Plumber's First Coco Grow

oldskol4evr · Oct 15, 2019

the transfer pump im looking at is extra up 115 volt 330 gph portable low suction electric water transfer removable utility pump 59.98 1/10 max lift 39ft,pump has hose fitting on both sides,giving me a hose from IBC tank threw pump to water hose or piping running around the garden,i can get a water hose down there 150 ft,but got tank for nutrients once a week if you dig,so highly doubt it be a bad ass put out a fire pump,but if it will fed that whole line good enough for gov work hahaahh

PlumberSoCal · Oct 16, 2019

Days 52/22

Little ones are taking off.

Amazing looking at the growth over 2+ weeks.

Whipped a little bondage on the last 3.

A lot of oohing and awing. Real plant porn.

Last topping today.

As soon as those 8 shoots start to grow I'll trim her up and tie them down as needed. She's got about 2 weeks before flip.

Figure I'll be taking 1 or 2 each week to flip which will have the benefit of harvesting one or more a week when the time comes.

Haven't had time to run the drip lines but got the tank under the pan and the new water pump in.

Seems to have plenty of strength.

Picked up a cheap timer at Lowe's for about $15

8 events per day. Perfect.

Everything I've read says not to recirculate coco water. I'm stubborn and wanna try. Currently I'm using 8-10 gallons a day (30% runoff) with 3-5 waterings and of course about the same amount of runoff. Granted it seems to be working but a lot of time is spent mixing nutes and watering.

The main problem with recirculating is as I understand the plants use the nutes the ppm drops and the pH rises. Also the proper percentage of nutes is lost. I get it and it all makes sense but what if I were to only cycle 6 gallons per day or possibly 2-3 days? I'm going to give it a try keeping a close eye on water conditions throughout the process and see how long I can run it before having to change the water.

If only 1 day that would be fine and save me several gallons and the plants will be watered 6 times a day instead of only a couple some days.

We'll see. If not I'll go back to collecting the runoff and deal.

Back to work, lunch is never long enough, when I get a lunch!

Happy Growing!

oldskol4evr · Oct 16, 2019

PlumberSoCal said:
Days 52/22

Little ones are taking off.
View attachment 902832
Amazing looking at the growth over 2+ weeks.

Whipped a little bondage on the last 3.
View attachment 902837
A lot of oohing and awing. Real plant porn.

Last topping today.
View attachment 902842
As soon as those 8 shoots start to grow I'll trim her up and tie them down as needed. She's got about 2 weeks before flip.

Figure I'll be taking 1 or 2 each week to flip which will have the benefit of harvesting one or more a week when the time comes.

Haven't had time to run the drip lines but got the tank under the pan and the new water pump in.
View attachment 902845
Seems to have plenty of strength.

Picked up a cheap timer at Lowe's for about $15
View attachment 902846
8 events per day. Perfect.

Everything I've read says not to recirculate coco water. I'm stubborn and wanna try. Currently I'm using 8-10 gallons a day (30% runoff) with 3-5 waterings and of course about the same amount of runoff. Granted it seems to be working but a lot of time is spent mixing nutes and watering.

The main problem with recirculating is as I understand the plants use the nutes the ppm drops and the pH rises. Also the proper percentage of nutes is lost. I get it and it all makes sense but what if I were to only cycle 6 gallons per day or possibly 2-3 days? I'm going to give it a try keeping a close eye on water conditions throughout the process and see how long I can run it before having to change the water.

If only 1 day that would be fine and save me several gallons and the plants will be watered 6 times a day instead of only a couple some days.

We'll see. If not I'll go back to collecting the runoff and deal.

Back to work, lunch is never long enough, when I get a lunch!

Happy Growing!

only just began bro,that coco will hull you out even your setup with trays,i dealt with the changing water and all that,try to filter some the runoff now threw the tank and see what comes back out,after you get past that brown runoff stage it nutes ,having that starting point would be quicker dialing it in

PipeCarver · Oct 16, 2019

PlumberSoCal said:
Days 52/22

Little ones are taking off.
View attachment 902832
Amazing looking at the growth over 2+ weeks.

Whipped a little bondage on the last 3.
View attachment 902837
A lot of oohing and awing. Real plant porn.

Last topping today.
View attachment 902842
As soon as those 8 shoots start to grow I'll trim her up and tie them down as needed. She's got about 2 weeks before flip.

