First hydro grow ever- need help!

[cybergenesis]

Hey everyone.

 

I am not very good when it comes to hands on practical skills etc. Thankfully my brother has set up a hydroponics system in my room.

 

It is only 1.2m x 1.2m on the base, but has a 1000w light.

 

I was told by the hydro shop that 1000w for such a space will fry the plants (too hot), but we have done some tests and while the recommended maximum using the lighting calculator is 930w, we have tested the temperature and it doesn't get too hot. I also have air conditioning which our tests have shown dramatically reduce the grow room temperature if needed.

 

I know next to nothing about this. My brother is showing me the way. however my brother has only ever used clones before, but I have ordered feminized seeds, and I will be germinating them.

 

Firstly I have some questions about the germination / seedling phase:

 

They will be put in an enclosed, high humidity area in coco, under 2 x 18w fluorescent globes. Is this optimal?

 

If they grow typically, how long before they will be ready to be transplanted into the 28L pots in the grow room under the 1000w light? How do I do this? I need to understand the stage up until they should be ready for full 1000w light. I need an estimate of how long / developed they should be before being put in this environment.

 

They are all going to be plonked together in one big tray of coconut stuff, I am a bit worried about transplanting them into the big pots (as I have butter fingers etc), any tips?

 

The strain I am using is SENSI Big Bud, cost me $150 or so for 10 feminized. Anyone got any experience with these seeds?

 

As for the grow room, here is some basic info about how its setup.

 

Its all enclosed, with white reflective plastic on the inside. Its air tight and light tight with a powerful air circulation system to constantly circulate the air. It has water hooked up to it, oxygen is added to the water using one of those fish tank things, as well as nutrients. It also has a drainage system, which I have to empty from time to time. The 1000w light can be lowered / raised using a chain.

 

I don't know how much nutrients to use on the seedlings after germination, because they will be in plain coconut. Do I add nutrients with every watering? My brother suggested watering 3 times per day. I will spray on the water using one of those water spray bottles, I do not wish to pour water onto it, as experience from outdoor growing shows this can damage the plant (the force of the water being poured onto it can break the plant).

 

If I get some replies I will post up pictures of the setup within the next 24-48 hours!

 

Any help is appreciated!! I don't want to mess this up, and if this goes successful I will be expanding my operation next cycle.

[pisspotgrower]

All of ya questions be answered on first page of alot of grow threads on this board. Have a search see what ya come up with anymore questions after that give us a yell. Sure u will be able to get past the germination stage.

 

Setup sounds like a winner, all bases seem to be covered.....lookin foward to the pics

[Herbman]

1st. For that area 1000w is overkill dude, unless you have a cool tube on it and we'll ventalated.

2nd. Ur setup for seedlings sounds good but thats you're problem you'll have to have the light on less and gradually increase as 1000w will burn them, ill stop attempting to give advice, Just go onto live chat and ask away their all very experienced on there,

[cybergenesis]

Thanks for your responses.

 

I'll follow the advice and do some more reading (yes I am lazy with searching), and go on the live chat!

 

But I will post some pictures up, might be a couple of days because I want to borrow my brothers camera, because mine sort of sucks

 

I am pretty excited, but nothing must go wrong.

 

I know the lights are a bit of overkill, but we don't want to spend money and my brother only had 1000w globes.. We have a temperature device in there, so I will make sure they are not overheated.

[Reverend]

I'll follow the advice and do some more reading (yes I am lazy with searching), and go on the live chat!

 

 

Best getting reading. All your questions have answers here.