papowerbud

I've been doing my research, both reading/watching the massive amounts of info which is available for quite some time now (2 years I would say). I decided why not, lets take this plunge as I've become rather passionate about learning and learning how to do it the best I can. So here go's nothing.

I don't have any specific questions at this time, I just wanted to say thank you in advance to everyone who contributes on this forum and give a basic introduction of myself. It's been much appreciated and I am sure in the near future I will come crawling for help So here's the setup, and I'll also include the first few planned rounds in regards to strain type. I am open to any comments, suggestions, criticisms etc so feel free to share your thoughts. I'll also be running a continuous growlog whenever a new harvest/crop begins through the process, so those in the future can maybe learn a thing or two from my early-ons...

Setup:
-6x4x7 HydroHut Silver Tent (took me an hour by myself to set up, very surprised good quality all metal structure. Plenty of support for lights, ventilation, etc and just an all around quality piece)
-Blockbuster 8" Air-Cooled Reflector
-Lumatek 600w 120/240v dimmable digital ballast with superlumens
-Hortilux HPS 600W bulb (will use for veg&flower)
-6" Inline Active Air for exhaust (400CFM)
-6" duct fan to cool the light
-Apollo 9 dual digital Timer (Presumably for light/exhaust fan)
-Oscillating Stand Fan
-Small angled fan to blow air up through
-3 way meter for ph,moisture,light levels
-digital temp/hygrometer

Medium will start with Light Warrior, and then transplant to a FFOF w/ perlite Mix. I've heard the FFOF may be a tad strong on the nut side for starters. I'm going to use solo cups to germ/sprout then transplant to 3 gal pots for the rest. I am planning to run 10-12 per grow.

Now for the Seeds...should be in any day now :-) some I ordered, some are freebies, some were given to me (in breeders packs, so they are legit):

Reserva Privada Kandy Kush
Reserva Privada Cole Train
Dinafem Power Kush
DNA Genetics RockLock
Dutch Passion Skunk#11
Dutch Passion Mekong High
Dutch Passion Orange Bud
Dutch Passion White Widow
Dutch Passion Blueberry
Pyramid Seeds Osiris
Pyramid Seeds Anestesia
Pyramid Seeds Tutankhamon
Lowlife Hindu Kush Auto
Lowlife Lemon Skunk Auto
Sagarmatha Double Diesel Ryder Auto
Sagarmatha Smurfberry Auto
Sagarmatha AK48 Auto

My first run through I'm going to do two groups of the Autos, simply because of quicker turnaround and I think it will be an easier first grow session. If you read through all this thanks in advance, I like to be thorough and I am very excited to take the next step. Again, any words on my future grow(s) fire away. I should have the seeds this coming week and in the pots next week I would assume/hope if everything goes as planned.

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vaporedout

looks like youve got some cool strains. get some pics of the room, everything... its always cool to see others setups. my only advice would be to make sure you run the auto flowers with each other. cant wait to see the white widow.

SmokeaJoint

Niiiice! This is a better setup that most people come on here with so you're ahead of the game. Can't wait to see pics of the green that comes out of this setup! Nice strain variety.

That widow might get tall, idk about some of the others. Are you familiar with LST just in case you run into sativa length?

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papowerbud

Yeah that's why I plan on doing the autos first. That way I have a grow or two under my belt before I do the normal fem's. I'm semi-familiar from reading up on things with the topping/training methods I'll most likely end up having to use.

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farmergiles

You need a timer for the light. Well maybe not for the ruderalis.
The extractor fan should not be switched off normally- the plants still need ventilation when the lights are out.

That's some list.

How are you going to determine the sex of the plants?

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Dandaweedman

That's some list.
Looks like you have all the tools you need to get the ball rolling.
Good luck.

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Dandaweedman

That's some list.
Looks like you have all the tools you need to get the ball rolling.
Good luck.

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papowerbud

-The apollo 9 is the timer I have, it has dual outputs which are programmable so I'll be most likely doing an 18-6 schedule for the auto's throughout on one of the recepticles then on the other the exhaust fan. I figure If I exhaust probably every 7-10 minutes it should bring fresh air in and keep everything moving smooth.

