Pushing Limits #2- The Hydropoinc Medical Room
- Thread starter pushlimits
- Start date
VERY nice and clean set up. I'm impressed.
pushlimits
Member
Natagonnaworrie- Well, How should I go about answering..... Truth be told, I've thought about adding Co2 for a long time, and the biggest reason I didn't do it sooner is because I couldn't decide between Natural gas and propane generators, or compressed tanks. Here's a few reasons why I went with tanks:
The room is actually much smaller then it looks. It's L-9' W-7' H-7, so 9x7x7 is only 441 Cubic Feet!! The literature that came with the regulator I bought, listed cubic feet limit at 2000! (which is the cap reg-1 if curious) A friend of mine runs 2000w over a 4x8 table, in a room just a little smaller then mine, 9x6, and refills once every 6 weeks in flowering. Not to mention his room is poorly sealed and he uses a point set monitor, not fuzzy logic.
Secondly, I really like to keep the power consumption to an absolute minimal. So this means I try my absolute hardest to avoid using things that use a lot of watts- like an air conditioner. If I used a generator, any amount of BTU's produced would certainly disrupt my environment and I would most likely need air cooling. Smart guy like you is probably wondering; "you have a dehumidifier, why not just replace that with A/C?"..... But, That's a whole other conversation!
I actually do have a second tank. I plan on getting the dual regulator after I get some information with this run, but For now, it's just waiting to swap out the other one when it dies.
A good friend of mine is a welder (he offered me a 50# steel tank, but I declined) and has an account at a local supply house that will refill them, (not just exchange) for 15$.
Lastly, I bought Fuzzy logic. It works great. Kicks on for about 20 seconds then its off for about 10 minuets, depending. My buddies turns on for 5 minuets and is off for about 5 minuets, (it's a set point, made for gens) and a 20# tank lasts him all throughout a flowering cycle, which is 6 weeks, and that's all I plan on using it for too. Plus the guy at the hydro store said it cuts consumption by roughly a third.
Yes sir, the environmental controller CHHC-4. It's the new and improved version. Biggest difference being the green display lights, It used to be red!...big no, no. NICE piece of equipment, I'm very happy with it. Has every feature you could ever want.
Honestly, I can't be sure on all this, because this is my first time using it. Most of the time, Generators would be an ideal solution, but I wanted to see if I could Push the limits! (sorry for being so corny, I had to say it) I'll be sure to tell you how it goes.
Thanks for the Comment!
Fred B- Hey bud, good to see you around again, hows that cool little computer controller going? I don't know the CFM off hand, but it's at least 600. It's a beast, I love it. It'll suck the toupee off your head, and not even brake a sweat. It's HTG, good stuff.
Nothing is controlling the speed of the fan, it runs full blast when the temp hits 82, then it turns back off when the temp drops a few degrees.
Na, the I smell doesn't escape at all. Smell only leaks outside when I leave the door open or the fan turns on, but then again it's scrubbed by the filter first. I could see if a room wasn't sealed it would leak and smell, but I walked around for hours caulking and taping everything I could find.
A hardly-mentioned, and overlooked benefit of running a sealed room is NO SMELL. If there's a smell problem; seal the room and run Co2.
Mdk ktm- It's a nice system, very versatile; you can add, or subtract, move plants around, swap buckets ect. and so far it seems pretty productive. If you do get one, get the Multiflow or sentinel: and don't get the Cap. If flooding is a concern (it is with everyone) I've heard that the cap ebb and grows limit switches are a nightmare. Faulty electronics are the glass jaw of these systems. the only thing preventing the pump from filling the buckets too much is a 10$ float switch, that can malfunction very easily. Multiflow and sentenial have MUCH higher quality components.
Also note: In my humble opinion, I don't think ebb and gro is the end all, be all of hydroponic systems. I can see a lot of flaws technically as well as with manufacturing. I like the design and thought I'd give it a shot. Who knows, I may be sold for life; but it's gonna be a tough sell.
OK that was the longest reply I've ever made.
Thanks for the comments everyone! love the discussion- keep it coming.
The room is actually much smaller then it looks. It's L-9' W-7' H-7, so 9x7x7 is only 441 Cubic Feet!! The literature that came with the regulator I bought, listed cubic feet limit at 2000! (which is the cap reg-1 if curious) A friend of mine runs 2000w over a 4x8 table, in a room just a little smaller then mine, 9x6, and refills once every 6 weeks in flowering. Not to mention his room is poorly sealed and he uses a point set monitor, not fuzzy logic.
