Nooooob...

[Elevated_1]

Hey all. New to the site and new grower. Just about to start my first grow. I would love any input from the experienced guys and gals around here.
Growing 5 autoflowers 18
5x5 tent
Coco/perl 70/30 mix
3 gal fabric pots.
general hydroponics nutes
Cal mag
Carbon filter setup
2 oscillating fans 1 upper 1 lower
2 -1500 watt cob/ full spectrum leds (310) actual watts each.
PH pen
Humidifier if needed
Dehumidifier if needed

I’m sure I forgot something lol. Here’s a link to the lights I’m running. Will 2 lights be overkill? I appreciate all input.


Tmlapy COB LED Grow Light 1500W –... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XXT1QKF?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[TreeFarmerCharlie]

Those lights aren’t going to cut it for a 5x5. I had been running two “1500W” (300w actual) COB LED lights in my 4x4. I just recently replaced them with DIY strip lights, because they just didn’t get even enough coverage in my tent, and your 5x5 is 75% larger than a 4x4. They’ll be fine for veg, but you’ll be limiting the plants potential hugely in flower with those lights.

 

[Elevated_1]

Those lights aren’t going to cut it for a 5x5. I had been running two “1500W” (300w actual) COB LED lights in my 4x4. I just recently replaced them with DIY strip lights, because they just didn’t get even enough coverage in my tent, and your 5x5 is 75% larger than a 4x4. They’ll be fine for veg, but you’ll be limiting the plants potential hugely in flower with those lights.

Appreciate the input bud. They say the light has a footprint of 5.6ft by 4.6ft per light. That’s why I bought 2 . They seem to light the tent extremely well. But I don’t have anything to reference them too.

 

[spek9]

Don't mix your nutrients at the recommendations on the back of the GH bottles. You rarely need more than 2/3 of that. When I'm running a new strain, I dosed at 1/2 recommended and move upwards. Very few of my strains ever needed more than 2/3. Keep that in mind to prevent nutrient burn and save some money.

 

[Elevated_1]

Don't mix your nutrients at the recommendations on the back of the GH bottles. You rarely need more than 2/3 of that. When I'm running a new strain, I dosed at 1/2 recommended and move upwards. Very few of my strains ever needed more than 2/3. Keep that in mind to prevent nutrient burn and save some money.

Thanks the the info. I plan on starting the nutes after the first week. Small doses and slowing increasing them. Gonna try and let the plants tell me what they want and need. Being a new grower I anticipate a few hiccups along they way lol.

 

[spek9]

Thanks the the info. I plan on starting the nutes after the first week. Small doses and slowing increasing them. Gonna try and let the plants tell me what they want and need. Being a new grower I anticipate a few hiccups along they way lol.

It's good to realize you may run into issues especially on your first grow, but don't focus too much on that or you'll set yourself up for failure. Growing in coco is different than all other mediums, so do some research there. For example, it's my understanding that you can't let coco dry out like you can peat/soil. You may also need a bottle of Calmag for extra Calcium and Magnesium in coco, depending on the water you'll be using.

Here's a good site that covers many of the basics: https://growweedeasy.com.

 

[TreeFarmerCharlie]

Appreciate the input bud. They say the light has a footprint of 5.6ft by 4.6ft per light. That’s why I bought 2 . They seem to light the tent extremely well. But I don’t have anything to reference them too. View attachment 4560224

Yeah, they always say they have better coverage than they actually have. For a 5x5 you would need 4 of those lights for flower. For COB LED lights like those it is recommended to have 40W-50W (actual) per square foot. So, for a 5x5 (25sqft) with those lights, you really need a total of 1,000W - 1,250W (actual). If you go with Quantum Boards, or more efficient strip lights, you can get away with 32W per square foot. They are expensive but much more affordable if you buy the parts and build your own.

 

[Elevated_1]

It's good to realize you may run into issues especially on your first grow, but don't focus too much on that or you'll set yourself up for failure. Growing in coco is different than all other mediums, so do some research there. For example, it's my understanding that you can't let coco dry out like you can peat/soil. You may also need a bottle of Calmag for extra Calcium and Magnesium in coco, depending on the water you'll be using.

Here's a good site that covers many of the basics: https://growweedeasy.com.

I have cal mag on hand. I’ve done a ton of research before deciding on what medium to grow with. I chose to use coco due to having more control over the nutes they receive. Guess time will tell lol. I appreciate all the input

 

[Elevated_1]

Yeah, they always say they have better coverage than they actually have. For a 5x5 you would need 4 of those lights for flower. For COB LED lights like those it is recommended to have 40W-50W (actual) per square foot. So, for a 5x5 (25sqft) with those lights, you really need a total of 1,000W - 1,250W (actual). If you go with Quantum Boards, or more efficient strip lights, you can get away with 32W per square foot. They are expensive but much more affordable if you buy the parts and build your own.

