total noob grow, ebb & flow

[Beggy]

Its been about 18 days since my girls started to sprout from their cubes. I have 2 Nirvana Northern Lights and 2 Short Riders, all are autoflower. As You can tell from pics I had a Super Skunk but had an accident when moving and she didn't make. I learned that young plants are very delicate. My system is an ebb and flow about 10 sq. ft. of space. I have two reservoir tanks connected by 3/4 in. hose with returns going to one and pumping out of other to keep the mix going. lighting is two 2 foot by 4 bulb T5 panels running 20/4 hrs. I have some CFL lights ready to add if and when a boost is needed. Plants are in Hydroton, flooding tables 4 times a day with 1/4 strength General Hydroponics Maxi. Humidity swings from the mid 30's to low 60's and temps go from upper 60's lights out to low 80's with lights on.Think I over watered when they were in the cubes as they seemed stunted. also had some tip burns and I think it was lights too close. I'm through 5 days on the flood table and they are starting to respond, new growth looks good to me. Any suggestions and comments are appreciated. I really want to get this first grow to produce something.

 

[AloeRuss]

Good setup.
Regarding burn tips on your leaves. Usually signifies a nute burn. What is the PH and PPM of your nutrient mix?

Can you stabilize your humidity and temperature? It would be the best thing to do to your plants while they are this young.

 

[Beggy]

I've been running PH at 5.5 to 6.0 and my PPM was 860 after I added nutes and now it is 1110. Most of the tip burn was on original set of true leaves before I put them on table except for plant in picture 5, which has some on second set of leaves. As for the humidity and temperature I should be able to get them more even as I get used to my setup. seems like the biggest drop in both is lights out time. We are in one heck of a cold snap here so that's not helping.

 

[AloeRuss]

You want to try and drop your PPM. Processing so much food takes size and lighting. They are not ready for that much being under T5 light.
Consider buying a small heater. I found that its a great temp stabilizer that works for any size grow room.

 

[Beggy]

Ok. My water test at 405 PPM from the tap and after I let it sit a day to let chlorine evap out. What level would you suggest I try? My grow is in what used to be a basement bathroom with shower. It has a vent from the furnace with an inline damper. I will try opening that to get a more even temp and if that doesn't do it then the portable heater. What would you suggest for a temp range to shoot for? As for the humidity, the lower reading is influenced by my opening the tent for inspection of the girls. don't think i've ever seen it below 45% when I open but then it drops fast when open. Its winter here and dry inside. I Wish I could get the whole house to 50-60%

 

[AloeRuss]

For humidity - when you vegge, you want to stay around 60-65; for flowering you want to get to the lower 50s, mid 40s. Humidifier usually does the job for you there.

For temp: I usually shoot for 76-78. If you run co2, you can go to mid80s and be fine.
I know it fluctuates between lights on or out. I found that by putting a small heater, I can control the fluctuation and stay at 78. I only run it when the lights go off though.
For PPM with non RO water, I'd stay at 650-700 max.
And for the water itself. RO is big on this boards. I however only use tap and just add the water that my humidifyer and AC produces.
I don't want to say that RO is a hype and doesn't do any good. I am just saying I've done well without it.

 

[budshoteyes]

At full flood;how high is your water level?
Your plants look to young to flood,have the roots reached the hydroton?

 

[Beggy]

budshoteyes. water level would be around 5.25 inches and just the bottom 1/4-1/2 inch of rock wool gets touched by the flood. I haven't lifted a cube in a few days to look for roots as I was afraid of doing some damage. They just seemed to be responding to the new environment so well that I was afraid of messing things up. I will give one a check later today and let you know.

 

[budshoteyes]

I've noticed with seedlings that the length of roots corrisponds with the length of plant above the surface. Looking at the root should be ok!
The reason I asked as a "cube only and mini buckets" grower myself was that I only watered my cubes once every two to three weeks through out a four week veg period. The roots below the cube constantly had water though there would be an airspace between the cube and water level to help provide air to the roots. Ebb and flow is another way to do the same;provide oxygen to the roots!

And I agree with others here...get your room humidity up! And 1/3 to 1/2 strength nutes till they are at veg stage!

 

[Beggy]

Lifted a cube and no roots showing. but using your observation there shouldn't be, yet. I think I have the humidity figured out. Are you saying I shouldn't be flooding yet? or maybe cubes above the water line and have the roots search for the moisture? The flooding does help the humidity. They look healthy but I'm a total noob.

 

[budshoteyes]

Here's an excellent read with great pics of what rock wool roots will look like...you'll love them! https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?threadid=215941

You can flood any time!
And,yes,having the water in your trays increases humidity!

There is great debate as to wether the flooding should touch the cubes or not in both ebb and flow tables and DWC. It's a matter of choice and your learning experience as to which you choose! Then there is how long are your flood and drain times and how often....which I have no experience.

I've always hoped there'd be a sub section just for ebb and flow,it would make info more readily available. I have friends that use tables and they claim to love the technique!

 

[budshoteyes]

And your other dilemma of nute strength is an easy solve!....pull the cubes out one at a time...pour water with out nutes on them till full and then squeeze enough as to not crush the cube and roots... Repeat many times! Then add water with nutes-1/3 to 1/2 strength!
....ph'd at 6.

 

[AloeRuss]

Beggy you said you figured out humidity.
How?

 

[Beggy]

AloeRuss, mostly it wasn't really as low as I thought. I have a gauge that shows hi and low for 24 hours and current. I reset it and checked a reading a few hours later. It drops to that low point when I open tent as the air wants to equalize with the house but jumps back up when I close it. I've been misting the walls before I close the tent. Its more in the 52-64 range now. I know its not perfect but getting closer to range needed. Of the two varieties the Northern Lights seem to be doing better than the Short Riders. They are both Have roots in the Hydroton as does one of the Short Riders. I've closed the temp spread some todays was 70 low 80 high, will be tweaking it some more.

 

[Beggy]

new pics

new pics

Took some new pics last nite and some new readings. PPM was 908 and PH was 5.9 I adjusted it to 5.6

 

[Beggy]

first two pics are Northern Lights and seem to be doing well now. The other two are Short Riders and were hit a little harder from the nute burn but seem to be coming around. That fourth is the runt but I feel confident that she'll make something of herself by the time this first grow is done. Thanks to everyone's advice and encouragement.