X Marks the Spot - XLR8's Big Bang Auto Hydro Grow 2011

[Xlr8]

X, my friend, no need to thank me, it is an honor. And I'm not saying cancel out defoliation completely, just don't do it at the wrong time with these type plants. Although these plant don't normally need it because of size and other factors, if you look at my auto journal, you will see that I have defoliated, but my first defoliation begins after flowers are strating to fill out, and it is at a minimum, I think I will photo-tutorial it the next time, and post for whoever shall need it. Just remember that timing is key with autos. Looking GRRREEEEAAAATTT!!! Can't wait to see these beaut's come of age!!

Cool - please weigh in if you think I should be doing some defoliation at some point. Thanks buddy!

 

[420GodsTrichome]

Cool - please weigh in if you think I should be doing some defoliation at some point. Thanks buddy!

Will do my friend, but you got plenty of time, you know I will keep my eyes peeled to this journal my friend!!

 

[Thew1sest]

Yeah the undercurrent system kicks ass, I'd really like to give it a go if I had more time money and more space hahaha. Yeah res temps are the biggest factor in most hydro situations. I know Hydrologist swears by them, and I do too. Again I cant afford a chiller so frozen, cleaned, water bottles it is!

 

[Xlr8]

Hi w1sest, you got me really thinking when you brought that up (yesterday?), and I threw a plastic ice pack (like you put in a lunch pail) in the bucket last night, and I saw a noticeable perkiness in the plant, so I'm thinking I'll keep doing that for now. I appreciated you bringing that up. I'm not happy with the temps lately.

Since I put the HPS bulb in I'm having a hard time keeping the heat in line. It ranges from 80-84f, and that's a little hotter than I'd like. Likewise, I'm sure that the black bucket is absorbing the heat. I've been experimenting to try to get the heat down, but not much luck so far. I'm worried that the Adjust A Wing was a bad idea for the tent, but I'm not sure that's the issue. Season is probably part of it, too.

I'm going to keep experimenting and start getting a bit more scientific about the issue...

I owe you one for getting me thinking about res temps more, and nice idea on the water bottles.

 

[Aaron Quix]

Hey X what do you think about putting h2o2 in your res....?

 

[420GodsTrichome]

Hey X what do you think about putting h2o2 in your res....?

Would that oxygenate it more?

 

[Xlr8]

Hey X what do you think about putting h2o2 in your res....?

Here's what I go by, but there are a lot of different opinions on this. This information is from the Dutch Master Nutrients website in the growers guide, and it makes sense to me for the most part - I think there are a few more instances where hydrogen peroxide can be of use, but that's just from following other growers here who've had it save them in a pinch. I don't think H2O2 is a good idea as a regular additive personally. This is from Dutch Master's website:

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE:
Commonly known as H2O2, is intended for cleaning equipment and treating well water only. Often, it is sold on the premises as "extra oxygen" for roots. H2O2 is a highly reactive molecule. It is an oxidizing agent that is unstable in solution and tends to rip away electrons from other sources such as living matter (including root cells, bacteria and your skin!!) and chelating agents as well as reacting with other organic matter. This is what makes it an effective "cleaning" agent. However, for this reason it is not recommended in root zones or nutrient solutions. Adding too much H2O2 can kill your plants by damaging the roots, and render 'Hydroponic Nutrient Solutions' less effective by breaking down chelating agents.

It is recommended that you follow label instructions on dilution rates and treat water beforehand with H2O2 and allow at least 24 - 36 hours for most of it to react and become water and oxygen. Then use this "sterilized" and oxygenated water for your nutrient solution. Remember to keep the nutrient temperatures between 60 - 70 F / 16 - 22 C to keep the oxygen dissolved in the water.

 

[Xlr8]

Would that oxygenate it more?

Hi GT -

I don't think it works that way, and unfortunately it will reak havoc with any beneficial organisms as well as the bad ones. It also breaks down chelating agents in a nutrient mix (see post to Quix) and is overall not something you want as part of your mix, I don't think. Emergencies and sterilizing - sure. Just my thoughts!

 

[naphtali5725]

XL, i told you those adjust a wings would be too hot in your tent... i had a 4 inch vortex inline fan and it wasn't enough, that's why i went with the cooled reflector hood so i could keep my 4 inch fan setup...you may need a 6 inch fan in there to extract all that heat. good luck man i hope you can get it under control, i'm glad i went with the cooled reflector, but since you already have the adjusta wings, look for a 6 inch inline can fan, you should be able to find one used...

can you remind me what your exact setup is again?

kind regards,

 

[Jango]

Hi w1sest, you got me really thinking when you brought that up (yesterday?), and I threw a plastic ice pack (like you put in a lunch pail) in the bucket last night, and I saw a noticeable perkiness in the plant, so I'm thinking I'll keep doing that for now. I appreciated you bringing that up. I'm not happy with the temps lately.

