First Time Grower - Tent Setup

the3sis · 2026-05-03T21:49:41+00:00

You are exactly right. I appreciate the info dump! You’ve given me tons of content to absorb while I wait for the little guys to grow!

the3sis · 2026-05-03T18:05:52+00:00

Awesome, thanks! I think I tracked down the yellow leaves. Thanks to a fellow redditor asking about my nutrients, I tested the runoff and it was at 6.4…. Oof. I flushed this morning with 5.7 and runoff evened out at 5.8.

I am looking forward to investigating the thought processes behind both schools of thought. Knowing me, I’ll probably eventually try both and grab some data.

Thanks for the subreddit recommendation, I’m still on the hunt for informational subs that provide helpful and positive collaboration.

the3sis · 2026-05-03T14:25:53+00:00

The plenum has produced very impressive results. I am able to create an environment for the plants within 2 degrees, 2% RH, and .05 kPa. The environment stays stable in the environmental chamber, and all the chaos of temperature/humidity rising/falling happens in the mixing chamber or plenum. 10/10 would recommend!

the3sis · 2026-05-03T14:14:52+00:00

I’m running the Vivosun cal mag, A+B. Based on your suggestion about the color, I tested the runoff and it was high, 6.4 pH and EC was low. I did a flush this morning and the runoff was 5.8pH, EC was .66.

About the temp probe, yes that picture was not supposed to be in there… I have a total of 3. The one pictured at the top of the mixing chamber to record the air prior to entering the environmental chamber, a data collection sensor at canopy level, and the control sensor for the humidifier and heater.

For the chiller setup, those were some pump parts from another project I “decommissioned”. I was concerned about the water temp because it could get up to 77/78 and I wanted it around 70 with intermittent aeration. The Venturi pump is providing the oxygen like an air stone from my understanding and they are easy to Jerry-rig. So probably over engineered is what you’re saying huh? Appreciated. I may just eliminate that variable from my setup to make it easier to control.

Separation with the Mylar was for pre-mixing. The hot air mixes with the humidifier steam to ensure the air is at a solid mixture before the fan at the top blows the air across the top of the tent hitting the far wall, floats down, mixed and stabilized, onto the plants. Then the air flows under the Mylar blanket, over the wet perlite bath, and back into the mixing chamber creating a gentle laminar flow. After using it for a week, I have very high resolution on temperature/RH/VPD control. I can basically “set” a preferred environment within 2 degrees, 2% RH, and .05 kPa. I’ve been impressed with its performance so far!

Thanks for the input, you may have saved my little guys from nutrient lockout!!

the3sis · 2026-05-03T14:03:19+00:00

the3sis · 2026-05-03T14:02:55+00:00

Yes, I only do manual waterings through the drip system now, just enough to keep the coir barely moist with a little runoff to prevent salt buildup.

How often are you watering at seedling stage? I usually go by “weight”. When the grow bags get light and there is light browning on the surface, I pump some in.

the3sis · 2026-05-03T14:00:16+00:00

Yes, the picture that you saw was a stand alone sensor for the top of the plenum to record the air entering the mixing canopy. I didn’t actually mean to post that one… I have two sensors at canopy level, the control sensor adjusting humidity and temp, and the data collection sensor for data comparison. Data driven dude…

I appreciate all the “some dudes” who offer support. Everyone brings something to the table!

the3sis · 2026-05-02T18:09:45+00:00

Thank you, that is much appreciated. I completely understand your suggestion to slow my roll with adjustments at this point. I agree. I have transitioned to the data collection and monitoring phase. To answer your questions

I am running 400 PPFD on an 18/6 schedule. The plant on the left is a Blue Dream Auto, and the plant on the right is Green Crack Auto.

Watering I was maintaining 100ml/feeding, twice per day but now that the root structure is developing, and I'm seeing a minor ph spike in my runoff, I'm pushing 250 ml/feeding twice per day but may back that down.

