Growing in Chico, CA in an apartment?

Final Phase

Final Phase

Well-Known Member
Sorry, that's over my head... All I know is you want to move a LOT of fresh air in and around the plants most all the time while the lights are on.
 
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TheShaaark

Well-Known Member
How loud is the average setup outside of the grow tent? I am thinking about putting my grow tent in my room but if its too loud for me to be able to sleep I will reconsider. I have heard about building a box around the fan to reduce fan noise, but are there any other easy tips thats can be used to quiet the whole system? One main thing I am curious about is the lights, if I use 600w hps with a light hood, will that be pretty loud?
 
Final Phase

Final Phase

Well-Known Member
No loud noise with hps with digital ballast - The old analogs were horrible. A lot of heat with hps/mh - you will have a greater need to keep space cool enough. CFL's work well for vegetation, but not sure about how well the buds come out under CFL. LED may be your way - It's quiet and cooler than hps...

You mainly want to go in a direction that can continue on... Something to learn every day.
 
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TheShaaark

Well-Known Member
Final Phase said:
No loud noise with hps with digital ballast - The old analogs were horrible. A lot of heat with hps/mh - you will have a greater need to keep space cool enough. CFL's work well for vegetation, but not sure about how well the buds come out under CFL. LED may be your way - It's quiet and cooler than hps...

You mainly want to go in a direction that can continue on... Something to learn every day.
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I've always found LED's confusing. How many watts would I need for my 6 plants? And is there 2 different spectrums for LED's like there is for the other types of bulbs? Also, any specific brands I should check out?
 
Final Phase

Final Phase

Well-Known Member
Shouldn't be a problem staying with hps on a digital ballast. Wouldn't want to grow will less then 600W for 6 plants - That's asking a lot from just 600 but can be done. The way I understand it LED route requires knowing which ones are the best for your money. A lot of info at this site on some real good LED's to buy.
 
hippy132

hippy132

Well-Known Member
Aeroknow said:
I would go with 315w CMH with a 3100k bulb, in a 3x3 tent
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3 x3 tent with a 600 wont work well. 4 x 4 tent with 600 or 1000 would give you the room for 4 good size plants --- 5 gallon pots, anymore than that and you lose light at the lower branches. 2x2 or 3x 3 will need 4 inch minimum but better with a 6 inch, issues become heat dissipation, overdriving the filter and sucking the tent apart. Spend the money and get can fan fans and filters, if possible use insulated hoses (6 inch).
 
Aeroknow

Aeroknow

Well-Known Member
hippy132 said:
3 x3 tent with a 600 wont work well. 4 x 4 tent with 600 or 1000 would give you the room for 4 good size plants --- 5 gallon pots, anymore than that and you lose light at the lower branches. 2x2 or 3x 3 will need 4 inch minimum but better with a 6 inch, issues become heat dissipation, overdriving the filter and sucking the tent apart. Spend the money and get can fan fans and filters, if possible use insulated hoses (6 inch).
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But the op wants to go with a 3x3 tent. These 315w cmh's basically are just as bright as a 600w old school single ended. They're bad ass. I replaced all my 600w veg lights w/mh bulbs over to 315w cmh's and they are bad ass. A light meter shows them to be just as bright, and so far performance is at least as good, with less heat of course.
I've been farting around with 630w cmh setups. They damn near replace a 1000w SE hps, but less heat of course.

Here's 2-315w cmh's over a 3x6 tray in a little bit bigger tent.
IMG_0196.JPG

Yeah, it's just a veg tent, but i would totally rock a 315w cmh in flower over a 600w SE all day. With less heat of course :-D so a smaller ventilation setup could be used vs. what is needed for a 600w
 
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TheShaaark

Well-Known Member
I wish I could afford the cmh lights. I might be able to expand the budget and get a 1000w light system if you guys think it will make that big of a difference. Should I spend the extra $50? I was also looking at getting a 4x4 tent instead of the 3x3 if I can find one thats not much more expensive. I still need to move into my apartment and see what I'm going to have as far as space before I make the decision what size tent I am going to get.
 
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TheShaaark

Well-Known Member
hippy132 said:
3 x3 tent with a 600 wont work well. 4 x 4 tent with 600 or 1000 would give you the room for 4 good size plants --- 5 gallon pots, anymore than that and you lose light at the lower branches. 2x2 or 3x 3 will need 4 inch minimum but better with a 6 inch, issues become heat dissipation, overdriving the filter and sucking the tent apart. Spend the money and get can fan fans and filters, if possible use insulated hoses (6 inch).
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Would it make a difference if they were autoflower plants, I know they are usually shorter but idk about width? Would 6 plants under the 600 be good in a 3x3? And would 1000 be good in a 4x4 tent? I'm thinking about spending the extra money on more light power if I have the room to get a bigger tent. How much room do you think each plant needs, 2-4ft radius or like a a few square feet?
 
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