The configuration changes in our room are complete. The new Stealth Grow LED Veg and Bloom lights have replaced the HIDs and the Monster Ebb n Grow is now the home of a few tomato plants. We are a little behind on posting updates to our blog due to another project we have been working on here at the ranch.
We started Grow 7 about a month ago. Several new tomato plants were started from seed including some of the hybrids tried in a previous grow as well as a few new ones. We are really looking forward to the "ice" tomatoes which are basically white cherry tomatoes. We wanted to start a new grow with the new LED lights so we could assess the full impact on the plants from seed to fruit. The plants did incredible under the Stealth Grow Veg LED and now they are under the Ebb N Grow system (small pots)
We transplanted three of our 9 month old plants from the PowerGrower into the Monster Ebb n Grow system. We had issues with the PowerGrower and large tomato plants with root creep clogging up the plumbing. With the tomatoes all transplanted we are hopeful that the aggressive pruning we did (literally hacked them down to an 8 inch stalk to start new growth) will allow them to continue to produce. So far they are putting on new leaves and looking well.
Showing posts with label Monster Ebb n Gro. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Monster Ebb n Gro. Show all posts
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Berry House Configuration Changes
It has been a brutal summer with over eighty days of 105+ temperatures. Normally we get a week here or there in August, but nothing like this. Couple that with a severe drought, and the rest is history.
We learned a lot about operating a greenhouse in the summer. A comment was made in one of our posts about burying the water reservoirs. I absolutely recommend this - except where you have caliche (sand/water compacted like concrete) as we do. Nothing short of a jackhammer, or some dynamite, can penetrate. Hence, burying was not an option for us - only a chiller.
The heat stress on our berries was pretty intense. We also noticed some sagging in our grow trays. This occurred over time and most likely was a combination of weight from the Hydroton and the heat. We are rethinking medium for next summer.
The raspberries and blueberries were doing ok until the intense heat of summer. We did have a heat / drought tolerant blackberry that did great - right up to the point where we took drought to an extreme by losing a system controller. Those that survived that incident are doing well again.
As you can see we removed the mixing tank and two grow systems from the house. Our thought of having that many systems in one greenhouse was misguided. We are down to one Monster Ebb n Grow, and the three stands for the strawberries. We will continue with this plan for next summer with a few other re-engineering thoughts between now and the cool weather. Once winter hits we will do some additional changes and hopefully next year have a better result in the greenhouse.
We learned a lot about operating a greenhouse in the summer. A comment was made in one of our posts about burying the water reservoirs. I absolutely recommend this - except where you have caliche (sand/water compacted like concrete) as we do. Nothing short of a jackhammer, or some dynamite, can penetrate. Hence, burying was not an option for us - only a chiller.
The heat stress on our berries was pretty intense. We also noticed some sagging in our grow trays. This occurred over time and most likely was a combination of weight from the Hydroton and the heat. We are rethinking medium for next summer.
The raspberries and blueberries were doing ok until the intense heat of summer. We did have a heat / drought tolerant blackberry that did great - right up to the point where we took drought to an extreme by losing a system controller. Those that survived that incident are doing well again.
As you can see we removed the mixing tank and two grow systems from the house. Our thought of having that many systems in one greenhouse was misguided. We are down to one Monster Ebb n Grow, and the three stands for the strawberries. We will continue with this plan for next summer with a few other re-engineering thoughts between now and the cool weather. Once winter hits we will do some additional changes and hopefully next year have a better result in the greenhouse.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Design Changes Coming
The summer heat continues to kill us, and our grows. The heat from the HID lighting in the grow room, even when exhausted from a well insulated HVAC controlled room outside, is more than the A/C can handle.
One of our Monster Ebb n Gro systems had a failure on its controller units in the Berry House, that went un-noticed for a few days and we lost a few plants. We had it repaired and it is now back for re-installation.
Since we now have the opportunity we are going to make some changes:
1. Move one Monster Ebb n Gro to the indoor grow room and remove the PowerGrower. We have enjoyed using the PowerGrower but like the Ebb n Gro systems a little better.
