I’ve been looking at Fox Farm’s nutes.
When I’ll be home, I’ll set the timer for runoff. When I’m traveling, I’d adjust them for minimal runoff and then give them a good flush when I return.
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Sounds like a good plan. I’m probably going to get something similar just because I’m lazy and it’s a pain, literally, watering by hand when they get large… I want to rig something to catch runoff and pump it back to reservoir. Again welcome!! You’ll find lots of help here. Don’t be afraid to start a topic and ask questions. We love pics too!!
I haven’t figured out the drainage side yet.
A 5 gallon bag is about the same size as a 5 gallon bucket. I was thinking a bucket in a bucket with holes drilled in the buckets for drainage. That keeps the soil out of the water.
Then I could put the buckets in totes and toss a pond pump in the tote for pump out. It would have to run on its own timer and I’m not sure where I’d put it.
Hmm, not sure about the tote, but im not familiar with them at all. If your plants are on raised platform and you had a flat catch basin underneath you might be able to find a small cheap pump with a float? I would be concerned about running the pump dry with just a timer, idk. I was thinking about just growing inside tubs with 3 bags on a little platform (upside down bowl or something) and using a battery operated hand held pump, like for draining fishtanks to pump it out every other day or so. Not really an option for you.
Yeah, I decided the bucket thing was a bad idea. There’s no point in putting a breathable pot inside a plastic bucket. I’ll look at another kind of raised holder.
The “totes” I was referring to are like the Rubbermaid storage totes. There are 7” tall plastic ones made to fit under a bed. I should be able to find ones large enough to fit two pots.
I found some pond pumps by aquagarden that have automatic on & off switches to keep them from burning up. The only problem is I suspect they will always leave ≈ 1” of water in the tote, which would translate into to ≈ 2 gallons of water left in the tote.
A peristaltic pump might be a better option. The tube can be fixed to the bottom of the tote. The pump can run on a timer that lags the watering timer by a couple hours. The return water can be pumped down to a very low level. There are no worries about pump burnout.
That’s funny, that’s what I have 
derka der. I was gonna rig something up and cut holes in the lid so the pot sit down a ways and get nutes through a wick system… it didn’t work out 
Sounds like a plan… I would make sure any standing water is covered and protected from UV light cause algae will grow like mad and clog everything up. I’ll be interested to know what you come up with.
Thanks.
I think I’ve finalized my order list except for tent size. I’m either getting a 3x3 or a 3x4 with two sides. I have to shift everything around today and decide if I really have that extra foot width or not.
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Get it as large as possible. 3x4 will be good for probably 2 plants. Have you got your light yet?
I.can tag a guy on here that knows pretty much everything about lights If you haven’t bought its worth listening to his advice
I decided I can fit the 3x4 tent in the room I want it. Otherwise, it would have to go in the garage and my heating costs would go way up.
I placed my order about an hour ago. I didn’t get the top of the line light I want, more like a second-tier light. I figure I can upgrade when I’ve gained some experience and switch from autos to photos.
I also looked at the cost/gal between Jacks & FF nutrients. I decided to go with Jacks.
Thanks for the help.
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I love jack’s 3 2 1 i feed it full strength every feeding. I had some nitrogen issues but that’s because I’m in Happy Frog soil. Im switching to coco. Here’s a jack’s 3 2 1 schedule. You can do straight 3,2,1 all the way through or you can tweak it some
Be sure to ph your water. You should be at around 5.8 in coco. But check to be sure
You can buy jack’s 3 2 1 on eBay in smaller broken down amounts. A B and epsom
Also be sure to Google exact procedure for mixing jack’s. Its important
I’ve got both soil & water pH pens coming as well as a TDS meter and pH adjuster if I need it.
Is it recommended to use the clone & bloom as well as parts A, B, & salts?
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If you want low maintenance then autopots are what you should go with. I bought 2 of the 2-pot XL’s and have run them all last year. They do a good job and are about the lowest maintenance going. Couple that with Jack’s and I never had to do any kind of flush.
Coco needs to remain damp or it will repel water. You do not need to alternate between water and feed days unless using a nute line that tends to build up salts like FF.
Any grower using problematic well or muni water would be wise to consider R/O which eliminates all water-related problems associated with high salt content or high PH or both. Most hydro growers condition their own water so they know exactly what the plant is getting. I lived in a city that delivered water at 550 ppm. If I wanted to feed a 900 ppm solution I have to take into account that 550 ppm base. So plant is only seeing nutes to the tune of around 350 ppm with who knows what else. R/O fixed that problem right now.
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It depends who you talk to. Im no professional by any means. Still learning. I would say just do 321 all the way through and learn from that. There’s a product monopotasium phosphate (mkp) that some use in place of bloom. But I think you can even simulate that with 321… im not positive about that. @Myfriendis410 is an expert grower, he can really tell you how to dial things in. He’s knows way more than me. I would keep it simple while you get your feet wet and make sure to have fun!!
Ok guys, finally got something ordered… went somewhat cheap for now. Im really hoping to get autopots at some point but that would be about 4x what I’ve ordered… idk, might work out only spent about $70. Still need the bucket. If it does what it says it should work for now
@AfgVet @Gremmall @frogyrogy @Myfriendis410 @Sincitytoker @Oldguy @Joshmcginnis28 @merlin44 @Dman1969 @kaptain3d
And this
About ready to start first grow in coco. Hopefully this helps
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Thanks for the tag
As long as you get a 20% runoff or so you should be ok.
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Nice, let us know how it works
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I’m with @AfgVet and stoked to see how this goes! And set to watching 
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Thanks, will do
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