Switching from dirt to GH Waterfarm.

[Godisatree]

I've grown in dirt for a very long time. Had all the results, from best to worst. I've purchased a GH Waterfarm reservoir kit and two GH Waterfarm modules. Setting this stuff up was a cinch, so I did enjoy the brief build. I'm using GH nutrients and run of the mill hydroton. I've got a Black Domina X Afghani and a WonderMix popping up right now. The speed of the growth is really surprising in a hydro setup.

Questions:

Anchorage has fairly soft water. Like PH7.5-8.0 right outta the tap. The PPM is relatively low, double digits. So that's nice. I don't want to hammer this setup with PH down all the time though. With the nutes mixed in and the PPM at around 650-700, I'm just able to keep the PH below 7. I know the ideal area is 5.5 to 6.5 but I would have to get crunk with the phosphoric acid to achieve that. The seedlings are doing very well, no discoloration, stunting or anything of the kind. Just looking for ideas to control the PH without a ton of acid.

Does anyone have light penetration problems with the Waterfarm buckets? I'm seeing a tiny bit of algae at the point where the upper bucket that holds the hydroton sits above the water in the lower bucket. I was thinking about just wrapping them in Mylar bubble wrap, of which I have tons.

Can bleach or peroxide be added to the reservoir during the grow? Will this kill the plants?

Thanks for checking this out.

[mrnice586]

I've grown in dirt for a very long time. Had all the results, from best to worst. I've purchased a GH Waterfarm reservoir kit and two GH Waterfarm modules. Setting this stuff up was a cinch, so I did enjoy the brief build. I'm using GH nutrients and run of the mill hydroton. I've got a Black Domina X Afghani and a WonderMix popping up right now. The speed of the growth is really surprising in a hydro setup.

Questions:

Anchorage has fairly soft water. Like PH7.5-8.0 right outta the tap. The PPM is relatively low, double digits. So that's nice. I don't want to hammer this setup with PH down all the time though. With the nutes mixed in and the PPM at around 650-700, I'm just able to keep the PH below 7. I know the ideal area is 5.5 to 6.5 but I would have to get crunk with the phosphoric acid to achieve that. The seedlings are doing very well, no discoloration, stunting or anything of the kind. Just looking for ideas to control the PH without a ton of acid.

Does anyone have light penetration problems with the Waterfarm buckets? I'm seeing a tiny bit of algae at the point where the upper bucket that holds the hydroton sits above the water in the lower bucket. I was thinking about just wrapping them in Mylar bubble wrap, of which I have tons.

Can bleach or peroxide be added to the reservoir during the grow? Will this kill the plants?

Thanks for checking this out.
Oxy plus is what you want i think its 4% hydrogen peroxide not certain tho, and if you dont want to adjust ph buy advanced nutrients, you dont want it keeping at 7 in hydro anyways thats for sure.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[Godisatree]

Right on. The Advanced Nutrients brand has a good ability to pull down PH? I imagine that once I'm past seedlings and I can up my PPM, my PH will come down with the addition of more nutrients. I don't want it there either, I just don't want to dump in tons of PH down on a monthly basis.

[Cunning]

You'll find with very soft water like yours that you'll only need to use a very small amount of pH down.

I have soft water and use ionic nutrients. After mixing, my pH is around 6.1 and I use 2 drops of pH down to reach 5.5.

Because there's very little mineral content in your water, there's nothing to buffer the pH. The amount you'll need to use shouldn't be a bother. I can't see you needing to dump tons in :)

[Godisatree]

That's good news then. I'll splash it with a bit tonight, let it circulate for the requisite four hours or so and see where it goes.

[B.A.BARACUS]

Cover anthing that light can get to with white reflective sheeting... Easy as that... + Advanced nutrients are not ph perfect until around full strength.. not saying An aren't good news but its just to pull you in... plus 7.5-8.0 is pretty normal for tapwater..

[Godisatree]

Word. I'll get some mounting tape and stick the Mylar to the outside of my buckets. I wasn't really concerned about the algae, yet. I figured if I had a red tide or something, then get crazy with the amendments and mechanics.

[Godisatree]

I didn't have to add as much PH down as I thought I would. I've pulled it down to 5.75, which seems like a good place to stop screwing with it.