Since I put the HPS bulb in I'm having a hard time keeping the heat in line. It ranges from 80-84f, and that's a little hotter than I'd like. Likewise, I'm sure that the black bucket is absorbing the heat. I've been experimenting to try to get the heat down, but not much luck so far. I'm worried that the Adjust A Wing was a bad idea for the tent, but I'm not sure that's the issue. Season is probably part of it, too.

I'm going to keep experimenting and start getting a bit more scientific about the issue...

I owe you one for getting me thinking about res temps more, and nice idea on the water bottles.

Hey X, I'm having some of those same problems myself buddy. For sure use the bottled ice water for starters. I also keep a gallon of water in the fridge that i use to top of my res so the cold water from that helps bring temps down too. The thing i noticed that made the biggest difference is mylar. When i first got my setup going i had my tubs and lids wrapped 100% in the mylar and when i switched my setup and ran out of mylar my res temps jumped up at least 10 degrees. So maybe try wrapping it with some mylar or at least anything to reflect the light off, especially since your buckets are black! I think that alone would make a huge difference in your res temps.

When i got my bad bout of root rot it was mostly just from not enough O2 so i bought a much higher output air pump to really blast my roots with oxygen. Went from the small 70 gph air pump to a 600 gph pump! You can get those for around $40-$50. That way even if res temps get out of the ideal range and into the mid 70's at least you dont have to worry about rot and problems of the like. Other than that i just use subculture b and hygrozyme in both my res's at about half strength from what they recommend and thats made a big difference too in my roots.

 

[420GodsTrichome]

Thank you. Read it a few times but just didn't stick I guess I'm gonna tackle the hydro way soon, and give it my best. I'm a vehwy good grassshoppa, LOL.

 

[Aaron Quix]

Hi GT -

I don't think it works that way, and unfortunately it will reak havoc with any beneficial organisms as well as the bad ones. It also breaks down chelating agents in a nutrient mix (see post to Quix) and is overall not something you want as part of your mix, I don't think. Emergencies and sterilizing - sure. Just my thoughts!

Hey X thanks a million! I was thinking the exact thing. I was having trouble searching for info on h2o2 in a res, but kept coming accross "opinions" and varying misinformation....I know it will kill, and OR prevent new skin cells, or scar tissue from forming, and I've actually seen a vid of h2o2 coming in contact with red blood cells under a high power microscope....That stuff is vicious! Thats why I was hesitant to add it to my res, all the beneficials and other organic matter would probably be compromised....Thanks again my friend, it should be a non-issue soon anyway, I got roots hitting the res yesterday and today, so wish my luck as I make the transition to soil!!

 

[Xlr8]

XL, i told you those adjust a wings would be too hot in your tent... i had a 4 inch vortex inline fan and it wasn't enough, that's why i went with the cooled reflector hood so i could keep my 4 inch fan setup...you may need a 6 inch fan in there to extract all that heat. good luck man i hope you can get it under control, i'm glad i went with the cooled reflector, but since you already have the adjusta wings, look for a 6 inch inline can fan, you should be able to find one used...

can you remind me what your exact setup is again?

kind regards,

You did warn me, Nap, and I should have listened better I think. Thank you for being the voice of reason - if only I was smart enough to listen!

I'm not sure I want to get a new fan, but maybe. Do you think that would fix it, or should I go the route you did...? Temps weren't an issue with the MH for some reason (most run cooler - didn't even realize that I guess!). I can't stand having my environment out of wack. I'm in full agreement with Docbud and others that a good environment is almost everything. My big questions:

*What makes the most difference in bringing heat down - bigger fan or air-cooled hoods?

*If I go with 6" fan, is it noisier?

I've been tweaking things and tent's been around 81f last day or so now - but not sure if it'll stay, get better/worse...

My setup is a tent approx 3'x5', 7' tall. 400w adjust a wing, 200cfm 4" fan. I want to add a second 400w, but I have to make this work better first!

 

[Xlr8]

Thank you. Read it a few times but just didn't stick I guess I'm gonna tackle the hydro way soon, and give it my best. I'm a vehwy good grassshoppa, LOL.

Cool GT - can't wait to see you give hydro a try. Lot's of people here to help you get it going if you need it!

 

[Xlr8]

Hey X, I'm having some of those same problems myself buddy. For sure use the bottled ice water for starters. I also keep a gallon of water in the fridge that i use to top of my res so the cold water from that helps bring temps down too. The thing i noticed that made the biggest difference is mylar. When i first got my setup going i had my tubs and lids wrapped 100% in the mylar and when i switched my setup and ran out of mylar my res temps jumped up at least 10 degrees. So maybe try wrapping it with some mylar or at least anything to reflect the light off, especially since your buckets are black! I think that alone would make a huge difference in your res temps.