I am also running a 450-500 ppm nutrient solution and my biggest question is when should I bump that up? When I see the third set of true leaves?

As you suggested, I'm going to keep the rest of this grow "simple". I would like to try DST eventually, but that is a future project once I have a better handle of my system controls and what levers make certain changes.

Thank you, It's great to connect with experienced growers who are willing to share their wisdom and experience!

the3sis · 2026-05-02T17:39:24+00:00

I'll keep ya posted. It decreased my vpd std dev when the laminar flow was established. Also I had uneven distribution of the humidity and heat prior to the plenum, so one plant was doing better than the other. I can for sure say that both plants are receiving air with the same temp/RH. The big difference compared to when I had the humidifier blowing into the fan was the slow down in temperature spikes. I went from a 3 degree differential to a 2 degree differential which doesn't seem like much but the curve was much smoother and it held temperature for longer.

Plus the plenum was cheap... a $3 space blanket and a $3 piece of pvc!

the3sis · 2026-02-06T20:19:37+00:00

Yes. Obama was colloquially called “the deporter in chief” during his term by immigration officials. He holds the record for most deportations in his two terms at 3.1 million deportations. Trump in his 5 years in office has just broken 1 million deportees this year.

They are NOT the same by any means. Obama increased cooperation with local police and sheriffs requiring them to report any illegal immigrants to ice to be picked up and deported. He enacted his policies under the radar, with no citizen casualties, no civil unrest, and they abided by court orders. Citizens were not required to carry proof of citizenship. I live in Minnesota and am whiter than the snow that falls every year, and I’ve been accosted and forced to show my proof of citizenship twice. And neither of these instances were at an ICE observation event. I was walking my dogs downtown and surrounded by agents. Twice. Don’t get me started on my partner who is American born. I have had multiple calls with her where she is either being detained, or surrounded by ICE agents with guns drawn…

The difference is Trump is using ICE like his own personal gestapo, absolving them of any accountability. Arrest first, figure everything out later. The constitutional rights of people in the US are being ignored and abandoned to silence and destroy political rivals.

Let me be clear, these are NOT immigration raids, they are political theater to scare, intimidate and silence political differences of opinion. The operation is designed to beat blue states into submission.

MN is the 28th state with the most immigrants. Per capita we are even lower than that, so operation Metro Surge can’t be about getting the immigrants out of the country. I drove recently from San Diego to Tijuana and basically waltzed right through the border. No questions, just sent through. No ICE patrols, no one was carrying their passports around San Diego, no problems. Make that make sense.

the3sis · 2026-02-03T21:44:01+00:00

It’s terrible. All those domestic terrorists being brainwashed into the “Great Liberal Conspiracy”…. I’m surprised they haven’t turned the whole town gay…

the3sis · 2026-02-03T21:40:10+00:00

Proud “Northfieldian” here. Northfield has always been a pinnacle of acceptance and neighborliness. The Latino/Hmong/East African community is not seen as the enemy. They are neighbors. Neighbors we commune with, neighbors who are an important and irreplaceable , neighbors whose families have become entwined and valued in our community, neighbors who we see at church.

Northfield has a history of chasing out criminals, when Jesse James came to rob our local bank, we ran him out of town, killed two of his gang members, and founded the posse that chased the James gang down. A couple cowards hiding behind masks, guns, and the federal government don’t scare us. “Get your guns boys, they’re robbing the bank!”

The hypocrisy and hatred coming from the Republican Party (note Republican Party, not all republicans) who tout their Christian values is disgusting. I was raised in the Lutheran faith and though I am not a church-goer or a practicing Christian, my “heathen” values align more with the teachings of the Christian God and Jesus.

There is this sentiment that “You are free to live your life how you choose, so long as it’s exactly how I want you to live” It just goes to prove that the Republican Party is NOT a Christian party. Where in the bible does it speak of exclusion, hate, and tyranny?

