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

[Jango]

Hovering around 81-82f and about 45% humidity. Meh, I'll want to get it a little cooler, but that's not TOO bad.

I'm not expecting too much with the auto, but who knows?!

Well first off she's looking gorgeous X! Gotta love how it seems like everyday when you walk into the room the plants just explode out of nowhere!

Out of curiosity where do you check your temp at? High, low, average of tent? Im just wondering cause i know in my room you can check the temp in 10 different places and get 10 different temps with about a 10 degree variance lol

 

[Xlr8]

Plants are looking great, XLR8! Nice job! They are definately some bushy plants for their size.

FYI...one additional benefit of the drain tubes on the buckets is that it provides an easy way to test PH.

I use a separate plastic cup and drain some water into the cup, then pour it back into the res through the top. I do this a couple of times just to make sure I'm not going to be just testing the water that was in the drian tube.

Then, I fill the cup and test the PH. If the PH needs to be adjusted, I add the up/down to the cup of water and pour it back through the top of the res, let the system run for 10-15 minutes, then re-test.

Thanks for the tips, Mr. K! Never thought of checking the PH using the tube - good idea - really appreciate you sharing that.

 

[Xlr8]

Hey, thats pretty good, but like you, I think in the high seventies would be just fine.

My humidity is whack. In one day it goes from 66% to 35%. Guess I should expect that in Hawaii. Well done on the tent!

Thanks OMM - I tried to muster up some sympathy for you having to live in Hawaii...

In all seriousness, I think a good dehumidifier for your tent might come in handy eventually if RH stays that high for any period during flowering. The Matterhorn rocks, though. I'm super jealous of all of your space!

 

[Xlr8]

XL, with the 1000HPS, and my current setup, temps are fine,
since you are pulling air conditioned air from within your home, and venting to another room, 2 400HPS's with air cooled hoods are going to be fine man.

let us know what your next move is on the temp issue!

kind regards,

Awesome info, very good to hear. Nap! I'm waiting to get both the time and money to dial things in. Hopefully soon, but it is what it is!

 

[Xlr8]

Looking great XL, let's show people what auto's can do!! Think yours are gonna blow mine off the map though!!!

for the encouragement, GT. Not so sure about that, but hopefully she'll produce something of quality in the end.

 

[Xlr8]

Well first off she's looking gorgeous X! Gotta love how it seems like everyday when you walk into the room the plants just explode out of nowhere!

Out of curiosity where do you check your temp at? High, low, average of tent? Im just wondering cause i know in my room you can check the temp in 10 different places and get 10 different temps with about a 10 degree variance lol

brother!

Yeah, this is a fun time as things are really exploding growth-wise.

I noticed that, too on the temps. I try to put it off to the side at plant height but not directly under lamp. Great question, by the way. I'm always wondering the same thing.

I have a couple of different thermometers in there in different places, they are pretty consistent at that height/placement, but they vary when you move them directly under the light, or up above the light, etc.

I'd love to hear what others do or have found and would recommend? I'm with you Jango - not entirely consistent (though I don't think mine varies quite as much as ten degrees - closer to 5 degrees maybe)?

 

[Crower619]

Hey XL They're all looking great cant wait to see this...I'm looking into doing hydro this coming grow an I will definitely need your help do you recommend any sites with the whole 6 plant package?

 

[Xlr8]

Hey XL They're all looking great cant wait to see this...I'm looking into doing hydro this coming grow an I will definitely need your help do you recommend any sites with the whole 6 plant package?

Hey Crower - are you referring to something like the hydro-bucket I made for the auto I'm growing, or the new Flo N Gro system I'm going to be doing after this? There is also a system called "Ebb n Grow" that is the original flood/drain bucket system. I liked the Flo N Gro, so I bought the "6 site upgrade" kit, a controller, and a couple of pumps (they only come as part of the FULL kit - same with tubing and some fittings).

