Changing over whole room to HydroA

[AdkBuds]

Just giving an update! And I have a question.

Still yelling at my photogenics.

I was considering segregating my final soil plants into a tent two floors above the grow room and letting the finish there with one Mars light so I can bleach & begin hydro in the actual grow room. Is it feasible as an idea? Isn’t it highly unlikely for airborne pests go back to the original room if it stays empty for like a week?


Hydro wise, I have an easily expandable dozen 5 gallon bucket system (Active aqua) and reverse osmosis unit already in house. Today a Bluelab Guardian monitor arrives and tomorrow a dozen Eazy pyramid minis show up. Half my nutrients (90% powdered) are here & the rest ordered. I’m working on a DIY trellis because fuck my walls & partially diy-ing some DWC buckets (thank you Internet!) The only thing I haven’t ordered yet is a chiller. The room is not fully finished but the cleaning difference is grand and today I plow forward with my broom & shopvac!

Also dimensions are 11’x17’x7’ for my grow room. Once the room is clean I’ll add a 2’x4’x6’ tent for experiments/germination/cloning/whatnots and a 20”x20”x48” for male or pollinating separation.

I opted for a 29 gallon for the aquaponics experiment and have gathered most of what I need (had to order 1 thing, an appropriately sized net basket, waiting on that) However nothing else has been done, can’t install the tank ‘til cleanup is done & dirt pots are out of the room.


Grow faster dammit!

I’ve over stressed most of the ones that went in last to help nudge them along. That wasn’t pretty but hopefully will do the job. Also bought Humbolt flower stacker since people’s main complaint is if you use it too early it stops the stretch period. I know it’s a literal stretch, as nature is nature, but even shaving off a mere week would be grand. If the weather was better I would honestly just stick these damn dirt babies outside!

 

[steamroller]

I was considering segregating my final soil plants into a tent two floors above the grow room and letting the finish there with one Mars light so I can bleach & begin hydro in the actual grow room. Is it feasible as an idea? Isn’t it highly unlikely for airborne pests go back to the original room if it stays empty for like a week?

IME depending on the pest life cycle it may be longer to kill it.
They say the hibernation of some pest can be all winter outside under tree bark.
So for how long a pest can last in a fallow area is really gray.
Especially if the source still exist. IMO the most likely form of re infection would be you carrying them back from the other room, if they did not just find their way back.
But for me it is just the shit has not died!
I am bombing my area before anything goes in again.

 

[AdkBuds]

We’re getting close.. The last dirt girls were moved yesterday. The room has been top to bottom cleaned & is now in a quarantine phase. I’m getting so excited!

The system I got is pretty well put together but one thing I wanted to add to it was a pump to get the water out after it was used. Something to make water changes less of a pain.

Amazon.com: AquaMiracle 800GPH Aquarium Water Pumps (3000L/H, 40W) Fountain Pump Pond Pump Submersible Water Pump with Flow Control for Fish Tank, Fountain, Waterfall, Filtration, Water feature, Hydroponics : Pet Supplies

Amazon.com: AquaMiracle 800GPH Aquarium Water Pumps (3000L/H, 40W) Fountain Pump Pond Pump Submersible Water Pump with Flow Control for Fish Tank, Fountain, Waterfall, Filtration, Water feature, Hydroponics : Pet Supplies

www.amazon.com

I was wondering if that pump (listed at 10ft lift) would be able to get it out considering I’ll have to get it up a set of cellar steps? That plus 60’ of hydro flow vinyl tubing should be good right? I feel like it’s too easy and I’m missing a connector piece or something, is there anything you add to keep the tubing attached?

 

[GreenGalaxyFarm]

I was wondering if that pump (listed at 10ft lift) would be able to get it out considering I’ll have to get it up a set of cellar steps? That plus 60’ of hydro flow vinyl tubing should be good right? I feel like it’s too easy and I’m missing a connector piece or something, is there anything you add to keep the tubing attached?

depends on what height you pumping, and what diameter pipe

rip that carpet out brother, not good for humid rooms
wood also become easier to clean after a painting

 

[AdkBuds]

rip that carpet out brother, not good for humid rooms

Yeah the original grower cut most of it out. Not sure why the strip was left though (I’ve asked to make sure there wasn’t a reason it was left in - apparently the reason was laziness, lol)

Dang painting is not something I thought of ever! That’s a good idea - better find some green paintmake it a theme

depends on what height you pumping, and what diameter pipe

rip that carpet out brother, not good for humid rooms
wood also become easier to clean after a painting

I was thinking 1/2” since those are cheaper than the 1” but I am ready to adjust my shopping list. That’s why I’m here after all.
As for height, I’m thinking it looks like 8ft, but haven’t measured. Doesn’t look abnormally big or small for cellar steps (the thinking was take it right out the storm cellar and to the yard)

 

[GreenGalaxyFarm]

I was thinking 1/2” since those are cheaper than the 1” but I am ready to adjust my shopping list. That’s why I’m here after all.
As for height, I’m thinking it looks like 8ft, but haven’t measured. Doesn’t look abnormally big or small for cellar steps (the thinking was take it right out the storm cellar and to the yard)

when i pump with my 3600l/h 71w pump through 3/4 pipe the solution only goes 6ft up reliably. using 1/2'' though it goes over 7ft wall to tank probably 8th comfortably as well. i would consult the manual that came with pump

 

[AdkBuds]

when i pump with my 3600l/h 71w pump through 3/4 pipe the solution only goes 6ft up reliably. using 1/2'' though it goes over 7ft wall to tank probably 8th comfortably as well. i would consult the manual that came with pump

Thank you for the heads up! I’ve never had to deal with moving water this way so I appreciate your experience. That tells me a 1/2” probably sounds better since I’d need the extra push.
Luckily I haven’t bought a pump yet, wanted to be sure it would work.

 

[GreenGalaxyFarm]

Thank you for the heads up! I’ve never had to deal with moving water this way so I appreciate your experience. That tells me a 1/2” probably sounds better since I’d need the extra push.
Luckily I haven’t bought a pump yet, wanted to be sure it would work.

if you are pumping to that height go with a pump that is rated at least 15-30% over that, you are only getting the numbers printed on the label on some of the products. if they do deliver stated performance you can always use flow control or add a inline valve to reduce pressure. if you are increase pipe/ tubing diameter you are looking at going well beyond 30% increase but more to double rated height.

 

[AdkBuds]

if you are pumping to that height go with a pump that is rated at least 15-30% over that, you are only getting the numbers printed on the label on some of the products. if they do deliver stated performance you can always use flow control or add a inline valve to reduce pressure. if you are increase pipe/ tubing diameter you are looking at going well beyond 30% increase but more to double rated height.

I found a 1150 GPH which still has a 1/2” thread so I’m thinking that sucker will do the trick much better than the first one I posted!

 

[GreenGalaxyFarm]

what are we looking at with the last picture you posted? the shelf for clones? is it a mother room or will you flower in there as well.

 

[GreenGalaxyFarm]

We have a large room divided in two (one for autos & veg, seen here, and on the other side of the wall is a small space for blooms) which has always done soil based. However based on recent problems & yields I’ve finally decided to go hydro like my dad has wanted for a long time.

this is great we have a similar project currently in progress, both the mother/autos room and the flower/auto room is 188sqft. not all of the space is being utilized for growing so we are doing 74 plants total.

My first quandary is what sort of system will give us a similar size? Most that I have seen are small, 4-6 for a grow tent usually, but our room obviously is made for quantity. So first question is what sort of hydro system could I get that would run large numbers of plants? Would it be more feasible to just buy multiple small systems?

which system are you interested in? do you want to go coco/rockwool with drip system, dwc/rdwc, aquaponics, nft, aeroponics?
how many plants are you looking to grow and what space do you have to do so?

 

[AdkBuds]

what are we looking at with the last picture you posted? the shelf for clones? is it a mother room or will you flower in there as well.

