Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures & Photos From The Garden - 2012

[Heirloom]

There is a constant 1/4" of water in the bin for K-8 veg bin that is completely changed out 4x/day because of the volume that enters from the top from the 6 drip emitters in the Maternity Ward for 15 minutes. Hehe, even the slight "waterfall" sound is a welcome unintended effect from filling from above. Kinda sounds like a tabletop water fountain.

I imagine it's very soothing and Zen like.

 

[Xlr8]

EXACTLY what I have done in my Vegetative area. Maternity Ward up-top (Adjustable light), K-8 Veg space, and Neonatal Care (clones) in the bottom. Nutes run in the top 4x/day, drain to K-8, and then down to the reservoir under the clones.


There is a constant 1/4" of water in the bin for K-8 veg bin that is completely changed out 4x/day because of the volume that enters from the top from the 6 drip emitters in the Maternity Ward for 15 minutes. Hehe, even the slight "waterfall" sound is a welcome unintended effect from filling from above. Kinda sounds like a tabletop water fountain.

I imagine it's very soothing and Zen like.

I really like that set-up, a little different than I'd envisioned as far as the DWC part, but I really like it for hydro moms and veg stuff. I've seen it in your journals, but I hadn't thought about how it was all flowing/working. Thanks for sharing that Jandre!

One thing that works cool, is if you can put the clone level on an upper shelf with the flouros underneath it, you can take advantage of radiant heat below your clones to keep root area just a little warm at the same time, but if it ain't broke, don't fix it! And I know how space and other needs can dictate layout. +rep for sharing your cool set-up.

And oh yeah, I'll bet it's super Zen-like. I'd love that sound.

 

[Xlr8]

About the Super Lemon Haze pheno I have...

Jandre was recently mentioning to someone how sometimes sativas keep growing taller throughout the entire flowering process, (unlike an indica dominant plant which typically stops any meaningful upward growth by about 28 days or so). Well, I'd read that in books before (mostly I've grown indica hybrids), but hadn't really experienced it firsthand with any of my plants until these Super Lemon Hazes. They just grew about an inch again over the last day or so (and started a new wave of flowering). And we're near the end of week 7 bloom!

Speaking of which, the Jack the Ripper from my last grow was a mostly sativa plant that didn't stretch much, but it did do that thing where it flowered in "waves", actually having multiple harvest windows that opened and closed several times. Crazy, huh?! Looks like the SLH's are going to do that too - as well as keep growing vertically (what a pain in the arse, btw!).

Despite the quirks, I've heard mostly good things (other than yield) about the sativa dominant SLH phenos like this, and they smell divine, so I'm really psyched to try it. So far, high THC strains work best for my nerve pain issues, and I'm trying to find/coax these sativa tendencies as they seem to work best for me medicinally. So - yeah, I'm hopeful with these!

OMM - i can't remember, were your SLH's really sativa-like and stretchy? Anyone else grow SLH with a pheno like that?

 

[OldMedMan]

About the Super Lemon Haze pheno I have...

Jandre was recently mentioning to someone how sometimes sativas keep growing taller throughout the entire flowering process, (unlike an indica dominant plant which typically stops any meaningful upward growth by about 28 days or so). Well, I'd read that in books before (mostly I've grown indica hybrids), but hadn't really experienced it firsthand with any of my plants until these Super Lemon Hazes. They just grew about an inch again over the last day or so (and started a new wave of flowering). And we're near the end of week 7 bloom!

Speaking of which, the Jack the Ripper from my last grow was a mostly sativa plant that didn't stretch much, but it did do that thing where it flowered in "waves", actually having multiple harvest windows that opened and closed several times. Crazy, huh?! Looks like the SLH's are going to do that too - as well as keep growing vertically (what a pain in the arse, btw!).

Despite the quirks, I've heard mostly good things (other than yield) about the sativa dominant SLH phenos like this, and they smell divine, so I'm really psyched to try it. So far, high THC strains work best for my nerve pain issues, and I'm trying to find/coax these sativa tendencies as they seem to work best for me medicinally. So - yeah, I'm hopeful with these!

OMM - i can't remember, were your SLH's really sativa-like and stretchy? Anyone else grow SLH with a pheno like that?

Yes, they were stretchy.....however she has a few crazy phenotypes so it's hard to say what one will do.
You can check my SLH journal for a quick look. Not a particularly steady strain. But good.

