@Radnelac I use Fox farms. I started mine off in the FF Ocean Forest, but I think I agree with others and that soil is just a bit too hot to be starting out in.
When I transplanted I went into 1 3 gallon pot with three layers of soil. Bottom 1/3rd was FF Ocean Forest, the middle layer was FF Happy Frog and the top layer was a generic potting soil with Perlite.
The perlite is important for keeping your soil loose and breathable so I’m going to add even more to my soil for my next grow.
I believe there are quite a few growers here from AUS and I’m sure they could share what they are using.
@BondPacker lives down that way I know he
Mentioned it’s expensive to have things shipped to him so maybe he can tell you what he found locally?
Welcome and happy growing @Radnelac if you need help with ventilation I can help you out just tag me
It’s kind my thing but others can help you also on this forum
Thanks for that @Countryboyjvd1971 it’s good to know there are some Aussies on here Cheers on the offer of ventilation help too, what do you think of that pipe system in the pic above? I managed to score myself a 2nd hand grow tent that’s about 1.2m x 1.2m x 2m & I’m thinking I’ll try a ScOG setup, it looks easy enough to do.
Looks good to me brother just remember less turns and bends the better but I see you had no options but I thought I’d throw it out you not alone there are a bunch of you Aussie on here they will find you I’m sure it’s hard to keep up sometimes on this forum so many great threads
Good luck my friend
2x 1000w LEDs is a lot of light. I would recommend splitting them into 2 rooms. This will allow you to have one room for veg (18/6 schedule), and one room for flower (12/12) cycle. I too grow using LED and I am impressed with the results. I use exclusively blue and white LED in my veg (226W total) and red/orange dominant full spectrums in my flower (584W total). Since LED are so energy efficient I have seen no power bill spike, and, since they generate very low heat I range from 6-12" between them and the plants. I have 3 plants in veg and 3 in flower in constant rotation with this setup. I recommend a flat white paint over a mirrored/directly reflective surface. I paint my floor, wiling, and walls flat white, and then use a 2-sided (black one side, white the other) tarp to create my partitions. The tarp was acquired through a photography supplies company (Panda I believe), and is used in photo-studios to create equal lighting environments.
Ventilation… Air flow and temperature are EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. They are easily just as vital as lighting. In my setup, I place my intake fans near floor level/plant level. Because my setup is underground (constant temperature of 64 degrees F) I place an oil heater by the intake fans to raise my temp. to a stable 78 degrees F. My exhaust fan (ionizer for odor control and carbon filtered as well) is set near ceiling level. Heat rises and Co2 drops. By keeping my exhaust high up in the room, and intake low, I am utilizing basic laws of physics to maintain temp. and Co2 levels. I also have an oscillating fan in the corner to keep airflow moving though the plants encouraging stem thickening and helping prevent any moisture buildup in the foliage. I use no insulation (as I said… I am underground), but, insulation may be necessary in your room. One additional piece of advice regarding temp./insulation: use a thermometer and hydrometer combo with a remote sensor. Hang the thermo/hydro at ceiling level and have the outside/remote sensor hanging right into the middle of your plants. Temperature varies throughout the room (heat rises), and the most important temperature in the grow will be the zone being experienced by the plants. Plus, noticing the variance between low to high zones will help you determine where you may need insulation, or where humidity is becoming a problem. My room is at a consistent 75-78 F at plant level and 23-33% humidity (a little low by some estimates… But I grow hydro and underground and have NO MOLD, MILDEW, ROT, ETC…).
Hope this helps, and GROW BIG, GROW HEALTHY, but most of all… GROW PATIENTLY!
Thanks @Countryboyjvd1971, that’s not actually my setup just one I found a pic of. I haven’t started mine yet but now that I have picked up a proper grow tent that will make it a little easier to work with since that’s what it is designed for . I would have thought that with a strong enough fan there would be adequate pressure to create good ventilation around the entire crop & was also thinking of pumping co2 in through the system as well. I am thinking of doing something similar but more around the entire perimeter blowing air upwards & another higher up above the plants blowing air down to keep continual circulation all around. Any input is welcomed as I am a total novice at indoor growing.
Hey @Radnelac im in Australia as well and the boys that are from here that are on here have suggested canna terra soil to me which i will be using in my next grow. Hope you have a good grow
Thanks @DissidentPriest, is Matthew right with the conversion from 1000W to 300W? I thought that power consumption with Led lights would be a lot less as they are much cheaper to run but didn’t think that it would affect the output. I haven’t purchased anything yet apart from the grow tent so I haven’t gone overkill on lights I will ask questions & post pics before I make those big buys so I know I’m getting the right gear.
I will post a pic in the next day or so of the tent that I bought & also let you guys know the size of it, I need to set it up anyway to measure it properly so I know what size to build my outdoor work room to put it in.
So air intake down low with oscillating fan to circulate air, co2 pumped in up high so it flows down through the foliage, exhaust fan up high with carbon filter & ioniser to kill the smell.
Thanks @deb1 I’m thinking of hydro since it will give me something new to learn but can always change as I have a lot to do before I get to the point of buying grow medium.
Where about are you based?
No worries, and you’re welcome. I think that 1000w listed vs 300w output is true in some lights, especially older LED designs. Here is what I use in flower: 2x 150W UFO full spectrum (50 x 3W LED/light), 10x 28W E27 LED Bulbs in photo-studio 1-to-5 adapters, 2x 225 LED 64W all red panel lights. The wattage is true watts totaling 708W (think I miscalculated up thread). This setup cost me $135.
In veg I use 6x 225 LED 64W blue and white panels (384W), costing $120.
$255 in lights with no heat, and low wattage, at really high lumens (like 50k+ in flower), and all able to be repositioned independently of each other, fit just right in my budget and design.
It’s a bit of a mess right now I’ve been swapping lights around and removing some but you can get a idea what I do tower fan I removed base and blow across top of tent air flow is nice but not to strong on ladies I run on low speed most of the time and my exhaust fan mounted out side tent just filter inside and I leave one passive intake open on back side to let fresh air in I heat and humidify air outside tent so I maintain 72 and 50% humidity in my grow room I’m in Ny so it’s cold and dry this time of year then durning summer I have Ac available for grow room also if needed my setup is in a basement so it stays cool might only need to dehumidify so I have a dehumidifier also if needed
@Countryboyjvd1971 cool I have one of those tower fans but the Mrs may ask where it went if I nab it hahaha, it also may be a little big for my tent but I’ll see once I set it up hopefully today or tomorrow.
Yeah just to give you some ideas bro there are many was to accomplish these things lol
Tag me when you get all set up or if you have any other questions CB
You might need more light for flowering to get dense buds. @Boofnadu420
You have a thread I can see if so tag me
Cheers @Countryboyjvd1971 will definitely tag you when I get things moving.
@Boofnadu420 I agree with Countryboy I think you will need more light, may be ok for now since the plants are small but later when they are bigger. From what I have been told so far between 40-50 watts per square foot is needed. See how you go
Cheers on the offer of ventilation help too, what do you think of that pipe system in the pic above? I managed to score myself a 2nd hand grow tent that’s about 1.2m x 1.2m x 2m & I’m thinking I’ll try a ScOG setup, it looks easy enough to do.
. I would have thought that with a strong enough fan there would be adequate pressure to create good ventilation around the entire crop & was also thinking of pumping co2 in through the system as well. I am thinking of doing something similar but more around the entire perimeter blowing air upwards & another higher up above the plants blowing air down to keep continual circulation all around. Any input is welcomed as I am a total novice at indoor growing.
I will ask questions & post pics before I make those big buys so I know I’m getting the right gear.
CB