Am i missing anything?

TropiKanna

TropiKanna

Well-Known Member
setting up a smaller tent and haven't bought equipment in quite some time but here's my list... if I'm missing anything that you think is essential lemme know plz!

Strain Info:
Advanced Seeds Auto Strawberry Gum
Medium - Organic/Living Soil

39" x 39" x 70" grow tent
600watt Full Spectrum LED light panel
12" tent pole oscilatting clip fan
4 inch Inline Fan (no carbon filter/smell isn't an issue/strictly for exhausting hot air from tent)
Variable Inline Fan Velocity Controller
4 inch Jiffy seedling pots
3 and 5 gallon planters/pots
1.5 cu/ft Roots Organic Soil
5 lbs. Natures Living Soil
5 lbs. Perlite
 
Renfro

Renfro

Well-Known Member
Exactly what LED were you looking at? I highly recommend running the light by us before you purchase. We can help you find a good one, there are a LOT of crap LED's out there.

I get 10.56 sqft on your planned space. A high quality LED that draws 370 watts would put you at 35 watts per sqft. With quality LED thats a good place to be. If you have a shitty LED you will want closer to 50 watts per sqft and the heat will be a big downer.

Beware of LED's that say 1000 watt but only actually draw 400 watts. Thats a big red flag.
 
Renfro

Renfro

Well-Known Member
A good pH meter is my most important tool. If growing in soil / coco then I highly recommend getting a blue lab soil pH pen. This will allow you to measure the pH of the root zone AND will measure liquid pH just fine as well.

Amazon.com : Bluelab PENSOILPH pH Pen for Soil, Coco, Rockwool and Solution, Easy Calibration : Soil Testers : Garden & Outdoor

Amazon.com : Bluelab PENSOILPH pH Pen for Soil, Coco, Rockwool and Solution, Easy Calibration : Soil Testers : Garden & Outdoor
www.amazon.com

A good EC meter will help you judge the strength of your feed, quality of your water. Probably not as important for those that don't bottle feed but usually around 6 weeks the soil becomes exhausted and a bottle feed is required so it's good to have.
 
TropiKanna

TropiKanna

Well-Known Member
Renfro said:
A good pH meter is my most important tool. If growing in soil / coco then I highly recommend getting a blue lab soil pH pen. This will allow you to measure the pH of the root zone AND will measure liquid pH just fine as well.

Amazon.com : Bluelab PENSOILPH pH Pen for Soil, Coco, Rockwool and Solution, Easy Calibration : Soil Testers : Garden & Outdoor

Amazon.com : Bluelab PENSOILPH pH Pen for Soil, Coco, Rockwool and Solution, Easy Calibration : Soil Testers : Garden & Outdoor
www.amazon.com

A good EC meter will help you judge the strength of your feed, quality of your water. Probably not as important for those that don't bottle feed but usually around 6 weeks the soil becomes exhausted and a bottle feed is required so it's good to have.
Click to expand...

I won't be pH'ing as this is an organic grow using living soil
 
Lockedin

Lockedin

Well-Known Member
Renfro said:
Beware of LED's that say 1000 watt but only actually draw 400 watts. Thats a big red flag.
Click to expand...
+1

Prime example is in my tent and without blaming - here's my observations:
Viparspectra VA-1200 dimmable (this is where all the well-known-members roll their eyes collectively --- BECAUSE)
Marketing claims
Claims it is for a 4x4 tent - the smaller VA-1000 says the same thing. Hmmmm........
"1200" - leads some to believe that means 1200 watts. Especially when below that it says there are 120 10W diodes. That equals 1200w, right? No.
To be fair - the 265W actual draw is in the spec chart and clearly labeled on the fixture.
The PAR map is for a 3x3 tent and shows concentric CIRCLES with even fall-off of PAR --- the fixture is a rectangle and throws an oblong pool of light...not a circle.

Reality in a 4x4:
It works - but it will take 4 total to get decent coverage, and 6 for optimum, wall to wall light.
Spectrum has more UV / blue & white than most making it appear whiter to the eye - but PURPLE in pics.
Dimmer knobs for veg & bloom - nice touch, but they've been at 100% since transplanting in veg. (need more light)
Currently I'm playing catch-up with the VA-1200 in the center and 2 borrowed "300w" burples around the perimeter. 2 more on the way.

FWIW - I'm rotating the plant that gets the center light - more vigorous growth is noticeable under the 1200, so I place the shortest plant under it until it catches up.
 
ilovereggae

ilovereggae

Well-Known Member
www.sensorpush.com

SensorPush - Temperature, Humidity & Pressure Smart Sensors

The highest quality smart thermometers, hygrometers, and barometers, apps, and cloud services. Works with iPhone/iPad and Android. Easy-to-use, accurate and flexible.
www.sensorpush.com www.sensorpush.com

$50 and you can monitor temps/rh from your phone, as well as see historical data. Helps me with making sure my environment is dialed. Not as useful as a controller that will turn fans on/off etc but for the price and ease of use I think its worth it. Also useful when drying.
 
