WHAB’s 1924 Brick Schoolhouse RDWC

[WhiteHotAfterburner]

Hey @G-paS .

I always vigorously stir the reservoir manually before checking. I use one of those extendable duster handles (like a paint roller handle but for dusters). IF I have to do some adjusting I always vigorously stir the nutrients again and most often give it time to balance out. Today’s check was a ‘little’ rushed in that the 24 pre-soak ended at 1:30pm and feeding time is at 2:00pm. I will get better long term numbers going forward.

Thinking about getting a small canoe type paddle

This time I also used the flashlight on my phone to make sure the pH Pen was in the nutrient.

When the nutrients return to the reservoir it drops into the barrel from and elbow on the underside of the lid on the barrel providing pretty good agitation.

I do get your point. It was a possibility. Thank you for bringing it up!

,
WHAB

[G-paS]

I meant the bluelab Itself. I have set it in the fluid and had a low or high reading. I think it is because of the cleaning water hanging on it…
You got this.

[WhiteHotAfterburner]

Well, that’s done! . Done right? Who the heck knows!

It’s a good thing PVC piping isn’t expensive! . IF I have to redo the manifold it will be inexpensive to do it!

,
WHAB

[G-paS]

Nice job and so informative!

[WhiteHotAfterburner]

Thank you, friend! , BUT I just noticed after reading your post that I missed a spot!

,
WHAB

[WhiteHotAfterburner]

Veg Day 10 - BUT Correct pH Day 1:

Photo Day - Veg Day 10 (Correct pH Day 1):

pics just prior to Lights On…extra Sleepy (poisoned sleepy!)

They’re looking pretty rough. I ‘think’ they can still be saved now that I know the real numbers.

It looks like both Raspberry Cough’s are withstanding the abuse I have subjected to them pretty well, better than the others by comparison

I’ll give the girls a couple of days to recuperate - IF they’re going to recuperate, which I fully believe they will - and then I’ll trim the ugly off them!

Here’s to trying!

,
WHAB

[WhiteHotAfterburner]

Feeding time numbers:

Then, I made sure to number the long runs knowing for sure I could control the others…

WRONG!!!

Since I built the Cloning Machine II upside down I had to twist them 180°. I got the topside nozzles installed.

All was going well, I prepared myself with a rubberized glove (perfect for gaining a proper purchase on PVC pipes! )

Check out Alabama Aircraft Industries Inc (nee Pemco Aviation Group Inc). I did that . The Depot Level Maintenance part, not the failed business model part .

That was until I discovered ‘some’ of the joints were looser others. Loose to the point of falling out away from their positions.

Then I had a bit of a jumbled mess

I don’t think I got them back in position exactly. I did get the long runs back in order. I do think they’re close enough (until they prove to me they’re not, which I expect! ).

I did use the opportunity of the jumbled mess to completely clear the piping of debris from drilling and taping them with compressed air.

Gonna make some long temporary legs, then ‘try to’ take the Cloning Machine II outside, fill it up enough to cover the pump and see how she does. It’s late and I didn’t eat dinner yesterday. I think I ‘may’ eat some food instead! Not gonna lie, I’m HUNGRY!

This is the dimension of the potential replacement pump - VIVOSUN 2600 GPH Submersible Ultra Quiet Water Pump - that is not included in the description on Amazon or their website…

Approximately 13cm (5.1 inches). Whereas the pump that is in it now is 3 inches at the base of the threads.

This ‘might’ be a fail. Not the work I did but the fact that I don’t have external lighting except for the hardwired porch light I put in that is motion only WHAB outdoors waving hands vigorously while jumping up and down!

,
WHAB

[Gpaw]

What about laying the pump sideways and an elbow?

Cheers
G

[WhiteHotAfterburner]

Hey @Gpaw

That sounds like that could afford some thought!

With the manifold now on 4 feet…

… the pump can go anywhere in the system AND with it laying on its side - as you so wisely suggest - it can also be placed anywhere - even on the perimeter nearest a side-wall!

Nice!

,
WHAB

[WhiteHotAfterburner]

I had been gone most of the day. I had a pop-appointment. The Dr. found a few things of interest in my Fasting Labs the other day. More Non-Fasting Labs today and the results may cause a referral.

Anyway, here’s what’s going on. I haven’t done anything on the Cloning Machine II today…

I’ve been trying to get these pictures from my phone to my PC since pre-feeding time (6:00pm)…

Photo Day - Veg Day 11 (Correct pH Day 2):

pics just prior to Lights On…extra Sleepy (abused sleepy!)

I’ll try and get some Lights On pictures later on. I still have that box I’ve been eyeing for that purpose right next to me!

And, going to have to give the PPM’s a little more attention now that pH is under control. They were at 750 at feeding time.

I feel like a nap!

,
WHAB

[WhiteHotAfterburner]

Like I needed more problems! (While I’m composing this I’m formulating a game plan)

Yes, pH was way out of whack! Yes, E.C. was considering higher than it probably should have been at this stage.

I have corrected both of those problems and was hoping for a strong comeback!..

Here’s where we’re at…

Photo Day - Veg Day 12 (Correct pH Day 3):

pics just prior to Lights On…extra Sleepy (abused sleepy!)

I only halfway expected this. I thought it was possible but I thought I might have averted it when I changed the translucent hoses out.

I decided to lift one of the inner buckets out of the outer buckets just to get a look-see…

Those are 2 of the 12 buckets. The first is from the bucket that first plant is in. The second is from a empty bucket on the opposite side of the circle to the left of the tall plant (which I misidentified the other day, it’s not a Raspberry Cough, it is a Blueberry (Dutch Passion)).

*Apologies for the Metal Halide lighting. I tried to physically block it in the second picture. Fail! *

I’m going to pull all the inner buckets out and take them outside and flush them with a garden hose attached to the bathtub faucet with ‘warm’ water (not well water cold).

This is the reading from the tap water…

Then I’m going to drain the reservoir, flush the outer buckets into the empty reservoir, clean them both…then refill the reservoir, adjust for pH, add Mega Crop A&B.

I’ll miss the 8pm feeding.

DAMN!

,
WHAB

[WhiteHotAfterburner]

I knew using those translucent buckets might be a problem. I’ve been keeping a close eye on things. I saw no evidence of algae. No floaters, no odor.

I took all the inner buckets outside and flushed them with a garden hose attached to the bathtub faucet with ‘warm’ water (not well water cold). I scrubbed the exterior of the buckets as well as I could. I flushed the plants multiple times. I floated and drained everyone one of the six pictured twice. As serious a flush as I could accomplish.

This is the tall Blueberry (Dutch Passion). I cut the exposed roots off.

I transplanted the 2 runts that ‘might’ do something into planters with a soil mix out of last years vegetable garden. I’ll hand feed them and see what they do in the loft. IF they do anything but die I’ll put them outdoors.

I moved the 6 remaining plants that were growing back into the grow space, out of the way of the work I needed to do.

I cleaned the outer buckets in the grow space as well as I could. I cleaned them with 140°F water.

I back-flushed the tubing with 140°F water. I cleaned the controller with that 140°F water. I cleaned the reservoir with that 140°F water.
Apologies for the Metal Halide pictures

All the buckets in the grow space were completely clear water when I was done. The last picture above what before I was finished.

I filled the reservoir to approximately 30 gallons with 140°F water. I poured a whole bottle of H020 in that 30 gallons of 140°F water and ran that through the system. I was going to run bleach through it but to my surprise I don’t have any bleach here.

It’s emptying now. I am going to do that two more times. Approximately 30 gallons of 140°F water with a whole bottle of H020 in it each time (second fill now) and fill and drain the system.

Then I’ll fix a batch of nutrients with 1-1/2 to 2 teaspoons of H020.

I’m going to make light shields to wrap around the buckets. I think I have enough of that reflective foam. IF not, I’ll wrap them with that P&S (Poly Shield). I already made 6 light shields for the tops.

I’m shopping for a 5 gallon system with black buckets. The one I landed on doesn’t have have the recess in the bottom to allow for better drainage but at least they’re not translucent.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/254919165178?mkevt
I’m trying to wrap my head around either buying a 5 gallon control bucket or repurpose this 2 gallon controller bucket’s parts to serve that purpose.

IF I have to clean the system every 2 or so weeks I’ll do that this time around I am hoping a H020 nutrient mix and full light blocks on the buckets will help!

,
WHAB

[WhiteHotAfterburner]

After the 3rd and final Scalding H020 Fill and Drain I used a battery powered transfer pump to suck out the last of it in the buckets in the loft. I pulled nearly 2 gallons out of it that way. I wiped down the inside of the outer buckets. The bits you see in the buckets is clay pebble residue.

Oh, I used that box I have been talking about the block the Metal Halide bulb BUT I could only get one picture before it started to smoke! It did work, but it could have caught fire!

In between all this I cut 8 reflective foam light blocks. That’s all I had. I’ll only have plants in 6 of those. I’ll put P&S on the other buckets.

Then the reservoir got a bath.

Then Mega Crop Part A 30 gallons - 1.5 grams per gallon reduced to 1/2 strength - 23 grams.

Vigorously stirred in before moving to next step.

Mega Crop Part B 30 gallons - 2.5 grams per gallon reduced to 1/2 strength - 38 grams.

Vigorously stirred in before moving to next step.

Verifying mixture in complete.

Yes, that is a glass jar in the bottom of the reservoir It’s serving as an anchor! Its full of water and makes sure the Fill hose stays in the mixture!

And pH test before late feeding.

After all that I forgot to get an E.C. reading. It is 1/2 strength so I’m going to assume - until I can get reading - that it should be good.

I have to now get up to the loft and put the light blocking blankets and caps on!

,
WHAB

[WhiteHotAfterburner]

Last Fire-Proofed Picture

8 Light Blocking Blankets and 6 Light Blocking Lids. I’ll get the others done today. I have to go to town. IF I can find some more of that Reflective Foam Insulation I’ll make the other 4 blankets.

E.C. is .7 (350ppm on the 500 scale).

Feeding is back on original schedule.

Good morning!

Make it a great day!

,
WHAB

[Floyd]

My back hurts just reading your posts this morning WHAB. You sure know how to keep busy. Whether you intend to or not,

[G-paS]

Yeah! That was a lot of work. I hope it is smooth from here on out.

[Purple-N-Hairy]

FWIW - when I moved to my current location, I had unknown water issues for a long time due to various challenges. I have well water that tested pure by a state lab. PURE! ZERO PPM. This test was done before I even bought the home as part of my inspection. I’ll cut a long story shorter…the pH was extremely low, so I started chasing pH levels in the water I used for my grows, but they still lacked vigor. So I added a chemical injection system and used potash to neutralize the water. The treated water still had a lower PPM than city water, but my plants didn’t like it. I switched from soil to a variety of hydro techniques and continued to chase pH, but my grows still lacked true vigor. It wasn’t until I finally started using RO water and adding Cal-Mag Plus to it that my grows started to thrive again. At the time, I was using the complete line of House & Garden (Aqua Flakes - VERY expensive).

TL;DR - Don’t forget, I pointed out to you a while ago when I saw that you were using tap water that I was using RO water (with CalMag) to get the results you see with my Greenleaf Nutrients Megacrop 2 part series grows. You can chase after unknown issues and never find them - but it may be prudent to also use RO water.

[WhiteHotAfterburner]

Yeah, my back is hating me today.

I hope you’re feeling well, @Floyd !

,
WHAB

[WhiteHotAfterburner]

A literal ton, I believe .

Thank you, @G-paS ,
WHAB

[WhiteHotAfterburner]

Yes, I do recall the RO discussion.

The well water is on a water softener…I don’t know what that is supposed to do with respect to ppm’s. There is a water filter system at the ‘kitchen’ sink - a drinking water type of system. I believe that is an RO system but I could never fill a 30 gallon reservoir with that, I don’t believe…what I did last night - a 3 times fill and drain flush - would have taken me 2 weeks, maybe longer! What is the RO system you are using? Any details on that, please?

,
WHAB