Head first into Hydroponics. A beginner's story.

[GrumpAzz]

If it's leak proof I would leave it but just wrap it with some vinyl electrical tape to keep the light out. If it ever leaks then you can swap it out with black vinyl hose.

I ran a 30 gal reservoir, located outside next to my tent, pumping nutrient through a drip distribution head to watering rings. The line I had running from the reservoir to the drip head was clear vinyl half inch line. I was gone for 6 weeks and when I came back the clear line was green. The part of the line from the reservoir to the tent entrance wasn't AS green as the the part that entered the tent but there was enough even in that low light area for me to replace the line.

If you're running a sterile setup it might be ok since you usually run H2O2 in your feed water so that should keep your algae at bay but if not then I would consider wrapping it or replacing it.

Thanks for the insight. I'm an electrician so I've got loads of black tape. Easy little preventative measure. No leaks so far

 

[RootsRuler]

Thanks for the insight. I'm an electrician so I've got loads of black tape. Easy little preventative measure. No leaks so far

Cool! Might hit you up with some electrical questions at some point if you don't mind.

 

[GrumpAzz]

Cool! Might hit you up with some electrical questions at some point if you don't mind.

I might have some answers.

 

[RootsRuler]

I might have some answers.

 

[GrumpAzz]

I rigged an old vick's humidifier up to a larger resevoir. The controller 69 is dialed in and running the exhaust fan and the humidifier. Running a trial now to see if the renovated humidifier can get the RH up to 72% without putting out too much heat. The light is set to 30% for my future seedlings.

 

[GrumpAzz]

Right now, it holds a solid 72% at 80°. The AC that will feed the intake room should be able to bring the temperature down. The little humidifier just adds steam to the room so I have a fan blowing it down.

I also set the light schedule to 18/6 so we'll see tonight how everything does with a dark cycle.

So far I absolutely love the Controller 69. I'm sitting here in my living room smoking dabs and doobs and watching and tinkering with the environment in the back closet. How bout that.

 

[RootsRuler]

Right now, it holds a solid 72% at 80°. The AC that will feed the intake room should be able to bring the temperature down. The little humidifier just adds steam to the room so I have a fan blowing it down.

I also set the light schedule to 18/6 so we'll see tonight how everything does with a dark cycle.

So far I absolutely love the Controller 69. I'm sitting here in my living room smoking dabs and doobs and watching and tinkering with the environment in the back closet. How bout that.

Crazy right? It does all the work once you have all the parameters set. I have the 67 and I like how I can keep a tight temp range.

 

[GrumpAzz]

Things have stayed pretty stable after the light kicked on this morning

 

[GrumpAzz]

The 50 gallong barrel arrived yesterday, sweet. I want to clean the inside of it really well and just planned on wiping it down with some RO water and then again with some rubbing alcohol. It's the resevoir that will hold the system's stand-by RO water for res changes, so I'd like it as clean as possible.

Thoughts?

 

[GrumpAzz]

The actual RO system should arrive middle of next week. That's all I'm waiting on currently, so things are about to take off. Once it's installed, I'll be giving the whole operation a good cleaning; tent and tubs, adjacent rooms.

Then I'm going to cycle some nutrients, get some readings and keep a close eye on the meter.

While this is going, I'll also be germinating a seed or two. Here is where I have a question.

They had these at the local garden supply for pretty cheap so I grabbed one a while back. Since the tent is a controlled environment, can I simply place the tray in there without the dome, or is the dome necessary in some way? Can I just throw the peat pellet in the netpot before she sprouts, or wait to see some green? I do understand that it goes into the peat pellet after germination, but this is something I was thinking about.

 

[RootsRuler]

Bleach in a solution with no less than 1500 ppm. Rinse with a hydrogen peroxide solution to neutralize bleach. Rinse with RO.

This is how I saw them sterilize totes for reuse on the food grade ones.

 

[steamroller]

No dome.
I can't say about using the jiffy pots in nets?
I bought sponges to start in?

 

[breedwheel]

The actual RO system should arrive middle of next week. That's all I'm waiting on currently, so things are about to take off. Once it's installed, I'll be giving the whole operation a good cleaning; tent and tubs, adjacent rooms.

Then I'm going to cycle some nutrients, get some readings and keep a close eye on the meter.

While this is going, I'll also be germinating a seed or two. Here is where I have a question.
View attachment 1339133
They had these at the local garden supply for pretty cheap so I grabbed one a while back. Since the tent is a controlled environment, can I simply place the tray in there without the dome, or is the dome necessary in some way? Can I just throw the peat pellet in the netpot before she sprouts, or wait to see some green? I do understand that it goes into the peat pellet after germination, but this is something I was thinking about.

I have always used those peat pellets to start my seeds. I have never had any issues with net pots and clay pellets--guess they dissolve into the water. Do not leave the lid on there or you will drown your seedling/seed

 

[GrumpAzz]

No dome.
I can't say about using the jiffy pots in nets?
I bought sponges to start in?

Can you go into a little more detail on the sponges and the method?

 

[steamroller]

I ordered 'aero grow sponges 'in a kit.
They came with little plastic nets to go into areo gardens or hyydro.
I have not used them yet.
I plan to germiate seeds in the sponge I think.

 

[GrumpAzz]

I ordered 'aero grow sponges 'in a kit.
They came with little plastic nets to go into areo gardens or hyydro.
I have not used them yet.
I plan to germiate seeds in the sponge I think.

Oh word. I planned on germinating in a dvd case to get the vertical root growth. I guess if that's what I'm doing, the little gal just goes right into the hydroton, and never touches the peat pellet? Didn't really think about that origanlly . The peat pellet would be a seperate germinating method, eh?

 

[GrumpAzz]

These are the net pots I went with. Not sure how much diffence it makes.

 

[GrumpAzz]

Damn @steamroller , I didn't even realize your post was the first time I'd heard of the dvd case method and that 3d print work is dope. I just went back to freshen up and saw it was you. Badass, dude.

Edited: reread that post. You were actually just one of the lucky ones to get one of his 3d prited gerrminators. That thing looks sweet. Do you still use it?

 

[steamroller]

I invented neither.
@AnimalHouse was generous enough to send me his creation.
I again being a real slacker[ with jars of weed ] have not used it!
But I do think the germinator is a big thing.
It uses gravity, friction and light with water being applied properly to create the perfect germination IMO.
I am not tech savvy like animal, but if I were him I would being gathering a list.
$2 per seed spot plus materials and shipping would be a huge deal for one IMO.
He sent me the one that would hold 12 seeds. I would have sent him $25 plus shipping but animal is cool like that..
I have not done hydro and think if and when I get to the next grow [ I keep saying soon ] I will split my room hydro and soil.
If Ido that I will use the 3D germinator to start the soil seeds, but think the sponge is way to go for hydro?
I really don't know nor have I really researched or asked how people start seeds for hydrotron.
I have seen some seedlings go right in on some threads?
I just thought for this application the sponge seemed easy and was cheap. $22 for 30 sponges with cones and domes I don't think I will need.

 

[GrumpAzz]

The RO system is installed. 0 ppm. Just waiting on the new pump to arrive and everything is ready. I've also got a cool mist humidifier and an AC 6" inline fan on the way.

My readings from the 69 have been holding pretty solid but there have been some warmer days that the humidifier struggles a little with, hence the cool mist humidifier. Mine just shoots out steam so that's probably not gonna fly when the summer temps hit. That's also the reason for the inline fan, a constant supply of cooler air from the conditioned area the tent pulls from. I keep postponing germination until I can fully control the environment. Better safe than sorry.