UCPRO4 Newbie & Questions ...

[UC Quest]

I am just about to order the UCPRO4 and stumbled across this forum, and was pleasantly surprised to discover there is a whole section on the Undercurrent, so cool.

I have a bunch of questions, id you guys would be so kind to share your knowledge and experience with me, and it would be very much appreciated.

I am purchasing the UCPRO for the sole purpose of growing clones. I will be most happy to post pictures up on a regular basis to share my adventure.

I will be vegging for anytime between 3-4 months. How big will these 4 plants get in this time frame?

The room I am building will be 12 x 15, with 9-foot ceilings, will this room be big enough.

What size footprint would you suggest? Would I get away with 50" centers?

Will I be able to get away with 2 x 1000 watt HPS lights?

If I use a Merlin RO plumbed directly into the UC system, do I still require a reservoir?

I will be utilizing a Grobot, with water supply via a Merlin RO system, is this what eliminates the need for a reservoir as the Grobot and a continuous direct water top up system via a Merlin RO system.

Since I am only vegging how many different injection/nutrients bottles with the Grobot will I require?

What nutrients and any other additives would you all suggest given since my UCPRO4 system will only be used for vegging along with a Merlin RO water system.

Thanks to all who share their knowledge and experience with me.

 

[Chronic Monster]

Im no expert,
but just a couple thoughts for whatever its worth.

two 1000w bulbs is going to only cover a 4'x8' area with horizontal lighting


if you vegged plants in a uc for 4 months unless you were doing a drfeelgood type scrog, the plants would be freaking way out of control and way to large, then with only 2000 watts you def would not have enough light to make it worth it.

You didn't mention if your doing vert or horizontal. but 50 inch centers*for vert* would be to small I think if you tried to veg the plants that long..
but no point in vegging that long with only 2000 watts.

I would do some more reading before making that purchase, maybe go with the 13 gallon UC and buy some more lights with the money you would be saving..

in my opinion buying a pro system and only have 2000 watts is kinda a waste of cash cause you don't have the electric to run it.. If your only rockin 2k I think the 13 gallon would be more than big enough.

 

[UC Quest]

Thanks for your response.

Boy do I ever have a bunch of questions and a whole bunch more to learn.

Is it possible to start from seed with an Under Current system? If so how would it be done please?

What line of Nutrients would be best keeping in mind I will only be vegging.

Thanks again everyone. Please share with me what ever you can contribute to my UC Quest and adventure.

 

[SofaKingHigh]

I'd suggest 9kw for the PRO4. 4kw horizontal and 5kw vertical. CO2, 1/2HP chiller and a 3-4ton AC are essentials in that scenario.

Skip the GroBot until you've done a few runs and see if it's still in the cards. There's such little to do it seems silly to spend the money to have it done for you. You still need to visit the plants regularly so what's it to add some nutrient once or twice a week?

I'd dig through the pages of grows here and see if there isn't something more ideal for your space.

 

[crossouttheiis]

if you are only growing mothers,i don't think you would need aucpro.... id go with 13 gallon. if you do use the pro id use one overhead light per plant with 50 inch centers.

 

[j wizzle]

chronic monster pretty much nailed it. your plants are going to be WAY to large for 2 1ks....

you could use 2 1ks on a single plant vegged for 3-4 months in a UC system. they blow up quick.

i veg for a month under a t5 and my plants are monsters....

 

[Chronic Monster]

that's what she said:giggle

 

[UC Quest]

Can you eliminate the reservoir if you tap free flowing RO water system and add the nutrients through the epic centre?

If I was not to use a Grobot what metering equipment would you suggest please?

How often would the Under Current system need to be drained and refilled if just used for vegging?

Thanks for all your guys input and guidance.

 

[Texas Kid]

Get a good ph/ec/tds meter, thats all you need to meter the UC system

You are already over thinkin it boss and throwing $3000 dollar Grobot metering systems in the mix and askin the most basic grow questions let alone the questions about the UC system.

Why are u even using this system to maintain mothers for clone production, makes no since at all to me, not at all the way to do it IMO. Your goin to run into all kinds of issues with extended veg times just sittin static in the UC system and why would you even want to anyways?? I mean honestly, your talkin about a $12,000 dollar room from the get go and then a few more hundred here and there just to maintain 4 moms for clones.....huh??

This entire project is a waste if your just lookin to knock clones off of four moms, get some soil and 20 gallon pots and be done with it, you'll be able to take a few hundred clones at a whack off each plant real soon and with a fraction of the headache, hassle, and expense of the UCPro

At most I would look at the UC 13 gallon setups and even then if your not ultimately goin to flower them out whats the point.