TropiKanna

TropiKanna

Well-Known Member
Lockedin said:
+1

Prime example is in my tent and without blaming - here's my observations:
Viparspectra VA-1200 dimmable (this is where all the well-known-members roll their eyes collectively --- BECAUSE)
Marketing claims
Claims it is for a 4x4 tent - the smaller VA-1000 says the same thing. Hmmmm........
"1200" - leads some to believe that means 1200 watts. Especially when below that it says there are 120 10W diodes. That equals 1200w, right? No.
To be fair - the 265W actual draw is in the spec chart and clearly labeled on the fixture.
The PAR map is for a 3x3 tent and shows concentric CIRCLES with even fall-off of PAR --- the fixture is a rectangle and throws an oblong pool of light...not a circle.

Reality in a 4x4:
It works - but it will take 4 total to get decent coverage, and 6 for optimum, wall to wall light.
Spectrum has more UV / blue & white than most making it appear whiter to the eye - but PURPLE in pics.
Dimmer knobs for veg & bloom - nice touch, but they've been at 100% since transplanting in veg. (need more light)
Currently I'm playing catch-up with the VA-1200 in the center and 2 borrowed "300w" burples around the perimeter. 2 more on the way.

FWIW - I'm rotating the plant that gets the center light - more vigorous growth is noticeable under the 1200, so I place the shortest plant under it until it catches up.
Click to expand...

I couldn't care less what anyone thinks honestly lol. I went with a 3x3 grow tent for a single auto at a time... so all I bought was a Mars Hydro TS 600w full spectrum light panel. Im not looking for monsters per say as this is more or less an experiment since this will be my first auto grow. Worst case scenario I add a secondary light with more exhaust ventilation to move air and remove excessive heat. Not worried about temps so much as i have a AC in the same room which I may figure a way to intake some of it into the tent to control temps if necessary
 
TropiKanna

TropiKanna

Well-Known Member
ilovereggae said:
www.sensorpush.com

SensorPush - Temperature, Humidity & Pressure Smart Sensors

The highest quality smart thermometers, hygrometers, and barometers, apps, and cloud services. Works with iPhone/iPad and Android. Easy-to-use, accurate and flexible.
www.sensorpush.com www.sensorpush.com

$50 and you can monitor temps/rh from your phone, as well as see historical data. Helps me with making sure my environment is dialed. Not as useful as a controller that will turn fans on/off etc but for the price and ease of use I think its worth it. Also useful when drying.
Click to expand...
Yeah but I already purchased a fan controller and like I just said the room temp is controlled by an AC
 
ilovereggae

ilovereggae

Well-Known Member
I would also add some earthworm castings to your soil and/or for top dressing.

also check out Recharge. changed my game completely.

www.realgrowers.com

Home

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO GROW TOP SHELF PLANTS MICROBES Amazon’s Choice 4.8 out of 5 3,148 global ratings Real Growers Recharge is the most trusted name in soil microbes. NUTRIENTS Amazon’s Choice 4.6 out of 5 367 global ratings Our Single-Application Programmed Release Formulas let you feed just...
www.realgrowers.com www.realgrowers.com
 
Lockedin

Lockedin

Well-Known Member
TropiKanna said:
I couldn't care less what anyone thinks honestly lol. I went with a 3x3 grow tent for a single auto at a time... so all I bought was a Mars Hydro TS 600w full spectrum light panel. Im not looking for monsters per say as this is more or less an experiment since this will be my first auto grow. Worst case scenario I add a secondary light with more exhaust ventilation to move air and remove excessive heat. Not worried about temps so much as i have a AC in the same room which I may figure a way to intake some of it into the tent to control temps if necessary
Click to expand...
I don't care either, just letting you know my experience with a light that was advertised and bundled with a 4x4.

It's a good light - I think I just didn't have a realistic picture of what it is capable of until it was in my tent.
 
TropiKanna

TropiKanna

Well-Known Member
ilovereggae said:
I would also add some earthworm castings to your soil and/or for top dressing.

also check out Recharge. changed my game completely.

www.realgrowers.com

Home

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO GROW TOP SHELF PLANTS MICROBES Amazon’s Choice 4.8 out of 5 3,148 global ratings Real Growers Recharge is the most trusted name in soil microbes. NUTRIENTS Amazon’s Choice 4.6 out of 5 367 global ratings Our Single-Application Programmed Release Formulas let you feed just...
www.realgrowers.com www.realgrowers.com
Click to expand...
I have read about this... whats the difference between top dressing with castings vs say an earthworm tea or compost tea results wise? Realistically with organic soil the teas "re-energize" my living soil during flower correct? Is this the same with the castings or is there a difference?
 
TropiKanna

TropiKanna

Well-Known Member
Lockedin said:
I don't care either, just letting you know my experience with a light that was advertised and bundled with a 4x4.