That’s my whole grow room. It’s just an amazing change! Picture dirt all over the floor and a plywood/cardboard wall to separate veg & bloom. I’ve been cleaning like a beast for weeks. It isn’t divided yet, it’s almost like it’s back in its original form. Back to its natural state!

The plywood bloom area was discarded in favor of tents. Bringing the room into the 21st century. I’ve got 2 tents already & the plan is the photogenic ladies go in the larger to bloom, & any breeding happens in the smaller tent.

The shelving is actually a point of contention.. It was put in by the original owner. My father wanted us to nix it, while I feel it adds usefulness & is not something I’d be capable of building so sturdily (it’s solid as a rock - I’ve sat on that thing!) We’d only get a couple plants more with the floor space whereas with shelving maybe we put a clone machine in there or germinate or just hold equipment. My vote won (for now) and it’s remained up, with the idea we can take it down in future if we want.

this is great we have a similar project currently in progress, both the mother/autos room and the flower/auto room is 188sqft. not all of the space is being utilized for growing so we are doing 74 plants total.

which system are you interested in? do you want to go coco/rockwool with drip system, dwc/rdwc, aquaponics, nft, aeroponics?
how many plants are you looking to grow and what space do you have to do so?

We ended up buying a 12 pot ebb & flow and I’ve done my own DWC bucket setup, plus a dozen EZ pyramids for fun & cuz I like experimenting. Waiting to put it all in after my self imposed quarantine. As far as that stuff it’s just a matter of time now. So excited!

Technically the space I posted was going to be all the dedicated grow available, but my dad’s enjoyed what I’ve done enough that he now wants a 4x4’ tent on another floor too. I’m pushing him towards one that’s automated enough for a senior citizen to handle so he can get back involved in the growing process - it really makes me feel for all the senior stoners out there who don’t have cool kids to help them.

 

[AdkBuds]

depends on what height you pumping, and what diameter pipe

rip that carpet out brother, not good for humid rooms
wood also become easier to clean after a painting

Getting there!
HUZZAH!

 

[AdkBuds]

Hmmm… what’s the cheapest way to elevate plants off the floor? I’d like to bring some of them up about two feet. I was looking at folding tables, milk crates, etc but was like there has to be a smarter option.

 

[GreenGalaxyFarm]

You own a welder or know someone that does?

 

[AdkBuds]

You own a welder or know someone that does?

Ah no, sadly not.

If I did, the sculptures I would make of pot leaves

 

[GreenGalaxyFarm]

I was just thinking the welded steel would be more stable and less expensive than milk crates(where i stay milk crate are super expensive your scenario might be diferent). But i never asked what hydro system you decided to go with

 

[steamroller]

You could run shelves of 2x6 [however many you need] on stacks of concrete blocks..
Done many heavy aquarium stands same way.

 

[AdkBuds]

I was just thinking the welded steel would be more stable and less expensive than milk crates(where i stay milk crate are super expensive your scenario might be diferent). But i never asked what hydro system you decided to go with

Ah apologies, that question is actually in reference to my new project. I’m after designing a senior tent as well, so the height addition I’m looking for is to prevent too much bending and stooping over. It’s going to be as simplified as I can so he’s just starting with 4 large Eazy pyramids with some self waterers, resting on a tray. Initially I thought DWC but opted for the pyramids to make it easier to use & have next to no maintenance. Since its over a 7’ tall tent we have the room to yield 2’ to height for the sake of his comfort.

You could run shelves of 2x6 [however many you need] on stacks of concrete blocks..
Done many heavy aquarium stands same way.

I’m avoiding wood wherever possible but I do love the concrete block idea. I wonder what Home Depot is selling them for these days.. thank you!

 

[AdkBuds]

So I wanted to wrap this thread with a brief summary. Still have a little to do but enough is done to get started… which I did! 19 seeds got kicked off! But anywho, updates first.

Floor cracks filled in, painted, sealant along edge, vinyl floor runner added, old Mylar added to ceiling, new diamond Mylar put on walls, added ventilation; fan & HEPA filter & in-room fan, humidity system, hydro setups up & running. New grow light too!

Time to start a grow journal!