One_bell's first grow (F1 Epsilon auto, RDWC)

[One_Bell]

Hi!

Thank you for having me and taking the time to visit my grow diary of my first grow ever! I just joined this forum today after planting my first 5 seeds yesterday. I had to wait years before I now finally have the opportunity to grow myself. Last 12 months I did a lot of reading regarding this subject, and gathered all the materials I needed. Where I live, growing is illegal and it was quit the task to get a hold of all equipment needed. But here we are now, starting at last.

I am looking forward to discuss my grow, hopefully receive some good pointers along the way so I can learn how to grow properly.

For this first grow I went with a 1x1 growtent, and I will use a two pot RDWC setup from Growrilla, combined with a 480W led.

When I setup the tent I put the inline fan in the wrong position. At trial I noticed that there was a positive pressure in the tent, instead of negative one. I took out the inline fan, carbon filter and hosing and ductaped everything together to get a tight air seal.

The inline fan now suck in air through the filter and exhausts it out of the tent, causing negative pressure in the tent.

Just planted my first 5 seeds yesterday in a propagator tray using RQS soil plugs (rapid rooter idea). I used RO water (ph7.0) added some Great White and some PH down, to come down to a mix of 6.02PH. The first time trying to PH down the mix, I added 0,5ml to one liter and it went from 7.0ish to 3.0, quite strong stuff it seems.

I check in every 3-4 hours to spray them and keep them moist with the RO+Great White solution, no nutrients.
Also I finally completed the first 24 hours with the new AC Infinity AI+ controller, so I can now make manual changes after the 24h of calibration.
For this stage I switched back from VPD mode to temp and humidity mode, 77F/25C and 65-70% humidity.

A fun first day and already learned a lot :) Any suggestions are welcome!

 

[Gmix]

lol if I had a penny for every inline fan I put in the wrong way round I’d have at least 5 pence

I’m in the uk witch is not legal either least we have hydro shops where we can legally buy all the stuff.
That said I do have to source my food from Spain & USA as I use guano & the only guano I can find in the uk is 1.10.1 witch is rubbish
My old friend had a dwc set up but he couldn’t grow to save his life. He worked in a hydro store & would try everything never mastering one lol

Hopefully you’ll show us some good results
Good luck with the growing bud

 

[the rrock]

Hi Bell Welcome,the key to growing success is patience.These plants pretty much grow themselves. Are you in America?

 

[BearWater]

Hi!

Thank you for having me and taking the time to visit my grow diary of my first grow ever! I just joined this forum today after planting my first 5 seeds yesterday. I had to wait years before I now finally have the opportunity to grow myself. Last 12 months I did a lot of reading regarding this subject, and gathered all the materials I needed. Where I live, growing is illegal and it was quit the task to get a hold of all equipment needed. But here we are now, starting at last.

I am looking forward to discuss my grow, hopefully receive some good pointers along the way so I can learn how to grow properly.

For this first grow I went with a 1x1 growtent, and I will use a two pot RDWC setup from Growrilla, combined with a 480W led.

When I setup the tent I put the inline fan in the wrong position. At trial I noticed that there was a positive pressure in the tent, instead of negative one. I took out the inline fan, carbon filter and hosing and ductaped everything together to get a tight air seal.

The inline fan now suck in air through the filter and exhausts it out of the tent, causing negative pressure in the tent.

Just planted my first 5 seeds yesterday in a propagator tray using RQS soil plugs (rapid rooter idea). I used RO water (ph7.0) added some Great White and some PH down, to come down to a mix of 6.02PH. The first time trying to PH down the mix, I added 0,5ml to one liter and it went from 7.0ish to 3.0, quite strong stuff it seems.

I check in every 3-4 hours to spray them and keep them moist with the RO+Great White solution, no nutrients.
Also I finally completed the first 24 hours with the new AC Infinity AI+ controller, so I can now make manual changes after the 24h of calibration.
For this stage I switched back from VPD mode to temp and humidity mode, 77F/25C and 65-70% humidity.

A fun first day and already learned a lot :) Any suggestions are welcome!

Welcome to the Farm! Glad you’re enjoying it this far! It’s so fun, and rewarding! Not sure your budget… this is a cheep upgrade though : ) i noticed you used “duct tape” on your filter to fan. Check out AC infinity’s website, they have these duct boots that are awesome for fitment if your alignment isn’t perfect. And they cut down on noise!
Awesome set up!

 

[One_Bell]

@Gmix: lol. I noticed when ordering products that the UK has a large number of hydroponic shops. Unfortunately not interesting for me price wize with the import duties and added tax.

@the rrock: nope

@BearWater: Thanks for welcoming me, and an excellent tip regarding the noise clamp. It is not visible in the previous picture but it is under the tape. I also have a second/spare one I did not use:

This second day I don't really have an update to share. Everything is working as far as I can tell, and I think I just need to be patient. Every 3-4 hours I spray the soil plugs again, keep the humidity dome on it (I also spray the inside of the dome) and keep the humidifier in the tent running.

