First timer-hydroponics grow in cabinet

[PeregrineRefuge8281]

Good evening. I’ve had a short hiatus due to life. I’m trying this thing again. @Bdubs is walking me through and helping me along. Trying to go slow and not make the same mistakes as last time.

Popped this in the water on 25 Dec, popped on 29 Dec. I had to help remove the top cap but that’s it really. She started in Rapid Rooter plug and then I put that inside a 4” rockwool cube inside a 6” Net pot.

1.0 EC
5.8 Ph

NASC GH SSH

Is she too leggy? Lights are about 15” above. I fed her a very diluted blend of the 10 part Flora Series. Hydroguard, rapid start, Bloom Silica are all in this witch brew. I’m cautiously optimistic.

 

[PeregrineRefuge8281]

This AM. Roots hit water!

She’s looking better. I was advised to raise my light a bit due to the discoloration on the leaves starting from middle out. Raised it about 4” and will monitor for a few days.

 

[PeregrineRefuge8281]

She’s doing good. I’ve been pretty hands off due to travel but my wife was holding down the fort for me.

I noticed last night the leaves were a bit droopy. I raised the light a bit to account for her vertical growth. Looks to have helped some.

Res change is next week and bumping up the nutes.

 

[Bilber]

Thank you for posting Per....!

I've been looking into other grow styles....i.e. dwc rdwc aeropots organic .....

Still like peat/perlite, but there other methods that could work better in my areas......

You're doing awesome man......looks great....!

 

[PeregrineRefuge8281]

Thank you for posting Per....!

I've been looking into other grow styles....i.e. dwc rdwc aeropots organic .....

Still like peat/perlite, but there other methods that could work better in my areas......

You're doing awesome man......looks great....!

Thank you! I started off quite rough, but keeping at it.

I have determined a basement room to be the grow space. It’s a 9x12 air conditioned space. Thinking of grabbing a couple 4x4s to have multiple grows. Still determining how to best use the space.

Roots this morning:

 

[PeregrineRefuge8281]

Decided to do the res change early since she is growing so fast. Hit her with medium strength column from my feed chart.

I’m also using Bloom Silica at 2ml/gal and rapid start at 1ml/gal.

Ph 5.81
EC 1.5

 

[PeregrineRefuge8281]

Also got this gimmick (?). Mixed reviews.

 

[PeregrineRefuge8281]

Good morning. She appears happy, new growth, perking up.

Her PH spiked to 6.48 the day after the res change. Dropped it to 5.8 and she’s back to her perky self.

 

[PeregrineRefuge8281]

Grow baby, grow!

 

[PeregrineRefuge8281]

Advised to give her a trim. Added a wire tie to press against her stem.

I don’t know what this shit is but it has no smell. It shouldn’t be root rot. Been using hydroguard and did the process to a T. I hope it’s just nutrient buildup. I lowered the air bubbles some and will monitor.

 

[Charlie946]

How high is the water level? Looks overwatered. Keep in mind the humidity inside the bucket is 100% so the roots don't need to be fully submerged. Dwc gets easier as the plants age and you can drop the water level.

 

[PeregrineRefuge8281]

How high is the water level? Looks overwatered. Keep in mind the humidity inside the bucket is 100% so the roots don't need to be fully submerged. Dwc gets easier as the plants age and you can drop the water level.

It’s about 3” below the net cup. Initially it was about an inch below and it was too high. I lowered the water and turned the bubbles waaaay down.

I’m still playing with environment and trying to be more consistent. I also screwed up and over trimmed.

 

[ACSippi]

You have 2 critical problems. 1, light is going straight through your tote. Sand it and paint it black. 2, your PH is jacked.

Oh and #3, use one drop per gallon of your fungicide.

 

[PeregrineRefuge8281]

You have 2 critical problems. 1, light is going straight through your tote. Sand it and paint it black. 2, your PH is jacked.

Oh and #3, use one drop per gallon of your fungicide.

Thanks for your response.

Can you explain how light is penetrating my tote?

How do you know my ph is jacked? My ph rises after a few days and I reduce it accordingly.

My fungicide is hydroguard and it calls for 2ml/gallon.

 

[PeregrineRefuge8281]

I discovered numerous light leaks in this “SuperCloset” cabinet so decided to buy an ACI 3x3 to replace it.
Also got a 4x4 with the accouterments.

I’m going to try growing in soil as well.

She is getting a H2O2 treatment right now as I discovered potential root rot. I have some holes in the sides of my tote that need to be covered. I didn’t realize small holes in the side of the tote would allow enough light in to create algae. Apparently even barely perceptible light will create it. Lesson learned.

I already bought reflective bubble wrap material to wrap my totes in. My online grow mentor told me about it. Gonna get after it this morning.

 

[ACSippi]

Thanks for your response.

Can you explain how light is penetrating my tote?

How do you know my ph is jacked? My ph rises after a few days and I reduce it accordingly.

My fungicide is hydroguard and it calls for 2ml/gallon.

Look at the picture in post #62, top left. See the red glowing lid? Light is making it glow...right into your rez. Hydroguard ain't going to stop that.

I can just tell, I cant spline it. Reduce it more often for better results.

Oh okay, I thought you were using Southern AG > Hydroguard, my bad. But yeah, I don't even think Southern AG could combat light leaks like yours. I think your rez is okay, all black correct? No need to wrap it or whatever, it's good. You gotta sand and paint that lid man. Light leaks during flower is okay, light leaks in your rez = all the problems you're having with your roots. Clean up those rough edges and you'll be good to go!

 

[ACSippi]

Light doesn't have to be direct or even white to allow enough light into your rez. You want it as dark as possible in your rez.

 

[PeregrineRefuge8281]

Look at the picture in post #62, top left. See the red glowing lid? Light is making it glow...right into your rez. Hydroguard ain't going to stop that.

I can just tell, I cant spline it. Reduce it more often for better results.

Oh okay, I thought you were using Southern AG > Hydroguard, my bad. But yeah, I don't even think Southern AG could combat light leaks like yours. I think your rez is okay, all black correct? No need to wrap it or whatever, it's good. You gotta sand and paint that lid man. Light leaks during flower is okay, light leaks in your rez = all the problems you're having with your roots. Clean up those rough edges and you'll be good to go!

Light doesn't have to be direct or even white to allow enough light into your rez. You want it as dark as possible in your rez.

Thanks, I see what you mean. Post 62 was a picture of me lifting the lid to get a pic of the roots. Despite that, I still have to cover some exposed holes that may some light into the res.

 

[ACSippi]

I still have to cover some exposed holes that may some light into the res.

 

[PeregrineRefuge8281]

Don’t buy this cabinet from Super Closets.
Here’s a picture with my room lights off. The doors have a rubber seal that clearly doesn’t work. Lmao!