Xlr8's "Flo N Gro" Hydro Multiple Strains 2011

Mr Smith said:
A forest in a tent. Reminds me of Narnia. Looks great. I am very glad ebb style hydro is to your liking. I liking trying new stuff but ebb systems I will always keep because the pros outway the cons with what I like to do with them.
Keep up the good work and thankyou for sharing.
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Hey Mr. Smith - :thankyou:

I'm sold on Ebb buckets for sure. Looks like it will be a great way to go until I get the $$$ for a chiller. I still want to try the kitty litter bucket DIY under-current thing you're doing someday though, and I'm sure there will be other things to tinker with - but I'm happy if this is my staple hydro system. ;)

I'm really enjoying your Dark Star project thread - you've really got a handle on several styles of hydro now, and it's fun to follow your projects. It's great to have you following along here. :high-five:
 
Xlr8 said:
Yes, RO. Sorry again for the misunderstanding. I need to get caught up on your grow(s) if you'll have me - I started a few days ago, but got interrupted before I got caught up.
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Of course! Everyone is welcome to drop by ad pat my back! :rofl: Noogies not accepted, though.

Sarcasm aside, I welcome any and all advice, encouragement, concerns, what have you. And you were never UNwelcome. Believe it or not, I respect your opinions. You were one of the ones I frequented while lurking in the months before I joined and have come to rely on for hydro experiences. I used to grow in soil back in my mid to late 20's or so. But, as I'm still new to it and learning my own style, I read the hydro how-to's and journals here for a few months. Yours was one of the ones responsible for me starting into hydro this time 'round. Odd as it may seem, it's true.

Xlr8 said:
Speaking of RO - I used distilled water for quite a while before buying a RO unit, and I'm thrilled to have it now. If you are thinking of sticking with growing for a while, they are worth every penny in my opinion (get's old buying distilled water fast!).
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Yeah, it's not the price, 150-300 isn't bad for the purest water on the planet. Saw a 50g/day for 200, but, RO unit is out for right now. I'm not in my own place, and add-ins to plumbing and wiring are expressly (in writing) forbidden. Gonna be changing scenery, soon, and prolly gettin' a house. You can believe that's part of my plans. I was already thinking about an RO unit for this place, but I checked the papers and they actually had a plumbing and wiring clause in it, much to my dismay. So, it's distilled for now. 6Gal/5 bucks ain't bad though, and it's on my way home.
 
jandre2k3 said:
Of course! Everyone is welcome to drop by ad pat my back! :rofl: Noogies not accepted, though.

Sarcasm aside, I welcome any and all advice, encouragement, concerns, what have you. And you were never UNwelcome. Believe it or not, I respect your opinions. You were one of the ones I frequented while lurking in the months before I joined and have come to rely on for hydro experiences. I used to grow in soil back in my mid to late 20's or so. But, as I'm still new to it and learning my own style, I read the hydro how-to's and journals here for a few months. Yours was one of the ones responsible for me starting into hydro this time 'round. Odd as it may seem, it's true.

Yeah, it's not the price, 150-300 isn't bad for the purest water on the planet. Saw a 50g/day for 200, but, RO unit is out for right now. I'm not in my own place, and add-ins to plumbing and wiring are expressly (in writing) forbidden. Gonna be changing scenery, soon, and prolly gettin' a house. You can believe that's part of my plans. I was already thinking about an RO unit for this place, but I checked the papers and they actually had a plumbing and wiring clause in it, much to my dismay. So, it's distilled for now. 6Gal/5 bucks ain't bad though, and it's on my way home.
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Thanks brother. I really mis-spoke - you've been nothing but gracious and I appreciate so much that you shared that. I really didn't mean to come across like I did. I'm pretty flattered that you found anything from my journals useful/helpful! :thankyou:

I didn't mind doing the distilled thing for a while, but it did get old after a while.

For what it's worth, the RO system I use doesn't require any plumbing changes. It just connects to a faucet like a hose might - so you'd just need to be able to thread it to the faucet if you can (not sure what your sink is like - I have a laundry room utility sink that works fine).