Figure I'll be taking 1 or 2 each week to flip which will have the benefit of harvesting one or more a week when the time comes.

Haven't had time to run the drip lines but got the tank under the pan and the new water pump in.
View attachment 902845
Seems to have plenty of strength.

Picked up a cheap timer at Lowe's for about $15
View attachment 902846
8 events per day. Perfect.

Everything I've read says not to recirculate coco water. I'm stubborn and wanna try. Currently I'm using 8-10 gallons a day (30% runoff) with 3-5 waterings and of course about the same amount of runoff. Granted it seems to be working but a lot of time is spent mixing nutes and watering.

The main problem with recirculating is as I understand the plants use the nutes the ppm drops and the pH rises. Also the proper percentage of nutes is lost. I get it and it all makes sense but what if I were to only cycle 6 gallons per day or possibly 2-3 days? I'm going to give it a try keeping a close eye on water conditions throughout the process and see how long I can run it before having to change the water.

If only 1 day that would be fine and save me several gallons and the plants will be watered 6 times a day instead of only a couple some days.

We'll see. If not I'll go back to collecting the runoff and deal.

Back to work, lunch is never long enough, when I get a lunch!

Happy Growing!

You gotta watch out for some of those cheap timers. What kind of load are you putting on it? and what's it rated for? a 250 - 500w rating won't handle a larger load and becomes a fire hazard . Okay, I see its good for up to 1000w or 1/2hp that better than I thought it was. I've come close to a fire with a burned up timer and sizzling wires. Oops overloaded lol

PlumberSoCal · Oct 17, 2019

PipeCarver said:
You gotta watch out for some of those cheap timers. What kind of load are you putting on it? and what's it rated for? a 250 - 500w rating won't handle a larger load and becomes a fire hazard . Okay, I see its good for up to 1000w or 1/2hp that better than I thought it was. I've come close to a fire with a burned up timer and sizzling wires. Oops overloaded lol

Just a 15 watt submersible pump. Don't forsee any issues with it.

When I have the time, this weekend no doubt, I'll test it and see how long I'll need to run it each time. Every 2hrs 45 minutes, starting at 4:30am for 6 waterings a day. I have 2gh & 4gh heads and plenty of adjustable heads. I'll try different heads and hope to dial it in to no more than 5 minutes each run with10-20% runoff.

Lowered the amount of water today to just a small amount of runoff but afraid it won't do as well. Should have the auto watering up and running by Sunday.

Gave the smaller ones their 2nd topping. They're a good 3 weeks behind the larger ones.

Little ones are all 3 nodes and very close in size except for 1. I'm not putting a net on 'em and will be using sunlight during flowering so I don't care if they're the same height or not.

I could spend hours just watching them grow.

Just before lights out tonight.

PlumberSoCal · Oct 17, 2019

oldskol4evr said:
only just began bro,that coco will hull you out even your setup with trays,i dealt with the changing water and all that,try to filter some the runoff now threw the tank and see what comes back out,after you get past that brown runoff stage it nutes ,having that starting point would be quicker dialing it in

Gonna put a nylon on the exit pipe that will return the water into the foam of a power filter in the tank. I plan on filtering the drain hole as well. Very little coco and/or perlite leak out of the pots as I used news paper on the bottoms and fiber pots hold media. The small baskets I had set on the shower pan made a mess but easy to clean and I'll put any new ones in trays so don't think it will be an issue.

It will be interesting to monitor the water quality and see how long I can run the same water. They do it with hydro for up to 2 weeks using an inert media, why not coco?

PlumberSoCal · Oct 22, 2019

Days 59/29

Still don't have the drip lines run, been way too hot to work in the greenhouse and life keeps getting in the way but I do have the pump and a hose and have been watering with 50+% runoff.

Seems to be working. I did get a couple burnt leaves from not allowing enough runoff for several days but everyone is looking good again.

Had to add a vent to the drainline.

1/2" drain was too slow to keep up. Works well now.

Picked up another 2 buckets.

And munched donuts Sunday. They don't charge for buckets so I tip them $2 each and a buck for the donuts and awesome service. She actually apologized for not washing the buckets. Yeah. She's awesome.

The Kratky plants are killing it.

I was watching Kratky method videos this past weekend and saw one where this guy attached water bottles with hard tubing and cut two holes in each for baskets. That gave me an idea with 2.5 liter bottles.

I have to paint and cut holes but these should work well for lettuce and bush green beans.

