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Grump's Kitchen Sink Grow 🌱

Max said:
Love the blu lab guardian.are you pinching your kids little toys 🤣 or are those MacDonald’s 🙂
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They are OUR toys 🤣

...the lady that we order QPs from sends little trinkets and stickers all the time
 
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Today started the 4th week since these clones were taken. 2 have roots in the water and we're still waiting on roots from the other 2. They were 3 days behind with roots out of the plugs and it's been 3 day since that first plant escaped the netcup. Maybe roots on another in the morning.

Looking good, I'd say.. eh?
Pretty crazy what those first roots have done in 3 days. That second plants have been exposed for 2. Here's to more in the morning 🤞
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You're going to see pretty fast growth, I don't remember how old the original was but they should act just like the same!

There ya go your off and running. Now you'll have confidence the next time for cloning... Keep up the good work!!!
😎🍀
 
Everything's going well with good color and growth. Everyone's got visible roots underneath and we're off to a great start.
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There doesn't seem to be any signs of light stress so I bumped her up to 20 DLI which shows ~320ppfd. Nearly maxed so the next move will be to bring it closer to the canopy.
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Still on the light mix of Athena's Grow mix. It settled here at 5.9 a couple days ago and has been here since. I'll likely mix a new batch soon and hit 'em with ~500ppm.
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This is where I gotta throw out the special thanks to the fellas with the best advice that got me here... my first attempt at a clone run is officially off to a successful start thanks to @Bandit420, @Stoneyluv, @Observer, @Zen_seeker.

And as always, a special shout out to @steamroller for bringing me to BudBuilders and to @moe.red and @Aqua Man for all the help and encouragement on this hydro journey.
 
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Everything's looking good. That little clone (bottom right) was that last to have roots in the water but it'll catch up.
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Little bit of staining going on but otherwise looking great.
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Observer said:
Bend the top part down,
top,
Let the sides/it bush out.
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I'll top them all once the other two are showing good growth like those two. Roots in the water so they'll be taking off any day now.

I'll try to top them all at about the same height, regardless of which node they get snipped at.
 
Those back 2 are fuckin' thriving.
Front 2 are falling in line.
View attachment 20250904_063559.mp4
Now that the growth on the front 2 is taking off, I'll likely be doing a res change tomorrow to up the ppms.

Depending on time, I may just mix the top-off hot so that it slowly raises the ppm for the plants. Time permitting, I'll do a full res change just for peace of mind as far as resetting the ratios if anything's gotten out of wack.
 
GrumpAzz said:
Those back 2 are fuckin' thriving.
Front 2 are falling in line.
View attachment 112833
Now that the growth on the front 2 is taking off, I'll likely be doing a res change tomorrow to up the ppms.

Depending on time, I may just mix the top-off hot so that it slowly raises the ppm for the plants. Time permitting, I'll do a full res change just for peace of mind as far as resetting the ratios if anything's gotten out of wack.
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Nice...nice... So that guardian, is that all that it dose, monitor your res? Is it worth the price? One more if I may, would you buy it again?
 
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doublej said:
Nice...nice... So that guardian, is that all that it dose, monitor your res? Is it worth the price? On more if I may, would you buy it again?
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Yeah it's just a pH/ppm/temp sensor. I love it, but it's all I've ever used so I can't compare it to anything else.

I liked it enough that I bought a second one to monitor my top-off resevoir as well. Might be a little overkill but I like to use this chart...
2519-66bc3d634012fe5a9a80ff3cdc3a5de6.jpg
...and, from my understanding, this chart only really works if the top-off is the same as the lower resevoirs.

I'm sure it's not totally necessary, but bluelabs are top tier.

One of the two has wifi capabilities, but I've never used that feature. I only bought the wifi one because I found it on sale cheaper than the standard version.

So far, I've replaced one probe because it seemed to be "growing" some shit on it. Bought the new probe when I bought the second monitor. The other probes have since accumulated the same gunk, but they calibrate fine and continue to read accurately. The extra probe was likely unnecessary.

Hope that helps. If you're diligent, you could get by using their pens for quite a bit cheaper. I just like to look in my room and see where the water sits. I try to avoid as much work as possible.

Edit: I looked them up... I don't remember spending that much. They maybe have gone up significantly. The probe I remember spending $69 on is now $82 on my "buy it again" page on Amazon.