The other connection is just a"quick-connect" connection to whatever you want to use as a reservoir. I use Rubbermaid trash bins, and a float valve which installs to the rubbermaid bin easily and shuts the water flow off when it gets to a certain level.

The RO unit I have is small, (about 18" x 18" or so?), and lightweight (<10 lbs.) I connect and disconnect it in a matter of seconds with no tools. Just a thought if you still might want one eventually. Here's a picture of one similar to mine:

StealthRO.gif


It's really easy to use and disconnects simply. I let it run overnight to fill a 25 gallon rubbermaid bin, disconnect it, and slip it under the sink in a matter of about 30 seconds. I'm just sayin' -- it freakin' rocks having this thing!

Probably just my own silly paranoia, but I always felt a bit sketchy buying all that distilled water at once - I was always worried I was potentially advertising my activities. I even paid for it in cash always. I know... probably silly, but it was another thing I liked about the RO system.

Distilled water sure works great though, too, and I used it for my first 4-5 grows doing what you did - picking it up on my way home from work once a week, about $7 a week I paid.

My RO unit has already paid for itself, in the sense of how many distilled bottles I'd have to have bought, and the original filters still have a ton of mileage. Food for thought, if you decide you want to keep doing this long term! :)
 
how long do those filters last you?
 
preprodigy said:
how long do those filters last you?
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Hi Preprodigy -

I don't know - I've had mine maybe a year, year and a half? and still <10ppm, and the filters still look really clean for the most part. I only make about 25 gallons a week or so, so I'm hoping they'll last a long time -- seems like they will.

A lot depends on how clean/dirty your water already is. Mine was pretty high PPM beforehand - 250-300ppm I think?
 
awesome! thanks for quick response, im thinking about picking up one of these soon, tired of all the b.s. with my tap water.

yeah i looked up prices for new filters and there pretty cheap, so that makes it even better!!!

thanks again.
 
Hmm, maybe after I harvest an RO system will be in the cards. My tap ppm is 500+ so I've been buying RO from those machines in front of grocery stores. $1.25 per 5gal. At this point in my grow I'll be using 20-25 gals week for the next 4-6 weeks.
 
XL, plants/tent looking great buddy, i am so happy you have got your environment all dialed in and running smoothly! all the best man :)
 
Bassman59 said:
Hmm, maybe after I harvest an RO system will be in the cards. My tap ppm is 500+ so I've been buying RO from those machines in front of grocery stores. $1.25 per 5gal. At this point in my grow I'll be using 20-25 gals week for the next 4-6 weeks.
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I sure like mine - I'd hate to part with it now. I put it off for a long time before getting it, but I've been really happy.
 
Xlr8 said:
For what it's worth, the RO system I use doesn't require any plumbing changes. It just connects to a faucet like a hose might - so you'd just need to be able to thread it to the faucet if you can (not sure what your sink is like - I have a laundry room utility sink that works fine).

The other connection is just a"quick-connect" connection to whatever you want to use as a reservoir. I use Rubbermaid trash bins, and a float valve which installs to the rubbermaid bin easily and shuts the water flow off when it gets to a certain level.
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Never thought of putting a float valve on it though, pretty ingenious. Just ripped one out of a toilet did ya? hehehe, no really.

Xlr8 said:
It's really easy to use and disconnects simply. I let it run overnight to fill a 25 gallon rubbermaid bin, disconnect it, and slip it under the sink in a matter of about 30 seconds. I'm just sayin' -- it freakin' rocks having this thing!
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That one sounds property-conscious-paranoid-landlord-proof! I had no idea that consumer RO systems were up to 200GPD though! I was thinking 75-90 was good, lawl. And that one has a reduction in waste by 25%, that's is pretty good, too. Question. At what pressure is that? and how did you attach the float valve to your fresh res? Got a pic?

EDIT: Nevermind, I just found this:

Float Valve - 1/4" for HydroLogic Stealth-RO & Small Boy
21GFy7G21oL_SL500_AA300_.jpg


Xlr8 said:
Probably just my own silly paranoia, but I always felt a bit sketchy buying all that distilled water at once - I was always worried I was potentially advertising my activities. I even paid for it in cash always. I know... probably silly, but it was another thing I liked about the RO system.
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No danger of that here, Californians buy water in jugs by the truckload. The water I get comes 6 1Gallon bottles in a box. And I'm evidently not the only one, they have 80million of those boxes sitting on a shelf, and I always see where it's been picked dry by others and needs to have more put out. saw a lady get 4 of those boxes today as I was in line with my one. Costs me a whole 5 bucks. Pretty convenient, too. Pop the top mix as per my equations I posted in my journal for a Gallon, pH balance and go.