3 days from my next planting and a week and a half from flipping my first 2 plants this fall/winter. WOOT!

Happy Growing!

oldskol4evr · Oct 22, 2019

PlumberSoCal said:
Days 59/29

View attachment 903861

Still don't have the drip lines run, been way too hot to work in the greenhouse and life keeps getting in the way but I do have the pump and a hose and have been watering with 50+% runoff.
View attachment 903862
Seems to be working. I did get a couple burnt leaves from not allowing enough runoff for several days but everyone is looking good again.

Had to add a vent to the drainline.
View attachment 903863
1/2" drain was too slow to keep up. Works well now.

Picked up another 2 buckets.
View attachment 903864
And munched donuts Sunday. They don't charge for buckets so I tip them $2 each and a buck for the donuts and awesome service. She actually apologized for not washing the buckets. Yeah. She's awesome.

The Kratky plants are killing it.
View attachment 903865
I was watching Kratky method videos this past weekend and saw one where this guy attached water bottles with hard tubing and cut two holes in each for baskets. That gave me an idea with 2.5 liter bottles.
View attachment 903866
I have to paint and cut holes but these should work well for lettuce and bush green beans.

3 days from my next planting and a week and a half from flipping my first 2 plants this fall/winter. WOOT!

Happy Growing!

looking great bro,a p trap works every time

PlumberSoCal · Oct 24, 2019

Days 61/31

7 of 9 of the young ones got first topping. Older ones got more bondage.

Look what I found this adternoon.

Got clipped. BT for everyone.

Sold on this hydro stuff. Kratky bottles are incredible.

I grow lettuce every winter in those light green pots on the left. These are growing way faster in hydro nutes than soil. And look at those tomatoes.

I've got 50' of 1/2 drip tubing for patio plants and the greenhouse arriving tomorrow. Was going to use pvc but I'd have to silicone all the 1/4" fittings. Can't wait to set up automatic watering.

So far so good on the recycling the water. I've been replacing 1-2 gallons a day. Once the auto watering is in place I'll clean out the tank and add all new and continue to change a few gallons a day and clean weekly.

I also ordered a 950gph air pump. DWC here I come.

Tomorrow is planting day so a week away from first flip. Only 2 months. Can't believe it.

Happy Growing!

oldskol4evr · Oct 24, 2019

PlumberSoCal said:
Days 61/31

View attachment 904457
7 of 9 of the young ones got first topping. Older ones got more bondage.
View attachment 904467

Look what I found this adternoon.
View attachment 904458
Got clipped. BT for everyone.

Sold on this hydro stuff. Kratky bottles are incredible.
View attachment 904459
I grow lettuce every winter in those light green pots on the left. These are growing way faster in hydro nutes than soil. And look at those tomatoes.

I've got 50' of 1/2 drip tubing for patio plants and the greenhouse arriving tomorrow. Was going to use pvc but I'd have to silicone all the 1/4" fittings. Can't wait to set up automatic watering.

So far so good on the recycling the water. I've been replacing 1-2 gallons a day. Once the auto watering is in place I'll clean out the tank and add all new and continue to change a few gallons a day and clean weekly.

I also ordered a 950gph air pump. DWC here I come.

Tomorrow is planting day so a week away from first flip. Only 2 months. Can't believe it.

Happy Growing!

yep time for bt bro,get um all and keep them there hahaha throw up a pic when your done,im a watching

Aqua Man · Oct 24, 2019

PlumberSoCal said:
Days 61/31

View attachment 904457
7 of 9 of the young ones got first topping. Older ones got more bondage.
View attachment 904467

Look what I found this adternoon.
View attachment 904458
Got clipped. BT for everyone.

Sold on this hydro stuff. Kratky bottles are incredible.
View attachment 904459
I grow lettuce every winter in those light green pots on the left. These are growing way faster in hydro nutes than soil. And look at those tomatoes.

I've got 50' of 1/2 drip tubing for patio plants and the greenhouse arriving tomorrow. Was going to use pvc but I'd have to silicone all the 1/4" fittings. Can't wait to set up automatic watering.

So far so good on the recycling the water. I've been replacing 1-2 gallons a day. Once the auto watering is in place I'll clean out the tank and add all new and continue to change a few gallons a day and clean weekly.

I also ordered a 950gph air pump. DWC here I come.

Tomorrow is planting day so a week away from first flip. Only 2 months. Can't believe it.

