Is this how much my grow will cost?

homegrownwhore

New Member
I'm putting together a list with prices of things i'll need for my first proper grow. I've played around with a couple of bag seeds under CFLs with dollarstore potting soil and no nutes and of course they didn't survive. So I decided i'm not going to skimp this time.

I'm planning to put away about $100 a week towards my grow, I'm wondering if this price list is an accurate/reasonable amount of money to spend on a grow this size and when would be the earliest that I could get my plants going, as I know I wouldn't have to have the flowering nutrients or HPS bulb for at least a few weeks into the grow.

(Also, if anyone has had problems with the brands that I'm using or suggestions for better options please comment as well)
Links are hopefully attached to the names of products I'm using. I don't know if it worked or not.
Lighting:
Apollo Horticulture APL600 - 600w HPS/MH Dimmable Ballast - ($169.00)
600w Metal Halide Lamp from Gotham Hydroponics - ($41.50)
600w High Pressure Sodium Lamp from Gotham Hydroponics - ($43.95)
Reflector Hood - ($34.90)
Total Cost: $289.35
Nutrients:
(also, how long will 1L jugs last me in 75/25 coco/perlite mix?)
Advanced Nutrients pH Perfect Sensi Coco Grow 1L A&B - ($34.38)
Advanced Nutrients pH Perfect Sensi Coco Bloom 1L A&B - ($34.35)
Total Cost: $68.73


Soil:
6 x 5 gallon jugs = 30 gallons/120 quarts.
Using a 75/25 coco/perlite mix.
(22.5 gallons coco coir)
(7.5 gallons perlite)

2x 11lb Coco Coir Bricks @ ($14.95) = $29.9
2x 18 quart Perlite bags @ ($19.95) = $39.9
Total Cost: $69.8

I don't need to pay for wood or tools to assemble the grow box, I already have plenty of wood stock for that. And I know Amazon has shipping charges as well but those are a non-issue to me. Also, I plan on eventually having two Ballasts so that I can run a veg room and a flower room at the same time.

So my total initial costs are approximately: $427.88. Is this a reasonable amount to spend on a first time grow to be successful?
 

homegrownwhore

New Member
Planning on just picking up some oscillating table/stand up fans to put around the plants for ventilation to keep it cool, not sure how much the smell will be for 6 plants, hopefully not enough to need an smell filter.
Edit: I'm only concerned about the smell if it's really strong outside the house.
 

Rentaldog

Well-Known Member
Smell will be a concern. One small plant can stink up an entire home if you dont have a filter. Other than that you look good though to me :weed:
 

yktind

Well-Known Member
Always add extra for... The Fuck? lol j/k. But seriously preventive maintenance is way cheaper than solving problems in flower. (I'm a little baked, what was the question?)

The amount you spend will not be the deciding factor as to rather or not you are successful. Just some good ol' fashion TLC and reading. Sending positive vibes your way. Happy Growing!
 

Joven Agricultor

Well-Known Member
I'd have to say that nothing is ever as cheap as it starts off to be. Think about everything, build your environment and grow your plants in your head a thousand times, visualize the grow area. Are you gonna need heating or cooling, what about cooling for your lights? Bringing in fresh air, exhausting stale air, keeping humidity levels right, temperature and humidity gauges/digital monitors. Collection trays, light hangers, timers, mylar/panda film, tsp/Tsp/cc shot glass/measuring cups, PH/PPM meters. I didn't want to fail, I just started, it cost me around 3k to make my vegcab, bloomcab, and lung room, that was framing, electrical, fans, speed controls, lights, timers, ducting, all that shit. Point is, I had a $1000 budget, but...... To do it right it cost about tripple that, and I still don't have co2.
 

AfgooCBD

Well-Known Member
I'm putting together a list with prices of things i'll need for my first proper grow. I've played around with a couple of bag seeds under CFLs with dollarstore potting soil and no nutes and of course they didn't survive. So I decided i'm not going to skimp this time.

I'm planning to put away about $100 a week towards my grow, I'm wondering if this price list is an accurate/reasonable amount of money to spend on a grow this size and when would be the earliest that I could get my plants going, as I know I wouldn't have to have the flowering nutrients or HPS bulb for at least a few weeks into the grow.