Xlr8 said:
...My RO unit has already paid for itself, in the sense of how many distilled bottles I'd have to have bought, and the original filters still have a ton of mileage. Food for thought, if you decide you want to keep doing this long term! :)
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hehe long term? Rest o'my natural born life long enough? I started smoking again at the urging of a certain lady in my life that was watching me take a handful of pills several times a day and still getting no relief from the migraines. When I got the swollen liver and the doctor had no frikkin idea how it happened, she freaked out. Needless to say, I went and got my recommendation, so I'd be all legal like, and toked that night. Damn weed's gotten better from 20 years ago. I don't get a sledge to the head and hot pokers in the eyes much anymore when lights come on, or my daughter squeals playing with the dog. So yeah... I'm in it forever, growin' my medicine.

Anyway, yeah I had a friend that had a restaurant that closed so he gave me his RO unit for the ice maker. Was growing soil back then, but the reduction in chlorine and all the copper and other crap from old pipes and chity water made a helluva difference in my grows. So I know the full benefit of RO. Just never thought they'd gotten so darn TINY! And easy. And fast.

And you convinced me.

Mark this day on your calendar folks!
:rofl:He can be persuaded.:rofl:
 
naphtali5725 said:
XL, plants/tent looking great buddy, i am so happy you have got your environment all dialed in and running smoothly! all the best man :)
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Thanks Naph -

I've been very happy with the way I've been able to keep the environment in check, and I've never been so excited about a grow to date. I'm so used to growing in much tighter space, I'm grinning ear to ear over all the decent size tops and buds in there. :)

Oh and I hit 40 days, and did another defoliation. Just about filled a 5 gallon pail, so it should help get a bit more light to some of the lower budsites. I'll put some pics up tomorrow hopefully. It's so sticky in there!
 
jandre2k3 said:
Never thought of putting a float valve on it though, pretty ingenious. Just ripped one out of a toilet did ya? hehehe, no really.



That one sounds property-conscious-paranoid-landlord-proof! I had no idea that consumer RO systems were up to 200GPD though! I was thinking 75-90 was good, lawl. And that one has a reduction in waste by 25%, that's is pretty good, too. Question. At what pressure is that? and how did you attach the float valve to your fresh res? Got a pic?



No danger of that here, Californians buy water in jugs by the truckload. The water I get comes 6 1Gallon bottles in a box. And I'm evidently not the only one, they have 80million of those boxes sitting on a shelf, and I always see where it's been picked dry by others and needs to have more put out. saw a lady get 4 of those boxes today as I was in line with my one. Costs me a whole 5 bucks. Pretty convenient, too. Pop the top mix as per my equations I posted in my journal for a Gallon, pH balance and go.



hehe long term? Rest o'my natural born life long enough? I started smoking again at the urging of a certain lady in my life that was watching me take a handful of pills several times a day and still getting no relief from the migraines. When I got the swollen liver and the doctor had no frikkin idea how it happened, she freaked out. Needless to say, I went and got my recommendation, so I'd be all legal like, and toked that night. Damn weed's gotten better from 20 years ago. I don't get a sledge to the head and hot pokers in the eyes much anymore when lights come on, or my daughter squeals playing with the dog. So yeah... I'm in it forever, growin' my medicine.

Anyway, yeah I had a friend that had a restaurant that closed so he gave me his RO unit for the ice maker. Was growing soil back then, but the reduction in chlorine and all the copper and other crap from old pipes and chity water made a helluva difference in my grows. So I know the full benefit of RO. Just never thought they'd gotten so darn TINY! And easy. And fast.

And you convinced me.

Mark this day on your calendar folks!
:rofl:He can be persuaded.:rofl:
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Haha. Cool - I know that I could never go back now that I have it. Makes life a bit easier.

