Bree's first Aero grow... with Yeast CO2

[Guest]

Thanks for the input Pod Racer.........

Thanks for the input Pod Racer.........

As long as I use the Lucas formula with Cal-Mg I should be OK, right? I also add Overdrive from AN in the last 3 weeks of flower. It seems to bring on more smell and swell to the trichomes. Even the stems are seriously smelly. I hope to have some AK and Sour Diesel ready for the next run. My favorites or in top three with Kali being the third. I produced really well last time with this method but I was doing Shallow Water Culture..... the reason I call it that is because the reservoir was only 8 in deep with air stones covering nearly every square inch of the bottom.

Made for a lot of work making sure to top off ever day but seemed to get excellent results. 18oz with Blueberry in 13sq.ft. of space. Not bad for BB.

I think I am switching back to DWC after this. Seems like too much trouble, flooding, pump heat and noise, leaks. None of this with DWC, just mix, top off, watch them grow. Biggest worry is to make sure all the air pumps are pumping well. And damn near the same gain and I bet by the time we are done--- same dried wt. The flood is what really did it. Been doing this indoors for about 10 yrs now and never had a flood.

Peace

 

[ItsGrowTime]

Remind me to give you my address so I can take those fence posts off your hands
But seriously, I think thats part of the fun of this setup is the challenge involved. Not floods, per se, but the challenge involved. Im learning that DWC is quite effective as well but its sure boring in comparison. To each their own I guess...

 

[Pod Racer]

I would have to say that is my debate with most right there. The trouble of running an NFT/FAG setup isn't really worth the results you get and the labor involved compared to DWC.

However, done as a TAG, you can exceed DWC enough to validate its use over DWC. IMHO. But otherwise, its just not worth the fuss.

Hence Aeropods rather than tubes. Honestly, I had more floods with DWC than Aero and there is considerably more water to flood. One plugup or hose break and 20 gallons of amonia is all over your floor. Or, and this happened to me, the pump fitting came off and shot right up into the HID blowing it up and spraying the entire room down. It was a nightmare.

Worst problem with TAG is if you loose power or your system stops running for more than 4 hours. Serious death can occur and often does. But you can run an entire table of 40 off 10 gallons of nutrients and there is a 20% increase over DWC in growth, not necessarily production.

But they are neck and neck, however this pod here couldn't be cheaper or easier to run and it amassed a huge amount in no time. The only issue was the cheap plastic tub would crack around the molded feet and flood.

If that were not the case, this would be the most incredible growing rig for $100. Just to defend the aerokin, you understand.

 

[Guest]

Maybe I am getting the DWC mixed up with something else....????

Maybe I am getting the DWC mixed up with something else....????

I get a large tub with a lid that fits snuggly, then I cut 2.5in holes into it for the number of pots and the size of the room. I start clones or seeds. Mix the original mix, then transfer to the 3in pots with the expanded clay pellets to support. By the end the only hydroton is that which is trapped inside the roots, the rest gets pushed out.

I top off the reservoir with stonger or weaker solution depending on the change of the EC the day before. I usually only change when I start flower and then to flush with clear water for 7 days, 3 of the last are done in darkness.

No pumps or gadgets. I line the bottom of the tube with air stones but in the future will use the soaker hoses from Wallys, or the silicon tubes someone found on here. 1 timer and keep the pumps pumping large amounts of air.

I have to say, I have about the exact same rate of growth with it or this other. Many more things to go wrong. More timers. Pump noise although minimal. I may move the set up to my greenhouse to grow legit stuff. Just seems like lots more work without any pay off for the work.

Don't get me wrong, I love to sit and prune shape and pamper my ladies but even the root systems in the othes were larger.

No connections to flood and mildew the carpets---seeped through the walls. Now if I had a true aero set up and the privacy to have all of that, it may be different. I can't even access the plants in the back of the room due to the configuration and door location. It is a built in hidden room.

No disrespect to you guys but if it is easier and less trouble and less noise why would I go the other way. I am only talking about a 13 sq ft space and I got 18oz of Blueberry out of it last time. That is pretty damn good. Lets see. 104g x 18 = That is 1.9g/watt for a 60 day period.

Do you guys really get that much more? What is your watt/gram ratio. Mine is done when it is completely limb snapping dry--2-3 weeks in a cool room with fan. Seriously. I need to know. I spent a lot of time setting up this system and a moderate amt of money. Is it really worth it? I mean that in the most constructive sense.

Part of the problem is I planned to move the clones as soon as they rooted into the flower room.... give them a couple of days to get their roots down..... approximately a week and then flower. Then I could see all of them and take care to cut off all the popcorn branches from the bottoms and work with them. Maybe I will give it one more grow as a try. If I can flip the reservoir around and move it outside the room I think that would help tremendously. This just gave me an idea. I think it would solve some serious problems related to this and maybe make it a little less troublesome.