 

[jandre2k3]

I really like that set-up, a little different than I'd envisioned as far as the DWC part, but I really like it for hydro moms and veg stuff. I've seen it in your journals, but I hadn't thought about how it was all flowing/working. Thanks for sharing that Jandre!

One thing that works cool, is if you can put the clone level on an upper shelf with the flouros underneath it, you can take advantage of radiant heat below your clones to keep root area just a little warm at the same time, but if it ain't broke, don't fix it! And I know how space and other needs can dictate layout. +rep for sharing your cool set-up.

And oh yeah, I'll bet it's super Zen-like. I'd love that sound.

Hehehe, those lights over the Neonatal Care are 2 65w CFLs. Plenty hot, I tell ya! (84*F) Thanks for the rep, too!

 

[jandre2k3]

About the Super Lemon Haze pheno I have...

Jandre was recently mentioning to someone how sometimes sativas keep growing taller throughout the entire flowering process, (unlike an indica dominant plant which typically stops any meaningful upward growth by about 28 days or so). Well, I'd read that in books before (mostly I've grown indica hybrids), but hadn't really experienced it firsthand with any of my plants until these Super Lemon Hazes. They just grew about an inch again over the last day or so (and started a new wave of flowering). And we're near the end of week 7 bloom!

Speaking of which, the Jack the Ripper from my last grow was a mostly sativa plant that didn't stretch much, but it did do that thing where it flowered in "waves", actually having multiple harvest windows that opened and closed several times. Crazy, huh?! Looks like the SLH's are going to do that too - as well as keep growing vertically (what a pain in the arse, btw!).

Despite the quirks, I've heard mostly good things (other than yield) about the sativa dominant SLH phenos like this, and they smell divine, so I'm really psyched to try it. So far, high THC strains work best for my nerve pain issues, and I'm trying to find/coax these sativa tendencies as they seem to work best for me medicinally. So - yeah, I'm hopeful with these!

OMM - i can't remember, were your SLH's really sativa-like and stretchy? Anyone else grow SLH with a pheno like that?

It's especially true with the "landrace" sativa strains. Lamb's Bread has not stopped growing at all and we're on day 24 so far. Yes, it slowed a bit, but I still get 1/4" to 1/2" a night out of them. Pain in the arse is right. I'm actually glad to have lost 2 plants to equipment failure, because that gives me a good place to LST Lamb's Bread into.

In the next rotation of this box, if any Lamb's Bread are in there, that will be ALL that is in that side because it just grows and grows, and grows... Good thick growth, and strong stems, so it's not like I can just watch it do its thing. It'll hit the light and become a crispy critter if I don't bend/supercrop/tie down/use whips and chains on this wild woman!

 

[Xlr8]

Yes, they were stretchy.....however she has a few crazy phenotypes so it's hard to say what one will do.
You can check my SLH journal for a quick look. Not a particularly steady strain. But good.

Hi OMM!

I knew that you had pretty mixed feelings on SLH, and I've seen a lot of phenos, too (some very similar). I went back to your journal - I know that you thought you had pretty fluffy buds, and I think that you had a little different pheno (looks like yours were what I call the "budstick" pheno, where they are buds from top to bottom). There was a grower "Blacklips" that posted some pictures of SLH in your journal that looked probably more similar to the one I'm growing. I'm anxious to see if this is as good as it smells. It's not my favorite plant to grow, that's for sure. But, I'm pretty easy going if she produces something special!

 

[Xlr8]

It's especially true with the "landrace" sativa strains. Lamb's Bread has not stopped growing at all and we're on day 24 so far. Yes, it slowed a bit, but I still get 1/4" to 1/2" a night out of them. Pain in the arse is right. I'm actually glad to have lost 2 plants to equipment failure, because that gives me a good place to LST Lamb's Bread into.

In the next rotation of this box, if any Lamb's Bread are in there, that will be ALL that is in that side because it just grows and grows, and grows... Good thick growth, and strong stems, so it's not like I can just watch it do its thing. It'll hit the light and become a crispy critter if I don't bend/supercrop/tie down/use whips and chains on this wild woman!

Hi Jandre!

