Haps At The Grow Shack

  • Thread starter Blastfact
  • Start date
  • Tagged users None
Blastfact

Blastfact

1,324
263
Hello! Welcome to the Shack!

This will be the new permanente grow log. Anything to do with grows at the Shack will be in here now.

First order of business is a upgrade. Will be cleaning up the tents and adding new 6" exhaust fans, refillable carbon filters with fan to filter couplers, 6" circ fans, humidifiers and 69 Pro+ controllers. Out with the Inkbird controllers I've been using for years for humidifiers. Out with the old cheap white 6" static circ fans. One will still be above the light. But new ones are going in the grow area. And the old AC Infinity 6" molex exhaust fans are gone along with there 67 controllers and accompanying limitations.

First grow will be Royal Queen Seeds. A single Blue Gelato photo in a 15 gal. bag in the 3 x 3. Then two or three Mimosa Autos in the 2 x 4 in 5 or 7 gal bags. I still need to finish mixing up and blending my two 47 gal totes of soil. I have some Gaia Green Green Sand, Glacier Rock Dust and Brut Worm Castings to get in the totes.Then they will be ready to grow and go. Will be feeding Gaia Green 4-4-4, 2-8-4, Black Fly Frass and giving them some Recharge, Stash Blend and Great White microbes here and there to keep the micro load healthy and diversified.

I also decided to try AC Infinity bottom watering trays with this auto grow. And light control for the HLG 650R in the 3 x 3 tent. The 650R does not have RJ11 so they have a dongle to hook up to the dimmer cord and on/off control module the 69 Pro+ can use. If it works and I like it I will put it on the 350R's in the 2 x 4. If I don't like the butt watering setup I'm sure the wife will find a use for them with some of her ornamentals.

Haps at the grow shack

Haps at the grow shack 2
Haps at the grow shack 3

Haps at the grow shack 4
 
Blastfact

Blastfact

1,324
263
I've been working on the 3 x 3. It's pretty much ready to go except I'm waiting on the power module for the lights so I can turn the lights on and off with the 69Pro+ and get rid of the old light timers I've been using for years. I still need to do some cable management. I have a 0 -10v dimmer on the way to replace the oem dimmer knob on the 650R. But I don't think it will give me the fine control/resolution the oem light dimmer does. Also going to use a power module on the UVA light so I can set it up to come on/off on it's own schedule. I like it to come on 1 to 3 hours,,, depending what the plant can handle in the middle of the flower light cycle. The one thing I DO NOT Like about ACI is how damn tight they package the cables. There a kinked up rats nest. I'm going to have to use a heat gun on them to get them to relax or they will be a mess for year or so. I also don't like how the wifi makes you use there server. So that may get turned off.

The controller is nice and 8 ports is enough for my setup. Depending on finale config I will be using 6 or 7 of the available ports. It's much more configurable than my old molex 67 controllers. Once I fired it up the first time and setup the Bluetooth and WiFi it updated it's firmware and took off. I do wish they had a desktop program so I could run it on my computer and not have to fuck with my iPhone. Cell phones and pads remind me a lot of work, preretirement days. I like to put those devices on ignore.

The blower and replaceable carbon filter are nicer than the ones I'm replacing. And the coupler is well worth getting to connect the filter to the blower. I took one of my older prefilter sleeves that the wife sewed one end shut on. Dropped it in the filter, folded it around the flange and put the coupler on tightening down the hose clamp. Then slipped it on the discharge flange of the blower and tightened up the clamp. It is a bit quieter and brings down the temp faster than the older unit even though they are rated for the same CFM and setup the same. I could have bought a dongle and used the old blower with the new controller. Just thought it best to go all new.

The 6" oscillating fans are a lot better than my old static fans and much better than the POS Monkey fans I had years ago. They are quiet and much more efficient at moving air than anything I've used in a grow space. Don't think I will ever need to run them faster than 4 or 5 when it comes to speed. I've had them idling away on speed 3 for a couple of days now. Temps and humidity have stayed stable with the light on.

The humidifier is badass!. It's big and can produce vapor like a monster. Right now I have it inside the tent. But I expect it to find its permanent home outside of the tent. Fill it up with water plug in the UIS cable and power cord and control it from the Pro69+ and it blows and goes. No need to even use it's own humidity/temp sensor cable. And at 15l/4 gal or so no need to fill everyday. It's on little casters so it's easy to move about. And with top fill should be a pleasure to use. With three transducers, it could be used as a ultrasonic cleaner with a few simple mods. And this is how all this started I wanted better humidifiers and control than I had. Wham,,, Upgrade!

I even looked into their lights. But that was clearly a step backwards for me when I looked at the spectrum so they fell out of favor real fast. My current HLG's don't have the EVO led's but the spectrum is much more to my liking. And the ACI EVO lights did not have near enough Blue and Red with way to much yellow and orange. While the EVO6 would have fit like a glove in the 3 x 3 with great coverage. The EVO3 is underpowered for my 2 x 4 and not a good footprint. Just didn't add up for me.