How it looks on day two:

Hopefully they will germinate, fingers crossed.

 

[BearWater]

@Gmix: lol. I noticed when ordering products that the UK has a large number of hydroponic shops. Unfortunately not interesting for me price wize with the import duties and added tax.

@the rrock: nope

@BearWater: Thanks for welcoming me, and an excellent tip regarding the noise clamp. It is not visible in the previous picture but it is under the tape. I also have a second/spare one I did not use:

This second day I don't really have an update to share. Everything is working as far as I can tell, and I think I just need to be patient. Every 3-4 hours I spray the soil plugs again, keep the humidity dome on it (I also spray the inside of the dome) and keep the humidifier in the tent running.

How it looks on day two:

Hopefully they will germinate, fingers crossed.

Yeah those little things rock! I used mine more because my alignment was off by about a half of inch and just enough to make the filter not fit around the fan directly. So this piece came in handy for an easy remedy : )

 

[longbottom]

This is amazing ! I'm considering my first attempt with an auto and Epsilon F1 (RQS) is on the top of my list ! They mention its a low odor strain and I'm only growing low odor.. I'm very curious to hear what you have to say about the odor late flower...

I'll be watching over your shoulder if you don't mind.. Good luck !

 

[One_Bell]

This is amazing ! I'm considering my first attempt with an auto and Epsilon F1 (RQS) is on the top of my list ! They mention its a low odor strain and I'm only growing low odor.. I'm very curious to hear what you have to say about the odor late flower...

I'll be watching over your shoulder if you don't mind.. Good luck !

Funny, the low odor is also the reason I went with the Epsilon (and the fast seed to harvest time). From other people I found that some do smell it during (late) flower, so I hope it is not too bad. After purchasing the seeds I also noticed on growdiary that a lot of people need a lot more time then the promised weeks (60 days after sprouting according to RQS). I hope by providing the right growing conditions mine will be more towards the 60 days then 12 weeks I saw on GD.

 

[longbottom]

Funny, the low odor is also the reason I went with the Epsilon (and the fast seed to harvest time). From other people I found that some do smell it during (late) flower, so I hope it is not too bad. After purchasing the seeds I also noticed on growdiary that a lot of people need a lot more time then the promised weeks (60 days after sprouting according to RQS). I hope by providing the right growing conditions mine will be more towards the 60 days then 12 weeks I saw on GD.

Your off to a great start ! I've grown some of the best known low odor strains, Northern Lights and Durban Poison. Both are very low odor, almost no smell at all until the last 3 weeks of flower... They are FAR from odorless, but much less stinky than most. Hoping to hear your Odor Report as you enter mid to late flower...

Yes ! I've found watching trichomes is better than listening to breeder "flower recommendation times" Here is the thing about that, Many breeders start the flower countdown after flip to 12/12. Others start the countdown after pre flowering ends (2-3 weeks).... Its hard to know which one they use..

Example, Nirvana Northern Lights breeder says 7-9 weeks.... I've grown it four times now and it's been around 65-70 days in flower= 9-10 weeks.. I say expect to add 2 weeks, but it varies.

 

[One_Bell]

@longbottom : yeah it seems like not al breeders count the same way. Nevertheless, I finally have an update on day 3 :)

The first seed has sprouted (and the one on the bottem left will be next to pop up), yeah!!

Should I keep the humidity dome on to they all have sprouted?Should I keep spraying them like before or would it be better to syringe 1,5-2ml to the seedlings that have popped out above the soil plugs?

Currenly the lights have been on 24 hours with around 110ppfd on the top of the humidity dome. When most of the seeds have popped out, should I increase the lighting a bit?

And ofcourse, happy new year to all you farmers!

 

[longbottom]

@longbottom : yeah it seems like not al breeders count the same way. Nevertheless, I finally have an update on day 3 :)

The first seed has sprouted (and the one on the bottem left will be next to pop up), yeah!!

Should I keep the humidity dome on to they all have sprouted?Should I keep spraying them like before or would it be better to syringe 1,5-2ml to the seedlings that have popped out above the soil plugs?

Mixed reviews from many on humidity domes, but if your RH is lower than 55 or so, I would use a dome for a week or so to keep humidity up. Its winter where I live and the RH is really low, I would use a dome for a little while..

Currenly the lights have been on 24 hours with around 110ppfd on the top of the humidity dome. When most of the seeds have popped out, should I increase the lighting a bit?

And ofcourse, happy new year to all you farmers!

I'd cut the light down to 18-6 or 20-4 but that's just me. Plants like a little resting time, its good for them they need to sleep just like we do..