Your Lambs Bread sounds a bit like this particular SLH. I seemed to get a very sativa pheno. I'm also flowering under 11.5 hours of light, with 12.5 hours dark this round. Last round I went 11 hours of light, and 13 hours of dark. I'd read from DJ Short that he feels like slightly longer night periods can coax out more sativa tendencies (vs. the traditional 12/12). I'll probably try a diminishing light schedule eventually, too. I think there might be something too this, because the Deadhead OG this round is a clone of the same plant in the last round. The one from the last round grow much more sativa like than this one, which will definitely have tighter buds, smaller calyx's and appears more indica-like. It could be other factors, too, though there wasn't a ton of differences between the two grows otherwise. Lambs Bread is a strain I'd like to grow sometime, and it should be great breeding stock. She's a classic!

 

[jandre2k3]

Hi Jandre!

Your Lambs Bread sounds a bit like this particular SLH. I seemed to get a very sativa pheno. I'm also flowering under 11.5 hours of light, with 12.5 hours dark this round. Last round I went 11 hours of light, and 13 hours of dark. I'd read from DJ Short that he feels like slightly longer night periods can coax out more sativa tendencies (vs. the traditional 12/12). I'll probably try a diminishing light schedule eventually, too. I think there might be something too this, because the Deadhead OG this round is a clone of the same plant in the last round. The one from the last round grow much more sativa like than this one, which will definitely have tighter buds, smaller calyx's and appears more indica-like. It could be other factors, too, though there wasn't a ton of differences between the two grows otherwise. Lambs Bread is a strain I'd like to grow sometime, and it should be great breeding stock. She's a classic!

She really is a classic. And being a pure sativa landrace that has been refined over the decades, she's got some kick to her, too. If you do decide to do a Lamb's Bread run, make sure you give her PLENTY of space- and I mean lots of it. She likes to spread out all over the place. I put WAY to many in on this run and it's a jumbled mess in there trying to keep her from growing into the lights. I can't raise it because SideA is too short as compared to SideB, so I bend, supercrop, and do whatever I can to keep her down, but she's going frikkin' WILD in there.

I'm actually thinking of doing a CS run with her to put on my GFB to see how I like it. My GFB, unfortunately expresses her indica side. 15% indica, and that's what she shows... sigh... Maybe I'll do a straight GFBSOG run on 10/14 to try to coax that sativa side out of her. I dunno...

BTW! That Purple Cindy I was so proud of is FINALLY reacting to her new conditions. She stalled for like 2 months... just sat there, happy-green but did nothing. I think the silica jump started her. Anyway she's double the size she was in the beginning when I brought her home, and has 4 main tops now, so I should start cloning in about 2-3 weeks to get something in the box on this 41 week thing.

Hey, about that. I'm thinking of scrubbing it. I lost all those clones at the beginning and now I've got some kind of root beetles. SNS: 203 treatment has already been applied and I think that it was too late for some of the ones that I thought would be okay, because I'm losing more. How bad would it look on me to abandon, or restart the P-SOG after 4 months of fighting for it?

Wow, sorry for the hijack... I'm quite high...

 

[jandre2k3]

Hi OMM!

I knew that you had pretty mixed feelings on SLH, and I've seen a lot of phenos, too (some very similar). I went back to your journal - I know that you thought you had pretty fluffy buds, and I think that you had a little different pheno (looks like yours were what I call the "budstick" pheno, where they are buds from top to bottom). There was a grower "Blacklips" that posted some pictures of SLH in your journal that looked probably more similar to the one I'm growing. I'm anxious to see if this is as good as it smells. It's not my favorite plant to grow, that's for sure. But, I'm pretty easy going if she produces something special!

Now Budstick pheno is PERFECT for SOG...

 

[Alaskan1]

Ummmm...yeah, I'm lost lol
Not enough time in the day for me to read all the way back.
X, sure do miss our conversations my friend. We need to catch up real soon. I'm finally starting to get caught up a bit. Of course that will all change once I add my 4th grow room!

 

[Xlr8]

She really is a classic. And being a pure sativa landrace that has been refined over the decades, she's got some kick to her, too. If you do decide to do a Lamb's Bread run, make sure you give her PLENTY of space- and I mean lots of it. She likes to spread out all over the place. I put WAY to many in on this run and it's a jumbled mess in there trying to keep her from growing into the lights. I can't raise it because SideA is too short as compared to SideB, so I bend, supercrop, and do whatever I can to keep her down, but she's going frikkin' WILD in there.

I'm actually thinking of doing a CS run with her to put on my GFB to see how I like it. My GFB, unfortunately expresses her indica side. 15% indica, and that's what she shows... sigh... Maybe I'll do a straight GFBSOG run on 10/14 to try to coax that sativa side out of her. I dunno...