2. Remove the HID lights in the indoor grow room and replace them with new Stealth Grow 600 Watt systems. One will have Veg based focus and the other bloom. Since we use the AeroFlo36 mainly for finishing off seedlings prior to transplanting into Ebb n Gro and PowerGrower, as well as a lettuce growing system the lights over these two systems will be great (we think)
One of our Monster Ebb n Gro systems had a failure on its controller units in the Berry House, that went un-noticed for a few days and we lost a few plants. We had it repaired and it is now back for re-installation.
Since we now have the opportunity we are going to make some changes:
1. Move one Monster Ebb n Gro to the indoor grow room and remove the PowerGrower. We have enjoyed using the PowerGrower but like the Ebb n Gro systems a little better.
2. Remove the HID lights in the indoor grow room and replace them with new Stealth Grow 600 Watt systems. One will have Veg based focus and the other bloom. Since we use the AeroFlo36 mainly for finishing off seedlings prior to transplanting into Ebb n Gro and PowerGrower, as well as a lettuce growing system the lights over these two systems will be great (we think)
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Berries Growing Well in Rion Greenhouse
Our "Berry House" is doing very well. We have been in production for several weeks now and we are very happy with the results.
We installed the Rion Greenhouse shade this week to help cut down on the heat we were getting inside the house. The plants are getting plenty of water but needed a little shade. We also added a circulating fan to move the air a bit more across the plants now that they are flowering.
As you can see in the video, water heater insulation blankets were placed around the Monster Ebb n Gro nutrient barrels to cut down on heat absorption. We added a four inch air stone disk to each of the strawberry nutrient tanks as well.
We installed the Rion Greenhouse shade this week to help cut down on the heat we were getting inside the house. The plants are getting plenty of water but needed a little shade. We also added a circulating fan to move the air a bit more across the plants now that they are flowering.
As you can see in the video, water heater insulation blankets were placed around the Monster Ebb n Gro nutrient barrels to cut down on heat absorption. We added a four inch air stone disk to each of the strawberry nutrient tanks as well.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Greenhouse Growth
All of our strawberry plants continue veg production it seems almost daily. We noticed a huge spike in activity every day since planting and now is leveling off a little. Leaves are mainly getting larger on the plants while production of new leaves has slowed down.
The Blackberries took off like a rocket too. We have great veg production on every plant. WOW.
The Blueberries and Raspberries are a little slower out of the gate. We have one Blueberry plant with a few small leaves and tiny buds on a few others. The Raspberries are the slowest with just hints of buds on one plant.
The Blueberry reservoir is keeping us hopping. Trying to keep the pH at about 4.6 is taking a lot of acid additions. The ppm level of the water is going up with all of the acid additions.
We have wrapped the Monster Ebb n Gro nutrient tanks with water heater insulation blankets to help keep the temp down. The black barrels absorb that sunlight and on average were 5 degrees higher than the strawberry tanks. We anticipated this but in our excitement to get into production didn't get it done. It is now done. Temps are much better now.
We have not activated the chiller full time yet as temps have been reasonable. I anticipate another month or so before it is "on" 100% of the time.
The Blackberries took off like a rocket too. We have great veg production on every plant. WOW.
The Blueberries and Raspberries are a little slower out of the gate. We have one Blueberry plant with a few small leaves and tiny buds on a few others. The Raspberries are the slowest with just hints of buds on one plant.
The Blueberry reservoir is keeping us hopping. Trying to keep the pH at about 4.6 is taking a lot of acid additions. The ppm level of the water is going up with all of the acid additions.
We have wrapped the Monster Ebb n Gro nutrient tanks with water heater insulation blankets to help keep the temp down. The black barrels absorb that sunlight and on average were 5 degrees higher than the strawberry tanks. We anticipated this but in our excitement to get into production didn't get it done. It is now done. Temps are much better now.