Little tip, when you move those pete pellets to a larger pot, fill the soil in your cup or small pot half way, don't fill it to the top.. I go from pete pellet to a small plastic pot, think a Solo cup... Fillling the soil half way allows me to bury a long spindly stem later if the plant starts reaching up..(they always do for me) You can add soil to the cup covering the long stem... This really works well for me...

I wouldn't do this if you will be moving to your final pot immediately after the pellets (example 3 or 5 gallon final pot)


Looks great ! I'm excited to watch this grow..

 

[One_Bell]

@longbottom I will place these seedlings first in a bigger aeroponics cloner (Nutriculture X-Stream Aero 12, which I converted to a Aero 20 after discovering the 12 has a smaller pomp and different sprinkler system).

Day 4 update: all 5 seeds have sprouted within 3,5 days









Between the first and last picture above is only 8,5 hours.

 

[One_Bell]

I am currently in the process to prepare the Nutriculture X-Stream propegator (low pressure aeroponics), and started the rinse the hydro pebbles. I have rinced and let them soak again in boiling water for 6 times, before let them cooling of. I hope this will kill anything biological on the pebbles and clean them really good.

 

[One_Bell]

I raised the ppfd to 177, by lowering the light and raising the propegator tray:

I will keep the humiditydome on, humidity and temperature are still ideal according to the AC Infinity AI+ controller.

 

[longbottom]

Lol, OK----I'll shut up now ! I thought you were growing in soil...

I'll watch now silently and maybe learn something new..

 

[One_Bell]

Lol, OK----I'll shut up now ! I thought you were growing in soil...

I'll watch now silently and maybe learn something new..

Not a problem at all, I am happy that someone with more experience is watching lol
One of the reasons I choose hydroponics is because it could smell less then growing in soil.

 

[longbottom]

Not a problem at all, I am happy that someone with more experience is watching lol
One of the reasons I choose hydroponics is because it could smell less then growing in soil.

You've got some seriously high end gear there for a first grow?

I hear you about odor, although soil doesn't smell that much, at least mine doesn't...

 

[One_Bell]

Are you sure this is your first grow? You've got some seriously high end gear there for a first grow?

I hear you about odor, although soil doesn't smell that much, at least mine doesn't...

Yes, honestly is my first grow. Smoking is a way of life for me, so to be finally be able to invest in this and to start with it feels good. Unfortunately the light is not the best, but i bought as late of january 2024. Since then, I think Mammoth is the only one with the newer samsung evo mint leds. Mine has the LM301H, still a very good led I think.

I also like to control the growing environment as much as possible. And because it is very hard to get the equipment here, I didn't want to take a chance with any of it. So most of the articles I bought twice, so one malfunction I can easily replace it.
Since it is illegal here I want to take as much as possible out of the equation to come to a fast and fruitful harvest.

I will display the rest of mine equipment later on, but I think I did good investment-wisely, to control as much as I can of the grow environment.

Edit: Also I live in an appartment building. It is very easy to make my own RO water, instead of lugging with bags of earth or other waste. The only waste I have I can easily get rid off, just down the drain.

 

[One_Bell]

Day 5 update:
Last night I tried to adjust to light to a higher ppfd and saw I was already on max level 10. Some how the ACI Infinity uis to rj11/12 adapter for the Mars Hydro CF4800-evo is not working properly. Very glad I invested in the ppfd meter otherwise I would be (literally) in the dark about this problem.

For now I disconnected the light form the AI+ controller and set it manually.

Al 5 seedlings now have second set of leaves, true leaves:

They also have a root going on outside the soil plug:

So it was time to prepare the X-stream:

It did not order enough neoprene collars so decided to ductape them so light can't penetrate.

I did fall for the marketing of Advanced Nutrients, and bought the starter kit. I will start this first week with the ph perfect Sensi Grow A+B, B52 and VoodooJuice. I used less then 1/8 of the recommended strength for the 10 liters I used to fill up the X-stream.

Moved in the soil plugs and mixed up the first nutrients. I only had to add lest then 0,5ml on 10 liters to come to this result:

I love the mirroring look of the FC4800-evo in the water lol

After setting this up I took the seedlings out of the propegator tray and moved them in the X-stream. I did not use any clay pebbles because of the tigh space. The soil plug almost fills up the netcups and there is not enough space to insert the pebbles. Also, if you try, the neoprene collar will end up to far above and won't provide a light seal:

First idea was to use a timer interval for the pump, but I discoverd that the timers I had are weekly one's.
Setting an interval is not possible with " weekly's". So I have the pump/sprayer now 24/7 on.

I have increased to PPFD to 250. I will keep increase this with small steps before reaching 300.

 

[One_Bell]

Looking at the pictures above, I think I made a mistake. Setting up the net cups in the center with the green butterfly switch right above is probably not the best location in terms of receiving light....