BTW! That Purple Cindy I was so proud of is FINALLY reacting to her new conditions. She stalled for like 2 months... just sat there, happy-green but did nothing. I think the silica jump started her. Anyway she's double the size she was in the beginning when I brought her home, and has 4 main tops now, so I should start cloning in about 2-3 weeks to get something in the box on this 41 week thing.

Hey, about that. I'm thinking of scrubbing it. I lost all those clones at the beginning and now I've got some kind of root beetles. SNS: 203 treatment has already been applied and I think that it was too late for some of the ones that I thought would be okay, because I'm losing more. How bad would it look on me to abandon, or restart the P-SOG after 4 months of fighting for it?

Wow, sorry for the hijack... I'm quite high...

It's all good - love the info as I'm serious about Lambs Bread someday. My (problem??) at the moment is that I went OMM on the seed buying for a while . I have so many seeds, and now some of my own crosses, that I can't imagine when I'll be able to justify more of anything else. Makes me sad as I'd like to grow it all, and right now!

I have some seeds that I'm really anxious to try, perhaps next, that have been tormenting me. Positronics "Claustrum". It's a 3 way cross (Kali Mist x Super Silver Haze x Jack Herer):

Claustrum - Positronics Seeds - Worldwide Marijuana Seeds

In part, the Super Lemon Haze grow I have now is going to determine my thoughts on this. SLH is descended of Super Silver Haze, and if it's really good, it'll probably tip the scales toward me wanting to grow this one next. I'll bet it's a super stretcher like that Lambs Bread, though based on it's description.

That's so crazy how the Cindy stalled like that, but cool that she's moving again.

I think the Lambs Bread/GFB idea is great. Colloidal Silver? Cool! I'd be interested in seeing what happens with a 10/14 grow of the GFB, too. I feel like I'm noticing a difference just between 11 and 11.5 hours of daylight based on the slight differences in the way the Deadhead clones are budding this round. 10/14 would be SUPER interesting to see what happened, imho.

Hope you are having a good weekend so far!

 

[Xlr8]

Ummmm...yeah, I'm lost lol
Not enough time in the day for me to read all the way back.
X, sure do miss our conversations my friend. We need to catch up real soon. I'm finally starting to get caught up a bit. Of course that will all change once I add my 4th grow room!

Me too! I know you are busy, and I've been struggling with that myself. 4th room? You're sure not making things easier on yourself!

 

[Billy420]

Hello xlr8 and everyone else , of course !!

I ve been watching your journals for a long time now , it took me exactly a couple of months to finish 'Em all, actually !!!! Every single post....
-I was one of those guys "from the shadows", because I don't have much to say, except than your grows are amazing! -You inspired us to try hydro and all the valuable info you provided, have been also read by tons of ppl who don't post , simply -, because they have no experience at all with growing......like me !!!-
They can only read and ask (logical) questions !!! lol...

I'm pretty sure there are thousands out there, that thank you very much, for all of these valuable info !! All the guys.... (alaska1, mr beans, OMM, etc etc ....)
Everyone who contribute here, 100 pages journal, or even 1 ....
I hope one day (in a few months, I think) , to start mine too

On the subject now ...

I was planing to follow a simple style of growing like hempy , but I "felt in love" with your setup and the low maintenance it offers, something that will come very handy to me , as i go out of home for the weekends !!
With a top off system , this will be a real solution to me and most important , I won't need the help of a friend !!!!!
(even if I don't have a problem with this...)
But independence , it's better ....lol

So, my system (so far) is included from 2 DS 300 ADV.LED, (I'm planing to get one more until Christmas ), in a SJ120 4x4 tent, with a climate controller and 9 sites.-I'm planing to raise two mothers and start with clones, one strain only.
That's the way I wanna do it !!!
Allready got an aeroponic cloner (x-tream-36site) , a SJ90 tent , which I think the cloner will go on top (with a timer) and the moms below ! Im gonna use T5 fixtures for this tent only and the whole room will be A/Cing ...
We will see if the plan is working ... I don't see why no, thought !

And here comes the flo n gro part !!!
I m actually ready to place my order, but I have to wait until the end of the month, as I don't know which days I'm in home and I don't want my items to stay in post office for a long time !-
I'm going to order 2 expansion kits, the controller and the pumps-... (im sure, the controler doesnt come with pumps, despite a customer service guy, that said it comes !! In TITAN's site they say it comes NOT with pumps. Need to clarify this..)
I don't have any other option to order the whole system anyway, as the reservoir cannot be shipped worldwide and I don't live in states !! (They should have a retailer , in England maybe? I could have saved a lot of taxes, too)
Hoses, fittings, res, can be found locally, that's not a problem.

This is how I plan my set up and what I got, so far !!
I got a long way and more equipment to get, but I'm not in harry, anyway ! I ll be ready by the next spring , probably !
"it's a long way to the top, if you wanna R'nR"

Hell, this is an expensive sport especially if you don't live in states and you 're obsessed with american tools !!!!
But I love 'em !!!

As i plan to use the same system like you , I got few questions to ask if you don't mind (and to the rest ppl, of course) ! I'm sure few of them have been covered on previous journals of yours, but it's really not easy, to go back and read again !!! Even if I did it, a ton of times, allready .....

so.... here we go :

1- -Do you bump nutes in your res during week , or ONLY replace them in your weekly change ? I'm asking because actually I found many different opinions on net, like "you can't be sure of the total amount of solids , of each part", or it harms the plants(burn) etc.... What are YOU doing during the week, only top off with water ? You never add any nutes ?
This is really important , I think !!!

2- The recirculating pump inside the res (to "stir" the solution), doesn't actually warm up the solution ? Or because the pump is too small, it doesn't play a role ?-
I'm asking because the most important lesson I've learned so far, is the RES TEMPS !!!!! "Play" with it and you run into problems. (Alaska1, thank you for this lesson my friend and I mean this...)
Im gonna be really paranoid about it, I know ..... And I'm not gonna risk it !!!
If its ok , a 30gph one , will do the job ?

3- I 've seen you many times speaking of the ease of the ph adjustment with this system-"even In-between waterings", "even with lights off" ! I wanna ask you , what's your opinion about a setup of a ph management doser , like Milwaukee 122 SMS for example ?-
You can set up this with a peristaltic pump or a small submersible pump (with a "Y" connector and a valve) and have your ph adjusted forever (as I've read) . Diluted ph down 50/50 with water.
From the other side, I didn't see any of the top growers here to use it and I'm sure they know it's existence , pretty well !
Is it a "waste of money" at some point for some reason or whatever ?
I' d love to hear your opinion on this .

4- Another big issue I'm gonna face I think here , is I don't seem to able to find cal-mag (Forgot to say, I ll use RO water) !!! There are GH products here, but not the whole line !!!! (it is GH, isn't it?)
Can I use Epsom salts instead ? (Dissolved in a small glass with warm water etc....)
But what about calcium ?-
Any help on this ....

5- Can I start clones straight in GLR routine ? From the time I put 'em in cloner , or it is better to go with 18/6for the first couple of days ? If it's not good, I can't use the same tent , with mothers !!!!

6- What do you think about the "veg in cloner" idea ?
Little bit more plants with less veg time ! For example 9 sites in a 4x4 tent with two weeks veg-in-cloner(toping of course, then wait a week IN cloner, then 12/12 in a 4x4 tent), or 12 sites in a 5x5 with same period , etc ...

Will this work, Efficiently ?
What do you have to suggest me , in my case ?
~

That's all for now , I hope I didn't bore you !!!-
Thank you very much in advance and congratulations for the awesome job you did, with your fantastic journals !!

Is like going to college, for me !!!!! lol

Thank you guys ...

 

[Xlr8]

Hi Billy420! and

I'm glad you posted, and sounds like you'll have a really cool set-up. I'm glad to answer your questions the best I can. Some of it will come down to preference, and there are always other opinions and methods that also work. I'll just tell you what I'd do, if that helps. Some things too, I've changed my opinion on over time.

The Flo N Gro control bucket did NOT come with pumps when I bought it. I bought Maxi Jet 1200's which are great pumps, and what they use with the system. Sounds like you've read my review thread on the Flo N Gro, but if not, be sure to check it out.

Here goes:

1. Do you bump nutes in your res during week , or ONLY replace them in your weekly change? This is something not everyone does the same. I DO feel like there is a best practice though, and that's my recommendation to you, and what I do. Personally, I do a weekly reservoir change only. During the week, in certain stages and depending on conditions, the reservoir becomes depleted somewhat. I "top off" with water only. Since the plants can and will cherry-pick certain nutrients, you can't be sure what's gone. So, to add more nutrient water, can actually cause an imbalance. Many people still do it, and have much success. However, if you just top off with plain water, you'll be fine and not run those risks. The plants will still get PLENTY of nutrients from what's there.

2. The recirculating pump inside the res (to "stir" the solution), doesn't actually warm up the solution ? Or because the pump is too small, it doesn't play a role? Okay, this is one that I've changed over time. I used to put a small water pump in the reservoir to keep the reservoir re-circulated and eliminate "hot spots". It doesn't add much heat, but it does add just a little. I never noticed it until I started using it more in the summer when things get naturally hotter. Alaskan1 puts an airstone in the reservoir which seems to be working well for him, and I might try if I ever have issues with how things are now. For kicks this grow, I've decided not to do any pumps or airstones or anything in the reservoir... You know what? It's working great. No problems at all, things are running cleaner than ever, staying cool, etc. This type of system provides plenty of oxygen without added aeration, and the system will run at it's cleanest without any pumps or airstones, but good results are possible either way. I'm liking the simplicity and "clean" way it runs with nothing added for aeration and circulation - and why complicate it if it's working?

3. I wanna ask you , what's your opinion about a setup of a ph management doser , like Milwaukee 122 SMS for example? I think, personally, for a system like this a doser isn't necessary unless you really need to be gone a lot. Now that I have things dialed in, I check the PH every couple of days at most. It stays right within ideal range most of the time. I typically need to adjust it only once or twice a week (if that!) between reservoir changes, and since the reservoir is outside of the tent, I can do it at any time. The process takes about 5-10 minutes. Easy breezy. On the pumps - I'm guessing they're expensive and might come with their own quirks. Just not worth it to me for the time I spend on it...

4. Can I use Epsom salts instead ? (Dissolved in a small glass with warm water etc....)
But what about calcium? I'm not going to be able to give you a good answer on this one, honestly. I've had success with Botanicare's Cal/Mag+, but have never tried alternatives. I'm sure Epsom Salts would be good for magnesium, but I'm not sure on the calcium. Good question - maybe someone else has a good idea?

5. Can I start clones straight in GLR routine ? From the time I put 'em in cloner , or it is better to go with 18/6for the first couple of days? I don't know. I start clones under 24/0 until I get roots. After that, I think you could switch to GLR or whatever lighting schedule you want. Perhaps you can clone under GLR immediately, but I've not tried it. For me, 24/0 cloning is easiest, because you can create the ideal environment and just "leave it". Whenever you have lights on/off, you have different environmental conditions - not always the ideal ones for growing roots. So, I have things set up just right with good temps and humidity and just let them do their thing. I clone with Rapid Rooters and a humidity dome (very simple).

6. What do you think about the "veg in cloner" idea? Well, I don't use a cloner per se' but you could let them veg longer there I'm sure. I don't like to let the roots get too big before putting them into a home with hydroton, so I put them into 5.5-6" netpots after they develop roots, and hand water or put them in a little DWC tub until I transplant into the Flo N Gro. Then, I just put the netpot and all in the Flo N Gro bucket, burying it in the hydroton so to speak. When I put the netpot into the Flo N Gro bucket, the roots are just starting to show from the sides and bottom of the smaller netpot. Letting the roots get too long before transplanting can cause some issues when you transplant if you're not careful.

I hope I answered your questions okay, and it's no bother! Good luck with your set-up, and let me know if you have other questions. Please let me know if you start a journal or keep us posted here as far as how things go for you. Thanks again for the kind words!!

 

[Xlr8]

Here is a link to the review I did on the "Flo N Gro" system, and some more details on how I customized it for my own needs. Having used it for a while now, I still really like how well the rubbermaid trash bins work as reservoirs. I have 2 - one is the active reservoir, and the other gets filled up prior to the next reservoir change, mixed up, and then I just "switch lids" between the two. I clean the one I was using, fill it with water, and repeat the process each week. Both have a float valve built in which allows me to pre-fill them with RO water between change outs. The whole process (reservoir change) takes about 30-40 minutes, give or take, and works pretty slick.

Assuming no other problems (pests, trimming needs, deficiencies, etc.) the only other thing I need to do during the week is check the PH and top off with straight water when they drink a lot. Sometimes I check the PPM's during the week just to better understand their needs as far as nutrient strength. But, that's it! As maintenance-free as it gets imho. I spend 10 times that much time on the mothers I keep which I hand water, etc.

Flo N Gro review link:

Titan Controls - Flo N Gro Review

 

[jandre2k3]

Hello xlr8 and everyone else , of course !!

I ve been watching your journals for a long time now , it took me exactly a couple of months to finish 'Em all, actually !!!! Every single post....
-I was one of those guys "from the shadows", because I don't have much to say, except than your grows are amazing! -You inspired us to try hydro and all the valuable info you provided, have been also read by tons of ppl who don't post , simply -, because they have no experience at all with growing......like me !!!-
They can only read and ask (logical) questions !!! lol...

I'm pretty sure there are thousands out there, that thank you very much, for all of these valuable info !! All the guys.... (alaska1, mr beans, OMM, etc etc ....)
Everyone who contribute here, 100 pages journal, or even 1 ....
I hope one day (in a few months, I think) , to start mine too

On the subject now ...

I was planing to follow a simple style of growing like hempy , but I "felt in love" with your setup and the low maintenance it offers, something that will come very handy to me , as i go out of home for the weekends !!
With a top off system , this will be a real solution to me and most important , I won't need the help of a friend !!!!!
(even if I don't have a problem with this...)
But independence , it's better ....lol

So, my system (so far) is included from 2 DS 300 ADV.LED, (I'm planing to get one more until Christmas ), in a SJ120 4x4 tent, with a climate controller and 9 sites.-I'm planing to raise two mothers and start with clones, one strain only.
That's the way I wanna do it !!!
Allready got an aeroponic cloner (x-tream-36site) , a SJ90 tent , which I think the cloner will go on top (with a timer) and the moms below ! Im gonna use T5 fixtures for this tent only and the whole room will be A/Cing ...
We will see if the plan is working ... I don't see why no, thought !

And here comes the flo n gro part !!!
I m actually ready to place my order, but I have to wait until the end of the month, as I don't know which days I'm in home and I don't want my items to stay in post office for a long time !-
I'm going to order 2 expansion kits, the controller and the pumps-... (im sure, the controler doesnt come with pumps, despite a customer service guy, that said it comes !! In TITAN's site they say it comes NOT with pumps. Need to clarify this..)
I don't have any other option to order the whole system anyway, as the reservoir cannot be shipped worldwide and I don't live in states !! (They should have a retailer , in England maybe? I could have saved a lot of taxes, too)
Hoses, fittings, res, can be found locally, that's not a problem.

This is how I plan my set up and what I got, so far !!
I got a long way and more equipment to get, but I'm not in harry, anyway ! I ll be ready by the next spring , probably !
"it's a long way to the top, if you wanna R'nR"

Hell, this is an expensive sport especially if you don't live in states and you 're obsessed with american tools !!!!
But I love 'em !!!

As i plan to use the same system like you , I got few questions to ask if you don't mind (and to the rest ppl, of course) ! I'm sure few of them have been covered on previous journals of yours, but it's really not easy, to go back and read again !!! Even if I did it, a ton of times, allready .....

so.... here we go :

Xlr8, if I may, I'd like to offer my thoughts on this as well.

1- -Do you bump nutes in your res during week , or ONLY replace them in your weekly change ? I'm asking because actually I found many different opinions on net, like "you can't be sure of the total amount of solids , of each part", or it harms the plants(burn) etc.... What are YOU doing during the week, only top off with water ? You never add any nutes ?
This is really important , I think !!!

It is suggested that unless there is a problem with declining nutrients that you save "re-upping" to actual res changes. There are certain circumstances that require topping off of only water, but that is only if EC/PPM goes too high.

2- The recirculating pump inside the res (to "stir" the solution), doesn't actually warm up the solution ? Or because the pump is too small, it doesn't play a role ?-
I'm asking because the most important lesson I've learned so far, is the RES TEMPS !!!!! "Play" with it and you run into problems. (Alaska1, thank you for this lesson my friend and I mean this...)
Im gonna be really paranoid about it, I know ..... And I'm not gonna risk it !!!
If its ok , a 30gph one , will do the job ?

Most likely you won't need this, but there are arguments for and against agitation pumps. Some say it heats your tank up too much, but that really depends on your individual circumstance, and what your ambient temps are outside the res and how much heat your pump actually puts out as to whether it is good for you to have one. If heat and keeping your res cool is an issue, then a pump will most definitely not help this issue, and it would be suggested, if you feel that your res really should be agitated, to use an air stone instead. I can tell you that I have 3 large reservoirs, and NONE of them have air stones anymore because of the cleanliness achieved without. Remember O2 rich water is sometimes a breeding ground for microbes. If you are running a sterile system, YOU DO NOT WANT THIS.

3- I 've seen you many times speaking of the ease of the ph adjustment with this system-"even In-between waterings", "even with lights off" ! I wanna ask you , what's your opinion about a setup of a ph management doser , like Milwaukee 122 SMS for example ?-
You can set up this with a peristaltic pump or a small submersible pump (with a "Y" connector and a valve) and have your ph adjusted forever (as I've read) . Diluted ph down 50/50 with water.
From the other side, I didn't see any of the top growers here to use it and I'm sure they know it's existence , pretty well !
Is it a "waste of money" at some point for some reason or whatever ?
I' d love to hear your opinion on this .

Waste of money, unless you are extremely forgetful about checking pH... then it could be a boon to your grow. What I mean by extremely forgetful is those days that the fact you have a grow, completely slips your mind for 4 or more days. A Flo-n-Gro reservoir, with the volume it holds, usually is very stable with pH issues.

4- Another big issue I'm gonna face I think here , is I don't seem to able to find cal-mag (Forgot to say, I ll use RO water) !!! There are GH products here, but not the whole line !!!! (it is GH, isn't it?)
Can I use Epsom salts instead ? (Dissolved in a small glass with warm water etc....)
But what about calcium ?-
Any help on this ....

g%%gle CaliMagic that will give you a start as to where to look for all Calcium/Magnesium products. And yes, with RO Water it is highly recommended that you add this to your water.

5- Can I start clones straight in GLR routine ? From the time I put 'em in cloner , or it is better to go with 18/6for the first couple of days ? If it's not good, I can't use the same tent , with mothers !!!!

I have used GLR to start clones, but recently have changed to 24/0 instead. Since then, I have noticed that clones stay a bit more healthy and failure rates has reduced. Of course, I'm an experimenter, so variables make me happy, but I have noticed better health if 24/0 is used at least for the first 7-14 days that the clones are rooting.

6- What do you think about the "veg in cloner" idea ?
Little bit more plants with less veg time ! For example 9 sites in a 4x4 tent with two weeks veg-in-cloner(toping of course, then wait a week IN cloner, then 12/12 in a 4x4 tent), or 12 sites in a 5x5 with same period , etc ...

Will this work, Efficiently ?
What do you have to suggest me , in my case ?
~

You might find that when you put them in the pots, that they stall a week or three by vegging them in the cloner instead of in a system that they get regular nutrients. HOWEVER, if you veg the first two weeks using a weak nutrient system, you will notice much larger roots system, that is easier to work with and have less fear of completely damaging the root system, because the root mass is stronger at the time of transplant into the pot sites.

That's all for now , I hope I didn't bore you !!!-
Thank you very much in advance and congratulations for the awesome job you did, with your fantastic journals !!

Is like going to college, for me !!!!! lol

Thank you guys ...

I have been a big fan of Xlr8 for a long time, and we have even had a few debates on certain subjects. All in good fun, of course, but the sharing of ideas is always fun, especially when new things are learned.

X, I know your reply will be a bit different, but I had to post my thoughts on this one.

Peace, Love, and Cannabis!

 

[Xlr8]

Xlr8, if I may, I'd like to offer my thoughts on this as well.

No prob!

I have been a big fan of Xlr8 for a long time, and we have even had a few debates on certain subjects. All in good fun, of course, but the sharing of ideas is always fun, especially when new things are learned.

Thank you, agreed!!

X, I know your reply will be a bit different, but I had to post my thoughts on this one.

Actually I don't think it was much different at all - which is good as it means maybe we won't confuse anyone too badly, lol. And, thanks for sharing your thoughts and insight too.

Peace, Love, and Cannabis!

 

[Heirloom]

Actually I don't think it was much different at all - which is good as it means maybe we won't confuse anyone too badly, lol. And, thanks for sharing your thoughts and insight too.

And it saves you all that typing!

 

[Xlr8]

And it saves you all that typing!

Well, except I already posted before him. I don't think he noticed my reply, or like me it just took a while and maybe my post wasn't up first. Either way, they seem pretty consistent I think.