I will probably try one more time with some tweaks for next time. I am going to move the reservoir out of the room and PVC glue the main set up. Not the parts that need taken down to clean.

Doesn't seem like many people visit this thread. What can I do to make it more interesting? Need help guys. Please?

 

[Pod Racer]

Ah Bree, you are doing an Ace job, don't sweat it. And you are correct on a lot of levels and I myself often debate that very thing. The problem for me is two fold, first - once you get a couple aeroruns under your belt its really much easier than you think. There is just a learning curve like anything else. Second, air pumps seem to make a shitload more noise in my house. Even the submersibles. The dia pumps, when balanced correctly, are almost inaudible - even in the room. Sometimes if my rig is really well built I have to look to make sure the foggers are running cause its such a quiet whisper.
You can make pods that are smaller. I have an aeropod that is only the size of one of those black boxes you see for my res. It will hold 6 plants through flower and run TAG just the same as any other bucket system. And only one timer, just less time and less power and nutes.

But not trying to persuade you and I tend to add a lot of complicated concepts to my style of growing as I've mastered this one. Its fun to tweak and play because I know I can go even further, though I'm not sure how much. But like I said, my goal is efficiency and optimal health. So come to my new TAG thread and see what all the other pod racers develope. It might inspire you to rethink and redesign your room. You'd be surprized what you can fit in a secret closet. I myself am building out a very odd secret closet as we speak, it will be the focus of my new thread and maybe you can just join in on that one as it is going to be a comprehensive Aeroponic thread.
The sun is up, time to get to work. :wink:
Just hate to loose you Bree, I know you're a TAGer at heart. Don't let my hocus pocus scare you off. Its much easier than you think and I'm about to show everyone just how easy it can be.

So, deep breath...grab the restraining bar, cause here we go.......

 

[Pod Racer]

New thread launched ya'll

New TAG thread

 

[Guest]

Pod Racer ...... thanks for the encouragement........

Pod Racer ...... thanks for the encouragement........

I hate to do things half assed. I know I am not doing true aero but could spend a fortune trial and error on pressure tanks, the right misters.... all the rest I think I could figure out. IF I could figure out the pressure tank issue I would ad that to may home RO and fix the low rate of output.

Do you have some good urls and companies to look into that part? I know I can do DWC to the max and perfectly but doing this sort of aero just doesn't seem right to me. No offense to anyone else. I am very grateful about the info and ideas I have obtained from all the ones who have been my vicarious mentors.

I am a bit of a perfectionist and it is hard to go half way. If I am going to do aero I want to do it fully. I have a small room and if I built a unit just to the size of it, it would be perfect but I have no idea on the two main points above.

Well here are today's updates:

I have recolored a bit to compensate for the HPS hue.

Here is the first one from the doorway and today's to compare:

Then now


Here is the canopy.... as you can see not one inch wasted....




The yeast CO2 has been going well. I mixed my last batch last Saturday and it is still registering at ~1250ppm. It does better when I have the light and dark due to I cool it off during the dark and decrease the yeast activity. Then I turn the heat up during the light and produce more CO2.

Peace

 

[rule35sub1]

I see an inch wasted in the corner there, LOL
Looking good bro.

 

[Pod Racer]

Just another completely out there idea here, Me thinking outside the box again, but it would occur to me that if someone wanted to grow really thick heavy vegged plants in a high Co2 level, wouldn't it be best to recreate the same prehistoric environment that best fascilitates that growth? Not meaning rampaging around as a herbasurus or anything like that. lol
Just thinking that in both Alaska and the Prehistoric eras had lower, red light that lasted longer during veg and never really reached the intensity of high noon on a clear day. The atmosphere back then was heavy with Co2 and water vapor, almost foggy most the time. I am just wondering if the Co2 enrichment wouldn't be better under similar conditions. At least an idea for an interesting experiment no?

 

[brooklyn]

peace bree, so far so nice, my question is this when do u first introduce the co2 into the room, i'm scroggin, so it would be kinda difficult to get under the canopy, 2nd question how do u measure the ppms for co2 in the room?

 

[Guest]

Hello Everyone...... nice to see my friends and some new faces

Hello Everyone...... nice to see my friends and some new faces

Day 9 of flowering, clone, and beans out of the ground-- how symetrical--I love it.