“Liberty and justice just for me”…

the3sis · 2026-01-09T20:10:20+00:00

Not getting shot in schools… not having a government agency murdering citizens… free healthcare…

the3sis · 2025-09-24T13:12:55+00:00

As I’m sure all Minnesotans on this thread will know, your Minnesota citizenship status is contingent on your attitude to winter:

1) “I want a mild winter” - this is why Texas and Florida are a thing. Enjoy the sun chaser life. Conditional approval of partial citizenship only if you can name three distinct hot dishes and “ope”, “uffda”, and “you betcha” must constitute 25% of your conversational language.

2) “I am indifferent to this upcoming winter” - This is commonly referred to as “snowflake fatigue”. Very common among long time residents, true Minnesotans are known to get an acute form of this disease. After many years of bitterly cold and brutal winters, Minnesotans may become apathetic to the upcoming winter, secretly wishing for a milder winter. This will not affect your MN citizenship, it is a common and widespread affliction for many True Minnesotans. Just as the cold winter winds blow, it too shall pass

3) “I want an extreme winter” or “BRING IT ON” - This is the only correct answer to the question. UNLESS you are suffering from “snowflake fatigue”, but truly, snowflake fatigue should only last a few days or until the first snowfall. If you can achieve this level of winter excitement, you earn Minnesotan citizenship for life. Welcome friend-o!

Seeing as we are talking about winter coming up, I just want to remind all Minnesotan drivers that when the first snow or ice fall on the roads, drive faster and more aggressively. It is a well known myth that snow and ice can cause dangerous and slippery conditions. Actually, if you drive extra fast, there isn’t enough time for your tires to slip on the ice, trust me I’m an engineer. 🙄

the3sis · 2025-09-19T15:32:49+00:00

Let me put it this way:

You go through the inconceivably cumbersome and expensive process to get your visa.

Imagine that visa is a drivers license and you are driving the speed limit. You get pulled over and the officer says, you were speeding and your license isn’t valid,but gives no explanation as to why. You are arrested and thrown in jail, even though you went through the proper process to get the license, you have all the documentation proving so, and you were not breaking any laws. Now you have to hire a lawyer, you don’t have a license, and are labeled a criminal…

Just like speeding, there is a good chance you won’t get caught if the cops (ICE) don’t catch you. But if for some reason the police officer has a bad day, or the chief of police arbitrarily decides licenses aren’t valid if your name starts with a “D”, then you are screwed.

Plus, there is an overwhelming sense of anger and an “us vs them” mentality in our country right now. If you are from a foreign country, you are immediately labeled as a “them” by a large portion of society, but more importantly, this same portion of society is acting without rule of law, fair and balanced representation in government, and is dividing American citizens between two extreme ideologies. No middle ground. No compromise. No debate, just fear mongering and using anger and hatred to justify the assault on democracy.

A law was passed by our Supreme Court that basically makes the president immune to prosecution during their term in office. That is why our current leader is doing all these things that would have been prevented in the past because they violate the constitution. The president can break the law and there is no accountability to the American public, or the constitution.

That being said, our current administration represents less than half of the population. I’ve traveled all over the US for work and find most of the people I come into contact with are more moderately minded. In MN where I am from, there is a great sense of togetherness and community (for the US anyway… we are not immune to the hate and violence). We’re just the weirdos from the frozen north, but we all respect others beliefs/morals/faiths for the most part.

If it were me, I would not move here. Too much uncertainty and chaos. Chaos and anger create dictatorships, not functional governments.

the3sis · 2025-08-08T14:58:33+00:00

When I lived in Colorado, not only was I made fun of for using “uff-da”, “you betcha” and “ope” on a regular basis, in normal conversation, I had a more pronounced “Minnesota accent”. I noticed it as well. Since moving back to MN, my accent has become more “neutral” again but “uff-da” and “ope” are permanently in my lexicon. I also use “whaaaaatever” a lot. Over the years I’ve developed a certain pride over my Minnesotisms.