Secondly, I really like to keep the power consumption to an absolute minimal. So this means I try my absolute hardest to avoid using things that use a lot of watts- like an air conditioner. If I used a generator, any amount of BTU's produced would certainly disrupt my environment and I would most likely need air cooling. Smart guy like you is probably wondering; "you have a dehumidifier, why not just replace that with A/C?"..... But, That's a whole other conversation!
I actually do have a second tank. I plan on getting the dual regulator after I get some information with this run, but For now, it's just waiting to swap out the other one when it dies.
A good friend of mine is a welder (he offered me a 50# steel tank, but I declined) and has an account at a local supply house that will refill them, (not just exchange) for 15$.
Lastly, I bought Fuzzy logic. It works great. Kicks on for about 20 seconds then its off for about 10 minuets, depending. My buddies turns on for 5 minuets and is off for about 5 minuets, (it's a set point, made for gens) and a 20# tank lasts him all throughout a flowering cycle, which is 6 weeks, and that's all I plan on using it for too. Plus the guy at the hydro store said it cuts consumption by roughly a third.
Yes sir, the environmental controller CHHC-4. It's the new and improved version. Biggest difference being the green display lights, It used to be red!...big no, no. NICE piece of equipment, I'm very happy with it. Has every feature you could ever want.
Honestly, I can't be sure on all this, because this is my first time using it. Most of the time, Generators would be an ideal solution, but I wanted to see if I could Push the limits! (sorry for being so corny, I had to say it) I'll be sure to tell you how it goes.
Thanks for the Comment!Fred B- Hey bud, good to see you around again, hows that cool little computer controller going? I don't know the CFM off hand, but it's at least 600. It's a beast, I love it. It'll suck the toupee off your head, and not even brake a sweat. It's HTG, good stuff.
Nothing is controlling the speed of the fan, it runs full blast when the temp hits 82, then it turns back off when the temp drops a few degrees.
Na, the I smell doesn't escape at all. Smell only leaks outside when I leave the door open or the fan turns on, but then again it's scrubbed by the filter first. I could see if a room wasn't sealed it would leak and smell, but I walked around for hours caulking and taping everything I could find.
A hardly-mentioned, and overlooked benefit of running a sealed room is NO SMELL. If there's a smell problem; seal the room and run Co2.
Mdk ktm- It's a nice system, very versatile; you can add, or subtract, move plants around, swap buckets ect. and so far it seems pretty productive. If you do get one, get the Multiflow or sentinel: and don't get the Cap. If flooding is a concern (it is with everyone) I've heard that the cap ebb and grows limit switches are a nightmare. Faulty electronics are the glass jaw of these systems. the only thing preventing the pump from filling the buckets too much is a 10$ float switch, that can malfunction very easily. Multiflow and sentenial have MUCH higher quality components.
Also note: In my humble opinion, I don't think ebb and gro is the end all, be all of hydroponic systems. I can see a lot of flaws technically as well as with manufacturing. I like the design and thought I'd give it a shot. Who knows, I may be sold for life; but it's gonna be a tough sell.
OK that was the longest reply I've ever made.
Thanks for the comments everyone! love the discussion- keep it coming.
Greenstar420
Member
Really clean setup man! Well done! Looking forward to seeing those ladies in full bloom mode.
pushlimits
Member
Week2 day2
Week2 day2
Week 2, day 2
Looks as though I'm gonna have problems, honestly I've heard that this is a problem in these systems: The plants are toppling over from lack of stability at the root zone. I've seen people use tomato cages and such, but I don't like them much. If it comes down to it I'll use them.
Anyone have any ideas? : let me know.
Other then that, they look great: growing a light speed and, looks as if they're super charged! As you can see, one week made a giant difference. I'm convinced it's the co2.
PH: 5.8-6.0
PPM: 1000-1200 (.7 conversion)
Temp: day- 79-82
Humidity: 45-50%
Co2 PPM- 1000
Here's a picture of my latest side project, it's a mother bucket. It has:
Week2 day2
Week 2, day 2
Looks as though I'm gonna have problems, honestly I've heard that this is a problem in these systems: The plants are toppling over from lack of stability at the root zone. I've seen people use tomato cages and such, but I don't like them much. If it comes down to it I'll use them.