When i got my bad bout of root rot it was mostly just from not enough O2 so i bought a much higher output air pump to really blast my roots with oxygen. Went from the small 70 gph air pump to a 600 gph pump! You can get those for around $40-$50. That way even if res temps get out of the ideal range and into the mid 70's at least you dont have to worry about rot and problems of the like. Other than that i just use subculture b and hygrozyme in both my res's at about half strength from what they recommend and thats made a big difference too in my roots.

Thanks for the ideas, Jango.

I'm really grateful! I've been thinking about reflecting the light, too - don't have any mylar, but maybe some white cardstock for now on top to reflect the light... I have an extra airpump and some extra airstones - I'll keep that in mind, too. My roots are looking really healthy right now, but I'm noticing the plant looks a bit perkier with the res cooled a little. I'm using Dutch Master Zone for the root health, and that's pretty awesome stuff, too. I've been able to discern a definite difference on my grows based on how much Zone I use.

again for the suggestions.

 

[Xlr8]

Hey X thanks a million! I was thinking the exact thing. I was having trouble searching for info on h2o2 in a res, but kept coming accross "opinions" and varying misinformation....I know it will kill, and OR prevent new skin cells, or scar tissue from forming, and I've actually seen a vid of h2o2 coming in contact with red blood cells under a high power microscope....That stuff is vicious! Thats why I was hesitant to add it to my res, all the beneficials and other organic matter would probably be compromised....Thanks again my friend, it should be a non-issue soon anyway, I got roots hitting the res yesterday and today, so wish my luck as I make the transition to soil!!

Quix! H2O2 is pretty cool stuff, imho. I was looking at a bottle of it a few years back, and it said you could use it as a mouth rinse. (I haven't tried it!) I'm assuming that was some of the more diluted stuff. The bottle I have now doesn't say that. I'll bet that looked crazy under the microscope!

 

[Crower619]

Sigh XL lol I told you to stay away from those damn adjust wings..Im stable with that 600W 6" blockbuster hood an that 6 inch inline duct fan helps a plus an running 2 other normal rotating fans keep it no higher than 78 with a 43% RH but trial an error is always going to happen no matter what brother hope you can get it stable

 

[Xlr8]

Sigh XL lol I told you to stay away from those damn adjust wings..Im stable with that 600W 6" blockbuster hood an that 6 inch inline duct fan helps a plus an running 2 other normal rotating fans keep it no higher than 78 with a 43% RH but trial an error is always going to happen no matter what brother hope you can get it stable

For what it's worth, I did have a number of people swear that the adjust a wings would work fine in there as I have it configured, lol. Just didn't listen to the right ones I guess. Thanks for weighing in with your details - that helps my friend! What's your temps outside of the tent?

I'm not too unhappy with the 81f right now, but it's not quite what I'd want either. Summer isn't helping me. It's freaking hot out here.

 

[naphtali5725]

Hey XL,

If it was me... I would go with air cooled reflectors with glass panels so the heat from the bulbs is contained within the reflector, that way all the heat from the bulbs can be evacuated before it ever gets a chance to heat up, plus i believe i read somewhere it helps extend the life of the bulb...
i can put my hand on top of my reflector with my 400HPS and can leave it there, that's how cool it keeps the hood with my 4 inch vortex inline fan.
you can have the inlet side connected to a carbon filter located within the tent and this will remove the heat from the tent at the same time, and also pulls cool air in from the bottom of the tent, while scrubbing the air of odor in the tent. and you could place your resevoir near where the airflow is coming in from the bottom of the tent and that will help keep the resevoir temp down a bit as well.

I have a controller on my inline fan so i can adjust the speed up or down so i can dial in the temp, if it gets hotter outside, i speed up the fan, cooler outside, i can lower the speed.

this is how i set mine up, and it works great! if you want to keep those adjusta wings, i think you'll need massive airflow from a 6 inch inline fan.

i know this may sound expensive, but maybe not... give me a layout of your room/tent and what lamps, ballast etc. you have in there ok?

let me now if you have any more questions and i'll help you figure it out
kind regards,

 

[Crower619]

For what it's worth, I did have a number of people swear that the adjust a wings would work fine in there as I have it configured, lol. Just didn't listen to the right ones I guess. Thanks for weighing in with your details - that helps my friend! What's your temps outside of the tent?

I'm not too unhappy with the 81f right now, but it's not quite what I'd want either. Summer isn't helping me. It's freaking hot out here.

Nothing but love an support here bro Well my outside temps are around 75-85 but this beach breeze helps me out alot an not including my house is downhill so maybe thats a plus on my side but ethier way its all good