Well an update for you. The stretch is in full swing. I have bent at least five times now. Little worried end up with smaller buds but more quantity. Not as appealing asthetically. Well Rule----That in sure as hell is filled up now. Am on the prowl for any hermie signs. I harvested enough Blueberry pollen last time to meet my breeding needs. So any signs of maleness...... death.
Well here is a pic of the canopy and it growing out the door, you can also see some of the bending:



Here is one of the ladies starting her pistals: (recolored for HPS)




Now for those poor clones. If you remember I didn't have my usual distilled water so I used well water. I checked the EC and it was 900 and the pH was 8.4, took me half a bottle of pH down to get it down to 5.85. Well I'll be damned we have roots since yesterday.....so that was in 8 days. Ought to get some damn rep. points for that miracle. Here is a pic. It is not very good but blow it up and you will see some roots. There are others too. Really just did it for an experiment.... don't have anywhere to put them. Just work on the technique and see if well water like that would do it. Well here is the pic.




Now for the newest members of the family. The AK and Diesel IBL are doing well. Having heat issues and such dialing in the new room but they are thriving. Just a bit of burn due to started with an EC of 650 which is a bit higher than I like by 1/3. The heat has done some damage but I think I have that dialed in too now. The one in the back right was bent and damaged during moving but now has roots in the water and is starting to catch up. The ones on the right are AK and the ones one the left are Diesel IBL. Once they get bigger I will do a thread on it.

Here is the pic off the infants:



brooklyn-- It depends on how fast I want them to grow. I know some don't in veg but like the infants I have (AK an Diesel), I want them up and ready to have a mom out of each strain so I have it on right now. In the very upper right hand corner you can see a jug.... I have two gallons of mix and the CO2 is being dumped from that white tipped hose in front and the orange tube that looks like it is going into the temp/humidistat. I want them to move. Now sometimes I have clones matured and waiting for the flower room so I cut it off and bring the nute mix to half. Seriously, I have been called a liar on here but in full veg. I have seen growth of 6-8 inch in one day. Now this is not average per day but it is the truth. No reason to lie, on here to learn and interact that is all. Damn, things grow like weeds.....lol

With this new system it seems I can push my EC up higher than in DWC, I usually saw burn at about 1400EC but I have these up to 1640 and still are dropping the nutes a bit day to day.

Oh brooklyn, I have a CAP 3 CO2 monitor. I put a strip of velcro on the wall and just move it up as the plants grow. In the small room I go by results and the bubbles being put out. You can tell trust me.

Pod Racer--I am going to hop on board your other threads. If I learn enough about TAG I just may try it. Have been researching equipment and such. Not outragous to start.

Peace

 

[jonsmith]

wow! massive bro! puts my tank system to shame! whats your ppm at? must get some fast veg growth! yeah!

 

[Guest]

Hello everyone and Johs......

Hello everyone and Johs......

I definitely would not say puts yours to shame. Looks like a very healthy crop you have there Jons.

My ppm were like 1150 I think with a cofactor of 0.7. I don't do the ppm thing so much just because the different cofactors sort of makes it like talking about apples when you are looking at oranges. Since, many do ppm I changed my pen to the 0.7 cofactor because that is what is most widely used. Hanna ships with a cofactor of 0.5 but most of the others are 0.7.

Peace

 

[Guest]

Hello everyone.......

Hello everyone.......

They are all busting the doors down.
Here is a usual doorway pic and the first pic when I put them into the room to compare:
Before--- with burn from floros...



After 21 days and Day 9 of flowering..



Here is a canopy shot but am going to bend all for the 6th and hopefully final time.




The clones in the white container the stems started to get limp and a smell so I pulled them out. Many in the Rubbermaid RoughNeck are rooting all over the place. The only difference was the light proof container, and they were side by side with same water, air , and other factors. I am now a believer in the rooter to be light proof. I have not had a problem growing with white painted tubs but this has shown me for rooting it is a big difference.

The bean plants--AK and Diesel IBL are kicking butt. The runt is still alive and will give it 2 more days to kick in or its dead. I will have pics of them tomorrow.

Things are looking good. Plants in flower are definitely to big for the room but it will work out. This system has me running my EC at 1630 an ppm 1150... this is the highest I have ever run and not had burn. The CO2 is staying around 1240--1390. I have the room vent fan turned up a bit because the RH is staying in the 60-65 range. All in all kicking ass. No sign of hermies.

Peace

 

[Pod Racer]

Root Zone Temperatures are found to be ideally suited at approximately 68-72F for maximum efficiency, though younger plants grow faster at higher temperatures and older ones at lower—these extremes are not conducive to the microculture necessary to support the root colonies and risk of possible bad bacterial infections. The use of HG or any AM inoculant is advised and recommended.
Ideal root temperature has been established at 68F.
Root zone temperatures should see very little temperature fluctuation and absolutely no light penetration if possible as light destroys AM on exposure and only increases Pythium growth and development. Anything above 75F should be considered dangerous to the health and well being of your plants and HydroGuard or other benefical is highly recommended.

 

[Guest]

Pod Racer and everyone.... nice to see you all......

Pod Racer and everyone.... nice to see you all......

The new update is here........

Need to ask, is my posting everyday or other day too much for this stage? Seem to have lost many of our show buddies. Let me know what you think.