Anyone have any ideas? : let me know.
Other then that, they look great: growing a light speed and, looks as if they're super charged! As you can see, one week made a giant difference. I'm convinced it's the co2.
PH: 5.8-6.0
PPM: 1000-1200 (.7 conversion)
Temp: day- 79-82
Humidity: 45-50%
Co2 PPM- 1000
Here's a picture of my latest side project, it's a mother bucket. It has:
- Air pump
- 6" air stone
- 140gph submersible pump
- 10" net lid filled with hydroton
- clear water level indicator tube
B
Bob Smith
Very nice setup, bro.
With E&G buckets, a chiller isn't a necessity like it is when running straight RDWC (but you prolly already knew that).
I can tell you from experience, you're gonna get real tired real fast from taking CO2 tanks to get filled up (at least I did) - I'd definitely recommend a generator sooner rather than later - if heat is that much of a concern, you could do what I did and put in a watercooled CO2 generator.
You'll also find that (when running CO2), it's MUCH cheaper and more efficient to use AC rather than to suck out the CO2 and replenish each time (especially if and when you decide to go the generator route).
Anyhow, grow looks great so far, keep up the good work.
With E&G buckets, a chiller isn't a necessity like it is when running straight RDWC (but you prolly already knew that).
I can tell you from experience, you're gonna get real tired real fast from taking CO2 tanks to get filled up (at least I did) - I'd definitely recommend a generator sooner rather than later - if heat is that much of a concern, you could do what I did and put in a watercooled CO2 generator.
You'll also find that (when running CO2), it's MUCH cheaper and more efficient to use AC rather than to suck out the CO2 and replenish each time (especially if and when you decide to go the generator route).
Anyhow, grow looks great so far, keep up the good work.
pushlimits
Member
I totally agree with you Bob Smith. But,Still, I'd rather not use A/C unless absolutely necessary. I looked at the water cooled Gens, very cool.
I might get a generator after I see how this run with the tanks goes. It's just that tanks are so much cleaner, not just the gas it omits, but it's looks as well!
The only problem with running high temps in a nutrient solution is the lack of Dissolved Oxygen. a 68 degree solution holds a DO of 8.0 ppm, while an 82 degree solution can only hold 6.0 ppm, if you're lucky. Low DO leads to anaerobic (bad) Bacteria/ pythium/ damping off ect. So to help with DO levels I decided to add a oxygen diffuser (not an air stone) with micro bubbles. Therefore temps can get slightly higher with no ill effects on oxygen in my solution. ( I'm also looking into those eductor nozzles.)
Your right, Ebb and flow doesn't sit in the bath for very long so DO can be a little less, opposed to RDWC/DWC roots sit drenched in bath, therfore much more oxygen is needed to prevent problems. What worries me is the inch of solution that sits on the bottom of each bucket... it's stagnant.
Thanks for the comment Bob.
Anyone have any ideas about holding the plants up? The roots don't look like they'll do the job.
I might get a generator after I see how this run with the tanks goes. It's just that tanks are so much cleaner, not just the gas it omits, but it's looks as well!
The only problem with running high temps in a nutrient solution is the lack of Dissolved Oxygen. a 68 degree solution holds a DO of 8.0 ppm, while an 82 degree solution can only hold 6.0 ppm, if you're lucky. Low DO leads to anaerobic (bad) Bacteria/ pythium/ damping off ect. So to help with DO levels I decided to add a oxygen diffuser (not an air stone) with micro bubbles. Therefore temps can get slightly higher with no ill effects on oxygen in my solution. ( I'm also looking into those eductor nozzles.)
Your right, Ebb and flow doesn't sit in the bath for very long so DO can be a little less, opposed to RDWC/DWC roots sit drenched in bath, therfore much more oxygen is needed to prevent problems. What worries me is the inch of solution that sits on the bottom of each bucket... it's stagnant.
Thanks for the comment Bob.
Anyone have any ideas about holding the plants up? The roots don't look like they'll do the job.
B
Bob Smith
I'd give the roots some time to form, they'll surprise you with what they can do
As far as AC, you hit the nail on the head - you're gonna need a mini-split, aka ductless.
They make DIY models these days that come pre-charged so (in theory) you don't need to have an HVAC guy come and vacuum the lines (that's all above my level of handiness).
