ROUND 2: Ben Derdundat ,The Under Current & 30,000 watts.... The Evolution Continues

[NugNation]

Damn, no updates on my favorite grow in almost a month Hope everything is going alright Ben!

 

[St3ve]

Excellent work.

 

[Ben Derdundat]

Hello Ben,

It shows you've spent a lot of time researching and implementing an excellent system. I'm curious if you have ever thought of using a regenerative blower system like the one made from Sweetwater? We are currently building our new grow area and have used your great ideas throughout. If you have thought about the blower system could you share your thoughts on it.

Thanks again.

Thanks for the compliment!
Yes, I have researched using a regenerative blower and will be replacing all eleven of my AP-100's which produce about 3 CFM each with a WW-60 Whitewater regenerative blower which produces 33 CFM. It is much more efficient and cost effective to use a regenerative blower rather then several air pumps when growing in the Under Current on a large scale. For instance, each Danner AP-100 requires 108 watts to operate. In my case that is 1,188 watts that I have dedicated to just operating pumps. The Whitewater WW-60 requires only 410 watts to operate. Not to mention, each AP-100 is around $150 ($1,650 total for me:doh) and the WW-60 is $300. Even with buying a second WW-60 for a back up I am still way under my original investment for my AP-100's. bd

Here's a picture of my new blower...

Nice setup Ben. Have you considered the material the Oxy gen is comprised of Stainless steal which will break down over time. Also such device is also known as a HHO common built for gas engine application. In other words where do you put the hydrogen generated from the split of the two gases. It seems that in a closed room hydrogen levels could potentially build up... mixed with that of an open flame on your CO2 gen... Boom. I have been building systems for a few years now and designed a hybrid to the undercurrent which incorporates aeroponics into the mix. Ive been toying with how to get a higher percentage of DO into the the nut. solution. It seems that the live bait guys have a great fix when it comes to keeping there live fish feed on boats for extended trips. That is they run a simple device which operates on DC current and costs $150 dollars. the tech is the same as the Oxy Gen. However i am not sold yet as i too have 800+ gallons recirculating. I designed a device which may solve this problem however it dose generate a substantial amount of Hydrogen Gas. The Oxygen is 100% dissolved into liquid in the form of nano bubbles. I am thrilled by this however its the hydrogen which is created which needs to be safely vented out of the device. Also on a side not have you considered the ph fluctuation with such a device. seems breaking bonds causes alkaline shifts.

First post had to be big!

Thanks.
Yes I am very aware of the fact that the Oxy-Gen uses stainless steel and that it will break down over time. This is why the manufacture recommends that the contact chamber (stainless steel plates are in the contact chamber) be replaced on an annual basis. In regards to pH fluctuation, I have not seen any to speak of and my systems are continuously monitored for pH, EC and temperature. Unfortunately, I can't say that I have the answer to where the hydrogen goes once it is split form the oxygen, but I can only assume that it is suspended in the water along with the oxygen.

The "simple device" that you mentioned above is called the Oxygenator. It is only rated to treat 30 gallons max. I came across this when I was researching dissolved oxygen. They are not practical for my application and I would not recommend using these on larger scale Under Current grows. To put in retrospect, I would need 27 oxygenators for a grow of my size. With the Oxy-Gen I only would need 2, as each one treats up to 400 gallons. That's about $1000 more for the Oxgenators then what I would pay for the Oxy-Gens. Not including what it would cost for the transformers to convert the power on the oxgenators form DC to AC and all the labor to install all 27 of those things. Another thing to consider is that I would have to cut 27 more holes in my Under Current modules, which doesn't sound all to smart to me.

You should post up some pictures of your modified Under Current and your home made oxygenator.... That is if you are trying to "Go Big"...:sleepy bd

keep up the good work ben. still lurkin
-boom

Right on Boom. Thanks!

Hi Ben! I look forward seeing round 2
I tested a oxy-gen unit earlier this year for a couple runs and found it to work quite well.

Hi Maitreyah!
Could you tell me more about your experience with the Oxy-Gen? What Type of hydroponic system did you use it with? how did you run it? Any input would be great.... Thanks. bd

man, those eletrical light adjuster are too fucking cool! what does a rig like that run$$?

