New member, first tent grow. Figured I would share and hopefully gain some pointers as this is my first tent grow. Done some outdoor and indoor runs generally on a larger scale back in the gorilla growing days where all my sourced information was about "tomatoes" and you couldn't tell if the guy knew what you meant. Lol. Anyways, I've always kept a ear in the grow world and now that I have some space, time, and most of the funds desires I'm trying to do it right. So here's where im starting.
Started as a budget 32x32 kit from Amazon, came with a Chinese brand light that I can find no data for light output just the controller. Off name 4" fan 200ish claimed cfm, charcoal filter, 2 speed 6 inch circulation fan that blows 90mph on low, the smallest water pump I've ever seen, enough tubing and parts for a 4 drip system(I've measured the time to get 100ml at single emitter at 7 minutes 1 second) and probably the best part was the humidifier to counter my dry climate, and a basic timer. Planning a few upgrades along the way, to be continued..
For substrate, I'm running grodan hugo blocks which I realize in hindsight is far to big for my plant count and spacing desired. Draining into a 10 gallon low profile reservoir with slits for drainage. Also, oversized, but I had a reservoir overflow from heavy drain back where the space below is occupied, I now like to run double capacity reservoirs. Running general hydroponics flora nova base with koolbloom, flora nectar, cal mag, and forgot to get ripen to finish out the 6 part mix and Si because I've only had good luck using it at lower than recommended doses. Balanced base nutrients seems to suffice without all the extras, but I want a little extra this push because this is all just for me with no intent to go big again.
Currently in the tent are 3 sour diesel and 2 jet fuel clones that I got at about 6-10"s in height with massive roots...transfer into blocks seems to have went well as veg growth has doubled and 3 days after topping still look healthy. Seemed early to top but for my training strategy I needed my lowers to start gaining now. Sour diesel has much more desirable branch structure IMO. I worry about the height difference the stains show as the jet fuel is very tall with minimal branching and diesel is nice and squat. From my readings on here I would suppose most recommend I flower only two after a few weeks of veg and training but my desire is to do at least 4 and hand water the 5th to compare at least until I can rule one out.
For electronics I'm running the spider farmer 5 outlet wifi controller timer. Love being able to check and change conditions from anywhere. Been having issues with the sensor getting accurate readings, which I didn't find out until a few days ago until I timed my grippers and weighed my cubes. I've spent the past 2 days, weighing blocks and moving the sensor and replacing at different angles on the plant I think I may get rid of. I don't desire to create channeling before my roots can fully establish the block. I think I have narrowed in on placing probe approx. 3" up the block inserted at about a 30° downward angle.
I will add more later. Here's some pictures. Let me know what you think. 1st picture is day one in setup, 2nd and 3rd are adter topping.