It's a good light - I think I just didn't have a realistic picture of what it is capable of until it was in my tent.
Click to expand...
I wasn't insulting you or talking shit. I was agreeing with you! Lol. Fuck what people say ya know?... not everyone has an unlimited budget for lights... some of us have to be adults and pay our other bills and for our kids to grow up healthy. All I can say to those that down these more inexpensive lights is SUCK A FAT DICK! I'm lucky enough to be able to afford what I can haha
 
ilovereggae

ilovereggae

Well-Known Member
TropiKanna said:
I have read about this... whats the difference between top dressing with castings vs say an earthworm tea or compost tea results wise? Realistically with organic soil the teas "re-energize" my living soil during flower correct? Is this the same with the castings or is there a difference?
Click to expand...
Im not an expert on any of this, but from what I have learned, the top dressing is going to give you more of a slow release over a couple of weeks as it gets absorbed each time you water.

Teas have the benefit of giving an immediate boost since all the goodness is in the water and has been 'brewed' to get all the beneficial bacterias booming.

Both methods will give you microbes and beneficial bacteria in your soil, teas just speed up the process.

Top dressing once during flower at like week 3/4, and a weekly Recharge up til week 6 seems to be working for me for now. I've been using up the last of my Roots Organics liquid nutes for now if they look extra hungry.

I live in an apartment so I dont have a ton of space but going to try to make some ACT at some point. I just know that some of those can have not great odors so I need to rig something up out back on the patio or laundry area or something.
 
a mongo frog

a mongo frog

Well-Known Member
TropiKanna said:
All I can say to those that down these more inexpensive lights is SUCK A FAT DICK! I'm lucky enough to be able to afford what I can haha
Click to expand...
The good ones are not expensive. Super inexpensive. Shouldn't of cost you more then 40 bucks to light up that 4x4 you speak of. If you need some cash start a thread we got you. Just "SUCK A FAT DICK" sounds like you hate people that do enjoy giving good head. Quite disturbing actually.
 
TropiKanna

TropiKanna

Well-Known Member
a mongo frog said:
The good ones are not expensive. Super inexpensive. Shouldn't of cost you more then 40 bucks to light up that 4x4 you speak of. If you need some cash start a thread we got you. Just "SUCK A FAT DICK" sounds like you hate people that do enjoy giving good head. Quite disturbing actually.
Click to expand...
Saying "SUCK A FAT DICK" is just as ignorant as "Oh you only bought an $80 light its garbage" so with that being said I find your comment irrelevant. But ill let it slide this one time :lol::oops: continue sucking dick tho bud :wink:
 
Lockedin

Lockedin

Well-Known Member
Another note from my tent - fans.

Inline 4" is a good start (maybe enough depending on environment).
I vegged with (in flow order):
Passive intake - 6" duct fed from a dark box (covered coffee table) to the tent floor.
Circulation - 2 6" clip fans above the canopy, mounted on opposite corners and directed to promote airflow.
Exhaust / heat management - 4" constant rate (cheap) inline fan pulling through the roof to a few feet of 6" duct for exhaust.
(coz that's the ducting I had in the garage).

Week 3 of flowering and it's time for the filter - my kids & neighbors don't need to be saturated with flower funk 24/7.
Intake - Dark box, 6" duct (DIY flange), 4" variable rate fan - set to keep slight negative press. in tent.
Circulation -
Two 6" clip fans below canopy / opposite corners blowing through lower growth.
Two 6" clip fans above canopy on remaining corners directed to promote circulation.
Exhaust / heat management - 4" carbon filter, 4" inline fan pulling through filter, 6" ducting.
Cheap, controllable, works until I decide to dive deeper down the rabbit hole.
 
TropiKanna

TropiKanna

Well-Known Member
Lockedin said:
Another note from my tent - fans.

Inline 4" is a good start (maybe enough depending on environment).
I vegged with (in flow order):
Passive intake - 6" duct fed from a dark box (covered coffee table) to the tent floor.
Circulation - 2 6" clip fans above the canopy, mounted on opposite corners and directed to promote airflow.
Exhaust / heat management - 4" constant rate (cheap) inline fan pulling through the roof to a few feet of 6" duct for exhaust.
(coz that's the ducting I had in the garage).

Week 3 of flowering and it's time for the filter - my kids & neighbors don't need to be saturated with flower funk 24/7.
Intake - Dark box, 6" duct (DIY flange), 4" variable rate fan - set to keep slight negative press. in tent.
Circulation -
Two 6" clip fans below canopy / opposite corners blowing through lower growth.
Two 6" clip fans above canopy on remaining corners directed to promote circulation.
Exhaust / heat management - 4" carbon filter, 4" inline fan pulling through filter, 6" ducting.
Cheap, controllable, works until I decide to dive deeper down the rabbit hole.
Click to expand...
I'm pretty sure between the 12 inch oscillating clip fan at the canopy, a 4 inch inline fan (inside a 3x3 with a LED light) and the entire room being temp controlled by the AC the room currently stays at 66-68° fahrenheit... so between that.. the 12 inch fan and the 4 inch 190cfm inline fan at the top of the tent exhausting the tent air i think ill be just fine... worst case scenario ill buy a 6 inch. No carbon filter as my place ALWAYS smells like weed as it is lol. No kids live where my grow op is and me and the old lady are always smoking flower
 
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