Right on CaliConnoisseuR. Glad you like them.
After parts and labor I'm about $200 into each one. bd

hey Ben I am getting close to the end of my first UC grow and getting ready to flush what if anything do you flush with and for how long. seems like these trees will die if i just give them RO water. I run full line of h&g nutes. thanks

I flush for 3-4 days at a PPM of about 50. bd

Hey ben, looking good, I can't wait for an update. Do you do that training method with the wire circle for all you strains or just the OG's? It looks interesting, I've never seen it done before.

Whats up HG23. Thanks!
The circular wire training method is something new I tried this round. I only used that method on the O.G.'s. It worked pretty well. bd

 

[Ben Derdundat]

Damn, no updates on my favorite grow in almost a month Hope everything is going alright Ben!

Everything is going great NugNation. Thanks for asking!

 

[motherlode]

there you are Ben!

good deal on the regen blower! thats a much better idea for system like yours

 

[HannaMan]

Where you been?! Ohh you already been there dun that? Youre the man :)

How loud is that new blower of yours? I'm sure a bit more quiet then your (11) AP-100s ya?

 

[RollinEndough]

Fingers crossed for a killer plant update showing all this gear in action, this week.

Oxy-Gen has the curiosity peeked, hoping for a breakthrough and new must-have. :yes

 

[Ben Derdundat]

UPDATE: Flower Room #1; Bloom

It has been a few weeks since I have last posted and things are looking good. My computer crashed and I had to get it fixed.:mad0223: I also had an issue with my camera and lost 11 days of pictures, so excuse the gap in the sequence of pictures... bd

Day 17

Day 19

Day 21

Day 23

Day 24

Days 25-35

Camera issues...:angry:swear:mad0229::sign0055:


Day 36

Day 37

Day 38

One of my Heavy Hitter lids fell in and put one of my girls in the drink... That's where she'll stay.

 

[Ben Derdundat]

there you are Ben!

good deal on the regen blower! thats a much better idea for system like yours

It should be the hot ticket...

Where you been?! Ohh you already been there dun that? Youre the man :)

How loud is that new blower of yours? I'm sure a bit more quiet then your (11) AP-100s ya?

Between here and there doing this and that...

Maybe a little quieter... Not by much though...

Fingers crossed for a killer plant update showing all this gear in action, this week.

Oxy-Gen has the curiosity peeked, hoping for a breakthrough and new must-have. :yes

We will see ... The proof will be in the final numbers... I will get the update for the other room with the Oxy-Gen up a little later today...

 

[yourmomsfav]

WHOA!........Speechless!

 

[biggs]

awesome growing ben.

 

[UCMENOW]

Those stocks are stellar....bravo.

 

[RollinEndough]

Massive!

 

[KOZMOZ]

Oh my god ben, i am lost for words.

 

[Baddog]

Impressive Stalk Porn! Ladies are looking Very Happy! Ya got it goin on!

 

[Shady]

Always a pleasure reading your journal Ben... Lots of patience, good info, and steller photos... :cool

 

[sfzoo]

Wow Ben, i lurked your other thread for bit, but this is outstanding!

question, when problems arise(plants busting lids, budrot, etc..) how do you access the ladies in the middle?

 

[Ben Derdundat]

awesome growing ben.

Thanks biggs!

Those stocks are stellar....bravo.

Right on bro thanks!

Always a pleasure reading your journal Ben... Lots of patience, good info, and steller photos... :cool

Hey thanks Shady!

Massive!

Nice! Entertaining as always Rollin.

Impressive Stalk Porn! Ladies are looking Very Happy! Ya got it goin on!

I'm doing my best. Thanks Baddog!

Wow Ben, i lurked your other thread for bit, but this is outstanding!

question, when problems arise(plants busting lids, budrot, etc..) how do you access the ladies in the middle?

Thanks!
I havent ever experienced budrot. This is the second time a lid has fallen in and on both times I left them that way. As for accesing the plants in the center I use a wand on my sprayer when I crown feed and other then that I really dont have a need to physicaly access the center plants after I strip my plants and put up a grid. If I did need to, I could squeeze in there,but once those cages are on there is no real way to lift the lid all that much. bd

 

[UCtestn]

Lovely show!

...

Thanks!
I havent ever experienced budrot. This is the second time a lid has fallen in and on both times I left them that way. ... bd

I hear there is a new lid that will support itself with the outside of the bucket and not just the notches on the inside. Does anyone know when these will be available? Look like Ben could benefit.

 

[4.D.]

Bravo!

Dont piss off that one plant, she will knock your lid off.:confused0054: