Hi everyone! This will be my first journal with sponsored equipment. I live in Canada and have my medical permit, and recreational grows are also legal. I'll be using the ViparSpectra P4000 light in a 4x4 Gorilla grow tent. Let's start off with an equipment breakdown.
First and front is the light that @ViparSpectra was kind enough to provide.
The ViparSpectra P4000
Seedings
Vegetative
Flowering
Next Environment
I'll be using a Gorilla 4x4 Grow Tent. To control the temperature I have a portable AC inside the tent. While this does cost me the space of one bucket, I find that keeping the temperature in check makes up for it...less stressful and I only cool the tent instead of the entire garage.
I use an Inkbird temperature controller with wifi. The high temperature turns on the 8 inch exhaust fan that vents directly to the outside. In colder weather a oil heater gets plugged in.
I use a different inkbird humidity controller to keep the humidity in check. There is a small (to be upgraded) humidifier and large dehumidifier that stays in the tent.
Next is the containers holding the growing medium. I'll be using three 10 gallon The Bucket Company buckets, with hydroton (clay pebbles) as the medium (a bit of perlite to start the seeds). They will be top fed using the manifolds that come with the container system. Here's the manifold in action.
The main nutrients I'll be using is General Hydroponics FloraNova Grow & Bloom. Supplemental nutrients will mainly be: general hydroponics Diamond Nectar, green planet Ocean Magic, liquid koolbloom, green planet Roots Builder (a cheaper alternative to hydroguard), terpinator, cal mag, orca, mycos chum, and possibly a Silica supplement to be added. The supplements for the most part are optional.
A TDS pen to test my nutrients, I go by the x5 scale for ppm. It's what I learned with and works. The key is controlling the nutrients in the correct consistent amounts (and PH), whether you achieve that by measuring EC or PPM the end goal is the same, and I go by this chart for the most part.
A ph pen, this is vital. I also have a tower fan that oscillates, and is upside-down on the ceiling of the tent. Two other small fans are in the tent. Constant airflow within the tent is important. It helps prevent powdery mildew, keeps certain pests down, and helps strengthen stems.
Water will be from a reverse osmosis system.
Strains will be Bruce Banner Auto, White Berry Auto, and Somango Auto. I'll germinate one seed of each strain starting shortly.
The next post will show the light unboxing and what to expect. Thanks for reading, and never feel the need to catch up, it's always appreciated, but should the journal get long, feel free to skip a few pages.
First and front is the light that @ViparSpectra was kind enough to provide.
The ViparSpectra P4000
- 【High Efficiency】With the newest SMD LED technology, ViparSpectra P4000 LED grow light provide high PAR output, high energy efficiency and long lifespan while improving light penetration.
- 【Sunlike Full Spectrum Light Indoor Growing】Consists of 660nm of red led, 3000K and 5000K of white led and IR led, optimal full spectrum led grow lights.
- 【Sosen Driver】400W Sosen Driver helps achieve high PAR output and longer lifespan. Boost yields and save electric costs.
- 【Dimmer Function】Flexible dimmer allows you to adjust light intensity from 5% to 100% brightness.
- 【Friendly Design】Large heat sinks ensure an ideal cooling system. No fans zero noise.
- 【Coverage Area】Perfect for 5’x5’ vegetative coverage at 28” and 4’x4’ flowering coverage at 24” height.
- 【Worry-free Warranty】36-Month US Local warranty and 30-day money-back guarantee.
Seedings
Vegetative
Flowering
Next Environment
I'll be using a Gorilla 4x4 Grow Tent. To control the temperature I have a portable AC inside the tent. While this does cost me the space of one bucket, I find that keeping the temperature in check makes up for it...less stressful and I only cool the tent instead of the entire garage.
I use an Inkbird temperature controller with wifi. The high temperature turns on the 8 inch exhaust fan that vents directly to the outside. In colder weather a oil heater gets plugged in.
I use a different inkbird humidity controller to keep the humidity in check. There is a small (to be upgraded) humidifier and large dehumidifier that stays in the tent.
Next is the containers holding the growing medium. I'll be using three 10 gallon The Bucket Company buckets, with hydroton (clay pebbles) as the medium (a bit of perlite to start the seeds). They will be top fed using the manifolds that come with the container system. Here's the manifold in action.
The main nutrients I'll be using is General Hydroponics FloraNova Grow & Bloom. Supplemental nutrients will mainly be: general hydroponics Diamond Nectar, green planet Ocean Magic, liquid koolbloom, green planet Roots Builder (a cheaper alternative to hydroguard), terpinator, cal mag, orca, mycos chum, and possibly a Silica supplement to be added. The supplements for the most part are optional.
A TDS pen to test my nutrients, I go by the x5 scale for ppm. It's what I learned with and works. The key is controlling the nutrients in the correct consistent amounts (and PH), whether you achieve that by measuring EC or PPM the end goal is the same, and I go by this chart for the most part.
A ph pen, this is vital. I also have a tower fan that oscillates, and is upside-down on the ceiling of the tent. Two other small fans are in the tent. Constant airflow within the tent is important. It helps prevent powdery mildew, keeps certain pests down, and helps strengthen stems.
Water will be from a reverse osmosis system.
Strains will be Bruce Banner Auto, White Berry Auto, and Somango Auto. I'll germinate one seed of each strain starting shortly.
The next post will show the light unboxing and what to expect. Thanks for reading, and never feel the need to catch up, it's always appreciated, but should the journal get long, feel free to skip a few pages.
and will finish it later, with a proper write up. One thing I noticed when handing it right away was the coating on it providing the IP-65 water resistance. Felt like a nice soft rubbery protection, and I like it. More to come 
ViparSpectra for that! It's the little things that differentiates products, and they seem to have covered their bases.
. Happy to have you along, feel free to ask, or post any questions!
, it's still the start which always tends to be slow. But if you have any questions whatsoever or comments feel free to chime in brother!
