Plants continuing to die and I'm running out of ideas!

BobCajun

BobCajun

Well-Known Member
I think you might have just fried em with too much light and/or fan. Starting plants out only requires something like a 100w replacement LED bulb per square foot or even CFLs if you have any. Best to use the LED bulbs since it will get them used to it for when you start using the 300w one. That cardboard box doesn't look very big. If the light really draws 300w it's probably way too much for that box.
 
Blow4Life

Blow4Life

Well-Known Member
Your rockwool is too wet. You have to let that stuff dry out a bit. The dampness cuts off the plants ability to transport things from roots up to the plant. You really shouldn't combine DWC with rockwool. Try placing rooted clones in a net basket with hydroton and hand water twice a day until roots start to grow out of basket. Then turn on the sprayers. Your setup will work bro; you just gotta keep pushing.
 
stickyicky_247

stickyicky_247

Active Member
I agree with a lot that's been said. You do need a better setup ideally. But you can make what you have work. But not necessarily as easily as you'd like. I just went through similar bs with my rdwc setup. It takes time to dial in, even a brand new store bought setup will not work 100% effectively in all setups, that's where your control of the environment is key. I'd say if you're gonna run with dwc, at the very least, get some insulation on those buckets. I guarantee that with no chiller or cooling whatsoever for the water, that it's highly unlikely that your water temp is 65-70• I believe if your room is 75 then your water is probably closer to 80 with being directly under the light and having no form of cooling. Warmer water equals less oxygen and creates a perfect environment for all the nasty crap you don't want to see in there.Also, I'm not familiar with led's but if a plant receives too much light, it actually slowly kills the leaf off by overworkin it unless there's supplemental co2 to support the faster growth rate and thus utilizing the light to the fullest instead of reflecting the excess, unused light and generating heat at the leaf. So although your room may be 75, your plants leafs are actually way warmer without adding co2. Hope this helps
 
Zack Stewart

Zack Stewart

Member
Blow4Life said:
Your rockwool is too wet. You have to let that stuff dry out a bit. The dampness cuts off the plants ability to transport things from roots up to the plant. You really shouldn't combine DWC with rockwool. Try placing rooted clones in a net basket with hydroton and hand water twice a day until roots start to grow out of basket. Then turn on the sprayers. Your setup will work bro; you just gotta keep pushing.
Click to expand...
Will do! I'll start watering a couple times and then eventually use a water pump. Was just hoping i wouldnt need it. Also, i can't seem to find clones anywhere that arent in rockwool already :/
 
Zack Stewart

Zack Stewart

Member
stickyicky_247 said:
I agree with a lot that's been said. You do need a better setup ideally. But you can make what you have work. But not necessarily as easily as you'd like. I just went through similar bs with my rdwc setup. It takes time to dial in, even a brand new store bought setup will not work 100% effectively in all setups, that's where your control of the environment is key. I'd say if you're gonna run with dwc, at the very least, get some insulation on those buckets. I guarantee that with no chiller or cooling whatsoever for the water, that it's highly unlikely that your water temp is 65-70• I believe if your room is 75 then your water is probably closer to 80 with being directly under the light and having no form of cooling. Warmer water equals less oxygen and creates a perfect environment for all the nasty crap you don't want to see in there.Also, I'm not familiar with led's but if a plant receives too much light, it actually slowly kills the leaf off by overworkin it unless there's supplemental co2 to support the faster growth rate and thus utilizing the light to the fullest instead of reflecting the excess, unused light and generating heat at the leaf. So although your room may be 75, your plants leafs are actually way warmer without adding co2. Hope this helps
Click to expand...
I'm glad to hear that as I'm willing to do what it takes to make it work!
A few updates and questions if you don't mind.

Would a fan pointed directly below the buckets be enough to keep them cool enough?

Update: I currently have to 80mm fans blowing fresh air from the window into the enclosure. Right now the temp is about 65 outside but the LED setup warms up the air around the plants I believe.

The LED I am using says 300 WATT but it only uses 135 real watts so I'm doubting it's from too much light. But it could be.
 
im4satori

im4satori

Well-Known Member
I read thru all of the posts..everything but the kitchen sink, you must be spinning

not having an EC meter and PH meter is obviously a problem in hydro
you as an inexperienced person can not grow in hydro without them
(don't buy ppm meter, buy an EC meter)

your fertilizers are not good for hydro.... fox farm nutes cause more problems for people than any other

change your nutes

for now for you I would recommend the General hydroponics brand "flora nova" and flora grow"

its very easy to mix its just one bottle for veg and one bottle for flower and its all balanced
keep some Epsom salt (if you need it) around and that's about it

max strength for the GH flora nova/grow would be 7.5 mls per gallon and that's for plants 16" or taller

everything else start at half strength (3 to 4 mls per gallon)

start your already rooted clones and or sprouts when requiring food at EC 0.5 of the bloom nutes for the first week

keep a daily log of your EC and your PH
if your EC goes down and your ph goes up quick raise the EC slightly
if the EC goes down and the ph goes up slow (over 3 days) your good
if your EC goes up lower the EC
if your PH goes down lower the EC
 
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