Happy Growing!

Looking great brother... Hydro growth really is amazing to watch.

1 tip on the air pump. Make sure you get stones that match it for best performance of stones and lifespan of pump. The more back pressure the harder on the pump. Not enough and the stones don't work well. I recommend the 4"X2" run between 7-10 LPM. So you should run about 6 of those stones after taking water pressure into account to fit that pump.

PlumberSoCal · Oct 24, 2019

oldskol4evr said:
yep time for bt bro,get um all and keep them there hahaha throw up a pic when your done,im a watching

You know I will. Been triple digit temps here this week. I could put any of 'em outside the greenhouse and they'd stretch and flower. Amazing.

I really expect a 15"+ stretch producing 1' colas. 8 per plant. Damn.

Gonna have to order another pump and figure out a pan for the big greenhouse. Wanna keep those 7 daily waterings going while flowering.

This is fricking amazing and really easy.

PlumberSoCal · Oct 24, 2019

Aqua Man said:
Looking great brother... Hydro growth really is amazing to watch.

1 tip on the air pump. Make sure you get stones that match it for best performance of stones and lifespan of pump. The more back pressure the harder on the pump. Not enough and the stones don't work well. I recommend the 4"X2" run between 7-10 LPM. So you should run about 6 of those stones after taking water pressure into account to fit that pump.

SI. I built a fish room once upon a time with some 40 aquariums. I inherited a blower. Ran for years on 1/2" pvc lines. This cheap pump, $33 comes with a 6 way manifold. I'm only going to run 6 buckets, TO START, he says knowingly and will want to see how many stones I can run.

Really like those ceramic 1.6" disks but I have a bag of the small standard stones. I'll switch over soon enough.

This is a lotta frickin fun. Why you hydro guys/gals hide this fact?

Aqua Man · Oct 24, 2019

PlumberSoCal said:
SI. I built a fish room once upon a time with some 40 aquariums. I inherited a blower. Ran for years on 1/2" pvc lines. This cheap pump, $33 comes with a 6 way manifold. I'm only going to run 6 buckets, TO START, he says knowingly and will want to see how many stones I can run.

Really like those ceramic 1.6" disks but I have a bag of the small standard stones. I'll switch over soon enough.

This is a lotta frickin fun. Why you hydro guys/gals hide this fact?

Lol it's keeps ya busy... I find it far more interesting than soil but I'm partial to it. Those discs should be run under 6 LPM so you can just do the math and add more of them. Now i take off about 10% of the Gph off the pump to account for water pressure. Assuming you will be about 1,5 feet deep.

Off to bed wife is given me the teenage winks. Got make hay while the sun shines lol

PlumberSoCal · Oct 25, 2019

Aqua Man said:
Off to bed wife is given me the teenage winks. Got make hay while the sun shines lol

Aqua Man · Oct 25, 2019

PlumberSoCal said:

Hahaha yeah kinda like that.

oldskol4evr · Oct 25, 2019

Aqua Man said:
Hahaha yeah kinda like that.

hahaha like didnt see that coming hahahah

PlumberSoCal · Oct 26, 2019

Days 63/33/2/1

Auto watering system is installed.

oldskol4evr · Oct 26, 2019

PlumberSoCal said:
Days 63/33/2/1

Auto watering system is installed.

throw it up

PlumberSoCal · Oct 26, 2019

Let's try that again. Accidently hit post and ran out of time to edit, dinner got in the way.

All lines are open, no drip heads and all seem to run evenly. Runoff after about 2-3 minutes. Tomorrow morning I'll time it and figure out how long to let it run each time, 7 times each day, every 2.5 hrs starting at lights on 4:30 am and last watering at 7:30 pm.

I've been having to add 1-2 gallons daily using the hose off the pump to water and expect to add the same daily with the auto watering running.

Planted 22 Chemgopher seeds yesterday.

I'll only keep 6-7 of the best in coco and 2-3 in rock wool. Got several buckets and a strong air pump. Time to setup a few DWC plants.

So 3 sets of Chemgopher a month apart and today planted 5 of 10 Ground Pounders that arrived today.

While still loving the chem taste I'm really looking forward something else.

Quickly running out of room. Next week at least two of the adults will be moved out to flower. I need a bigger greenhouse.

Happy Growing!

Plumber's First Coco Grow

Plumber's First Coco Grow

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Aqua Man

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