Well shit. Here I thought I was on the right path . I’m pretty much stuck with what I have for now. Due to my budget. I won’t be using the whole 5x5 to grow. I will have all the plants pretty much centered under the lights. I got a bigger tent so I have extra room to move around and add equipment if needed. Maybe I shot myself in the foot doing that. I was more focused on making sure I had 65-70 watts per plant. Not per square foot of my grow area . This will definitely be a learn as I go experience.

 

[Budzbuddha]

Next time run AUTOS on bagged mixes .... simpler methods, simpler needs.

Most good bagged will run an auto for weeks on that medium alone , before noticing any depletion in soil.
Then either top dress or begin a nute feed.

AUTOS only need about 90 days of average life to finish.
No need for complicated feeds or medium.

Most will thrive just fine on the host soil before needing a recharge.

 

[JoeBlow5823]

Hey all. New to the site and new grower. Just about to start my first grow. I would love any input from the experienced guys and gals around here.
Growing 5 autoflowers 18
5x5 tent
Coco/perl 70/30 mix
3 gal fabric pots.
general hydroponics nutes
Cal mag
Carbon filter setup
2 oscillating fans 1 upper 1 lower
2 -1500 watt cob/ full spectrum leds (310) actual watts each.
PH pen
Humidifier if needed
Dehumidifier if needed

I’m sure I forgot something lol. Here’s a link to the lights I’m running. Will 2 lights be overkill? I appreciate all input.


Tmlapy COB LED Grow Light 1500W –... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XXT1QKF?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I would run at least 3 of those lights. Personally id run 4.

 

[TreeFarmerCharlie]

Well shit. Here I thought I was on the right path . I’m pretty much stuck with what I have for now. Due to my budget. I won’t be using the whole 5x5 to grow. I will have all the plants pretty much centered under the lights. I got a bigger tent so I have extra room to move around and add equipment if needed. Maybe I shot myself in the foot doing that. I was more focused on making sure I had 65-70 watts per plant. Not per square foot of my grow area . This will definitely be a learn as I go experience.

Pretty much all of us make the same mistake when we start out. You’ll still get decent results out of why you have as Kong’s as you keep the plants closer together under them. I stuck with mine for over two years and just upgraded.

 

[Elevated_1]

Next time run AUTOS on bagged mixes .... simpler methods, simpler needs.

Most good bagged will run an auto for weeks on that medium alone , before noticing any depletion in soil.
Then either top dress or begin a nute feed.

AUTOS only need about 90 days of average life to finish.
No need for complicated feeds or medium.

Most will thrive just fine on the host soil before needing a recharge.

Something I will definitely look into on the next grow. Thank you

 

[Elevated_1]

Pretty much all of us make the same mistake when we start out. You’ll still get decent results out of why you have as Kong’s as you keep the plants closer together under them. I stuck with mine for over two years and just upgraded.

I’m going to aim at keeping them closer to a 4x4 area. Maybe less if the plants allow. I also have the option of growing fewer plants. Although I’d like to do 5 I case I lose any. I might be able to add another light with in the next month or two. But as of now I’ve blown my budget . Would you suggest sticking with the same lights if I could add another in the next month or two? Or is there a better option for the money? Also they have veg and bloom switches. I’ve seen some people run all the lights at the same time for autoflowers and some only run the the bloom switch during bloom. I kinda feel with me not having enough light as it is, I should run them all? Am I thinking right?

 

[XtraGood]

Or is there a better option for the money?

The cheapest light option I have found is DIY strip build with Bridgelux eb gen2s. I use the 2 footers, 3000k, with 18strips per hlg-320h-42a driver and framed with aluminum angle. That'll do 4x2 pretty easy at cost of about $200... or a little over when you include all the screws, nuts, wires, wagos, and aluminum.

 

[TreeFarmerCharlie]

I’m going to aim at keeping them closer to a 4x4 area. Maybe less if the plants allow. I also have the option of growing fewer plants. Although I’d like to do 5 I case I lose any. I might be able to add another light with in the next month or two. But as of now I’ve blown my budget . Would you suggest sticking with the same lights if I could add another in the next month or two? Or is there a better option for the money? Also they have veg and bloom switches. I’ve seen some people run all the lights at the same time for autoflowers and some only run the the bloom switch during bloom. I kinda feel with me not having enough light as it is, I should run them all? Am I thinking right?

I’d run both switches at all times. When you want to get more lights then I would look into building your own quantum boards or LED strip lights. I just built new lights for my tent and it cost me a total of around $500, but the cost could be lower buy going with cheaper materials for the frame. I’ve done a lot of research on cost of lighting and, if you DIY or buy stuff direct from China, you can expect to pay around $1/watt for quality LED and double that if you buy quality prebuilt lights. I’ve only had my new lights in for a week and the difference in growth rate I’m seeing in veg is insane...and I’m running 140W less than I was running with the COB LEDs. I currently have my lights set to draw a combined 460W but will bump it up to 480W-500W when I flip them into flower.