My RDWC grow. First grow since early 80's.

[Olddude420]

I am very happy to be here and look forward to chatting with some of you and hopefully gaining some of the vast knowledge that a lot of you growers have. I am currently 37 days into my first grow since the early 80's.
I am getting close to retirement and close to being able to once again consume.
My system has 4-13 gallon buckets inside the tent and 1-13 gallon bucket outside acting as a reservoir. There's a pump outside the reservoir that pumps the water to each bucket that enters the bucket through a "waterfall" inlet. All buckets are interconnected to each and all drain back to the reservoir through a 3 inch pvc drain system.
It works really good. I just wish I was more skilled at PH and PPM's, but pretty sure I will get there one of these days. Hopefully before i kill my pretty ladys. Pictures were taken on June 29, 2024.

 

[Olddude420]

a few taken a few days later.

 

[Olddude420]

few more few days after

 

[Olddude420]

after the plant grew up past the 4th nodes I wanted to supercrop them and lay all the branches over 90 degrees to help them spread out away from the center of the bucket. Had to figure out some method of making the stay in the bent over position until the branches could heal and stay shaped that way so I got some 1/8" aluminum rods and bent them in a configuration that would allow me to strap them to the branches, go around the main stem, then go back to the branch on the other side of the main stem. I found some velcro straps that are used to tie up cables behing tv's and computers, and used them to tie the branches to the rods. Worked well since i could not poke anything into the soil or drill any holes in the tops of my bucket lids.

 

[Olddude420]

Next it was off to the races. Plants started spreading out and all bud sites started going vertical.

 

[Olddude420]

Fast forward to August 5th, 2024 (today for those of you buzzed folks. LOL), and the girls were bouncing back from the rough treatment they received last night trying to get those Damm Velcro straps off. Should have removed them at least a week earlier I think.

 

[DillyTrying2Learn]

Nice, I am running the same system. What nutrients are you using and what your EC/PPM and PH at?

 

[ModestTool11]

Are you using a water chiller?

 

[DillyTrying2Learn]

Are you using a water chiller?

I am using this same system and am not, my lung room is about 63 degrees and my water stays between 66 and 70 so far depending on stage and canopy coverage.

 

[Olddude420]

Are you using a water chiller?

Yes. Have it set at 63* but usually stays at around 65*. I got the 40 gallon chiller & it's working itself to death. Next year I'll buy the 60 gallon chiller.

I am using this same system and am not, my lung room is about 63 degrees and my water stays between 66 and 70 so far depending on stage and canopy coverage.

That's awesome temperature. I wish I was anywhere near there. My room is about 78-80* with the home ac system. Too expensive to cool the whole house lower than that & no room only ac.

 

[Asmodeus]

Fast forward to August 5th, 2024 (today for those of you buzzed folks. LOL), and the girls were bouncing back from the rough treatment they received last night trying to get those Damm Velcro straps off. Should have removed them at least a week earlier I think.

Lookin good man

 

[DillyTrying2Learn]

Yes. Have it set at 63* but usually stays at around 65*. I got the 40 gallon chiller & it's working itself to death. Next year I'll buy the 60 gallon chiller.

That's awesome temperature. I wish I was anywhere near there. My room is about 78-80* with the home ac system. Too expensive to cool the whole house lower than that & no room only ac.

What light are you using and what level do you have it at? Are you able to move your ballists outside of your tent? Your lung room is 78-80 or your tent? Also are you running your nutrient solution through your chiller or using some type of worm set up? I'm going to get a dehumidifer tomorrow, my temps are too low and my humidity is too dumb high. Even running a heater I can only get my VPD to like .84

 

[Olddude420]

What light are you using and what level do you have it at? Are you able to move your ballists outside of your tent? Your lung room is 78-80 or your tent? Also are you running your nutrient solution through your chiller or using some type of worm set up? I'm going to get a dehumidifer tomorrow, my temps are too low and my humidity is too dumb high. Even running a heater I can only get my VPD to like .84

I have a 600 watt lmg light (not sure of name) & I have it set at about 50%. Ballast is fixed to light. Lung room is 78-80. Inside tent is Luke 83-85 with light on. Nutrient solution and all water recirculating through chiller.

 

[DillyTrying2Learn]

I have a 600 watt lmg light (not sure of name) & I have it set at about 50%. Ballast is fixed to light. Lung room is 78-80. Inside tent is Luke 83-85 with light on. Nutrient solution and all water recirculating through chiller.

Man that's a lot of heat. I keep a 55gal drum full of RO and I have another one for mixing my nutes so it's gives me plenty of time to get that water down to my room temp. You can always throw a frozen 1 gal jug in your res to help bring your temps down.

 

[Olddude420]

Man that's a lot of heat. I keep a 55gal drum full of RO and I have another one for mixing my nutes so it's gives me plenty of time to get that water down to my room temp. You can always throw a frozen 1 gal jug in your res to help bring your temps down.

Water temp stays steady at 65. It's set at 63 but only gets there during the night when plants sleep.

 

[Wendell3]

Fast forward to August 5th, 2024 (today for those of you buzzed folks. LOL), and the girls were bouncing back from the rough treatment they received last night trying to get those Damm Velcro straps off. Should have removed them at least a week earlier I think.

Good luck, I’m an oldie too. I did hydroponic with my first grow. I didn’t even know anything other than checking the PH and adding the nutrients. Actually to date it was my best grow LOL! Seems the more I know the worse things get. Decided to simplify things and growing in soil in my greenhouse now. Looking good this time.

 

[Olddude420]

Good luck, I’m an oldie too. I did hydroponic with my first grow. I didn’t even know anything other than checking the PH and adding the nutrients. Actually to date it was my best grow LOL! Seems the more I know the worse things get. Decided to simplify things and growing in soil in my greenhouse now. Looking good this time.

Very cool. I didn't even know what ph or ppm meant when I started. I'm hoping to do some type of a greenhouse & grow during the sumners once I retire within the next 2 years. I have a 2nd home small cabin in the mountains where it's much cooler summer temps. Bout 110 to 114 average temps during the summer at my main house. Way too hot for anything outdoors during the summer. I am very impressed with speed of growth in dwc. Be a lot easier during the other 3 seasons to grow if I didn't have to fight heat.

 

[jadins_journey]

Fast forward to August 5th, 2024 (today for those of you buzzed folks. LOL), and the girls were bouncing back from the rough treatment they received last night trying to get those Damm Velcro straps off. Should have removed them at least a week earlier I think.

Nice set up brother. Your not alone in coming back full circle, there's a few of us here

 

[DillyTrying2Learn]

Water temp stays steady at 65. It's set at 63 but only gets there during the night when plants sleep.

I am by no means an expert but I thought if you can help it, you don't want to be much below 68 for a water temp as it can slow your growth.

 

[Olddude420]

Nice set up brother. Your not alone in coming back full circle, there's a few of us here

We paid our dues for the families. It's our turn again.