We have not activated the chiller full time yet as temps have been reasonable. I anticipate another month or so before it is "on" 100% of the time.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, and Blackberries
The Rion Prestige "Berry House" is in production. We have 26 strawberry plants, 6 blueberry plants (3 varieties for better pollination), 5 raspberry and 5 blackberry plants.
When we planted the strawberries on Tuesday there were no leaves on any of the plants, just roots and sticks (old runners). We now have leaves (yes, plural) on every plant. We are very happy to see this. We are using a different nutrient manufacturer (General Hydroponics) than we used in the indoor grow room (Canna) to give something new a try. We still remain pleased with Canna too, a little expensive, but great results.
We know that the rasp, blue, and blackberries may outgrow the space we have them in now but with a second greenhouse under construction, we will have plenty of room to expand. There is very little to no information on growing these plants hydroponically so we are wandering in the dark. We are following basic berry growing principles of each of these types of berries so we will see how we do.
When we planted the strawberries on Tuesday there were no leaves on any of the plants, just roots and sticks (old runners). We now have leaves (yes, plural) on every plant. We are very happy to see this. We are using a different nutrient manufacturer (General Hydroponics) than we used in the indoor grow room (Canna) to give something new a try. We still remain pleased with Canna too, a little expensive, but great results.
We know that the rasp, blue, and blackberries may outgrow the space we have them in now but with a second greenhouse under construction, we will have plenty of room to expand. There is very little to no information on growing these plants hydroponically so we are wandering in the dark. We are following basic berry growing principles of each of these types of berries so we will see how we do.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Rion Greenhouse Officially In Production
It has been a little over a month (not every day), a lot of sweat equity and learning experiences. We are live in the house !
We got the cracked manifold replaced and continued our water test. We had a minor setback on two of manual control wires. Rain Bird wires controlling the same valves were fine, manual switch wires had an open circuit. Had to replace the wires, and we were back in business.
The Merlin Pro R.O. system has been working hard and produced all the R.O. water we needed to fill the production tanks today. We added nutrients, tested pH, EC, and Temp. We were ready to plant.
We got 26 strawberry plants in the ebb and flow (flood and drain) trays, and 6 blueberry plants (3 varieties) planted in one Monster Ebb and Gro system.
Tomorrow, Raspberry and Blackberry plants go in. We will then video the production house for you to see.
We got the cracked manifold replaced and continued our water test. We had a minor setback on two of manual control wires. Rain Bird wires controlling the same valves were fine, manual switch wires had an open circuit. Had to replace the wires, and we were back in business.
The Merlin Pro R.O. system has been working hard and produced all the R.O. water we needed to fill the production tanks today. We added nutrients, tested pH, EC, and Temp. We were ready to plant.
We got 26 strawberry plants in the ebb and flow (flood and drain) trays, and 6 blueberry plants (3 varieties) planted in one Monster Ebb and Gro system.
Tomorrow, Raspberry and Blackberry plants go in. We will then video the production house for you to see.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Inches away from the finish line
We made it through the day washing hydroton, finishing the Monster Ebb and Gro system connections, plumbed in the nutrient mixing tank, moved the stacked ebb and flow tables in place and connected the pumps/drain/overflow, and we even ran a little test on the system pump. What a great day.
What is left?
1. Install the greenhouse gutters
2. Complete water test through all grow systems
3. Chiller test
4. Plant !
What is left?
1. Install the greenhouse gutters
2. Complete water test through all grow systems
3. Chiller test
4. Plant !
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Rion greenhouse just about completed
We have our first greenhouse almost ready for production. We have our chiller installed, water tanks and grow systems plumbed and ready to go. The misting system is installed and tested. We still need to connect the grow pots to the Monster Ebb n Gro systems.
The Rain Bird sprinkler controller has been programmed and passed all system checks on valves and wiring. All wiring in the main control panel has been tested. We still have a lot of hydroton to wash and need to move in our ebb and flow (flood and drain) tables.
The only "test" left is.....water. We will be doing the complete water test in the systems Monday or Tuesday. Hopefully it will be a good day.
