250w First time EVER grower - Blue Dream, Tahoe OG, Master Kush

[KPizzle]

As the title says, this is my first grow and not a very good one at that. I jumped into this without fully doing research and ended up doing it in my closet by turning one side of it into it's own grow compartment with black plastic bags.

Here's some quick notes:

• I'm using a 250watt Sun System MH/HPS switchable lamp, with a bathroom exhaust running through the attic to an opening on the roof of our house
• They're about a month old (I think the bigger ones are a month and a half)
• I've been feeding them with General Hydroponics Flora A and B, and I use the GH color based pH tester to check the levels and will be using GH Flora Kool Bloom when I start budding them
• I use a small portable fan for air movement
• I'm a legalized patient in the state of California, and am well under the legal limit. This will be for personal medical use only.

I know most of you are pro growers (or just really dedicated). I'm short on cash right now so I couldn't put together a proper build, so I ended up half-assing it with a lot of things like the bathroom vent. I still have no idea what I'm going to do for the odor once I start budding them, and no idea what I'm going to do for the temp once that time comes around. I can't really afford a proper inline fan like a vortex or anything, so I'm a little worried right now. I'm going to do a quick 3-5 post update right now with all my pics (using different replies as a way to categorize them if that's okay).

More info can be provided. I think I've got everything down but let me know if you guys want to know anything else.

 

[KPizzle]

3-30-11

This is the first day I got them and transplanted them. I did it right the first time by watering them with tap water (didn't give them any nutes).

 

[KPizzle]

4-5-11

About 5 days later this is how they are looking. I made the mistake of using distilled water this time thinking it would be better for the plants. I did feed them this time too but I think the blend was too strong. I used 1 tspn of GH Flora A and 2 tspns of GH Flora B.

 

[KPizzle]

4-13-11

This is just after I finished cutting them down in hopes of getting even growth eventually. I also think I got the nute blend correct this time (and I used tap water instead of distilled). I used 1tspn of both A and B. I think my pH has been around 5.4-5.9 so far through-out all this. I can't really tell with a color-based tester.

 

[KPizzle]

4-17-11

Just took these today for the heck of it. Here's how they're looking.

 

[karmaceutical]

KPizzle-looks like your off to a decent start. A little more info on the dimensions of your grow space would be nice so we can suggest affordable fans that have the ability to pull through a filter. Stanley Blowers will probably be the cheapest option. I've got a S&P 100x that cools my 250 watt PLL setup easily that is cheaper and quiter than the vortex fans.

Also, from your pics it looks like your using soil. If so, it is better to pH your nutes 6.1-6.5, but it doesn't really look like you have any deficiencies goin on.

Anyways, maybe more experienced members will chime in...

 

[KPizzle]

KPizzle-looks like your off to a decent start. A little more info on the dimensions of your grow space would be nice so we can suggest affordable fans that have the ability to pull through a filter. Stanley Blowers will probably be the cheapest option. I've got a S&P 100x that cools my 250 watt PLL setup easily that is cheaper and quiter than the vortex fans.

Also, from your pics it looks like your using soil. If so, it is better to pH your nutes 6.1-6.5, but it doesn't really look like you have any deficiencies goin on.

Anyways, maybe more experienced members will chime in...

Hey, thanks for your reply.

The room is roughly 4 feet wide, 6 feet tall, and 2 1/2 feet deep.

 

[KPizzle]

This is before we cut them down a little more a couple days ago. We also started the flowering cycle and they're now under the 250 watt HPS and on a 12/12 schedule.

 

[70's rock]

Looking good! Make sure that the plants are about the same height. If not, tie the taller ones down. A 250w does not penetrate that far.

Reading your last post i see that you've allready cut them a bit, good. I'm sure they'll be fine, good luck.

 

[KPizzle]

Looking good! Make sure that the plants are about the same height. If not, tie the taller ones down. A 250w does not penetrate that far.