Well, the room is running great. 82-86f, humidity in 55-65 RH, CO2 running about 1250ppm-- had to turn the fan up due to humidity so dropped it a bit. Root zones top out at 75f but usually between 73f and 66f, using the hydroguard to protect them and keep the sprayers from clogging.

The plants are on Day 10 of flower and continue to stretch. Bent them all last night and most had recovered at lights on. Hardy little ladies. That is the 6th time I have bent them which has resulted in the most tops I have ever seen in the canopy. I tried to thin out the popcorn makers but can't reach some of the plants except from the top.
Here are the pics for Sunday: ( I took them right before the lights came on as a certain friend of mine has asked, although the wrong person) lol
Door way shot

Canopy shot and you can see the bending




Next come our infants, they are doing well. Some show a bit of nute burn on the first set of true leaves. I started them with an EC of 650 much higher than usual. But they are doing fine now and putting down roots like crazy. I am trying to nurse the one in the back on the R to health. It is an AK that was bent during the move. New roots are dropping so I am hoping.
Here is the pic of the total infant group



Here is a close up at Day 10 of the Diesel IBL


And last and definitely not least a close up of an AK




Next comes the new Blueberry clones. I wanted to work on my technique so when I took out some of the bottom popcorn branches I thought I would do some clones. Not sure what I will do with them. The amazing story is the well water I used had an EC of 900 and a pH of 8.4....... I brought it down to 5.85 with what seemed like a bucket of pH down. Didn't expect much but at day ten more have rooted than not........ That should get me some rep. points if nothing else does. Here is a pic of the root and then a pic of the tops.






Thanks everyone for coming and if you can think of a way to get more here, please let me know. The buds are going to start banging in the next two weeks and I think that might interest them.
Good Karma to you all and,

Peace

 

[ItsGrowTime]

Its lookin good man, dont sweat the "attendance". Itll definitely pick up once the blooms start up full strength. I think this is why many people dont do real time grow threads. I still want to see how that CO2 affects the growth/yield.

 

[-VT-]

Your'e better off without a lot of folks posting in your thread bro....just trust me on this....I been following along...just not posting...I mean, honestly? Much of the content is a bit advanced for me So I am intimidated by "advanced" threads (meaning...the content is advanced)

Anyways...your plants look great :smile: I love healthy pics of veg plants....and I admire folks that do real time growshows....harder to be a poser...and hard to cover up mistakes too

I looove Botanicare nutes....big fan...'cept for Hydroguard....that shit is useless IMO

This is a great thread....

 

[Pod Racer]

Hey My Buddy Pal Friend of Mine. Now I get to ask a bunch of questions. But first, You post everyday buddy. I check these threads regularly and I love to see updates as events warrent. I usually get flamed big time for posting my pictures or trying to explain something in detail in someone else's thread - so I usually try and refrain, less I be labeled a highjacker.
Most probably feel, and wisely so, that if they don't have anything really important to contribute there isn't a need to just say, "Hey, saw your update, I was here." They'll just lurk until something strikes their fancy. No worries there M8

Now, question for you. What is this bending technique? What's the deal? What's it suppose to do? And lord that is going to be a crazy ass closet. You better be thankful that isn't a TAG. Lord-E.

OH - And I see a big problem and no nice way to fix it. Sorry. It appears that the leaves look over watered (the plants I mean, by the leaves). This is because of those fuckin' Jiffy Pots. Don't use them, seriously...Oasis Cube or RRs are much better Or hell, Perlite and Vermiculite mixed is 100% better. I hate to suggest this, but when they get a little bit bigger, I'd remove as much of that Jiffyshit as possible. It works great if you are going to stick them in the ground, however in an Aerorig, or Hydro Rig of any kind they remain too soggy and wet and you'll always have that over watered look, if not fungus gnats and rot. Hate them, sorry. If I must use them, I cut the tops off and use only about a 1/2" coin as such. But your hydro rig is going to keep them too moist in those hydroton pellets. Sorry.

You can veg right in the pucks going mediumless if you want.

I sprouted this one in fiber fill, from a pillow. You need barely anything to grow aeroponically.

This is from inside a Jiffyshit pellet, you can see how the root has tuborized. lol Yikes.

Whereas this is mediumless completely:

Big Diff. no? This is why I dislike medium at all. You'll find TAG will force you into growing in thin air as you'll see how easy it is compared to choking roots through all that medium...at least I hope so. :wink:

I actually sprouted my seeds in that new seed starter soil they have with the added Phosphorus. It worked well, and then I just transplanted them to soil, though I could have just rinsed them and put them into a an aeropod with a puck. I'm just sexing these first in soil.

 

[guineapig]

Looking good Bree.....Thanks for the root comparison POD, really should open a few eyes out there....

good growing!!

kind regards from guineapig