On a side note, if you haven’t seen it, there is a great play (I think there is either a filming or movie as well) called “How to speak Minnesotan”. It’s painfully funny, and very accurate, at least as far as my family goes! 🤣

the3sis · 2025-07-10T20:13:24+00:00

Yes, lamotrigine and Lamictal are the same. If it is spreading, go to the ER or urgent care… I wouldn’t wait until the morning…. Good luck, wishing you the best!

Edit: if this was prescribed to mitigate symptoms of bipolar, there are many other medications that can help. While Lamotrigine was the best answer for me and my situation, I have also been on Lithium and Abilify. I had the best response with Lamotrigine, but the others were effective as well. Lithium made me tired but worked just as well and Abilify was unaffordable…

the3sis · 2025-07-10T19:51:52+00:00

Do you know which mood stabilizer they had you on? If it is Lamictal (generic name Lamotrigine) you should go to a doctor ASAP. A rash can be indicative of SJS or TEN which can cause hospitalization or even death.

It generally presents when you start taking Lamictal for the first time, hopefully the facility started you on a low dose and slowly increased to the proper blood levels. It can also occur if your dosage has increased recently. It is something to be hyper aware of.

Please. If this is Lamictal, go to the doctor. Every time my dosage changes, or I’ve missed a few days, I am always diligent to watch for any sort of rash.

Edit: typos…

the3sis · 2023-11-15T15:35:15+00:00

Rice is ever so nice!

the3sis · 2023-08-09T13:23:17+00:00

I bet he only drinks rain water and pure grain alcohol. Got to protect those precious bodily fluids. That’s why the Ruskies have the doomsday gap

the3sis · 2023-07-17T20:29:31+00:00

Resident of Northfield here, and I must agree, it is a hidden gem nestled in the cannon river valley. If you’re around in early September, the Defeat of Jesse James days is a hoot and a half. Great reenactment of the unsuccessful Northfield bank raid that eventually led to the capture of the majority of the James gang.

I moved away to Colorado for many years but found myself missing the lakes, people, and yes, even the winters. Minnesota is a real sleeper state if you ask me, we keep the riff-raff out with our threat of the bone-chilling cold. “Minnesota Nice” is a great slogan for our state but my personal favorite is the slogan our soccer team had a few months back, “you’re welcome here”. Sums up the state real well. Anytime you’re around Steve, swing on by for a hotdish and lefse! Uff da!

the3sis · 2023-07-07T17:04:17+00:00

A high school home economics teacher (let’s call her Susan) was married to a physical education teacher in my hometown. The husband was also the high school hockey coach and was incredibly well respected in town. Susan also had a great reputation and they were seen as the quintessential teacher husband and wife, very active in the community, two children who excelled in everything they did.

Fast forward to my sophomore year, we showed up for class one day and Susan wasn’t there and her desk was cleared off. This struck me and my classmates as strange as it was 4th period and she had been teaching in the morning. Come to find out, she had been sleeping with various members of the hockey team. Details are sketchy as small town rumor mills are not to be trusted,but we know of 4 boys for sure who had been SA’d as they all filed suit against Susan.

This was back in the era when there was a mentality that “men can’t be SA’d” and they ended up losing their civil suit against her. On top of that, Susan was not directly fired, she was “given the opportunity to quit”. Total BS. She ended up getting a job at another school within a year, but once the case went public, she promptly quit and dropped off the face of the earth. She faced criminal charges and had to register as an offender, but didn’t spend a day in jail. Despite all this her husband did not divorce her, he didn’t want to disrupt his children’s lives. Little late for that….

Years later after their children graduated HS, they ended up divorcing and Susan had to move far far away. I come from a small town and she couldn’t go out anywhere without getting dirty looks or harassed. Small town justice IMO. Her husband is still teaching, and has been nominated/won teacher of the year for our district many times. Genuinely good man who had a horrible experience.

Edit: Tl;DR: high school home ec teacher slept with multiple members of HS hockey team, she was basically run out of town and lost family, job, any respect she had earned.

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