Reading your last post i see that you've allready cut them a bit, good. I'm sure they'll be fine, good luck.

Thanks for the tip. I'm actually going to tie them down now that you've mentioned that the 250w might not get through all the way.

I'll put up another pic tonight once my Camera battery is finished charging.

 

[elemtee]

looking healthy! thats all i ever ask for

250 reppin.

 

[Marathanman]

Good luck

 

[KPizzle]

Some more pics from today.

Started the 12/12 HPS cycle a few days ago.

Also, here's some nug porn for you guys. Took some pics of the new strains I picked up from the dispensary:
Allen Wrench =>
Lavender =>
White Widow =>
Green Crack =>

 

[huntingbb]

Some more pics from today.

Started the 12/12 HPS cycle a few days ago.

Also, here's some nug porn for you guys. Took some pics of the new strains I picked up from the dispensary:
Allen Wrench =>
Lavender =>
White Widow =>
Green Crack =>

SWEEEET!!

Hey man, for sure check out verdant green's grows, he uses a 250 like yours, and definitely pimps it to the full potential. Anyway, this is my first read of your thread, seems like you got a good start on. Took your time to veg a bit, color is nice, good!

Did wish to give one bit of feedback though:

Since your going with the 250w, yes you should lst the girls - that light can come within a couple inches if you've an air cooled hood and decent air flow. I will say that the branch structure is a bit more robust in the presence of moving air - it shakes em up a bit and they have to beef up to deal with it..

Anyway, the thing I think might be a super easy meld:

get either some cfl's or t-5's or pl-l's for the sides/corners.

The issue is penetration. As I understand it the breakdown is something like:

1000w has about 4' of penetration into the canopy (from the bulb)
600w has roughly 3' "" "" ""
400w has roughly 14-18" "" "" ""
250w has roughly 6-10" "" "" ""

Next, the light radiates out in all directions (guided by your reflector of course) but the 'optimal' areas would radiate around that light at a constant distance, making the canopy look like a giant beach ball had sat on it.

So the big game is to keep the canopy 'even' or even better the underside of a sphere underneath it.

Finally, its really all about having fun and breaking dependance upon the shop or street. So DO have fun! DO grow em in varying containers, shapes, styles, etc!

FYI - those $20-30 dollar reciprocating fans at Home Depot or Lowes or Wally world or wherever - work wonders.

As to the smell; you have about a week and a half to do this.

Looks like you have some black poly - lets grab a link:

A Library of Links
Links to Scrog Grows
ICMAG'S OFFICIAL ~DIY~ LINK-O-RAMA

OK, from that last link, I recommend to investigate:

• $60.00 4x4x6.5 Flowering Chamber [Tent] (OHenry)

It can be adapted to just about any size, I did 4.x' by 8' by 8' ☺

You can pick a 4'x2'x5' tent up for 100 delivered on amazon...

Those are nice because ducting is all worked out... Anyway... Ducting can be had for cheap - $25 for 25' of insulated ducting made for HVAC applications (hot and moist :O )

• Stanley Blower Fan Mod [250cfm+ for under $50] (The Dopest)
  

• DIY Vent Fan Muffler (treehuggers)

that tent will take your 250w, and you can run up to 600w in it - most people wont go past 400 though.

Finally, my advise is to not make a DIY carbon filter - just go spend the 100-200 and get a filter which will match the fan you'd be using. I personally feel better about a vortex in a fanbox with a muffler on top of a purchased carbon filter - so maybe I had to spend a bit, sure, but i do NOT have to worry about smell - ever!


Finally, I'm still a pretty new grower, so feel free to ignore everything i've said!

 

[KPizzle]

SWEEEET!!

Hey man, for sure check out verdant green's grows, he uses a 250 like yours, and definitely pimps it to the full potential. Anyway, this is my first read of your thread, seems like you got a good start on. Took your time to veg a bit, color is nice, good!