I know how it is as far as the meds being important - I have some health issues myself, and this reduces my need for heavier narcotics significantly.

I bought my unit at the local hydroponics store, and they had float valves there for it - I think around $15-20$. It was made by same company as the RO unit. I actually bought the 100 gpd model, and I have pretty low water pressure (about 40psi), so it takes several hours to make 20 gallons for me, but if I let it run overnight, voila! Oh, and if I remember right, the same company sells the float valve online, too. I think it was a recommended purchase on the Ama*on link when I first looked. (If you're thinking of getting same brand I got).

I will try to take a picture if I can - but the float valve was surprisingly simple to install. Just took a (3/8"?) hole, and it can be hand-threaded on. Hard to explain, but simple when you go to do it. I'll see if I can come up with a picture or better detail when I have a moment.

Hope it works out great for you!
 
I'm in the same boat that you were X.

Filling up four 5 Gal jugs is not really practical and also seems sketchy. Last time I went the cashier asked why I came back for more water 2 weeks later lol!

I would have purchased an RO system if it didn't look so complicated to set-up but it seems it's just a simple plug in here and there under the sink?


Your journals provide so many bonuses X. All I'm seeing is great plants, great lessons and great moods. :welldone:
 
Most people have hard water. My water from tap is 150ppm to 250ppm depending on the time of year. I grew almost 6 years just aging the water for 24hours plus before I used it and with some grows just had to use the water straight from tap. I have been running a big rodi for a year in a half and had to relearn how to set the ph because ro water water ph is normally low and can change easily. Its nice to know my water is pure but alot of times I mix ro water with aged tap for better ph stability and the extra calcium. Mostly for stability and because it takes 3 gallons of water to make 1 gallon of rodi water. I run large resevoirs and when I was constantly using the rodi my water bill jumped up by alot. People with tap that are 200ppm and below don't need ro water, I bought a rodi to see if there was a big difference with plant growth. I am still looking for that difference but again its nice to know there is no hidden problems in the water.
 
My tap water is 240 average, with some seasonal variation. Annual water report is comprehensive. They try to clorinate enough to assure sterility to each of many taps, through old pipes. I like that. I don't want any micro-fauna & flora in my coco, though what does survive or thrive does no harm. Daily deluge with some run-through maintains mostly hydroponic conditions, and relieves me of pH concerns. Fresh tap & BP two-part is always in a good range, and shows no reason to suspect any mineral uptake problems = happy, lush green medicine weed.
pH is a ratio of ions, which are dissolved solids which measure on a ppm (conductance) meter. Good RO or rain water has no dissolved solids, therefore has no pH. Whatever your pH meter says is bogus in pure water.
Worldwide, water is hardened by calcium and magnesium in a similar ratio which is conveniently compatable with most plant's needs - including cannabis.
I may get & use an RO filter one day, though I'd rather catch rainwater to a cistern. Someday :hmmmm:
There may be 5 billion people living who have reason to be jealous of my city's tap water.
They would grow whatever with it straight, as I do.
 
never used RO...noone here spends the $ on something not really needed, guess we are lucky...our tap water tastes like clean spring water
 
You're very lucky GT. And for all you guys saying you have hard water at 200ppm, come to the lovely desert of Nevada where it's 500ppm PLUS! Hell 200 is spring water!
 
Bassman59 said:
You're very lucky GT. And for all you guys saying you have hard water at 200ppm, come to the lovely desert of Nevada where it's 500ppm PLUS! Hell 200 is spring water!
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Same here in San Diego, 450+ on a good day. My RO has already paid for itself in time/gas and $1.25 per 5 gal jug.
 
Bassman59 said:
You're very lucky GT. And for all you guys saying you have hard water at 200ppm, come to the lovely desert of Nevada where it's 500ppm PLUS! Hell 200 is spring water!
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I have to brag a little bit....my well water only registers at 10 ppm coming from my tap. I can fill up a quart of it and store it in my shop for a few months and nothing will precipitate out of it. After a few months, it still tastes the same!
My well is only 90 feet deep and nothing but very coarse sand on top of blue shale at about 100 feet. the water sand starts at 35 feet..... :)
 
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