First Waterfarm Grow - Dinafem Roadrunner

[SoFloFlame]

Hey everyone, im starting up my first hydro grow, however not my first grow altogether.
As the title says, im growing Dinafem Roadrunner, and depending on how this grow goes, "im using this as more of a test run for hydro", i will grow some purple haze next.

My setup is as follows;

1 Warm White 40 watt fluorescent
1 Cool White 40 watt fluorescent
2 fans, using 1 atm, will use the second one once i start up my hps.
1 400 watt hps "will start using 2-3 weeks into grow"
1 waterfarm setup "includes full nute setup"
pH up/down
PH test kit "definitely thinking of buying a meter in the future, too much hassle"
Electronic TDS meter
Rockwool cubes
and ill let you know if i forgot anything

and time for pictures

 

[Flo Grow]

Look forward to your grow, SFF !
Definitely go cop that ph meter or Ebay one. Real cheap ($) on there now.

Who's your Purple Haze from ?
I have 2 packs from Breeders Choice.
Peep the photo.
Pure Landrace Inbred Cross
Takes 18 - 26 weeks !!!

 

[SoFloFlame]

Thanks Flo!
Any particular meter out there that is cheap/reliable?
I got my purple haze from G13 labs, although im pretty sure it isnt the original that was being grown years back : P

 

[Flo Grow]

Here's my meters and my water treatment whenever I use my tap.

My PH/Temp combo is a Milwaukee Martini PH55, and was $85 when they first dropped.
Now on Ebay for $50 and shit.
Calibration solution is $20/each for the 7.01 and 4.01
Using both provides the best accuracy but not needed.

 

[bongmarley2009]

I use the Hanna 98129 combo meter which runs for about $120 or less on ebay. I got mine for less than $100.

I to decided to switch to hydro after following this grow: https://www.rollitup.org/grow-journals/344359-pineapple-express-g13-labs-seed.html

After seeing his results, I was sold. Went out and purchased the waterfarm with a commercial air pump that can probably power 4-8 waterfarms. Using a 400w MH/HPS and putting the SCROG screen 12" above the waterfarm. However, a friend is doing it right now because the circumstances aren't right for me to grow right now. Seed that is going right now is Dinafem Power Kush.

 

[Flo Grow]

I see a lot of DinaFem strains.
I got 5 free Critical + with my 2 C-99 packs.
Their take on Big Bud x Northern Lights.
Beans are hella pale in color though.

 

[SoFloFlame]

@Flo, that sounds pretty good for your meter : P They have pH meter at my local hydro shop for $33 but im not sure exactly how well it preforms.
@marley, you think i should go with SCROG on my plant? Its an auto-flowering strain but that shouldn't matter right?

here's a pic of the TDS meter i already have:

and Flo, i didnt have a problem with seed color when i got mine; but my G13 labs' purple haze was fairly pale..im starting to think that they switched the baggies on me by accident : /

 

[SoFloFlame]

did some searching on ebay and found this, wouldn't it be great if it actually was an accurate and legit pH meter : P

http://cgi.ebay.com/Milwaukee-Digital-pH-Meter-Tester-0-14-New-Po-cket-Pen-/230502538652?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35ab059d9c

but i may end up going with one of these
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-HANNA-HI99104-99104-PH-METER-TESTER-CHECKER-/300369891086?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45ef70cf0e

http://cgi.ebay.com/Hanna-Checker1-pH-Meter-FREE-Calibration-Buffer-/170543846662?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27b5349506

and i don't really care if its waterproof or not, im very careful with my stuff

 

[bongmarley2009]

If you're growing an autoflower, let it grow naturally. And definitely invest in a pH meter. I can't ever imagine using those pH strips.

 

[SoFloFlame]

If you're growing an autoflower, let it grow naturally. And definitely invest in a pH meter. I can't ever imagine using those pH strips.