I would would check reviews. Google some other brands and at the end add the word reddit. Like "bluelab gaurdian reddit". You'll find some decent reviews with tons of feedback and discussions. Side note: that works for everything. Reddit is the shit for customer reviews.

They're sweet... but I don't know if they're $340 sweet. That's the 3rd gen, though. I'm pretty sure mine are 2nd gen.
 
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doublej said:
Nice...nice... So that guardian, is that all that it dose, monitor your res? Is it worth the price? On more if I may, would you buy it again?
Click to expand...

keep your eye on ebay man... just this morning i scored a bluelabs ph doser new in open box for hundred dollars!!!!! it's like 350-400 new.. it's not the newest wifi model.
 
GrumpAzz said:
Yeah it's just a pH/ppm/temp sensor. I love it, but it's all I've ever used so I can't compare it to anything else.

I liked it enough that I bought a second one to monitor my top-off resevoir as well. Might be a little overkill but I like to use this chart...
View attachment 112868
...and, from my understanding, this chart only really works if the top-off is the same as the lower resevoirs.

I'm sure it's not totally necessary, but bluelabs are top tier.

One of the two has wifi capabilities, but I've never used that feature. I only bought the wifi one because I found it on sale cheaper than the standard version.

So far, I've replaced one probe because it seemed to be "growing" some shit on it. Bought the new probe when I bought the second monitor. The other probes have since accumulated the same gunk, but they calibrate fine and continue to read accurately. The extra probe was likely unnecessary.

Hope that helps. If you're diligent, you could get by using their pens for quite a bit cheaper. I just like to look in my room and see where the water sits. I try to avoid as much work as possible.

Edit: I looked them up... I don't remember spending that much. They maybe have gone up significantly. The probe I remember spending $69 on is now $82 on my "buy it again" page on Amazon.
what
I would would check reviews. Google some other brands and at the end add the word reddit. Like "bluelab gaurdian reddit". You'll find some decent reviews with tons of feedback and discussions. Side note: that works for everything. Reddit is the shit for customer reviews.

They're sweet... but I don't know if they're $340 sweet. That's the 3rd gen, though. I'm pretty sure mine are 2nd gen.
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Yeah that's the price I saw looking around...

Don't remember if .Ink bird makes one or not?..

What do them other res guys use?

Oh I'll look around. I'm not sure what I want, I suppose a pen would work well enough, I have no Wi-Fi and my grow is in the shop I'd have to walk out there and look anyway....Sooo fuck Idk...
 
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GrumpAzz said:
@ninjadip @SweetLeafGrow @moe.red
I know @smoke has bluelabs. I'm sure there's some people I'm missing but these are the guys I can think of off the top of my head. @Stoneyluv just ordered a bluelab. @Buzzking, you're doing rdwc right?
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My experience has led me to this brand, apera.

I love the apera double junction probe, make sure any probe you get is a double junction or it won't last long in a nutrient rich solution.

I have bought these more than once as you can see, they come lab tested within strict limit allowances. They don't last forever, I've found about 1-2 years, the mfg says to replace at 2 years and that is right when they fail if you take care of them to the letter, by not storing in 0 ppm solution, not letting the bulb dry out, etc..

I love them, and have no reason to try another brand, they are so reliable.

Screenshot_20250905-205809~2.jpg
 
I think i gave information no one asked for lol

Is it dosers we are discussing?? 😂

I have a generic one, they are all the same. I use a diluted Ph down i make from phosphoric acid during grow and sulfuric acid during bloom as these are both nutrients that benefit the plant during those times.

The big game changer for the doser is adding a digital timer between the pH controller and doser that prevents the doser from running continuously until the ph meets the set point on the controller. I have it on a 1 second on and 15 minutes off, this is cause i have a small system, but the point is to allow time for the ph down to mix and retest instead of dumping down continuously which often leads in over correction
 
I think I just got lucky but I've been using this cheap controller for years with zero issues, i just threw away the probe it came with and instantly used an apera.

The thinking that the most important part to the equation is what probe you are using, not the box that turns that into a reading, as that is very simple to do. They don't make this one anymore that i see.

I'm very tight with money, if something cheaper does the same job I'm all for it.
 

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ninjadip said:
I think I just got lucky but I've been using this cheap controller for years with zero issues, i just threw away the probe it came with and instantly used an apera.

