Soil & Coco

[GrumpyOldMan]

I might look into that, I'm going to need about 24 qts for the fabric pots (5 gallon) I'm planning to use, and it says that it makes 60 liters (qts in my case...) from a 5 kg bale, so I don't think I would need to process the entire bale at one time. But then you have the hassle of the mixing, cleaning, so...

[Ckbrew]

Well hydrating and mixing is the thing. Might as well do the whole brick, doing 0.5 will just double your work when you do the second 0.5. If you have leftovers it can be stored but should be dried out as much as possible to avoid mold growth. Then again if you do 1 brick and are short 1 pot's worth now you have to start over again.

[TOKABIGONE]

I agree with CK 1 bag of Mother Earth loose coco is your best bet to begin. Already cleaned and buffered with calmag and it will fill 4 five gallon pots perfectly with the castings added plus a couple gal left over. You're doing a great job of planning things out well before you go out with card in hand. Let's talk a little about your environment. Good choice on tent, plenty of room for expansion. Lights are da bomb..more than you need for 2 plants but again looking forward to future. What about temp and humidity control? Study that part again...it's that important. I'll follow to see how you do, happy to help!

[Ckbrew]

Have you thought about how you are going to handle runoff? You will need a tray or rack that allows the pots to drain, then allow removal of the runoff. If you want individual trays I suggest:

https://www.amazon.com/square-farmer-Plant-Garden-Saucer/dp/B07YN8SBJC/ref=sr_1_5?crid=KDC5C40YNQ52&dchild=1&keywords=square+farmer+13-inch+plant+pot+saucer&qid=1632940133&sprefix=square+farmer%2Caps%2C179&sr=8-5

I prefer to get a flood table like this:

https://www.htgsupply.com/products/hydrotek-black-4x4-xtray/

I put the flood tray on 2 x 3 with one end raised by a second 2x3 so there is a pitch to the whole tray. The thing about the flood tray is it is a bit pricey, but the shipping is absurd. The size excludes it from carriers like UPS etc. so truck freight like $200.00 for shipping. So If you have a local supply store that you can pick it up yourself that makes it more economical. Now if you get the 4x4 tray, it will not fit in a 4x4 tent. You will have to go up to a 5x5 tent. If you want to stick with a 4x4 tent, then get a 3x3 tray.

Some people get creative with things like wire racks and cement mixing tubs form home cheapo. All depends on your budget. I got the flood tray and it saves me loads of time removing the runoff. Local store had it, otherwise I would not have paid so much to buy and ship it.

[Smoklahoma]

I love my 4x4 flood trays. Acutualy built the room to fit them in there. No worries about water damage outside the grow space.

[GrumpyOldMan]

CkBrew,

I'm not EXACTLY sure what route I'm going to take, I want to be able to monitor the water runoff for each plant, so I'm going to probably go with individual trays of some sort.
Being a retired contractor, I'll probably make individual pans out of old 10 gal buckets or something.

[GrumpyOldMan]

Tokabigone,

As far as temp/humidity, I've got an exhaust fan coming, though I'm not sure if it'll be big enough at 100 CFM, I've been told here that I should actually have about 300 - 400 cfm due to light heat, so I'll probably be getting more fans, I'm just not sure how hot things are going to get with the lights, so...

I've got to do more reading on humidity control, our ambient humidity runs about 60%, so I'm not sure how that will affect the tent, I do have temp/humidity meters coming today.

Fortunately, I'll have a couple of weeks to set everything up before my seeds even get here, (most of the stuff is supposed to arrive today), so hopefully, I should have a handle on some of this stuff.

Thanks

[Ckbrew]

You are going to need a bigger exhaust fan. Try this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DXYMJ94/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It has a speed controller built in. A good dehumidifier is also in order if your humidity is that high.

[GrumpyOldMan]

CKBrew,

I've already got a small dehumidifier, so I should be good there, but you confirmed what I had read earlier, that I need about 400 cfm...so...

Just for general conversation, I've got about $675 in "hardware" (tent, lights, etc.) and I have about $350 in the cart right now for mainly nutrients, (cal-mag, PH up/down, etc.)
So I'm all in at about $1000, though I'm sure that will change as I learn. Maybe more lights?...

Wish me luck

[Ckbrew]

Good luck. You should be good with the lights u have. There will be little things that will be needed that u will figure out. Plant ties, yellow sticky strips, extension cord, power strip, zip ties. A new adventure. Happy growing.

[GrumpyOldMan]

O.K. People,

So, my wife agreed to finance this little project, which put me in the position of owing her something...

Seriously, can I grow a TOMATO plant in the same grow tent? Don't think I would have to worry about cross pollination ...

Hmmm... THC infused tomatoes...

All kidding aside, anyone see any problems with it?
Thanks

[GrumpyOldMan]

CKBrew,

I'm getting the pot trays that you recommended, simpler, I've also got the fan in the cart, so now I need a humidifier, any input?

Thanks

[Ckbrew]

Seriously, can I grow a TOMATO plant in the same grow tent? Don't think I would have to worry about cross pollination ...

Hmmm... THC infused tomatoes...

All kidding aside, anyone see any problems with it?
Thanks

Seriously, a watermelon would be better lol. Ur building expensive grow space, you gonna spend it on vegetables?

[GrumpyOldMan]

CKBrew,

And you've never heard the term "happy wife, happy LIFE!"...
Now onto more serious matters, got my lights last night, they are BRIGHT!, (too bad they don't come in 12v, I'd put them on my TRUCK!)

I set them up 24" from the thermometer and after 2 hours, the temp was 100, and the humidity was 31% measured at the floor (I had the thermometer on a small box to prevent the reflective lining of the tent pan affecting the readings)

Mind you, that's with NO ventilation (fans haven't been ordered yet...), so the fan I'm getting (the one you recommended) should be enough to bring the temp down, I'm also getting an 12" oscillating fan to give them the breeze they like. I might get a smaller stationary fan to supplement the 12" fan (?).

I'm going to play around with the humidity, and see if I can get it where it needs to be. I don't plan on even germinating seeds until I can get everything set up, at least in the ballpark, except the seedlings, and then go from there.

Any thoughts?
Thanks

[Ckbrew]

It is good that you are getting everything set up in advance. Your temp and humidity will change and create a new environment when you introduce plants, coco, water and heat so trying to adjust your humidity now is kind of mute. It is a learn by the seat of your pants thing. No matter how good your plans are Mr Murphy will pay you a visit. Don't let it get you down, just learn. Idk what your plant limits are etc. but Imo a good idea to plant some extras to experiment with while at the same time not being to concerned with how they turn out. Experiment with the different grow styles. Happy growing.

[Smoklahoma]

I tried to plan for everything I could think of before the first grow. So many variables and things that you have no control over happen and you just have to adapt the best you can. The things you do have control over take notes and fix between grows. Took me 3 months to change my set up after first grow. Already got a few things I've found that need to change before the third. I'm kinda addicted to trying to create the perfect environment. If you not sure, go bigger.