Yea, im pretty sure im going to be buying one pretty soon "within the next few weeks", and also, should i trim the second node off the plant when it grows so i can give it four main stems? or should i just go completely naturally? Is there any pH meter in particular you would recommend that under 50 and performs decently? I need one that is accurate, but i don't need one that is lab quality accurate, its just weed after all

 

[Flo Grow]

SoFlo, trust me and many others that have been down your road.
Pay the $50 - $70 now for a good PH meter that will last.
Because you WILL end up coughing up the ends for one later, be it 6 months or 16 months.
The benefits of owning RELIABLE ph and ppm meters is terribly underestimated !!
That first one you posted, by Milwaukee is cheap, won't last more than 6 - 9 months and had it as my first meter ! Hanna sells an identical model.
The other 2 meters you posted look good.
If you have to, or can replace the probes, then you are getting into decent meters.
I highly recommend the calibration solution too.

 

[upthearsenal]

i started my first waterfarm with an auto and it's going great, so much so i got another WF.
i'm going to use it to grow a roadrunner as well. btw there is a waterfarm mod and tips thread on here, it helped me out

 

[SoFloFlame]

@Flo, im thinking of getting the second item, it has a replaceable unit and it comes with calibration solution. In a few minutes im going to take some more pics of my baby and put them up.
Right now she is sitting in a rockwool cube with water pH'd to 6 under a 18/4 light cycle. After tonight im going to change it to 20/4 due to it being an autoflower. Also, do you think that fan size is good enough for when i get my HPS system running in there? I have a very tall grow space "about 5 foot" and its only behind a sliding closet door with cracks on the edges. Also, the transformer for it is separate from the light bulb itself so i can place it outside the grow area to reduce heat.

 

[SoFloFlame]

i started my first waterfarm with an auto and it's going great, so much so i got another WF.
i'm going to use it to grow a roadrunner as well. btw there is a waterfarm mod and tips thread on here, it helped me out

Hey arsenal, sounds good to me! Can you point me in the direction of that thread? Right now i have the regular dripper unit along with an extra air pump connected to a 4 inch air rock for the bottom.

 

[upthearsenal]

here you go:
https://www.rollitup.org/hydroponics-aeroponics/119479-waterfarm-mods-tips.html

 

[Flo Grow]

Are you speaking of that black fan ?
That is enough to help keep the canopy cool.
What are you doing for extraction ?
Cracking open the sliding door ?

 

[SoFloFlame]

here you go:
https://www.rollitup.org/hydroponics-aeroponics/119479-waterfarm-mods-tips.html

thanks for the link, will definitely take a look at it : p

 

[bongmarley2009]

Don't top your autoflowers. They have such a short veg period that it will benefit you if you let them just grow naturally.

Also with your waterfarm, I'd recommend using a bigger air pump. I use this one http://www.greners.com/pumps-irrigation/products/air-pump/ecoplus-commercial-air-pump.html
It's overkill, but it creates some awesome drip action. The only other modification I made was to drill more 1/4" holes on the brown bucket. If you do this, don't over do it because it still needs to support your hydroton.

Spend the extra money and get a good pH meter. I love the one I have because it reads pH, temp, ppm, and EC.

 

[SoFloFlame]

Update, my baby hasnt changed much but still some improvement
Also, for anyone who cares, i got my mylar up!

And on a side note, does anyone know if this fan size will be good enough for cooling once i get my HPS going in a few weeks? Right now its on its lowest speed and i would say its kicking out 8-10mph winds. The area itself is only separated from the rest of a 20' by 20' room by a mirror sliding closet door with huge gaps around all edges that would allow for ventilation. Grow space currently is about 2' x 3' x 5'

 

[SoFloFlame]

Don't top your autoflowers. They have such a short veg period that it will benefit you if you let them just grow naturally.

Also with your waterfarm, I'd recommend using a bigger air pump. I use this one http://www.greners.com/pumps-irrigation/products/air-pump/ecoplus-commercial-air-pump.html
It's overkill, but it creates some awesome drip action. The only other modification I made was to drill more 1/4" holes on the brown bucket. If you do this, don't over do it because it still needs to support your hydroton.

Spend the extra money and get a good pH meter. I love the one I have because it reads pH, temp, ppm, and EC.

jeeze thats a little overkill haha. I was thinking about just buying an air pump for maybe a 30gallon tank instead of the 10gallon one included.