(Also, if anyone has had problems with the brands that I'm using or suggestions for better options please comment as well)
Links are hopefully attached to the names of products I'm using. I don't know if it worked or not.
Lighting:
Apollo Horticulture APL600 - 600w HPS/MH Dimmable Ballast - ($169.00)
600w Metal Halide Lamp from Gotham Hydroponics - ($41.50)
600w High Pressure Sodium Lamp from Gotham Hydroponics - ($43.95)
Reflector Hood - ($34.90)
Total Cost: $289.35
Nutrients:
(also, how long will 1L jugs last me in 75/25 coco/perlite mix?)
Advanced Nutrients pH Perfect Sensi Coco Grow 1L A&B - ($34.38)
Advanced Nutrients pH Perfect Sensi Coco Bloom 1L A&B - ($34.35)
Total Cost: $68.73


Soil:
6 x 5 gallon jugs = 30 gallons/120 quarts.
Using a 75/25 coco/perlite mix.
(22.5 gallons coco coir)
(7.5 gallons perlite)

2x 11lb Coco Coir Bricks @ ($14.95) = $29.9
2x 18 quart Perlite bags @ ($19.95) = $39.9
Total Cost: $69.8

I don't need to pay for wood or tools to assemble the grow box, I already have plenty of wood stock for that. And I know Amazon has shipping charges as well but those are a non-issue to me. Also, I plan on eventually having two Ballasts so that I can run a veg room and a flower room at the same time.

So my total initial costs are approximately: $427.88. Is this a reasonable amount to spend on a first time grow to be successful?
Sounds like the only things missing from a first successful grow was decent soil, a fan, nutes, and a ph kit. Maybe $40 max? Just saying. Peace.
 
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Joven Agricultor

Well-Known Member
Soil:
6 x 5 gallon jugs = 30 gallons/120 quarts.
Using a 75/25 coco/perlite mix.
(22.5 gallons coco coir)
(7.5 gallons perlite)

2x 11lb Coco Coir Bricks @ ($14.95) = $29.9
2x 18 quart Perlite bags @ ($19.95) = $39.9

Nutrients:
(also, how long will 1L jugs last me in 75/25 coco/perlite mix?)
Advanced Nutrients pH Perfect Sensi Coco Grow 1L A&B - ($34.38)
Advanced Nutrients pH Perfect Sensi Coco Bloom 1L A&B - ($34.35)
Planning on just picking up some oscillating table/stand up fans to put around the plants for ventilation to keep it cool

He mentioned soil (or a soiless mix) nutes and a fan.


Ph/ppm meters
Ph calibration solition(7.0, maybe 4.0 too)
Ph up/down
Measuring cups or spoons for nutes
Light timer
Temp/humidity gauges

I'd say you're definitely more than $40 away. Not to mention having money set aside incase you need it for anything that comes up. It'd suck to need something for the grow and there's no money left for that contingency. Again, build your environment and walk through each part of the grow in your head over and over. You'll need more than is on your list.
 
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Paperroller24

Well-Known Member
If you're on a budget, start with a nutrient starter kit. They will get you through a full grow with 6 plants in 5 gal buckets, not smart pots. No need to purchase a ph buffer if you get general organics GO BOX. $40 online and its organic. Grow in soilless. Its mainly peat moss, which most contain a wetting agent to allow for good air to the roots and drainage. Its cheaper, buds taste and smell better and easier to control. For lighting, hit up ebay. They have complete kits for $150 for the 600w units. I could set you up with a shopping cart and you would only spend $350-$400 out the door. Im a grow room consultant. If you got a question, just message me, I can square you away.
 

kiwipaulie

Well-Known Member
Planning on just picking up some oscillating table/stand up fans to put around the plants for ventilation to keep it cool, not sure how much the smell will be for 6 plants, hopefully not enough to need an smell filter.
Edit: I'm only concerned about the smell if it's really strong outside the house.
6 plants will smell outside the house without a fan / filter
 

homegrownwhore

New Member
Thanks to the feedback on this I really appreciate it. I have some updates in ventilation and housing costs. I plan to keep the plants and lights separate now with a pane of plexiglass, using two 4" inline fans for the light's exhaust and then a 6" inline for the plants. Maybe two 6"ers for the plants.
I've been drawing up detailed plans that will include these updates. I'm hoping that once I have my bare minimum costs figured out and all the box designs drawn that I can provide them to other new growers so that it's easier for them to start too.
And yeah hahah, from further research I realized it was actually tobacco mosaic virus that got into my plants by the way they ending up looking(marbley pattern, degeneration of chlorophyll at soruces of direct light). I shouldn't have blamed the CFL's and dollarstore soil. Actually the dollarstore soil was pretty decent the only problem I had was that it didn't drain well. If I had a bag of perlite to add to it i'm pretty sure it could've done very well!

Edit: I'll go into further detail about my plans for ventilation/smell concealment when I'm not tripping. Ate some acid a little while ago, definitely feeling it right now.
 
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