The Rain Bird sprinkler controller has been programmed and passed all system checks on valves and wiring. All wiring in the main control panel has been tested. We still have a lot of hydroton to wash and need to move in our ebb and flow (flood and drain) tables.
The only "test" left is.....water. We will be doing the complete water test in the systems Monday or Tuesday. Hopefully it will be a good day.
Monster Ebb n Gro
We installed the plumbing lines to the Monster Ebb n Gro system as well as the construction on the flood and drain (Ebb and Flow) tables yesterday. Two more things from the punch list are done!
Today, program the Rain Bird system, connect the R.O. system to the main water storage tank, and install the gutters on the greenhouse.
Today, program the Rain Bird system, connect the R.O. system to the main water storage tank, and install the gutters on the greenhouse.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Chiller and Main Water Storage Installed
We installed the 1 1/2 HP chiller and 300 gallon main water storage tank today. All electrical connections are now finished. We have finished plumbing on the chiller, Main tank, and three ebb and flow tables.
We reduced the size of the tables from 3x6 ft to 2x4 ft, and decided to double stack the ebb and flow tables. We get more growing space in a smaller footprint. We have plenty of height to ensure ample sunlight to the grow tables and the plants are low height (strawberries). The 75 gallon water tank serving each 2 stack table will still be more than sufficient. A few "field engineering" changes to the tables which we had not built yet, and an order for a few more trays and fitting, and done.
We still have a punch list of items to complete:
1. Plumb 3 Monster Ebb n Gro systems into the system
2. Install greenhouse gutter system
3. Build Ebb and Flow Tables for growing trays
4. Program Rain Bird and grow system timers
5. System Test
6. Wash Hydroton
7. Plant !
We reduced the size of the tables from 3x6 ft to 2x4 ft, and decided to double stack the ebb and flow tables. We get more growing space in a smaller footprint. We have plenty of height to ensure ample sunlight to the grow tables and the plants are low height (strawberries). The 75 gallon water tank serving each 2 stack table will still be more than sufficient. A few "field engineering" changes to the tables which we had not built yet, and an order for a few more trays and fitting, and done.
We still have a punch list of items to complete:
1. Plumb 3 Monster Ebb n Gro systems into the system
2. Install greenhouse gutter system
3. Build Ebb and Flow Tables for growing trays
4. Program Rain Bird and grow system timers
5. System Test
6. Wash Hydroton
7. Plant !
Thursday, March 3, 2011
We Have Power and Plumbing
We turned on the electricity in the greenhouse today. First switch I flipped was for the exhaust fans. It has been getting pretty warm working inside there these past few days. We still have to do complete systems tests on all of the circuitry, solenoid valves, Rain Bird, System Pump, etc.
We started our grow system plumbing today as we finished all of the electrical distribution within the house (sans Chiller which arrived late today). We have three Ebb and Flow tanks plumbed for the strawberry grow tables, and tomorrow we will finish the three Monster Ebb n Gro systems for the berry bushes (rasp, black, blue).
We are in the final days on the critical path as I got an Email from Burpee today indicating that our plants will be here on Tuesday next week...still so much to do between now and then. I think we will make it though.
We started our grow system plumbing today as we finished all of the electrical distribution within the house (sans Chiller which arrived late today). We have three Ebb and Flow tanks plumbed for the strawberry grow tables, and tomorrow we will finish the three Monster Ebb n Gro systems for the berry bushes (rasp, black, blue).
We are in the final days on the critical path as I got an Email from Burpee today indicating that our plants will be here on Tuesday next week...still so much to do between now and then. I think we will make it though.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Greenhouse Foundation Complete
We have been busy this past week. The greenhouse kit arrived; we have laid a pad for the foundation; completed a cinder block foundation; completed the first phase of construction (the roof) and will begin assembly of the main portion of the greenhouse today.
The Monster Ebb n Gro systems, Merlin Garden Pro R.O. system, Tall Blue Pre-Filter and assorted electrical and plumbing equipment is all here.
We have placed the orders for the Raspberry, Blackberry, Strawberry, and Blueberry plants that will have a very nice home in this greenhouse.
