Dear Me,
I had a Growers Nightmare, An Equipment failure around 21th of Jan,24.
My 3X3 Mars Hydro Kit is IMPORTED from United States. it comes with a pretty powerful grow light FC-E3000. But Unfortunately it broke only after 1 weeks of usage. The Rotating knob stopped responding to dimming function. The push button only turns lights OFF/ON. And without having the ability to control the Light intensity I was left with nothing but 100% light, 400+ PPFD and 25+ degree Temp in my Grow Tent. Hence I Disconnected the Two of the Centre Light bars and Increased the Height to maximum at about 1.3 Feet from plants. This at times was showing between 230-300 PPFD but it now it's back at showing 400 here and there. At the very least the tent temperature is 23-24.
I Contacted Mars Hydro notified that I'm in different Country and that I'm helpless and I can't basically send you the Unit for a replacement since I'd killing my plants at that point so please either
1) sell me a new controller stand alone unit to my country. I'll pay upfront. or
2) send me new unit and I'll send back as soon as fresh unit arrives and I swap the malfunction unit. I'll bear shipping cost upfront for both ways.
But it's been like 3-4 days no conclusion we're still figuring out and yet to get to any conclusion. Hence I ended up placing order for a AC infinity 6 inch exhaust fan which comes with AC infinity 69 Pro controller( a separate unit that can connect to Mars hydro Grow Lights using RJ45 Cable Type B Connecter). It's cool how just one thing can add a whole Semi-Automation to Grow Tent Environment. Not gonna lie I did thought at this point that I had in fact made my tent buying decision in a jiffy without looking at all the other options. I hope Mars Hydro Fixes it provided that I had invested my faith in them with my money at around 1200 usd( Tent cost about 600 USD + about 600 in Shipping and import fee).
Prepared Cal-Mag Buffered Coco-Perlite Mix for Coming week. Plants are already on a Light Feed Schedule with a 3 Part series by General Hydroponics.
1st Week Nutrients Diet
Per Gal Water
2ml CalMag
1 ml micro
1 ml Grow
0.5 ml Bloom
Ph-6.1
TDS - 277
UPDATE :
4 February : -
I learned First week starts "After" the Cotyledons when first true leaves show up. Which means I've been actually in my first week only. Putting an end to my anxiety over my current plant sizes.
Also, Mars Hydro replied with a humble gesture and decided to replace the dimmer at no Additional cost, They told me I could keep the faulty unit which means I don't need to spend money on returning it. and they're directly shipping to my country without any extra fee (a cherry on top). I'm yet to get the tracking but it should arrive at the very least sometime before I hit the Flowering.
My first week plants look somewhat healthy despite a little light stress in the early stage. Although the Plants heights not been upto the desirable min. so far which is mostly because light was throwing too much ppfd in the early stages. Stay Tuned as i complete the week 2 on 10th of feb for these Baby Auto's.
@Inganjawetrust, my last comment got deleted since I thought It got submitted twice, Appearing at two places so I ended up deleting one of em but that eventually took down both.. Strange. But anyways... I really wasn't kidding when I said.. If Gelato weighs over an ounce after dry curing, I'll send you Gelato beans from FastBuds as a thankyou. And I really wish that happens, NEK.. Thanks for Motivation Groupie:)
@oneplantwonders, Yeah, a little below fine level as compared to other growmies here and there, But at least they're not like done to the point to startover. Though I did considered that too once at some point. NGL. Thankyou growmie :)
@Seedsman, Thanks Guys... You're 100% DealMaker. I even enjoy the Toys freebies just as much. It makes up to being my favourite toy to put on top of my Mac mini. Cheers.
Should I Do the Topping ?
After looking here and there I think I want to do the topping but I'm not feeling good about that risk. So I'd rather Maybe just top one of the two OG Kush Plant only to see the Difference it can make on already stunted Growth. Wish I could tag @Fast_Buds.
What do you guys think. Should I disregard topping altogether on this stunted run?
@dscollard, I Definitely Do.. Use Gardening clips and wires to get the smaller branches to be exposed to light. Little bit of defoliation is also okay if tucking is not an option.Also, Avoid coco if this is your first time unless Coco is the only thing you want to try. Create your own soil using Nearby garden with good amount of worm compose+ coco coir + perlite. Only 1 plant I started in soil and that's doing much better than all the Coco-perlite ones.
February of 11th Update Time -
It's 1st day for the 3rd Vegging Week.
Since Mars Hydro 3*3 Kit came with a 4 inch inline exhaust Fan that has a manual controller(non ifresh unit or whatever it Is called.) I have to create an Automation for the environment. It's sad that the kit does not contain any environmental monitor. My biggest wish is that All these brands( AC, Spiderfarmer, VivoSun, Mars Hydro etc) get flexible on their automation system and partner with and allow their ecosystem to be controlled by all the major third party Smart Home controlling apps like, SmartHome, Alexa, GoogleHome, SmartThings etc etc.
While the AC Infinity Controller 69 Pro along with a few Cables and other equipments are on the way from US. but my autos just can't wait that long since Humidity in my room is at 57-58. which is not idle for a plant on its 2nd vegging week.To Combat the Humidity. I created my own DIY Automation for Humidifier-Dehumidifier using
1) cheap ultrasonic cool mist humidifier.
2) TP Link - Tapo Hub
3) TP Link - Smart Temperature and humidifier sensor( wifi )
4) TP Link - 2 Casa Switches
Then I connected The Mars Hydro 4 inch Fan as well as the Humidifier with the TP Link Switches and I programmed these So as if :-
i) if Humidity is Over 61% = Turn OFF Humidifier with 30 Sec Delay.
ii) if Humidity is Below 60%= Turn ON Humidifier.
iii) if Humidity is Over 65% = Turn ON Mars hydro Exhaust FAN(Sucks out some Humidity).
iv) if Humidity is Below 63% = Turn OFF FAN, Let it stay humid.
This has helped in Maintaining Humidity at 62-64% range. Btw you can get two of those TP Link CASA Power strips if they sell it in your country. Mine is on the way from US as a backup alternate to AC Infinity Controller 69 PRO.
Thankfully the Temp is at 22-24 degrees Celc. And the New Nodes(*maybe or maybe they're just leafs) have started to show up.
Will keep posting. Thankyou
@cyberkyd, they are still looking good! I would turn up the temperature a little, try to keep around 24-25C at the Relative humidity level you are around now.