I went with a dual hose AC, which unfortunately was my only option (for security reasons, can't have a mini-split installed) - if you wanted, a window AC doesn't exhaust room air, but if you don't have a window in your grow room, you'd have to build a plenum around the outside of it and exhaust that heat out of the growroom.
And that inch of solution shouldn't be too much of an issue as long as you're flooding relatively frequently (at least every two hours).
As far as AC, you hit the nail on the head - you're gonna need a mini-split, aka ductless.
They make DIY models these days that come pre-charged so (in theory) you don't need to have an HVAC guy come and vacuum the lines (that's all above my level of handiness).
I went with a dual hose AC, which unfortunately was my only option (for security reasons, can't have a mini-split installed) - if you wanted, a window AC doesn't exhaust room air, but if you don't have a window in your grow room, you'd have to build a plenum around the outside of it and exhaust that heat out of the growroom.
And that inch of solution shouldn't be too much of an issue as long as you're flooding relatively frequently (at least every two hours).
tonsoffuns419
Member
great grow *subscribed* cant wait to see how things turn out. love the room and keep up the good work!
C
Cheeb
So clean. Liking it as always Push.
I used to run ebb buckets and I would just trellis the entire block if I were you. You wont need to be removing the plants would you?
I did however run tomato cages on ebb buckets very successfully. I simply snipped the legs off of each cage up to its bottom rung. That rung matched up perfectly with the top diameter of the bucket...so I just drilled a few holes and zip-tied it there. I was able to remove each plant and its own cage.
Your pots look like they may be packed to tight however to employ this so it may be better and easier to just trellis the entire rectangle.
- -
Easiest would be to go wall to wall with the trellis, but I know you like to push limits so hear this. Fella I know makes his rectangle trellis frames out of PVC or 2x2 lumber, nets it, and hangs it from the ceiling. Just an eye hook in each corner and maybe one in the middle perimeter.
A few eye hooks into the top of your trellis frame allows you to raise and lower your trellis from grow to grow/ strain to strain, etc depending on what you've got going on. It was pretty slick..and very simple.
Just a thought.
Keep it clean...but you've already got that handled.
A true demonstration on how every medical room should look. Nice work!
I used to run ebb buckets and I would just trellis the entire block if I were you. You wont need to be removing the plants would you?
I did however run tomato cages on ebb buckets very successfully. I simply snipped the legs off of each cage up to its bottom rung. That rung matched up perfectly with the top diameter of the bucket...so I just drilled a few holes and zip-tied it there. I was able to remove each plant and its own cage.
Your pots look like they may be packed to tight however to employ this so it may be better and easier to just trellis the entire rectangle.
- -
Easiest would be to go wall to wall with the trellis, but I know you like to push limits so hear this. Fella I know makes his rectangle trellis frames out of PVC or 2x2 lumber, nets it, and hangs it from the ceiling. Just an eye hook in each corner and maybe one in the middle perimeter.
A few eye hooks into the top of your trellis frame allows you to raise and lower your trellis from grow to grow/ strain to strain, etc depending on what you've got going on. It was pretty slick..and very simple.
Just a thought.
Keep it clean...but you've already got that handled.
A true demonstration on how every medical room should look. Nice work!
fred b
Member
hey pushlimits!
really looking amazingly healthy and vivid so far!
I had the same problem with plants falling over when I grew with hydroton back in the days. first I used bamboo sticks next to the plants, this works alright, but it depends on how much hydroton(how deep) you have in your buckets. or else the sticks won't have hold.
later I settled with a suspension net with about 6inches mesh width like I am using now here:
I would put it around the height of the tops of the plants.
you would have to staple it to the walls or use some sorta stakes in the corners to hold it at the certain height.
or do as Cheeb suggests and build a frame with the net and hang it from the ceiling
best of luck to you!
greets
fred b
really looking amazingly healthy and vivid so far!
I had the same problem with plants falling over when I grew with hydroton back in the days. first I used bamboo sticks next to the plants, this works alright, but it depends on how much hydroton(how deep) you have in your buckets. or else the sticks won't have hold.
later I settled with a suspension net with about 6inches mesh width like I am using now here:
I would put it around the height of the tops of the plants.
you would have to staple it to the walls or use some sorta stakes in the corners to hold it at the certain height.
or do as Cheeb suggests and build a frame with the net and hang it from the ceiling
best of luck to you!
greets
fred b
Last edited:
pushlimits
Member
That's some stellar input cheeb, way to go. I love the ideas, very cool. Know what Cheeb, you never cease to amaze me!
