water temp

[Stix87]

hi I went to the hydro shop the other day I went there I bought some benefical bacteria. while I was there I asked if they sold water chillers  for my nute tank and he asked who said I needed one I told him I want to grow in hydroton / clay balls over summer and would like to keep my tank at at constant 22 as I have been running my water at that temp for the last 6 years now. then he said that they don't sell them and only sell water heaters and started to tell me its fine for the roots to get up to 28 d at that point I made my purchase and got out because I thought he was talking shit. so what do you guys think is he talking crap?

[Chato]

Short answer is...

 

Yes.

 

peace

c

[Cyclops]

I find 26 is ok, anything over 28 starts to cause problems.

I did use a water chiller one year but it has to run constantly to make a difference, I don't think it made much difference in the long run.

Using cool tubes is a much better and cheaper option. 

[haze420mist]

2L coke bottles full of water frozen

[Chato]

Unfortunately stop gap measures are often counter-productive and this is a good example of how.

 

Depending on ambient temps, rez placement etc you can very roughly and generously allow 2hrs for a 2L bottle to thaw meaning 5-6 changes at least during flower cycle and 8+ for veg. This makes it time consuming as it ties you to the grow during light cycle not to mention takes freezer space and a seemingly simple task such as refilling bottles to maintain an adequate ice supply becomes a p.i.t.a .

 

If you do manage to stick to the schedule 95% of the time you firstly deserve a firm and measured congratulatory pat on the back and secondly a plausible bullshit story to explain why you have so much time on your hands

 

The reality is using frozen bottles sporadically will just create flucations in your temps that will most likely cause new or compound existing problems for zero benefit. They would be useful to keep temps down for a short period while you repaired/replaced a faulty chiller. An effective way to chill your rezzy is duct from a/c if you are using it...

 

You don't usually grow in summer? How cold is the water from your pipes?

 

Peace

c

[haze420mist]

. Last year I grew in summer out in my brick garage, you are right it is very hard to manage during summer but doing the right things in the room helps a whole deal too. 3 600w In a 3m tent used a 250mm fan and filter going in to a y piece down to 2 150mm I then ran them close to the two outside lights. The filter was outside the tent high on a bench next to my old 150mm fan and filter that ran in to the roof and out of the garage. 2 fans circulating air, used the cold nights to my favour with the lights. When I used the frozen bottles I had 5 already to go in the bottom shelf, when lights where about to turn on I was ready to cool the water with 2 or more depending on the day, I programmed my first water 15m after lights on to give the bottles enough time to do their thing.

 

Also after I have filled the canopy the plants then generally shade the resi doing me a favour

 

Have never known the temps of my water I go by feel

 

Cheers chato

 

Haze

Edited November 25, 2013 by haze420mist

[Chato]

Yea in run to waste or recirc flood and drain systems you only really need to chill the water before your feed times so i don't doubt you managed it Haze especially with your set-up geared towards lowest ambient possible.

 

Growing by feel is a uniquely cool feeling

 

peace

c

[Stix87]

using frozen bottles every day while in veg then flower will do my head in yes im home all the time but I would rather buy a chiller to keep temps constant specially if im goin to start from seed again in a recycle system  hydroton/ clay balls. nah I don't grow in summer but I have to this year as I didn't get a harvest in before the hot weather came. normally I would have a pound to get me through summer and till the next grow but I have had a lot of dramas. not sure the temp of my tap water but I can see the temp rising when im growing in summer the grow will be inside but that want stop the rez temp from rising. I just think if I had a water chiller on constant temp that I would have a lot less troubles hopefully I can get one soon enough just waiting for my beans