Did wish to give one bit of feedback though:

Since your going with the 250w, yes you should lst the girls - that light can come within a couple inches if you've an air cooled hood and decent air flow. I will say that the branch structure is a bit more robust in the presence of moving air - it shakes em up a bit and they have to beef up to deal with it..

Anyway, the thing I think might be a super easy meld:

get either some cfl's or t-5's or pl-l's for the sides/corners.

The issue is penetration. As I understand it the breakdown is something like:

1000w has about 4' of penetration into the canopy (from the bulb)
600w has roughly 3' "" "" ""
400w has roughly 14-18" "" "" ""
250w has roughly 6-10" "" "" ""

Next, the light radiates out in all directions (guided by your reflector of course) but the 'optimal' areas would radiate around that light at a constant distance, making the canopy look like a giant beach ball had sat on it.

So the big game is to keep the canopy 'even' or even better the underside of a sphere underneath it.

Finally, its really all about having fun and breaking dependance upon the shop or street. So DO have fun! DO grow em in varying containers, shapes, styles, etc!

FYI - those $20-30 dollar reciprocating fans at Home Depot or Lowes or Wally world or wherever - work wonders.

As to the smell; you have about a week and a half to do this.

Looks like you have some black poly - lets grab a link:

A Library of Links
Links to Scrog Grows
ICMAG'S OFFICIAL ~DIY~ LINK-O-RAMA

OK, from that last link, I recommend to investigate:

• $60.00 4x4x6.5 Flowering Chamber [Tent] (OHenry)

It can be adapted to just about any size, I did 4.x' by 8' by 8' ☺

You can pick a 4'x2'x5' tent up for 100 delivered on amazon...

Those are nice because ducting is all worked out... Anyway... Ducting can be had for cheap - $25 for 25' of insulated ducting made for HVAC applications (hot and moist :O )

• Stanley Blower Fan Mod [250cfm+ for under $50] (The Dopest)
  

• DIY Vent Fan Muffler (treehuggers)

that tent will take your 250w, and you can run up to 600w in it - most people wont go past 400 though.

Finally, my advise is to not make a DIY carbon filter - just go spend the 100-200 and get a filter which will match the fan you'd be using. I personally feel better about a vortex in a fanbox with a muffler on top of a purchased carbon filter - so maybe I had to spend a bit, sure, but i do NOT have to worry about smell - ever!


Finally, I'm still a pretty new grower, so feel free to ignore everything i've said!

Hey,

Thanks for all the input, I definitely took into account everything you said. I do have a extra T5 that I'm not using, so I'm going to toss it in the side like you said to give it some better penetration.

As for the fan, I've been looking at the Vortex 4" and I might end up ordering one today or tomorrow. How much did it cost to set-up you smell-control system if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks again!

I was also seeing thread on the benefits of using molasses, and I was wondering if someone could tell me why and what it does to the actual flowering. Thanks.

 

[huntingbb]

Heh, that one's above my head, but as i understand it (badly), the molasses gives it easy to process energy, and is supposed to impart some sweetness back into the girl.
tinyurl. com/3qn7aqr
$150 for my vortex

tinyurl. com/3zod3r2
$150-200 for my filter.

My setup is designed for higher light wattage, and higher CFM than yours, but I think that 4" vortex combined with a ~80-$100 lower cfm filter would do you well.

 

[KPizzle]

Update. We put a wire mesh over it and added a T12 on the bottom to get light towards the lower branches. We also trimmed down some of the larger fan leaves.

 

[huntingbb]

bingo!!

Now go get one of those thermometers, and put at the canopy level of the girls. should measure 'inside' + 'outside' temps + rh. then you can start lowering that light....

 

[70's rock]

Good moves! I think the t12 will improve things considerably.

But; i would have it just above the screen and trim every leaf under it. Stale air is not your friend.

The plants look like you treat them well, keep it up!

 

[KUSHEATER1]

that will help but why not up your watts better spread and deeper light penetration.A 250 will only do so much but looking great your doing it