Thanks Fred B- I might just have to resort to stakes for now. I love your suspension net, very cool buddy!
I'm gonna need to put on my thinking cap now that you guys gave me such good ideas.
Thanks Fred B- I might just have to resort to stakes for now. I love your suspension net, very cool buddy!
I'm gonna need to put on my thinking cap now that you guys gave me such good ideas.
Stellar looking once again my friend. U really do push the limit! 
Another buddy of J.C.'s on here is running the lemon skunk, looking forward to see what those gals do for you man.
Another buddy of J.C.'s on here is running the lemon skunk, looking forward to see what those gals do for you man.
pushlimits
Member
Week 3 day 1
Week 3 day 1
First day of week 3 and the plants look great. I fixed the leaning problem by shoving 1/4 inch dowel rods into each container and tying them to the stems with twist ties. Fancy, I know: But, very effective. I would have loved to do something like what Cheeb and Fred B suggested, but I'm pressed for time at the moment.
The plants are drinking about 5 gallons per day. I top off the rez daily and purge weekly.
PH: 5.8-6.2
PPM: 1200-1400 (.7 conversion)
Temp: day- 79-82
Humidity: 45-55%
Co2 PPM- 1200
Week 3 day 1
First day of week 3 and the plants look great. I fixed the leaning problem by shoving 1/4 inch dowel rods into each container and tying them to the stems with twist ties. Fancy, I know: But, very effective. I would have loved to do something like what Cheeb and Fred B suggested, but I'm pressed for time at the moment.
The plants are drinking about 5 gallons per day. I top off the rez daily and purge weekly.
PH: 5.8-6.2
PPM: 1200-1400 (.7 conversion)
Temp: day- 79-82
Humidity: 45-55%
Co2 PPM- 1200
pezmasterelite
Member
Wow dude, your setup is super pro. Makes me want to go re-arrange my growroom for efficiency. Major props on the plants they look amazing. Lemon Skunk is delicious DNA rocks.
Peace
Peace
mdk ktm
Member
Have you ever had a lemon skunk pheno that was less sativa? I find the plants that are more sativa yield less but for the most part have a better smell. Some of my phenos range from oranges to banana and pineapple smell. I really dig the banana smell. The phenotypes with more indica are heavy yielders with stronger branches. I have ran about 15 different female phenotypes of lemon skunk so far and I like it.
Do you get a specific smell from your plants?
thanks for sharing, I cant wait to see those girls the next few weeks.
Do you get a specific smell from your plants?
thanks for sharing, I cant wait to see those girls the next few weeks.
B
Bob Smith
Looking good bro.
pushlimits
Member
Yeah, there was quite a few phenos. I got a pack of ten seeds, 3 were male, and out of the 7 females: there was 5 phenos. (from what I could tell) I'm no expert, but that much variation in a strain requires more interbreeding to become stable. At least that's what I hear: I've never done any breeding myself.
Out of the 5 phenos; two were no good, (they grew poorly) two were more sativa leaning, and one was slightly more indica leaning. One of the sativa leaning phenos had a very strange smell: it wasn't gross, but it wasn't pleasant either.
so now I had to choose between the one sativa leaner (the current one) and the indica leaner. I kept them both for a while, but everyone liked the "lemon grenade" and asked for it specifically, so that's what I grow today. The indica one had a musty, nutty smell and the sativa one appropriately smells just like lemons. If you took lemon sented soap, and weed then ground them together, it would smell just like this weed.
Out of the 5 phenos; two were no good, (they grew poorly) two were more sativa leaning, and one was slightly more indica leaning. One of the sativa leaning phenos had a very strange smell: it wasn't gross, but it wasn't pleasant either.
so now I had to choose between the one sativa leaner (the current one) and the indica leaner. I kept them both for a while, but everyone liked the "lemon grenade" and asked for it specifically, so that's what I grow today. The indica one had a musty, nutty smell and the sativa one appropriately smells just like lemons. If you took lemon sented soap, and weed then ground them together, it would smell just like this weed.
Looks like a pretty nice place to take a swim man! So uniform and healthy looking, nice update.