The single bucket I'm using now is basically a DWC bucket with a Waterfarm plumbing kit in it. You can make these with parts available at pretty much any grow shop - I can point you to more specifics if you want on that.

If you do a google search there are a number of places that you can order the Flo N Gro setup from I think. I just bought what I needed in a grow shop that had just got it in...

Sorry, I'm a bit medicated so I may not have gone down the right path...

 

[OldMedMan]

Thanks OMM - I tried to muster up some sympathy for you having to live in Hawaii...

In all seriousness, I think a good dehumidifier for your tent might come in handy eventually if RH stays that high for any period during flowering. The Matterhorn rocks, though. I'm super jealous of all of your space!

Hi Xlr8.

Couldn't think of any come back for the Hawaiian comment...so we'll just go on.

I think your right on the dehumidifier. When the trade winds stop blowing the humidity goes through the roof. It gets strange in this room now. All the windows are blocked out, the fans keep a quite roar going, so I have no idea what's going on outside. I walked up to see Jo a couple of days ago and it was hot and rainy. What the hell?

I almost forgot. With everything on full blast, I can't watch TV. :
I have to turn the AC up a bit....then I can watch TV. I mean, I'm not going to miss the Stanley Cup. This has also made me change my 12/12 to 11 at night to 11 am.

 

[Mr. Krip]

Thanks for the tips, Mr. K! Never thought of checking the PH using the tube - good idea - really appreciate you sharing that.

Glad I could help, Bro! It definately beats trying to support the lid & top res with one hand while you're checking PH and/or adding solution with the other!

 

[Xlr8]

Yikes - not much time for 420mag tonight again. I've been really busy personally lately, but it's not a bad thing.

Lady Big Bang is looking really great. She's a budsite poppin' machine and is really hitting stride. I should have some nice pictures of her tomorrow, but she's really blasting off. Actually a fairly pretty pot bush!

I've got temps to be a pretty reliable 81f, which isn't ideal, but not too bad. But like was mentioned previously, where is the best place to measure from? Above the light near the top of the tent it measures about 75. Just off to the side from the plant "under the light" it's about 81f (at most) now. Every day I exchange a plastic ice pack from the freezer, not sure if it helps but she's not complaining at all.

This is the fun part starting to hit - watching buds develop -

 

[Crower619]

Hey Crower - are you referring to something like the hydro-bucket I made for the auto I'm growing, or the new Flo N Gro system I'm going to be doing after this? There is also a system called "Ebb n Grow" that is the original flood/drain bucket system. I liked the Flo N Gro, so I bought the "6 site upgrade" kit, a controller, and a couple of pumps (they only come as part of the FULL kit - same with tubing and some fittings).

The single bucket I'm using now is basically a DWC bucket with a Waterfarm plumbing kit in it. You can make these with parts available at pretty much any grow shop - I can point you to more specifics if you want on that.

If you do a google search there are a number of places that you can order the Flo N Gro setup from I think. I just bought what I needed in a grow shop that had just got it in...

Sorry, I'm a bit medicated so I may not have gone down the right path...

I did check out the Flow n Grow very sweet an I like the EBB one as well whats the average price for a set up like the (FNG), the under current was badass but were going back an forth with what kind of hydro

 

[Jango]

Yikes - not much time for 420mag tonight again. I've been really busy personally lately, but it's not a bad thing.

Lady Big Bang is looking really great. She's a budsite poppin' machine and is really hitting stride. I should have some nice pictures of her tomorrow, but she's really blasting off. Actually a fairly pretty pot bush!

I've got temps to be a pretty reliable 81f, which isn't ideal, but not too bad. But like was mentioned previously, where is the best place to measure from? Above the light near the top of the tent it measures about 75. Just off to the side from the plant "under the light" it's about 81f (at most) now. Every day I exchange a plastic ice pack from the freezer, not sure if it helps but she's not complaining at all.