[Godisatree]

Here's a picture of it.
http://i.imgur.com/AB4OAl1.jpg

[Godisatree]

http://i.imgur.com/gmhbuaS.jpg

Here's what she's looking like today.

[Godisatree]

http://i.imgur.com/RpFPK7p.jpg
Don't mind the tips. 18% RH is the culprit. I have no control of that, so I have to work against it.

[Godisatree]

http://i.imgur.com/3gMrles.jpg

[Godisatree]

Wow. Cannabis effects the short term memory... Apparently several terms of it. Here's a Ganesh at about 5 weeks. Shit is working great. I adding a Fluval 106 Aquarium filter to this system.
https://i.imgur.com/hlCfRlq.jpg

[Karsa]

If it's a pure hydro system you benefit more from a sweeping pH range of 5.2-6.2 optimal being pH 5.8 if you don't wanna sweep. Looks pretty mind

[Godisatree]

Thanks for the input. I'm definitely learning about hydroponic growing still. I've started measuring PH about three times a day on the weekends, when I can. It does appear that I still need to pull the PH down a bit more if 5.2-6.2 is ideal.

[Godisatree]

https://i.imgur.com/57vWgaN.jpg

[Godisatree]

Here's a couple more of the Ganesh.
https://i.imgur.com/U5Sv5j5.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/VTs95uC.jpg

[Fredo]

Always good to see new waterfarmers... It's a much neglected tech..

[Godisatree]

The WaterFarm is amazing. I've not had much experience with hydroponics but it seems pretty straight forward. The plant is blowing up. I've got a Fluval 106 aquarium filter on here, it seems to be doing a wonderful job of keeping the water clean. The plant appears to like it as well.

[Godisatree]

Here are some more recent images.
https://i.imgur.com/ob6cMmv.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/fmM57nl.jpg

[Godisatree]

Ganesh.
https://i.imgur.com/LwCI0Q4.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/VvKQ83u.jpg

[Godisatree]

More pictures:
https://i.imgur.com/8rANcLI.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/lmIRaYl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/EYzcHe6.jpg

[Godisatree]

Mandala Ganesh @ Wk6

https://i.imgur.com/klLvD2B.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ACoLrlH.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/DpNsm0R.jpg

[Godisatree]

Getting fluffier.
https://i.imgur.com/JZgetsU.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/y427t7Y.jpg

[Godisatree]

Mandala Ganesh.
https://i.imgur.com/dtd8xKj.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/jkZjkGe.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ymQQHgP.jpg

[Godisatree]

https://i.imgur.com/BniNN73.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/R4KbCEd.jpg

[Godisatree]

More of the Ganesh.
https://i.imgur.com/ER9H7EV.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/apD3qru.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/1RBwIfY.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/dsCfx7i.jpg

[Godisatree]

About Week 10. Mandala Ganesh.
https://i.imgur.com/qbOAWJb.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ICQsNlj.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/jg1YQKM.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/6t1An27.jpg

[British green]

That’s one big beast of a plant 😃 well done godisatree


Sent from a green pleasant land

[Godisatree]

Thanks much! All the bits and pieces have fallen into place on this grow. I'm relocating the operation to a different room in my house. Get some actual space to work with and a wall with plumbing to tap into. Might be able to grow a few next time, instead of the one.

[Blue]

As above nice tree, great job :)

[MrChedHead]

Stunning mate, absolute beauty you have right there.. top gardener ;)

[Ginger-bud]

Looking very nice mate will be a lovely plant :)

[bud052]

I am doing a 4 bucket grow should I make a feed reservoir for them or keep them independent? I know its a lot of work to water and drain but I am pressed for room

[Karsa]

Ooooooft

Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk

[Godisatree]

I am doing a 4 bucket grow should I make a feed reservoir for them or keep them independent? I know its a lot of work to water and drain but I am pressed for room

Space limitations are why I'm just growing one. I recommend the reservoir though, it gives you some additional water for a buffer. Plus, I go camping or just "out" fairly regularly, so I want something extra there for the plant.

[Godisatree]

Ganesh, WK11 ~ ish

https://i.imgur.com/cF1yqRx.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/b8ES65U.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/pvIRkBG.jpg