thanks for the advice, but i can't add any more lights. between the extra power bill $$ and the heat in there (it already gets up to the mid-80s or even high 80s if i don't open up and vent once a day), it just isn't in the cards right now.
Hey ya Misty. Let's see if we can't get you sorted and back on track.
First, for what you're doing (drain to waste), you
may be better off using Promix HP instead of coco. I say this as it seems it would better fit what you're expecting (water when dry, no need to pH, etc). This also means using less water as well.
Doing this, I highly recommend looking at Farside's feeding schedule. Especially if you're running autos. (You can find it in his journal, or the now closed MegaCrop thread.)
This schedule, combined with quadlining, will blow your autos up. You will need megacrop, which you have, and if you would like you can also use some calmag and protekt. Protekt being a silica supplement. Its usage was discussed pretty heavy in the MC thread. SKIP the bud explosion. It's already part of MC anyway. More is just asking for trouble. Remember the KISS method, and keep it simple.
Next, summertime is fast approaching. Temps with the light are going to become more difficult to manage as a whole. The more you can do to prevent that, the better you will be.
How can you do that?
You don't want to hear this, I know. Nobody does. However, I strongly suggest checking out this
@Budget LED light:
250w Series 3 Red Spec, 3500k.
Yes, it's money. However it's not an expenditure, it's an investment. That light will last you 10 years or better, and you'll no longer have to replace your bulb every other grow.
They also offer a discount for forum members, which you can find in their sponsor thread.
But what in the world can this do for you, other than cost you money?
It's going to save you money every month, which will add up and pay for itself within the year. First, you'll use less electricity every month. You'll first save 65w a month, as this light is only 250w. Next, it will drastically decrease heat impact. Two of these same units, on full blast, didn't raise my tent temps more than 7F above the ambient room temp, and that was with the drivers still in the tent. You can ask for a longer cord between the light and the driver, so that you can mount the driver outside the tent and further reduce heat impact.
Now when you put off less heat, that's also going to be less work your AC will have to do this summer as well, which will save you more money every month too.
You'll also not have to replace bulbs, which will save you money too. You also won't need to worry about the light degrading and reducing the quality of your grow as well.
This light is powerful, but extremely efficient. It will also rock the shit out of a 3x3. I have one running in a 3x3 right now and it's killing it. The tent temps are 3F-4F above ambient room temp, and the plant in there is just basking in the sun without a care in the world.
There are other LED's out there. For example, there is Mars Hydro. They work. People get results with them. However, I would caution against them as they use inferior components, use more watts, and at most is a $90 diff in price. That difference will be ate up in your first grow as it pulls more power and puts off a little more heat.
It's a tough pill to swallow, I know and had to do the same thing (and kinda went nuts, lol), but the end result is absolutely worth the investment.
After that, it comes down to genetics. Get. Good. Genetics. That's the first thing that makes a difference. Start with good genes, put it in the right environment, and pay attention. Also when selecting your seeds, do a little extra research once you have some options on your list. Look for journals here, and other places, and see how the seeds turn out. You'll need to be careful, as some growers out there should be skipped over. You'll know them when you see them.
Now please don't take this wrong. You're doing well so far. Now that you have a few plants under your belt, there are places you can kick it up a notch. In turn, better results, and a better product.
and because i use a humidifier, it might get even hotter still....
