Pre-planning the new LED grow, tons of new variables
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 9:21 pm
Hi everyone,
I'm happy to be here, after many months of reading about LED grow technology, I've decided to try them out and am excited to do so. Long post ahead, so here's the back story
Prior to this grow, I have been in a hydro DWC system with 1k HPS light per plant, grown under a SCROG. My results have been decent in terms of yield (best harvest was 21 oz, average around 11-12) however I have not been impressed with the final product, both in terms of trichrome coverage, density, visual appeal... The list goes on and on. Now, I'll just blame poor genetics from an unreliable source(clones brought in), but I now want to grow the absolute best I can - high density, massively frosted buds. I am not interested in breaking yield records, but I do have goals.
So, having been accepted into the CLW GFP, I will be joyfully testing a SolarStorm 880 in a brand new setup. Compared to my previous 6 grows, this one is a completely different beast, and I'm still in the design/implementation phase, however purchases have already been made, so there is not a lot I can change right now, but minor tweaks and advice would be much appreciated!
Here's the new setup:
Light: CLW SS880
Grow space: 8x4 tent with 4x4 grow module installed in center (explained below)
CO2: tank fed halo delivery system. CO2 will be shut off 1 hour before lights off to allow plants to photosynthesize CO2 into O2 for nighttime root grow
Media: Canna terra professional plus in 10 gal smart pots
Nutrients: Canna Bio line, vega, flora, boost and microrhiza
Water: hand watered, drain to waste
Humidity: kept in check with dehumidifier in tent
AC: none - I will be sealing the tent as much as possible to allow CO2 enrichment. It seems the ideal temperature is somewhere between 85 to 95 degrees. (can anyone verify this?) I may need to add supplemental heat if the light and dehumidifier can't crank it that high. Weird saying that.
Air exhaust/fresh air intake: none, see above
number of plants: 4
Genetics: [Barney's Pineapple Chunk][Money Maker][Dr Krippling Incredible Bulk][Royal Queen Critical] all feminized
Air circulation: (2) oscillating fans on either side of grow module, blowing upwards through canopy. The tent will also be fitted with a carbon scrubber on one side of the grow module, blowing air to the other side of the tent for smell and circulation.
Grow Module I have constructed a 4'x4'x6.5' frame out of PVC that should fit nicely in the direct center of my tent. This entire structure is wrapped in panda film, except the bottom of either side where the oscillating fans are to blow. Carbon filter, dehumidifier, and oscillating fans are on either side of this module in the 8'x4' tent. I'll try to post a picture of the module later on, it says my file is too big and I'm too tired to change it now.
I am shooting for .67 grams per watt (actual) from this grow. That equates to 15 oz from the 4 plants. Am I crazy? Maybe. Time will tell.
In the mean time, before I get this set up, I am breaking down my previous grow. I will use the same room, but a new tent and all new equipment (except the carbon scrubber). The problem is a powdery mildew infection on my last plant I harvested brought in on a clone from an unreliable source. After removing everything for the room, I will be spraying and scrubbing everything down with a bleach/h2o2 solution and starting with fresh components (again except the carbon scrubber. I will replace the prefilter on this, and bleach the heck outta it, but I can't afford another one right now. See above. so what else can I do? Am I relatively safe with the above precautions and the majority of new equipment?
Happy to be here, and to learn from so many master gardeners.
Any feedback or tips would be greatly appreciated!
I'm happy to be here, after many months of reading about LED grow technology, I've decided to try them out and am excited to do so. Long post ahead, so here's the back story
Prior to this grow, I have been in a hydro DWC system with 1k HPS light per plant, grown under a SCROG. My results have been decent in terms of yield (best harvest was 21 oz, average around 11-12) however I have not been impressed with the final product, both in terms of trichrome coverage, density, visual appeal... The list goes on and on. Now, I'll just blame poor genetics from an unreliable source(clones brought in), but I now want to grow the absolute best I can - high density, massively frosted buds. I am not interested in breaking yield records, but I do have goals.
So, having been accepted into the CLW GFP, I will be joyfully testing a SolarStorm 880 in a brand new setup. Compared to my previous 6 grows, this one is a completely different beast, and I'm still in the design/implementation phase, however purchases have already been made, so there is not a lot I can change right now, but minor tweaks and advice would be much appreciated!
Here's the new setup:
Light: CLW SS880
Grow space: 8x4 tent with 4x4 grow module installed in center (explained below)
CO2: tank fed halo delivery system. CO2 will be shut off 1 hour before lights off to allow plants to photosynthesize CO2 into O2 for nighttime root grow
Media: Canna terra professional plus in 10 gal smart pots
Nutrients: Canna Bio line, vega, flora, boost and microrhiza
Water: hand watered, drain to waste
Humidity: kept in check with dehumidifier in tent
AC: none - I will be sealing the tent as much as possible to allow CO2 enrichment. It seems the ideal temperature is somewhere between 85 to 95 degrees. (can anyone verify this?) I may need to add supplemental heat if the light and dehumidifier can't crank it that high. Weird saying that.
Air exhaust/fresh air intake: none, see above
number of plants: 4
Genetics: [Barney's Pineapple Chunk][Money Maker][Dr Krippling Incredible Bulk][Royal Queen Critical] all feminized
Air circulation: (2) oscillating fans on either side of grow module, blowing upwards through canopy. The tent will also be fitted with a carbon scrubber on one side of the grow module, blowing air to the other side of the tent for smell and circulation.
Grow Module I have constructed a 4'x4'x6.5' frame out of PVC that should fit nicely in the direct center of my tent. This entire structure is wrapped in panda film, except the bottom of either side where the oscillating fans are to blow. Carbon filter, dehumidifier, and oscillating fans are on either side of this module in the 8'x4' tent. I'll try to post a picture of the module later on, it says my file is too big and I'm too tired to change it now.
I am shooting for .67 grams per watt (actual) from this grow. That equates to 15 oz from the 4 plants. Am I crazy? Maybe. Time will tell.
In the mean time, before I get this set up, I am breaking down my previous grow. I will use the same room, but a new tent and all new equipment (except the carbon scrubber). The problem is a powdery mildew infection on my last plant I harvested brought in on a clone from an unreliable source. After removing everything for the room, I will be spraying and scrubbing everything down with a bleach/h2o2 solution and starting with fresh components (again except the carbon scrubber. I will replace the prefilter on this, and bleach the heck outta it, but I can't afford another one right now. See above. so what else can I do? Am I relatively safe with the above precautions and the majority of new equipment?
Happy to be here, and to learn from so many master gardeners.
Any feedback or tips would be greatly appreciated!