Tex

 

[woodsmaneh]

TK knows of what he speaks, guys can you imagine a plant living in a uc for 5 to 8 months, we have trouble with root mass at 2 to 3 months, unless you went in there every month with a chain saw no room. Dirt for mom.

 

[deacon1503]

Im with TK, these are novice questions for someone wanting a UC Pro but thats what this forum is for; to learn and share. I've had my share of medioce runs as well as home runs with the 8 gals and the Pro even makes me nervous. Good luck if thats the way u decide to go. If u just want clones from huge plants and don't plan on flowering it at all, pass on the Pro and go hempy.

 

[Bud Head]

Trust TK, He is very wise. if U want to set and forget, get a Ebb & grow, or something similar. U fill the 55 gal drum dump in the veg neuts, and let it run on autopilot.
U can run 12 pots in the same space, that U would do 4 UC's.

 

[UC Quest]

This is a great place, I wish I had discovered it before.

The information you guys are sharing is great.

Can I please ask of you as Bud Head has suggested an alternative to the undercurrent system in accomplishing growing mother plants for clones.

What's the best system and trimmings would I need To set and forget and run on autopilot to grow out some rather large mothers?

Thanks again for all of your guys help and suggestions.

 

[Texas Kid]

Large mother go in dirt, that is the set it and forget it method for maintaining long term mother plants for clone production..period. I have tried keepin mothers in every kind of setup you can think of and a hydro setup is not the way to go for moter plants.

Now when you get into flowering plants, there are some simple hydro methods like ebb&flow tables or single dwc's or even buckets that you could use but i would still recommend gettin a light and a plant goin before you do anything, you may find out your not that into growing or need to work on your skill set a little before goin full tilt and save yourself thousands of dollars.

What is your ultimate goal? have you been in clone production before? what strains? starting form seed or acquiring cuts? are you supplying clones to a despensary? are you supplying a large flower operation? are you supplying a few grow houses? what kind of clone production numbers are actually trying to achieve? how many clones a month? how are you goin to handle and maintain the clones once they are taken? what is the veg area goin to be for the clones or are they just goin to be in your mother room? are you goin to clone in rockwool or rapid rooters or maybe an aerocloner? what method are the clones goin to ultimately be grown in? it makes a difference on your rooting media so that would be good to know, do you have trays and domes ready to go for your cuttings? what clone rooting product are you lookin at using? what are ya goin to use for bugs? what lights over your young veggers/clones?

Tex

 

[UC Quest]

Thank You, Thank You, Thank you !!!

I have read all your replies. What you guys are saying makes lots of sense.

I have grown mothers for the last two years, both times in soil. I was looking for a way to simplify it, make it easiers faster with less plants, and through my research, I was leaning towards the Under Current system.

Texas Kid, your suggestions and directions make a lot of sense. I am going to continue to grow in soil for my mothers. I have been succesfful at this and this is what I will continue to do.

Thanks for everyone's help and suggestions !

 

[SofaKingHigh]

There is or was a clone shop in Colorado that did their mothers in UCs.

For 2kw you would be optimal with an 8xl system or a single barrel 4-site system with 2 plants per light. 1/4hp chiller. BlueLab Guardian Monitor.

Root pruning and frequent plant swapping would be expected. The clones would definitely have some girth to them and be super healthy.

If it's not something you'll profit from then it seems like overkill and a lot of extra work vs. soil.

 

[j wizzle]

texas kid is right.....mothers are best in soil. i dont keep moms, i just clone when i throw into flower and root/veg under t5s. i have 9 plants per bucket in a 28 gal DIY semi undercurrent....

when i say semi undercurrent, its not even an under current. its just a 1/2" pvc connection linking up 2-3 buckets. ive rooted in rockwool, aero cloner and ive even just thrown cuttings into a net pot, filled up the water high enough to touch the clones and let them roots with air stones.

 

[Texas Kid]

See now if ya swap those into a flower room every little bit and started over that would be badass but the size those are right there they couldn't be flowered in that setup they would definately have to be moved into a room with much more spacing and hella lights..

Nice though

Tex

 

[SofaKingHigh]

Those fatties look perfect for transplanting into the UC Pro. Imagine their final size after getting hit by 4kw each. Total growgasm.

BRB, came in my pants.

 

[donkeydon]

that's what she said:giggle

haha/ that's what her twin sisters giggeled for me......