Hmmmm, I read a little about promoting root health and just bought some AquaShield this week to try, but have not put it in the system. Was waiting until tomorrow when I will do a water change & switch to the Lucas Formula.
Would the tea be in addition to this, in place of this, or a totally different aim?? Is the AquaShield a good product to have in my reservoir? Any drawbacks or concerns?

With the tea...these are solid materials that you actually brew? Just follow directions on bag or?

No, the only way I would fill all 60 sites if I was to try what rkymtnman said he did...going almost straight into flower from the cloner. I added the last 20 sites this week, increasing the area a little and I spaced the plants out to every other site. And my site plugs came in too, so I was able to cap off all empties...keeping light and contaminents out... Already they are enjoying there extra space and are quickly growing/spreading to fill those voids!! Hard to believe that I trashed 10 in the process and still it looks full as can be!

Just for clarity...30 sites filled, every other.... A mix of 3 strains, that got confused in the shuffle of a seed grow...

What do you mean about a month apart?? Populate just half the length of my system? Then fill the rest 4-5 weeks later?(Half way through) I can see where that could make it more manageable!! In all stages....and running Lucas Formula, the stage they were at wouldn't make any difference...only issue might be the larger ones shading the smaller where the line meets....hmmmm Something to consider, for sure. What about flushing before harvest?? Wouldn't be possible? Does it make a difference? From what I have read, some people swear by it and some people say it is a waste....Opinions??

With the added grow chambers I have remeasured my area and calculated my w/sq'....(advertised watts drawn, not model number watts) and came out to 56 watts per sq foot, which SME, you said 50 would get me nice nugs?? With lighting or anything else in my room...I want better than the minimum/average, just to better my chances of success. But not to the point of waste....cuz who can afford that? LOL

Happy

I'm not sure what's IN that AquaShield but it might just be tea with a few additives, they "seem" similar. If you wanted to make your own:
post3052.html?hilit=tea#p3052

You would add it to the nutrients but I'd run it through a filter before running in an aeroflo to get the big stuff out...

Yes, if you went straight from clone to flower (maybe a 2-3 days of veg) you'd have SOG like density and, hopefully, results. That's how I'd do it in an aeroflow. That is a lot of plants though.

Yes, exactly, half of the system and lights would be at one level and the other half would be on another level, 4-5 weeks apart depending on strains. I'd want them all to finish in about the same amount of time though, I wouldn't mix 8 week strains with 12 week strains.

I don't flush but if you wanted to flush that would make it harder in one aeroflow system. YMMV...

Remember, 100w of 357mag is not equal to 100w of SS400 since they use different diodes. Pair them up (1 mag + 1 SS over each side of the system) so they're even-ish and you should like the results. You might want the SS on the ends and the mags closer together in the middle but it's really up to you.

Sorry SME....I guess that is one part I left out is that a friend of mine has some extra lights he is willing to part with....and just happens to have 2 of the CLW 200 watt units, full cycle models, less than a year old, that were only used for flowering one grow. He does a lot of product testing....and says these are solid lights that can produce results.

From everything I can find out, my SS400s are just two of these 200s mounted together plus add the UV. So if we can strike a deal on them I will have about 970 watts of ALL 5 watt diodes over my grow next week...not counting the 50 watts additional with the UV on....

I am thinking my Mags will become lights for the Mother/Baby tent....I currently use CFL for the cloner and I am going to be relocating my cloner to it's own tent or space as soon as I can. So soon my 4x4 will just be for mothers...Might be strange, but the open part of my room will be flower space... In my set up I am thinking this might be the easiest way to control the different light requirements for each stage??

SisterMaryElephant wrote:Yes, exactly, half of the system and lights would be at one level and the other half would be on another level, 4-5 weeks apart depending on strains. I'd want them all to finish in about the same amount of time though, I wouldn't mix 8 week strains with 12 week strains.

Ohhhhh, You were talking about having the whole system finish at the same time?? I thought you were talking about a staggered grow type thing. Is that possible? If all I use the Aeroflo for is flowering, could I populate half and then halfway through populate the other half...to have a harvest every 4-5 weeks??

That actually sounds much better than mixing the mags and the storms and you'd be setting yourself up for better results and future success.

I mean all of the plants should be 8, 10 or 12 week strains...even if they are staggered 4+ weeks apart.

Wow!! Prices for mycorrhizae vary greatly... Are some better than others? Suggestions on good brands? On that and the worm castings??

BTW, the AquaShield says it is "composted chicken litter"...Guaranteed analysis: N=0.02%, Phosphate=0.04%, Sol Potash=0.01%

Prices will vary for almost everything. I don't have brand suggestions; it doesn't have to be the most expensive but you might avoid the absolute cheapest too. Same with worm castings.

I think the tea would be better but I never used the AquaShield so I can't say one way or the other...

OK....Today was water change day and I switched over to Lucas Formula.

I didn't see any where what my PPM is supposed to be, but doing the 8/16, with my tap water comes out to an even 1200. My Ph is adjusted up to 5.8. Along with the water change I re-calibrated my GroChek just to be sure of my numbers. Chiller has taken nute temp down to 66-67. I have also added 5ml/gal of Aquashield...cuz it is what I had on hand and figured some form of boost/protection is better than none. Plan to explore the "beneficial bacteria tea" and be ready with it in the next water change or two... Ambient temps running up to 85 with lights on, about 72-74 before lights come back on. QUESTION: Is it better for the plants to let the ambient temp drop gradually after dark, or should I drop the temp as soon as I can after dark? Or does it make a difference as long as they have a cooling period??
RH stays in the 40s without any help....

Plants have only been on LF for 6-7 hours but they still look good & healthy!! Haven't seen any negative impact. (JOY!) This is their 2nd week under 12/12. Vertical growth seems to have slowed a little(thank you!!), now that they have a little more room to spread... and they are showing a lot of pre-flowers at node sights.

So far I am pretty happy with my new system. Seems fairly easy to get the numbers dialed in and hold them there. I have a hard time finding any leaves with blemishes, which works for me! If I can keep everything in check, and be patient, hopefully we will get to see if I invested my $$$ in the right lights!!

Welcome comments, suggestions, advise & bs....lol

I don't know if it matters if the cooler night period starts gradually or not but 85 seems a bit warm. However, there is a theory that warmer ambient flower temps may increase yield with LED lights so as long as they seem healthy maybe it's not a problem.

To quote Alton Brown, "your patience will be rewarded."

SME, I have read it a couple of places recently, as well as being told by a friend that uses LEDs in hydro, that when using LEDs, Ambient temps 80-85 will produce better results. Not knowing any better, I decided to follow that advise.

I started this grow trying to keep the max temps around 78 with lights on, as most sources state. It has only been a week or so since I let the temps climb, but so far I do think my plants look healthier.....but it could be getting my numbers dialed in a little better as well.

Either way, it doesn't seem to be causing any issues....other than having to watch the temps in my non-chilled tubs a little closer.

I'm still hangin on the hope that in 6-8 weeks I am very happy that I gave CLW so much of my $$$......lol