Hope to be growing soon with the upgraded setup!

IMG 3383

That's a 22" saucer and elevator.

IMG 3387

5 setting for vapor.

IMG 3382

I wanted these monsters!

IMG 3385


IMG 3390
 
Blastfact

Blastfact

1,324
263
The Control Plugs came in today for the 3 x 3. Wasn't expecting them. So I set them up and tested. Set a 18/6 schedule for the 650R and 1 hour on for the UVA and all worked like a charm. I just ordered what is needed for the 2 x 4 lights. Couldn't be better than cheddar.

IMG 3395

IMG 3396
 
Blastfact

Blastfact

1,324
263
Got the 2 x 4 setup. But man o man do all the cables suck ass. Cable management is a nightmare. I'm going to need to step back and tax a brain cell about all these cables. And there so china cheap feeling. I've even took a heat gun to them and they just go back to there paracord packing knotted up config. Like everything so far AC Infinity but the nasty china cables. Never thought cable trays would cross my mind for a tent. So getting closer. Need to finish mixing soil today. Got some biochar in. So I can finish mixing up the soil with the Gaia Green Greensand and Glacial Rock Dust a buddy dropped off a week or so ago. He swears by the stuff. I think it's snake oil but can't hurt anything... 😂 Also picked up a new Apera PC60 meter. My old Apera PH20 and PH60 been abused and let to dry out. I have a new head replacement for the PH60. And my old EC, PPM and Salnity meters are old old industrial grade units and really not worth the cost of professional tune up and calibration. So I will see how this PC60 does in the consumer world.

IMG 3400

IMG 3402

IMG 3405

IMG 3406
 
Blastfact

Blastfact

1,324
263
Finished up with the soil mix today and got it in the bags. Got the tubs outside on a tarp and mixed the two together then added Char, more Worm Castings. Greensands and Glacier Rock Dust. I went back and looked at notes and pics so here is whats in the mix. Not a super soil, just simple mix.

5 to 7 gal. Reused soil/perlite, 3 Cubic Ft. of Ocean Forest, 1 Cubic Ft. of Just Natural Compost Soil, 12 lb. of Worm Castings, 8 Qt. of Char, 8 Cup of Gaia Green 444 and 3 Cup of 284, 2.75 lb. of Greensand, 4.4 lb. of Glacial Rock Dust, 6 Cups of DE, 1/4 Cup of Recharge with Great White mixed in. And sample packets of Azoz, CalCarb and Mykos. This is my story and I'm sticking to it!!! I'm a horrid note taker.

Got the 15 gal. Rain Science mesh bag in the 3 x 3 on a standard saucer/elevator setup. It's going to get a single RQS Blue Gelato photo. I'm going to use AC Infinity's XL butt watering system with there 10 gal. fabric pots for two RQS Mimosa autos in the 2 x 4. Nothing left to do now but pop a few seeds and get the grow on.

I'm going to need to move the humidifiers out of the tents and I expected that to be the case. And get the darn cable management sorted out. It's a damn nightmare. All the new AC Infinity gear seems to be running good and what I expected.

IMG 3411

IMG 3419

IMG 3422

IMG 3423


I'm sick of hearing how hot Ocean Forest and other fortified soils are. And how it's to hot for seedlings and will feed your plants for a few weeks, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH. Read and think Fools!!!!
IMG 3177

IMG 3178
 
Last edited:
BearWater

BearWater

If you were a hotdog would you eat yourself?
Supporter
5,593
313
Blastfact

Blastfact

1,324
263
Real close to have a grow on. The Mimosa autos are trying to break soil. Nice I caught them at this stage. The pair of 350R's are at 54" from the top of the soil. On there lowest setting each drawing 80w each with a PPFD at 130. I don't expect the seedlings to stretch because of the blue spike these lights have in the spectrum. So once they get up they should be good.

IMG 3425

IMG 3428
 
LoveGrowingIt

LoveGrowingIt

Supporter
3,246
263
I've complained about AC Infinity cables. I recently asked their customer support if they had shorter lengths, and they said 'no.' Then I asked if USB-C cables could be used, and they said 'no,' and even if they did work, using them would void the equipment warrantees. So, I'm still using their lousy cables. I really think there's room for improvement in designing how everything works together. <end rant>

You're going to have a nice setup there, @Blastfact. I have a lot of the same equipment. I bought an AC Infinity light for my 28"x28" Spider Farmer tent, and wish I hadn't because it always runs hot, even with the driver outside the tent. I'm on my third run with it, though, and they've all been good ones.

Thanks for the thread. I'll be following to see how it goes. I hadn't thought of using greensand, but just read a bit about it. It looks like it would be a good addition to my soil mixture. I'll order some. I already use the other Gaia Green nutrients and other good stuff.
 
Blastfact

Blastfact

1,324
263
Day 3, So far not impressed with these RQS auto Mimosa seedlings. They are going to need to get there act together and get with it or they will get gone. I don't see them making my normal first week growth expectations for autos. Maybe they will surprise me. Got just a tad more stretch than I would have liked and really wasn't expecting given the ppfd there getting. But the lights are 54" above soil pot level. Just don't want autoflower compounding issues right out of the dirt. They need to get out of granny gear.

Left Plant still getting rid of it's helmet.
L Plant


Right Plant.
R Plant
 
BearWater

BearWater

If you were a hotdog would you eat yourself?
Supporter
5,593
313
Day 3, So far not impressed with these RQS auto Mimosa seedlings. They are going to need to get there act together and get with it or they will get gone. I don't see them making my normal first week growth expectations for autos. Maybe they will surprise me. Got just a tad more stretch than I would have liked and really wasn't expecting given the ppfd there getting. But the lights are 54" above soil pot level. Just don't want autoflower compounding issues right out of the dirt. They need to get out of granny gear.

Left Plant still getting rid of it's helmet.
View attachment 2362776

Right Plant.
View attachment 2362777
Thats a tough waiting game right there! You don’t want it prematurely pop some new seeds if these take off in a few days! Hopefully they kick it into gear for you!
 
Halloweed

Halloweed

148
43
Got the 2 x 4 setup. But man o man do all the cables suck ass. Cable management is a nightmare. I'm going to need to step back and tax a brain cell about all these cables. And there so china cheap feeling. I've even took a heat gun to them and they just go back to there paracord packing knotted up config. Like everything so far AC Infinity but the nasty china cables. Never thought cable trays would cross my mind for a tent. So getting closer. Need to finish mixing soil today. Got some biochar in. So I can finish mixing up the soil with the Gaia Green Greensand and Glacial Rock Dust a buddy dropped off a week or so ago. He swears by the stuff. I think it's snake oil but can't hurt anything... 😂 Also picked up a new Apera PC60 meter. My old Apera PH20 and PH60 been abused and let to dry out. I have a new head replacement for the PH60. And my old EC, PPM and Salnity meters are old old industrial grade units and really not worth the cost of professional tune up and calibration. So I will see how this PC60 does in the consumer world.

View attachment 2358757
View attachment 2358758
View attachment 2358759
View attachment 2358760
You should see my tent. Cords everywhere. Yours looks nice.
 
Blastfact

Blastfact

1,324
263
Thats a tough waiting game right there! You don’t want it prematurely pop some new seeds if these take off in a few days! Hopefully they kick it into gear for you!
It's not a tough waiting game for me. And not a care in the world if they get plucked. I've got lots of seeds. But being autos they need to be right from the get go...
 
BearWater

BearWater

If you were a hotdog would you eat yourself?
Supporter
5,593
313
It's not a tough waiting game for me. And not a care in the world if they get plucked. I've got lots of seeds. But being autos they need to be right from the get go...
Why I don’t even mess with them haha. Would kill them before they were even dead! 😂
 
Blastfact

Blastfact

1,324
263
It looks like this first venture into Royal Queen Seeds crap fufu weed has been a failure. Complete and total genetic failure. Euro and Calitrash at there best. Screwing up weed with pride since the late 1970's.

Here are the RQS Mimosa autos at 5 days old. Look like two day old plants. No matter what they are runts at best and not worth growing out. Complete failure. If I had a hand in this failure I'd take it and own it. All they had in them was some stretch. And in reality it's not bad at all for lights being 54" above soil level at 170 to 180 ppfd. The left plant was so useless and weak I had to pop the seed husk off it to give it a chance. Nothing wrong with the soil, lights, environment, water,,,, all good. Just crap modern fufu hybrid genetics.

Left Plant.
L Plant


Right Plant.
R Plant

Sorry for the bad pics. All that needs to be seen can be seen.

RQS Blue Gelato photo. First seed cracked and died. Turned black inside and died.

Second Blue Gelato seed popped and put a tap root out. Went in the dirt then tried to grow straight down and even shed the seed husk trying to grow to china. You can't make this retard stuff up.
Photo BG


Third Blue Gelato floated 24 hrs then went into a paper towel and baggie. Kept at 80F in the dark. Three days in the paper towel and a black dead seed.
Photo BG1


I have some Fast Bud seeds coming in tomorrow. I will try them next week. But this exercise is over. Wish I could bill these **** for brains breeders for my time and effort. I bet there products would be much better if they were held to acct.
 
Blastfact

Blastfact

1,324
263
Lets see how this goes. Got some FastBud seeds in. Have two Orange President auto's and one Papaya Sherbet photo. Both sativa dominant hybrid fufu. In paper towels, bottled water and baggie, 80F in the dark. Been in the baggie 18 hrs now. Can't get any more basic, simple and straight forward. Basic pop 101.


IMG 3456

IMG 3458

IMG 3464
 
Galgrows

Galgrows

2,116
263
Best of luck this go with the autos i don't think you will have the same problems as your tent is more friendly to enviornmental changes. Temps and humidity with these autos is huge factor. I outta know by now cause i'm struggling with growing them in winter with my setup which is basic. I've got huge issues right now with mine. Stalled with droop not sure if these will recover.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom