Nice work, bet no one in your neighborhood has a red oak light frame 
. Instead of using the staples why not use a small eye hook to suspend your lights? It would suck if you came out to find a light in your plants.
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Thank you very much, @Tejas !
I thought the same thing, the only one on this planet. That’s not to say there aren’t others, just on this planet there aren’t!
I have a concern with the staples. I ‘may’ try and reseat them better. IF seated properly, coming out should not be a concern.
I’m already loosing some space with the hooks on it. The space is about 5 feet (1524mm) tall. The chain, the frame, the lights and the hooks on the lights are all taking up space I ‘think’ I’d like for growing ;(subject to change). Another hook would add 1/2 of unusable space?
I’ve been trying to think of a way to mount the lights to the frame to remove those hooks. The best I’ve pondered is strap metal wrapping it in place. Like a “hat channel”, but easily workable thin stock. I haven’t tried to take the fixture apart, but it looks like one piece extruded aluminum and not providing a way to just screw it to the frame, which I would prefer. IF I could drill through the extrusion without hitting wiring I’d mount it that way. 50/50 proposition! 
I do appreciate your contribution, @Tejas . It makes me think things out.
Gonna have a Red Oak Cloning Machine stand soon! (still pondering design).
Thanks again, @Tejas !
,
WHAB
3 Likes
You might be able to disassemble the light to put screws in and mount it flush to your frame.
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I’m trying to get my phone (pictures) to sync with my PC. It’s throwing a fit right now! 
The part of the fixture under the tube is not flat. It is peaked. It is extruded aluminum. There is no disassembly to it.
Now, I may be able to remove a small section (two small section) of it (like file it down) just the peak and screw it directly to the frame. Which right now sounds like my best option. Once I cut the notch I can see the wire to avoid it.
I did happen to find a piece of flat stock (coincidentally
) (I used is as strapping a while ago). It is too thick to make a hat channel for the light.
I’m going to have to email those image to my PC and post from there
Edit to add images - PC wouldn’t sync with phone:
Now OG isn’t uploading images - again
It restarted this upload 5 times. 3 times before I rebooted my browser. 2 times after I rebooted my browser. Uploading: Strapping 0001 02252021.jpg…
Frustrating hardly describes all this wasted effort
Gonna try and upload those images again
First to load fail: Uploading: Strapping 0001 02252021.jpg(1)…
Second to load fail: Uploading: Strapping 0002 02252021.jpg…
Third to load fail: Uploading: T5 Extruded Peak 0001 02252021.jpg…
BRB!
WHAB
3 Likes
My wife wants a real wood table… I can see it already sorry babe this red oak is going be a really good looking cloning/breeding station thou! 
Atleast the couch isnt to bad as a bed. Plus I can see my box from there! Lol
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,
WHAB
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I decided to apply a finish to the Red Oak T5 Frame. I had to see the Medullary Rays pop!
First, I did reseat the staples and I didn’t pull the center of it out like I did earlier. They shot in in the shape you see them. May be due to the hardness of the Red Oak, but keeping them this way makes them even more low profile.
First and likely only light coat of Oil Based Polyurethane (I may apply a second coat at some point in the future).
^ ^ ^ “What’s wrong with that wood? Why is it blotchy!?!?”
Then the Cloning Machine the T5s and Red Oak frame will service. I understand it’s going into service very soon 
This is the space. It’s 12 feet (3.6576) from left to right. I am leaving it away from the wall because I still have to erect a wall above the handrail - or remove the handrail and build wall to comply with MO’s Cultivation edicts (probably the latter, remove and build).
The water is being provided by the kitchen sink just below this space and to the left. The reservoir is resting on 4 of the Ebb&Gro buckets. As mentioned above, I don’t have time to make a Red Oak stand for it right now. I will and transfer it to the Red Oak stand later on. Maybe I’ll have the 240V circuit installed for the Delta 13" (330.2mm) Thickness Planer by that time.
A problem I had with this setup before was the manifold tended to lean one way or the other. I’m going to notch another piece of pvc to support it, just on the right side in the picture above (but maybe on the left side if it needs it).
I still have to change out the 4 center spray nozzles to 360° nozzles. I still have to reapply some weatherstripping to the underside of the lid. I have the balance of the roll I originally used. I wasn’t able to locate angle iron or a bulb seal combination I was comfortable buying or satisfied with what I did find.
I just remembered I wanted to put some heavy ply plastic sheeting under the cloning machine - “In case!”.
Oh, and I have to try and get my Bluelab pH Meter working. I still have not tried. I couldn’t try before last Monday. I had been without running water since the previous Saturday due to the big freeze we and the rest of the nation suffered under.
I’m going to try and finish the setup before I lay down to rest.
,
WHAB
6 Likes
After careful measurement and careful processing…
Carting everything up to the loft…
Of course I got it wrong!..
Also, I did change the nozzles out BUT even though they are from the same maker as the nozzles they are replacing they are loose in the threaded holes. I’ll have to put the other ones back in and drill & thread new holes for the new nozzles. Since I’ll have to make new holes I am pretty sure I’ll put those 4 old nozzles back in and add 6 new nozzles on the center pipe in the manifold.
I do get another chance, though
And, It looks like I’ll either have to buy new weatherstripping or mask off and use spray adhesive (that I know is here) to get the old weatherstripping to stay in place. To be fair, I am asking a lot of 10+ year old adhesive-backed weatherstripping.
By the time I got it up to the loft it the weatherstripping was already pulling away.
But, despite those small adjustments, she’s ready for new residents!
Good morning!
Make it a great day!
,
WHAB
11 Likes
It’s starting to come together. I’m begining to see the big picture. How big is that clone table? At first I thought its was really big.
Your right about those lights being hard to work with. I was with @Tejas about disassembling the light but I see what you mean there. I would say use some Gorilla glue or poxy but theres no coming back from that. If you ever tried to remove it the wood would probably be ruined.
Do you think it would be hard to build an aeroponic system from scratch?
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It is 28-1/2 inches (723.9mm) left to right and 23-1/2 inches (596.9mm) from front to back.
The body of these lights are like a straw. A single piece of aluminum. There is no taking it apart.
Silicone may work. Something I had not considered and makes posting these ponderings worthwhile!
I will likely cut a notch out of the peak on the body of the T5 fixture to get access to the interior of the ‘straw’.
Drilling/Cutting circular holes on a circular tube is not the easiest thing to do. Drilling/Cutting 1 hole isn’t hard. Making multiple holes and keeping them all in line and equally spaced would be difficult for a basic DIY’er with just hand tools. People do it, though. I have not. I have not done enough looking around at them to see how a at home DIY’er cuts the holes, but I know some do it.
,
WHAB
8 Likes
You know you could probably use zip ties under the bulb and around the frame to secure the fixtures. Also, have you looked inside the drop ceiling panels to see if they left the original ceiling in place? It could be tin paneling.
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Hello @Tejas . Another great idea! But, there isn’t enough space between the T5 tube and the peak in the fixture.
pictures I tried to upload the other day
The flat stock pictured above is .062 (1/16th) (1.587mm) thick. It is too thick to fit between the T5 tube and the fixture. That peak in the fixture, which I think is a sort of ‘reflector’, creates that too narrow gap.
,
WHAB
4 Likes
I had a most pleasant visit yesterday, Saturday. A visit once delayed. The conversations alone made the trip worthwhile! I had a great day! Wonderful folk! I was given permission to mention the visit, I was not given express permission to mention the handle. IF that changes I’ll come back and edit it in.
IF that changes I’ll come back and edit it in
When I returned to the 1924 Schoolhouse I prepared a home .
I reinstalled the 4 old 90° sprayers in the Cloning Machine because the holes were slightly oversized for the new 360° sprayers, I installed the 6 new 360°sprayers, and tried to ‘attach’ 2 props under the manifold to prevent it from tipping one way or the other. When I was setting it up the other day I remembered the last time I used it that was a problem.
These props (pictured) ‘might’ fall off The far one I used Gel Super-Glue, the near one Silicone (the wood is weighting the siliconed prop in place while it sets up).
I most likely will rebuild a new manifold with an improved design.
Note: the one in really poor shape was that way when they were wrapped and I was asked if I wanted it included. I said I’d give her a chance and accepted it. It has a live root still, I gave her a prominent spot in the cloner…we’ll see what happens.
This first image was exactly the time I removed them from their transport coverings (expertly executed, btw! )
These are Raspberry Cough, Blueberry (Dutch Passion), and Tangerine Dream x C99 (the poor lass being of this lineage). Their 1st Sunning in their new home…
Then a little while ago (a couple of hours now), I adjusted their Sun, squaring it up (one cord was plugged in the opposite direction I wanted it to, the outlet I intended to use was occupied already. I put a power strip in there today), and lowering it.
Then, note the volunteer visitors! (I did not introduce these lovely lady’s here, they occur naturally and with the attic area exposed right above the loft they have easy access)
Spider mites (which I don’t know if they’ll be a problem here in this part of this state), along with other damaging critters, are not welcomed here! 
Again, these pictures above were taken not even 24 hours after a semi-lengthy road trip and removing them from their packaging.
These also came home with the tots above (1/4 wrench not included! 
)!
Now, on to trying to rehabilitate my old Bluelab pH Truncheon they no longer support for which I recently found (ran across) the replacement contact rings for them…
… still need a ‘new’ sponge to house the tip of the probe in, gonna gently scrub the tip of the probe and keep it in water until I can get a sponge for it.
I could not be more thankful! Thank You! I could not be more appreciative! I sincerely appreciate it!
,
WHAB
9 Likes
Not much change. Was not expecting much change.
I ‘think’ (I’m pretty sure) I got the Bluelab pH Truncheon working…
I have a Apera Instruments 7.00, 4.00 pH Calibration Solution Kit on the way…
Now I have to get the shop back into something resembling a neat space (no miracles today! ) as I have a visit with the electrician tomorrow!
,
WHAB
7 Likes
Tangentially related…A Time Suck in Review!
During the recent Deep Freeze inside the 1924 Schoolhouse got very cold. In fact I had to literally Batten the Hatches.
There is a cold flow of air coming in through the Cloakroom (bathroom). My niece left a curtain there for whatever her reason was - I don’t know what it was.
I closed the curtain and used Chip Clips to close where the 2 curtains meet. The movement of air from the Cloakroom to the main space was pushing the curtains in towards the main space a lot more than I expect. It is a surprising flow of air.
For a couple of days I mostly stayed in bed, under covers. When I was up and around (mostly at my PC) I had my feet as near to the propane fireplace as was safe, I was heavily bundled up and I was forced to wear gloves. An excellent pair Winter work gloves, btw. Extremely cold in here.
Well, regardless the preparations I put in place to keep the water service from freezing it froze. My well thought out preparations was not enough for this very unusual deep freeze.
The water was frozen from February 14th through February 21st. I become aware that it had finally thawed by hearing a noise I had to investigate. I discovered the faucet at the bathtub was running. The valves were closed. I didn’t fully realize the valves were closed until I tried every combinations of settings and the water was still running.
I spent a good bit of time attempting to find a replacement valve for this Freestanding/Floor Mount Claw Foot Tub/Shower Valve assembly. It was A LOT more difficult than I ever imagined it would be.
This is a ‘no-name’ tub/shower valve setup. As such I spent a great deal of time trying to find out who made it, what company. I think I figured that out BUT that didn’t help one bit in finding a replacement valve. The only thing I was some what sure of was its size, its size in length (a 5) and its “Broach” (a C).
I spoke to a few knowledgeable people and they had no idea what I was talking about when I said I needed a Cold Side 5C Stem/Cartridge/Valve (no one could even settle on how to refer to it ).
Once I could get out of my driveway, a few days later, I went to my local hardware store. Without knowing a Maker it is virtually impossible to find a replacement.
On my visit to my friend above I stopped at THREE big box stores on the way back (Menards, Lowe’s and Home Depot) sure I’d find a generic replacement Cold Side 5C Stem/Cartridge/Valve at one of them. Nope! I was even willing to buy a new replacement Freestanding/Floor Mount Claw Foot Tub/Shower Valve assembly. None of these stores even carry any such animal . I couldn’t compare what I need with what they offer. They don’t have a single Freestanding/Floor Mount Claw Foot Tub/Shower Valve assembly on their shelves or displays.
I went back to the Internet and bought a Cold Side 5C Stem/Cartridge/Valve as near to what I thought I needed as possible.
It arrived today. It worked. After nearly 14 days the water is no longer running (leaking, no running full out) when the valve is closed (turned off).
The escutcheon doesn’t fit (I was semi-sure it wouldn’t), while the thread size does fit. The screw that holds the handle on doesn’t fit, the threaded hole looks to be too large - ALTHOUGH it is the correct Broach size.
With some work I am sure I could modify the only poor fitting Cold Side 5C Stem/Cartridge/Valve to correct these issues (metal work it). BUT, I don’t believe I’m going to waste any time on that right now. It’s not leaking. It shuts off.
This has occupied more of my time than I ever would have liked. What a PIA! 
Now, I’m going to start on putting up the South wall (the partition wall) of the loft to close it in.
It looks like the Tangerine Dream x C99 clone that was looking poorly when I put her in the cloner won’t make it. It has not improve even a little bit and the one root looks to be a light tan color and not the whitish root it arrived here with. There is another TDC that didn’t have any roots visible when I plugged it in here that hasn’t shown any improvement either and likely won’t make it.
It’s only been less than 4 days but…
The others are surviving but their leaves have not fully recovered from transit. I’m thinking maybe they’re needing some nutrients. I’m still running straight water softened well water at this point. Water softened well water of unknown properties. I’m pretty sure I got my old Bluelab pH Truncheon working but I have been unable to test the water until today. I just received the pH Testing Kit late this afternoon.
I’m going to get the buckets cleaned up and set up to run a test of the system. After that, I plan to set up a Veg space in the loft and I’m going to try and keep the reservoir under the loft. I think the pumps I have, one submersible and one non-submersible, will push up the 6’ to the loft okay. In fact, according to the specs I could find they both look to be able to push nutrients up to the attic (11.5’ above the floor). I have it in my head that I want to keep the reservoir under the loft for a few reasons. That will be the coolest space in the Schoolhouse. That is the darkest place in the Schoolhouse - in fact, there is no light source under there (no provisions for lights were ever made under there). It is closest to a water source for filling and closest to a drain for emptying. IF putting the reservoir under the loft doesn’t work out I’ll put it up on the loft and I’m sure it will push nutrients the less than 6’ up to the attic.
