Twice! lol

During flood the tray fills, during drain it runs back to the res. What's lost is what soaks into the coco and well there's eveporation too. So there's no more lost then any system and certainly less then run-to-waste.

Now on your system. I personally feel that top feeding is better in coco. It depends really on how high up the table floods on the pot. I know rockwool is a crappy E&F media because it builds up toxic salts and I wonder if coco doesn't do the same when I look at all the problems people have.

If you're hell bent on coco, really do your research, prep the coco properly and use a nute formula for coco.
That's all...
ET

 

[mikecar312]

No 3x600 was what i was thinking.
What about the weight of the lights though inside the tent?
What size can and filter to use and type...Lighter weight options?

the tent should support the weight of your hoods. i use super sun 2's which i consider fairly light but you might have some magnums or something.

in my 3x600 setup i use:
mountain air 8x30 > ss2 > ss2 > ss2 > vortex 8" 750cfm > out
the mountain air is rated for 4000w so it's over kill and costs about $400 retail.
i like the phresh filter too. i would get the 8x24 rated for 4000w-5000w and 750cfm and costs $200 thru ebay.

a lot of people here like canfilters but i really don't. they are pretty heavy and have an 18 month life expectancy. compared to my mountain air which has been running for 2+ years. both the phresh and mounatin air are considered lightweight.

 

[indicapimp]

I think you should get the "odd question of the day" award. Twice! lol

During flood the tray fills, during drain it runs back to the res. What's lost is what soaks into the coco and well there's eveporation too. So there's no more lost then any system and certainly less then run-to-waste.

Now on your system. I personally feel that top feeding is better in coco. It depends really on how high up the table floods on the pot. I know rockwool is a crappy E&F media because it builds up toxic salts and I wonder if coco doesn't do the same when I look at all the problems people have.

If you're hell bent on coco, really do your research, prep the coco properly and use a nute formula for coco.
That's all...
ET

Well it isn't that odd of a Question:
Flood the Trays when using

Lava Rock vs Coco doesn't equal the same amount of recovery.

I hand water now with 10 gallons each feeding and most is not sitting at the bottom of the trays. Evaporation and absorption is exactly why I asked. It seems to me that the reservoir would constantly need attention???

 

[EvilTwin]

Indicapimp,
Just teasing a bit...but I probably deserved to be mooned. lol When reading my own back posts, I can tell the difference...whether I was stoned or straight. Stoned then...straight now.

Regarding what you're talking about, I ran into a little website that deals with just what you're talking about. One point though...the nutrient solution that's retained isn't lost. It's referred to as the "hidden reservoir" so read this little blurb and there's actually a formula and method for determining how much is "lost".

http://www.angelfire.com/cantina/fourtwenty/articles/eftips.htm

See if that helps your understanding.

Cheers and seriously...no offense meant,
ET

 

[indicapimp]

Indicapimp,
Just teasing a bit...but I probably deserved to be mooned. lol When reading my own back posts, I can tell the difference...whether I was stoned or straight. Stoned then...straight now.

Regarding what you're talking about, I ran into a little website that deals with just what you're talking about. One point though...the nutrient solution that's retained isn't lost. It's referred to as the "hidden reservoir" so read this little blurb and there's actually a formula and method for determining how much is "lost".

http://www.angelfire.com/cantina/fourtwenty/articles/eftips.htm

See if that helps your understanding.

Cheers and seriously...no offense meant,

Thanks, great info

 

[transplant]

run to waste myth

run to waste myth

I think you should get the "odd question of the day" award. Twice! lol

During flood the tray fills, during drain it runs back to the res. What's lost is what soaks into the coco and well there's eveporation too. So there's no more lost then any system and certainly less then run-to-waste.

Now on your system. I personally feel that top feeding is better in coco. It depends really on how high up the table floods on the pot. I know rockwool is a crappy E&F media because it builds up toxic salts and I wonder if coco doesn't do the same when I look at all the problems people have.

If you're hell bent on coco, really do your research, prep the coco properly and use a nute formula for coco.
That's all...
ET

I have been a long time ebb and flow fan. Starting with hydroton, moving to rock wool blocks to rock wool croutons in pots. I have recently switched to coco drain to waste. I use less water with less problems and just as good growth. I had 3, 35 gallon resivors to fill balance daily. change weekly. no more!!! I will eventually use the same, most likely less than when ebb & flowing it. Considering the amount of water to change one is what I would now use 2 times a week, on a full garden, instead of changing & topping off water for 3 on a regular basis. If you are not changing your water & nutes every week then you are not getting max growth & should cut your time needed in water mantanace out by just going dtw. I have and will not look back! Just in getting rid of the ebb & flow I saved 35 gallons + it took about 20-30 gallons a week to top them each off.

 

[EvilTwin]

I have been a long time ebb and flow fan. Starting with hydroton, moving to rock wool blocks to rock wool croutons in pots. I have recently switched to coco drain to waste. I use less water with less problems and just as good growth. I had 3, 35 gallon resivors to fill balance daily. change weekly. no more!!! I will eventually use the same, most likely less than when ebb & flowing it. Considering the amount of water to change one is what I would now use 2 times a week, on a full garden, instead of changing & topping off water for 3 on a regular basis. If you are not changing your water & nutes every week then you are not getting max growth & should cut your time needed in water mantanace out by just going dtw. I have and will not look back! Just in getting rid of the ebb & flow I saved 35 gallons + it took about 20-30 gallons a week to top them each off.

I made that post with no personal experience with run-to waste. I thought I knew what I was talking about...but clearly not. I stand corrected.

I still maintain that rockwool and coco are poor E&F media judging by the numbers of problems that people have...but all my E&F has been done with hydroton which, for me has been an excellent media in E&F.
ET

 

[transplant]

No Problem! This is the place for info. Just wanted to put my own experiance into it. Others May decide to go dtw. maybe not. Me not ever again ebb & Flow! I will experiment with dtw rockwool possibly! If you want some info on my DTW I will be happy to post my findings! With e&f your plants eat the nutes with each flow in 3 days 50% of the nutes are gone, the ph is up & down, plus water has to be topped off. I mix up nutes in a 32 Gal trash can as needed now. I carried the biggest bags of hydroton up 3 flights of stairs to open them up to find they are like marbles, Poof Gone to every corner of the room! Plus my dogs think is is the worst dog food ever! LOL they have walked up to me & spit some out like to say "Don't ever Buy this again!" LOL

 

[transplant]

I want to use a HomeBox XXL - Portable Grow Tent. What would the optimal setting be?

Thinking 2 3x3 flood trays with hand watered COCO in pots. Lighting not sure what would be enough or too much?

Thanks,,

Use 2 600 watts, or 3, 400