This is the fun part starting to hit - watching buds develop -

Yeah big bang! Pop those buds girl!! I just clipped one of my thermostats to the power cord hanging from my light and that one always stays at 81 so i just adjust the light so that the thermostat is hanging by the top of my plant. My room seems to be around 78 and around the plants about 81 and everything is doing great. I just have a fan blowing the air right under my light, i think your fine, with the way she's growing if it aint broke dont fix it! lol

 

[Aaron Quix]

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[Xlr8]

Hi Xlr8.

Couldn't think of any come back for the Hawaiian comment...so we'll just go on.

I think your right on the dehumidifier. When the trade winds stop blowing the humidity goes through the roof. It gets strange in this room now. All the windows are blocked out, the fans keep a quite roar going, so I have no idea what's going on outside. I walked up to see Jo a couple of days ago and it was hot and rainy. What the hell?

I almost forgot. With everything on full blast, I can't watch TV. :
I have to turn the AC up a bit....then I can watch TV. I mean, I'm not going to miss the Stanley Cup. This has also made me change my 12/12 to 11 at night to 11 am.

Hi OMM - how about that Tim Thomas, Boston's goalie? Quite the game and series he's had. Luongo really looked a lot different than in the Olympics - really off his game.

I can only imagine having all that going in my living room! I'll bet that having everything inside has been quite a change - not just for the garden, but for the living situation. Has to be nice to have it all right there, though, when you want to tend to it.

Oh, and good luck with the MOTM contest. I got some Blue Planet nutrients as part of my prize for last month - I'm anxious to give them a try. Good timing to get them, too as I've been wanting to find an alternative to the Dutch Master line as it'd be an expensive way to go for me with the larger reservoir I'll have for the next grow with the Flo n Grow setup. Big thanks to 420 and Blue Planet nutrients - pretty cool prize and something I can really use. I made up a calculator and weekly plan for it already.

 

[Xlr8]

I did check out the Flow n Grow very sweet an I like the EBB one as well whats the average price for a set up like the (FNG), the under current was badass but were going back an forth with what kind of hydro

I think you can get either the Ebb n Gro or Flo n Gro for about $500, but that's the 12 site whole shabang. I have about $375 into what I did, which is to buy the Flo N Gro controller, 6 site add on kit, a res., and a couple of pumps and tubing. (I only have room for 6 sites, and don't need that big of a reservoir, so I am piecing together my own smaller set-up).

 

[Xlr8]

Yeah big bang! Pop those buds girl!! I just clipped one of my thermostats to the power cord hanging from my light and that one always stays at 81 so i just adjust the light so that the thermostat is hanging by the top of my plant. My room seems to be around 78 and around the plants about 81 and everything is doing great. I just have a fan blowing the air right under my light, i think your fine, with the way she's growing if it aint broke dont fix it! lol

Hi Jango - I think you and I have almost identical environmental conditions right now. I have a fan blowing right under my light, too, and the temps about the same in the same locations. Crazy!

I agree, right now everything is clicking, so if it ain't broke... I do want to tweak things before the next grow, though, and will probably give up on the Adjust a Wing at some point. Your plants are really looking great, Jango - nice and healthy!

 

[Wild Heart]

You can buy a 2'x2' flood tray. You can fit 8 6''x6'' pots/rockwool/coco cubes in there. Wish I woulda kept mine before I decided to do autos.

 

[Xlr8]

You can buy a 2'x2' flood tray. You can fit 8 6''x6'' pots/rockwool/coco cubes in there. Wish I woulda kept mine before I decided to do autos.

Nice suggestion, Acideye. Lot's of ways to go - I looked at some flood tray setups but ultimately chose the Flo n Gro as I liked how low to the ground it was and the size of the pots. Another good option for Crower to consider perhaps. Thanks for weighing in AE!

 

[Xlr8]

Pictures from 6/14 - (Day 50 from seed):