-As far as sexing, most of these are fem beans. The power kush I believe is not, and I am planning on getting a few auto grows in first before I jump up but determining sex shouldn't be a major issue at that point.

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farmergiles

The exhaust should be on constantly when the lights are on. Apart from anything else, you might find smells escaping when the fan goes off.
You could set the fan to cycle every five minutes or so when lights are off. I'd be tempted to leave it on 24/7.

Keep an eye on temperature and humidity so you know what's going on.

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papowerbud

You're suggesting I basically have the same schedule (18-6) for the exhaust and the light itself? Is there any way to lower the fan speed if I am to run it straight through, it's rather loud but pushes alot of air. That's the reason I was going to time it to clear the tent every 10 min so there's a cycle of fresh air.


BTW, thanks everyone for the input so far. Pics to come as I just checked the beans out and all 10 I am going to germ dropped using the soaking method already :-)

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papowerbud

never mind, just need the controller and I'll be fine. Off to get some extra perlite and put these in the ground!

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farmergiles

10/10 seeds popped? Nice one.

re the fan- you can get a fan speed controller (as long as your fan is designed to work at variable speed).
Some of them work off a thermostat, some even take into account humidity as well.
You might be able find a controller that has two speed settings that can switch from your timer so you can reduce the speed when the lights are off.
The cheaper fan speed controllers can cause the fan to make a buzzing noise when the speed is reduced.
You can get variable transformer based controllers which should eliminate the buzzing but they cost big bucks.

Acoustic ducting helps with fan noise. Also- you can make a box to put the fan in (with 2 holes for the ducts obviously) and pack it with old blankets or expanding foam (or any other sound insulative material).

The sound made by the fan cycling on and off may be more noticeable than than having it on constantly...

Keep in mind that the fan solves a few problems apart from keeping the growspace cool and changing the air-
it reduces humidity and
it removes smells (in conjunction with the carbon filter).

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papowerbud

I honestly don't see temps being an issue at this point. Without the exhaust fan pulling air out I've had the light on to test temps before I ground these beans. I have the light dimmed to 400w right now, and the temps a constant 71-73 degrees. When I pump the wattage up to 600 I am sure this will rise, but with the fan running at that point it should help dramatically. Plus the constant actual room temperature should not fluctuate much throughout winter/summer which will be nice in managing and documenting the temp/humidity.

Fan I have:
Hydrofarm - Active Air ACDF6 6 inch In-Line Fan 400 CFM

Controller I Need:
Hydrofarm - Active Air ACSC Duct Fan Speed Adjuster

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SmokeaJoint

71-73 is perfect. I'd say run the fan 24/7 to maximize their CO2 use, but hey if you cant you cant. Also, be sure to check the growing medium's pH before you plant, just in case it needs some adjusting.

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papowerbud

Here are some pics to start...Im going to start a growlog as well once they sprout (they better!). This is 4 Double Diesel Ryders to the left, because I lost one...dont ask. To the right are 5 auto lemon kush'. I also topfilled about 1/4 of each pot (they are filled 3/4 filled with FFOF and 25% more perlite) with light warrior as I've heard the FFOF sometimes is a bit strong for starters.

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farmergiles

Like the sig btw.

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Jenna_Grows

Good luck with the grow!

SmokeaJoint

Not bad so far. the only thing I can think of as any sort of improvement is to nix the silvery wall lining and go with a flat, titanium white finish. Its the most effective reflector of light.

I get that its unlikely you'll be able to do that since you already bought and set up the grow tent. Just consideration for next time around.

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Dandaweedman

Farmergiles, an amazing series of posts

The air movement trumps the fact temps are under control. You need the babies getting fresh air constantly.

Nice setup, love the purple doodad ballasty type thing.

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papowerbud

Ditto, again a big thanks to all the input so far.

My humidity stays right around 32%. I figured I had to use the "greenhouse method" to get these to sprout but down the road this should work in my favor correct?

Yeah the Lumatek is very nice, I have it dimmed down right now until the seedlings mature and will kick it up to 600w at that point. I should be able to go 18-6 throughout with the autos correct, even just planted seeds need darkness I would assume.

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