The pad was laid in such a way that a second greenhouse could be added easily and will be once we finish the first one.
The Monster Ebb n Gro systems, Merlin Garden Pro R.O. system, Tall Blue Pre-Filter and assorted electrical and plumbing equipment is all here.
We have placed the orders for the Raspberry, Blackberry, Strawberry, and Blueberry plants that will have a very nice home in this greenhouse.
The pad was laid in such a way that a second greenhouse could be added easily and will be once we finish the first one.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Greenhouse and Equipment Selection
Now that we have made the choice to move outside, here is the "plan"
Greenhouse: Rion Prestige, 8' 6'' x 24 ' (see http://www.riongreenhousekit.com/rionprestige.php). We have included two louvered venting fans (hot in Texas), the automatic roof vent and side louver openers as well as a shade screen.
Water Management: 300 gallon main water tank supplied by a Merlin Garden Pro 750 GPD R.O. system with automatic shutoff kit and Tall Blue Chlorine pre-filter. For water mixing and reservoirs for the Ebb and Flow grow tables we are using 75 gallon stack-able units. The water tanks are from Global Industrial (see http://www.globalindustrial.com). We chose the tanks due to their size, shapes, and industrial quality for outdoor use.
Growing Systems: We chose 3 Monster Ebb n Gro units to plant our Red Raspberries, Blackberries, Blueberries, dwarf Meyers Lemon and Fig trees. These units have 5 gallon planter capacities and support up to 12 planters per system. We will start with 6 on each as the default configuration or 5, 5, and 8 depending on plant purchases / nutrient requirements.
Ebb and Flow Tables: We chose Botanicare 3'x6'x7" trays for the strawberries. They will be supplied nutrients from 3 different 75 gallon nutrient storage tanks by 900 gph Bluestone pumps.
Nutrients: Although we have had great success with the Canna product line, we are going to give the General Hydroponics product line a go in the greenhouse. They are slightly less expensive - especially on the blooming stage supplements. Canna Boost is WAY expensive.
Foundation for Greenhouse: we will construct a standard cinder block foundation to secure the greenhouse, raise it about 8-10 inches, and provide for a nice floor with proper drainage. We will use 3/4 inch stone aggregate as a base and a crushed fill material that will be compacted.
Pictures / Video updates to come !
Greenhouse: Rion Prestige, 8' 6'' x 24 ' (see http://www.riongreenhousekit.com/rionprestige.php). We have included two louvered venting fans (hot in Texas), the automatic roof vent and side louver openers as well as a shade screen.
Water Management: 300 gallon main water tank supplied by a Merlin Garden Pro 750 GPD R.O. system with automatic shutoff kit and Tall Blue Chlorine pre-filter. For water mixing and reservoirs for the Ebb and Flow grow tables we are using 75 gallon stack-able units. The water tanks are from Global Industrial (see http://www.globalindustrial.com). We chose the tanks due to their size, shapes, and industrial quality for outdoor use.
Growing Systems: We chose 3 Monster Ebb n Gro units to plant our Red Raspberries, Blackberries, Blueberries, dwarf Meyers Lemon and Fig trees. These units have 5 gallon planter capacities and support up to 12 planters per system. We will start with 6 on each as the default configuration or 5, 5, and 8 depending on plant purchases / nutrient requirements.
Ebb and Flow Tables: We chose Botanicare 3'x6'x7" trays for the strawberries. They will be supplied nutrients from 3 different 75 gallon nutrient storage tanks by 900 gph Bluestone pumps.
Nutrients: Although we have had great success with the Canna product line, we are going to give the General Hydroponics product line a go in the greenhouse. They are slightly less expensive - especially on the blooming stage supplements. Canna Boost is WAY expensive.
Foundation for Greenhouse: we will construct a standard cinder block foundation to secure the greenhouse, raise it about 8-10 inches, and provide for a nice floor with proper drainage. We will use 3/4 inch stone aggregate as a base and a crushed fill material that will be compacted.
Pictures / Video updates to come !
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