Green Gelato RDWC (DIY)

MrBuenchico After 10 years of growing in hydro with clay pebbles (Dutch pot), we switched to our own RDWC system. The system has 8 buckets for plants and an external storage and working tank, where the water pump is located that pushes to a chiller and then distributes among the pots. All that water is collected and returns to the tank through a 30mm diameter pipe. The tank has a continuous EC meter and pH regulator with a dosing pump, both from the Milwaukee brand. The system features an air pump with 8 outlets with diffuser stones for each of the pots. Let's see how my first grow in this system turns out. 💪

MrBuenchico This week, an apical pruning is being done. The temperatures these days are extremely high, the water chiller is working almost 24 hours a day.

MrBuenchico Flowering begins on 08/13/23 Scrog net is set up Water is changed and nutrient ratio is adjusted

MrBuenchico I added 20 liters of nutrient water. They drink a lot, and the pH dropped to 5.5, which I corrected back to 5.8 with the added water. I'm pruning the lower branches, which is quite difficult to do in the back row. My biobloom finally arrived; I added it on Friday 18/08, so it's only been 2 days with this nutrient. Starting this week, I can say the grow is at 100%. The humidity in my area is through the roof and hasn't dropped below 68% RH these days.

MrBuenchico EC remains stable throughout the week. pH is observed to be gradually decreasing during the week down to 5.5, which is corrected when water is added (20 liters every 3 days). The nutrient solution is changed on the last day of the week 26/08/23, leaving the EC parameters at 1.5mS and pH at 6.2. These values will be added to next week's table.

MrBuenchico The EC remains stable, but the pH does not, it drops too much so I decided to correct it this week with pH+. It stayed at 6.2 all week. The tank is filled with 20 liters every 2 days. A very good volume. Almost 1.2 liters a day per plant. The size has shot up in the center, which makes sense considering that area receives light from both sides of the light continuously. The light has been turned for greater convenience since the cable was touching a bar and getting stuck. A dangerous issue. I am pleasantly surprised with this light, its performance is spectacular. I don't know what will happen when I put the other one in 😲 The plants have strong stems ready to support heavy weights. This is going well!!!! 😎 Photos from the last day of week 3 02/09/23

MrBuenchico 1st day week 7. Tank is filled with 40L of solution adjusted to 1.6mS and pH to 6.2 2nd day week 7. A blockage is detected in the drainage pipe due to root accumulation, causing water to overflow in one of the containers. 32mm diameter seems insufficient. Corrected. EC has risen by 0.1 to reach a value of 1.7mS 3rd day week 7. EC has risen another 0.1 to settle at 1.8. Water level is halfway up the pots. 4th day week 7. 40 liters of water at 0.4mS are added to bring it to 1.4 EC since they seem to drink more than they eat. 5th day week 7. An increase in EC is observed again despite having lowered the nutrient level the previous day. 7th day week 7. 40 liters of water at 0.4mS are added, and an increase in EC is observed. They eat little. Left under observation while waiting to assess water change.

MrBuenchico We start the week with a water change. 120 liters at 1.7mS EC and 6.2 pH. 12/09 20 liters are added with EC at 0.4. The pH continues to drop to 5.6. The pump is changed to work with pH+. 15/09 20 liters are added with EC at 0.4. The EC rises to 1.9, they drink more than they eat. The smell has increased significantly.

MrBuenchico We start the week with a water change. The EC is raised to 2.0. The EC slightly increases throughout the week, reaching 2.2. 20 liters of water at 0.4 have been added, and the level has been lowered from 2.0; by the last day of the week, it is back to 2.2. Humidity levels are very high. A dehumidifier is installed, but it's not enough. Values around 65%-85%. Powdery mildew is observed on some leaves. Critical moment for the grow.

MrBuenchico A dehumidifier is installed inside the cabinet despite having constant air renewal. I can't get below 50% during the day and 60% at night. We're dealing with too high ambient humidity due to the rainy season. 60 liters of water with the corresponding nutrients are added. Now it's clear they are very hungry despite being well into flowering. The pH keeps dropping. I'm very surprised with this light; I didn't expect such magnificent results. It's been a complicated week; while cleaning and calibrating devices, I discovered that the continuous EC meter is defective with a very high deviation. On the other hand, with so much ambient humidity, powdery mildew has appeared, and the harvest will be advanced to avoid worse issues. Root cleaning is done with water at 0.4 (this time measured with another EC meter) for 24 hours. Insufficient due to the sudden harvest.

MrBuenchico It's my first grow with full spectrum LED and RDWC. Satisfied but not proud. I've made mistakes regarding the growth time since it's a light with a movable rail, I detected a problem with the EC meter that was brand new too late, and in the end, with the humid season, I had to harvest early due to the appearance of powdery mildew.