Charon's Aero Hybrid 400W

Hi everybody. I'm a new-comber to the site, I recently moved on from another site because for some reason or another they started to lose members at an alarming rate. I'd like to introduce my self as well as start a grow journal here. I hope I can get advice as well as maybe give out pointers as well. ^^ I have been growing 10 Years plus, started with hydro, moved to dirt, and now do a little mix of both. However, hydro has always been my true love.

So with that, I would like to set the mood. This is a personal grow, with a target time frame of 3 months start to finish. Under a 400W HPS, and this grow will be focused on my DIY Aeroponics build. It's a pretty much standard build, with 7 sites. Usually I go much more advanced, but with funding being tight, I have gone the poor mans route, using only the most basic (and required) materials. All in all costs (not including the HPS) about $200 US.

Materials used:
1 - 400W HPS
7 - 7x7x4cm Net Pots
1 - 30W Submersible Pump (GPM not sure)
7 - Non volatile synthetic starter cubes
1 - Electronic TDS meter
Noncountable - Wonder Ball Medium - Very similar to hydroton but about 1/2 the size.
90 L Reservoir
PH Test Strips
PH down
Probably a few other things I can't think of right now. Just the most basics of what is needed.
Oh ya some Nutes.

Some pics for your viewing pleasure.

So today I put the system through its first night of tests. The only problem so far has been some minor leaking around the lid. To solve this, I used some plastic around the lid, to create a kind of splash guard, and some ducktape as a kind of gasket. Will keep a close eye on it. Also, until the roots pop out of the net pots, i will be keeping (DIY) humidity domes around the babies and hand water frequently. Keeping the Nutrient level at about 400 TDS, ph floating anywhere between 6 - 7 for now.



P.S. My journal is open to all members comments/suggestions/criticisms. So please feel free to leave your mark ^^.
--Charon

Quick update: Roots have appeared out 2 of the 7 net pots thus far. Looking good.

Quick Update: 6 out of 7 netpots now have roots showing. 1 plant looks unhealthy, I may give another seedling, if no roots show in the next few days. Today Res change, PH 5-6 TDS 450.

Welcome and hope the grow goes well. Do a little posting around lots of info and pretty good people around here. I see lots of advice all the time WELCOME.

ps I want to see where this diy system goes. I like seeing people make their own systems and like to see the different results that come out of it.

xsavier ^^ My first friend on the site! Thanxs man! I am feeling good vibes from this site, so I think I will be happy to call it my new home. I have been reading a lot of the threads around, and still have a lot more to read to get to know the community a bit better, but its all good. I look forward to contributing to the community

Update:

I tossed the sickling and replaced her with a backup dirtling that I had preplanned just in case this sort of thing happened. Simply rinsed off the roots, and already shes looking good with new roots already popping out. Also some other shots of roots as of now.. pretty much they all look the same. Going strong. Overall shot of my simple setup as well.

Update:
Roots are a good inch out of the netpots now.. No need to hand water now. Seen some noticeable explosive growth in the last day or so. Expecting a lot of growth now over the next week. Starting 12/12 now.

Still been fighting a few leaking drips here and there, and finally decided to change my whole route of growing. d'oh.
Instead of Aero, I have converted my grow into a top-feed or drip system. I have never done a top-feed before, and since I've already used up my budget for my grow I had to improvise. Still basically same container and pump and all. But now I have added a few small hose lines to each plan to allow water to feed directly on top. I didn't want to do this but I really cound'nt for the life of me fix that darn leak from the aero sparys leaking through the lid. I'll post some pics soon. maybe get a better understanding. heh

Went ahead and ordered an airpump (20W) and 6 30cm air stoneds , gonna convert to DWC

Ok so I decided I will go over budget a bit. One thing about where I live, the maintenance office is very picky about power usage. Apparently a 400W HPS draws too much attention. and thats on 12/12 at that. (I live in a really small place just two rooms atm)
So with that in mind, I went ahead and hopefully spent in a wise investment.. A LED Light! To be more specific, one called the Kessil 350 Grow Light. The one for flowering. I really liked its small form factor compared to others, as well as being sold on its design. Haven't seen any reviews of it here, so perhaps I could give a good one. Mind you that this is to replace my 400W. So we will see.

*Edit
Scratch that. I went ahead and got TWO... one magenta, and the other purple. Sheesh.. I should really control my spending lol. Hopefully it will save me money in the long run (my justification)

I would like to ask a mod only if its convient for you, if I could have my journal title renamed to "Charon's Bubbleponic 2x Kessil H350 Grow". Thanxs!420