New setup, couple of questions.

Hello Gents,

I have just started my 3rd grow. Each time I improve equipment, as result there are more details to look after. I am trying to squeeze most of what I have.

Details of my tent:
- 80x80(cm, base), 160/180cm tall.
- cabon filter
- small clip on fan for circulation
- cool tube with wings
- 250W MH, 6000k (will change to HPS for flowering stage)
- 2x T5s with reflectors, 39 watts each, 6600k
- 2x 35L pots, around 7/7.5 gallons
- I'm planning to do LST and SCROG
- I have an RO filter, chemical ph tester and TDS meter

I also already decided to put the germinated seeds into the final pot right off the bat. Will do today most probably.

I have the main question, am I heading the right direction ?

Second question. I tried to research the topic of water. I looked through the blog and I can't seem to find straight answer, most often just huge amounts of information regarding water properties. Could not find clear answer to my situation. This is not spoon feeding fellas, I just want the ladies to look good, tase and kick good. Solely for my own private use.

Can you please advise how should I prepare the water, and what properties should it have.

As far as I know Plagron Bat Mix is 5.2 to 6.5ph. Perfect ph is 6.5, correct ?

Should I puchase a good quality soil ph tester ? If so can you point in a direction.

My usual routine was this. I used RO water, I oxygenated it with aquarium water pump, checked ph, adjusted with soda/lemon, add nuts,check ph and check TDS(ppm).

Would be thankful for advice. Also I wanted to thank members of this blog, it's a real trasure chest regarding info and opinions.

I think you're headed in the right direction. Since you are using an organic soil and I assume organic nutes as well, I wouldn't worry about pH too much. It won't hurt anything if you do, though. I definitely wouldn't worry about a soil pHer.

If you are using RO water then there is nothing else to worry about except adding your cal/mag with the rest of your nutes. You don't have to bubble the RO water for any amount of time before use.

I've never used plagron soil, but any organic soil should be at the right pH out of the bag. This soil looks like you won't have to feed anything but cal/mag for 4 weeks or so.

Good luck,keep us updated!

The only thing I would do differently is not go right for the biggest pot size right off the bat. My reasoning is all about developing the best root structure I can! Starting in a small pot and "Up-potting" a few times (perhaps 3 or 4) allows a good root ball to form and grow incrementally larger; resulting in a large, dense, strong root structure.

When you start a seedling in big pot, the roots race to the "outside"; forming a sort of "Root Shell" instead of a "Root Ball".

Others may argue the "Big Pot" method is at least as good, maybe even better becuase there are no "transplanting slowdowns". To be honest, I don't think I've ever seen a reliable study on "Up-potting" vs. "Big pot" in regards to root developement. Any way, that's my $.02 worth!