Here we go!
Wish me luck!
,
WHAB
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Welcome to overgrow from the other side of the state SE side
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Welcome to overgrow - again! .
Thank You for the welcome, @TheShowMeHomie
I used to spend a good deal of time that way. The V.A. Medical Center in Poplar Bluff and I was getting a lot of Craigslist deals down that way and just North of there.
We sure live in a most beautiful state!
Take very good care, @TheShowMeHomie !
,
WHAB
3 Likes
I tried to get a wall built up in the loft. It turned into needing twice as much lumber as I had. I got as far as I could and then turned my attention to getting the Ebb&Gro buckets running/tested.
I got close.
I got the 55 gallon reservoir cleaned inside and out. I got the C.A.P. Ebb&Gro EBB1 controller cleaned inside and out.
I have the drain line connected to the controller. But, I can’t find my extra barb fittings. I need a straight barb fitting to attach the Fill line to the controller.
Two things, though. I think I should replace all the grommets that reside in the wet zone, the ones in the controller and the ones in the buckets. When I fitted the Vented drain barb fitting I noticed the grommet is weather worn. That one doesn’t need to be replaced as it isn’t holding any fluid.
Also, I have translucent blue tubing. I think I want to replace that with opaque tubing. Also, 2 of the longer sections of translucent blue tubing have bad kinks in them. I tried to work them out. I was successful but they went back to being kinked as soon as they could.
I just ordered these:
And…45L…
A rough estimate shows I probably need 2 of those bags of pebbles but I don’t have the funds right now. I’ll have it in a week and I’ll buy another bag then along with all the lumber I’ll need to finish the loft.
Gotta get some rest…
Good morning!
Make it a great day!
,
WHAB
9 Likes
Warts and all!..
I don’t know what I was thinking.
Watching the clones doing poorly I attributed it to the shock of transport. Well, I never checked the pH of the water softened well water in the cloning machine this whole time.
I did not have a means of testing the pH before last night anyway BUT it didn’t register with me to know what it was 
. It didn’t register with me until I was calibrating the Bluelab pH Truncheon and I realized I can’t check the water in the C.A.P. Ebb&Gro system until I get the materials I ordered early this morning. So thinking what could I possibly check it struck me that I could check the cloning machine 
.
Anyway, I checked the pH of the cloning machine and it was 6.9 to 7.2. I added 10ml of Advanced Nutrients pH Down to the 10 gallons in the tank. I’m now getting 5.9 to 6.0 readings.
I hope I didn’t kill them! I do know plants grown hydroponically can experience dramatic changes in a short period of time. I hope that is the case here …
Somebody shoulda 
me! 
Regards my orders. Amazon sent me multiple emails saying I should be receiving everything but the clay pebbles by tomorrow night . They’re saying the clay pebbles will be here by Wednesday.
Add Edit: Actually, I do know what I was thinking. I was thinking water softened well water couldn’t be that bad…
WHAB:
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While I’m monitoring the cloning machine - it’s at 6.1 right now - if that holds I’ll add a ‘little’ more pH Down. I was hoping it would settle down on its own since it’s getting circulated so often and vigorously.
Going Forward In A Different Direction!
While my faux pas with the cloner was a setback. I’m not going backwards, I’m going forward in a different direction!
Besides lifting the DIY 2 Stage Delta 50-850 Dust Collector w/Oneida Super Dust Deputy in place up on the exterior of the loft, this was a YUGE task. I have been sort of dreading it but anxious to get it done.
I borrowed a Engine Hoist. I borrowed a Tractor to move the engine hoist.
I got a dozen eggs (with offers for more) for the privilege of borrowing their equipment!
Man-handling that thing by oneself is no easy feat. They’re made for shop floors, flat. This escapade was anything and everything but flat…
But, it’s done. Now I have to reverse the order of operation and get the borrowed engine hoist back to its location where I got it from.
Oh, I had to take 2 bites at it. The legs on the repurposed restaurant table base was too wide to get the Beast where I wanted it on its new base.
I had not noticed - with this detail - the texture the bricks have under this light. pretty 
Viola! (Solo, btw).
The second hardest part of this task was first pinning the legs in place, then unpinning them. I’m not entirely sure there is a flat spot on this floor. I tried to shim it up, roll it around to find where the holes were ‘sort of’ aligned, and then had to punch them out 
I lied! I did find a flat and level spot (once). just to the right of me where I now have the 2x4Basics shelving
,
WHAB
5 Likes