The thinking that the most important part to the equation is what probe you are using, not the box that turns that into a reading, as that is very simple to do. They don't make this one anymore that i see.

I'm very tight with money, if something cheaper does the same job I'm all for it.
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thats great info man, i had no idea those units could use a good brand probe. i agree, all the reliability is in the probe itself. i've seen those units on aliexpress now that they send me every grow item there is in an advertisement.. haha

you can get some for like $60 with bells n whistles..
 
ninjadip said:
I think I just got lucky but I've been using this cheap controller for years with zero issues, i just threw away the probe it came with and instantly used an apera.

The thinking that the most important part to the equation is what probe you are using, not the box that turns that into a reading, as that is very simple to do. They don't make this one anymore that i see.

I'm very tight with money, if something cheaper does the same job I'm all for it.
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Yep, that was very important information . I'm not the one to spend extra, for boxes......

That that probe information was just what I needed and didn't even know it.....

Thanks man...
👊
 
Doser talk?
I'm in!!!
Figured I'd drop it here even though you asked in my journal, consolidation might be best....
Stoney nailed it. I'm using Autopilot/Hydrofarm new old stock bought off ebay and there's only 4 left. Warranties are voided since this is NOS however, other than the probe, the thing is built tough. I have a few other Autopilot pieces and they're all solidly built, reliable, and dead on accurate..

www.ebay.com

Autopilot - Digital PH Controller 5.0-8.0 | eBay

The Autopilot Digital PH Controller is an advanced device designed to regulate and maintain optimal pH levels in your hydroponic or gardening systems. This sleek and user-friendly instrument offers precision and convenience, allowing for real-time monitoring and adjustments to ensure the ideal...
www.ebay.com

Here's the replacement probe but as long as the cords connect I think almost any probe can work

I echo everything Ninja posted about his. The probes are the weakest link and you find out fast why most probe warranties are only 6 months.
They're fragile and must be treated with great care. Regular cleaning and calibration is required of mine.
It is really freaking cool though.
Up or down but not both
It can dose a little or a lot and have frequent or infrequent intervals between mixing and dosing.
Like Ninja I dilute my down and do something similar but not with a timer....I let mine operate for three days to set my barrel then unplug, pull the probe, and stow the probe in storage solution until the next time. And when the next time comes I calibrate all over again.
I'd say by far it's the most delicate and fragile piece of grow equipment I own due to the probe but as long as it's well cared for and never dries out or gets crusted over in gunk it will do great.
Mine requires a mixing pump and that's on a separate timer or runs 24/7 but mine works by dosing for like 2 seconds, mixes for 2500 seconds, measures, dose. If the reading is in range of where I set it will not dose the tank. All of that timing can be adjusted.
There's also set limits, alerts, autoshutdown features, and maybe a few more features but yeah it pretty much does what you would think it does but what they don't tell you is that it's best to dilute your adjuster and how fragile that probe really can be because you can't just drop the probe in, forget about it, and think it will hold it's accuracy for a long time. At least not that particular probe.

I also use a portable probe...The one from AC Infinity but not the expensive one. I think there's two and mine was the lower priced version. It's pretty baddass too and I like that it smiles when the pH is set ;smoke
 
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Alright Guys thanks alot!!!! Great information!!!!

So in situation ebb and flow 25 gallon reservoir....my start plan... I figured constant aeration? Is that over over kill?
Or is that a deal by deal basis?? I know I need a monitor or what and monitor system. Unsure on if I need a doser?

I'm thinking with a constant aeration I would probably need a doser? Or at least be prepared to get one?....

Probes..... I get the point!! Hahaha... Probes will be the number one consideration...
 
doublej said:
Alright Guys thanks alot!!!! Great information!!!!

So in situation ebb and flow 25 gallon reservoir....my start plan... I figured constant aeration? Is that over over kill?
Or is that a deal by deal basis?? I know I need a monitor or what and monitor system. Unsure on if I need a doser?

I'm thinking with a constant aeration I would probably need a doser? Or at least be prepared to get one?....

Probes..... I get the point!! Hahaha... Probes will be the number one consideration...
Click to expand...

Constant aeration. You can never deliver too much air to your roots and it will keep the tank stirred. If the water settles then so do the salts in the bottom then when the pump turns on, hit's your plants with a strong dose of nutes.

A good pH pen or the constant monitor or doser. You don't need all three but you need at least one;)
 
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