Hello everyone, I'm new here & getting setup for my first grow. I have questions & need advice!

[J.James]

Ok, so this is the setup I'm working with. Let me know if its overkill or if there is anything I should add or take away. Or just let me know what you think.

2×4×7'11" Gorilla grow tent.

Six elevated pot saucer' with air holes

2 Vortex sline 6" 347cmf inline fans

600 watt yeild lab dial a watt ballast

Yeild lab cool hood with 6" flanges

Yeild lab HPS & MH bulbs

Six 5 gallon fabric pots

6"×18" carbon filter with reversible flange.

Digital Tds Ec pen

Digital Ph pen

2×4 Gorilla trellis net

2×4 Gorilla high cmf kit

Two 6" clip on fans

Digital cooling thermostat

Hygrometer

Roots organic nutrient' (starter pack)

6"×25' black heavy duty flexi duckting

Soil ph/temperature/light meter


I still need soil, beans, ph up & down, trimming sheers and whatever else you guys recommend!

I hope everyone has been well and as always, I appreciate you guys helping me out!

That's a Great start! Picking a good strain is key, also what is your water source? Roots organic nutrients are a great start but I suggest only running them at 1/3 to 1/2 recommended dose so you don't burn your plants and makes it real easy to flush later. I would also set yourself up and deal with any temp issues you have before you start your plants. you want the tent to stay between 70 - 80 degrees at all times, big temp flux from light on to lights off will hurt your little lady's early in the game

 

[Big Perm]

My budget is 800.00 not including beans. I have set aside 200.00 for gear. I'm also willing to go 900.00 at most on equipment.

So, how much is the budget?

 

[SoMe_EfFin_MasS_HoLe]

So, how much is the budget?

Lmao, I've not added it all up yet. I'm waiting to get everything else I need. then I was going to edit this post with the numbers. I'm either going to be happy or laugh and just deal with it. Either way, I'm going to burn one & get ready to do my thing.
I'm just hoping not to totally fuck things up. It's not my first grow, I'm no expert however (3 grows many years ago). I've also never used nutrient' or a hid setup. I'm staying very optimistic though & if anything go' wrong, I know I can always come here & search for the topic or ask you folks for help.

 

[SoMe_EfFin_MasS_HoLe]

That's a Great start! Picking a good strain is key, also what is your water source? Roots organic nutrients are a great start but I suggest only running them at 1/3 to 1/2 recommended dose so you don't burn your plants and makes it real easy to flush later. I would also set yourself up and deal with any temp issues you have before you start your plants. you want the tent to stay between 70 - 80 degrees at all times, big temp flux from light on to lights off will hurt your little lady's early in the game

I will be using either tap water or filtered tap water, not sure yet. I dont want the ph probe to dry out & I dont want it to just sit in water everyday for the next week or two for no reason. I've got another week or two before I get my beans. I'm not going to bother too ph the water till I get them. As soon as I get them, while the beans are getting their germ on. I'll calibrate the pens to see what would be best to use.

I was actually thinking that with the nutes'. I've looked around, not really much information on their brand. Lots of reviews saying the stuff is really good, but that's about it. I've read that, that's what people do with other brands so I figured I would take that advice. I also called Aurora and they expressed the same advice.

It's funny you say that about the temps! I'm going to set up everything tomorrow. I have a few herb plants that I'm going to run in there for a few days. I know it will not be exact and those plants are different. However it will give me an idea of what I'm working with as a starting point.
I figure it's better to try and see how everything is going to work in my op with these plants, than trying to do it once my beans pop.

Thanks for looking out!

 

[J.James]

I will be using either tap water or filtered tap water, not sure yet. I dont want the ph probe to dry out & I dont want it to just sit in water everyday for the next week or two for no reason. I've got another week or two before I get my beans. I'm not going to bother too ph the water till I get them. As soon as I get them, while the beans are getting their germ on. I'll calibrate the pens to see what would be best to use.

I was actually thinking that with the nutes'. I've looked around, not really much information on their brand. Lots of reviews saying the stuff is really good, but that's about it. I've read that, that's what people do with other brands so I figured I would take that advice. I also called Aurora and they expressed the same advice.

It's funny you say that about the temps! I'm going to set up everything tomorrow. I have a few herb plants that I'm going to run in there for a few days. I know it will not be exact and those plants are different. However it will give me an idea of what I'm working with as a starting point.
I figure it's better to try and see how everything is going to work in my op with these plants, than trying to do it once my beans pop.

Thanks for looking out!

If you decide to use tap water, make sure you let it sit out for a day or so to remove the chlorine or try to capture rain water and use it asap after collection, Rain water makes a huge difference in my opinion in comparison to using tap water. You might also want to start reading about the soil food web and how that can benefit your plants. If you start looking into the organic vs synthetic debate now it will save you a ton of money. I have about $200 worth of synthetic nukes I don't even use anymore unless I see a deficiency and to be quite honest I don't think I have ever really had any with the exception of Cal/Mag from using RO water. Most plant issues you will face are man made, Over watering being #1 Over feeding being #2 and last is "Having Patience" #3 Never pick your fruit before it is ripe. Good luck brother and happy growing!

 

[SoMe_EfFin_MasS_HoLe]

Quick up date. I purchased soil today along with ph up & down. I dont need to purchase any trimmers or sheers as a friend is going to give them to me in a few weeks for nothing. I ended up choosing roots organics original blend for soil. The kid at the hydro store gave it to me for 16.00 instead of 25.00 which is cool.
Still waiting on beans I hope they are here by Monday if not sooner.

I think I might have to return the light kit though or at least try too. . I never complain about a thing, I've never even left a review for any type of product. however these people fucking suck and are truly unbelievable, so much in fact I'm almost tempted to leave my first review ever! True shitbags! I'm just shy of 6'3 and im 238lbs and let's just say. they are very lucky I'm not in the same state as them! I've never in my life have delt with such bullshit and am so pissed off, which takes alot. I could go there and have a nice chat with those folks.

 

[hawkems]

If you can return the light, what will your lighting budget be?

 

[SoMe_EfFin_MasS_HoLe]

If you can return the light, what will your lighting budget be?

I'm not exactly sure yet to be honest. I've still not added up what I've spent so far. If everything gos as planned and I get the refund. I would say 200 to 300 maybe even a few bucks more depending on what I've spent on everything else. I'm waiting to get the beans and refund and as soon as I do, I'm going to write about the whole story and the cost of everything. Then I'm going to figure out the light from there. I'm welcome to your thoughts.

 

[J.James]

I'm not exactly sure yet to be honest. I've still not added up what I've spent so far. If everything gos as planned and I get the refund. I would say 200 to 300 maybe even a few bucks more depending on what I've spent on everything else. I'm waiting to get the beans and refund and as soon as I do, I'm going to write about the whole story and the cost of everything. Then I'm going to figure out the light from there. I'm welcome to your thoughts.

I Just Ordered a new LED from https://growerslights.com, Good Service and great prices on DIY kits, Very nice high output LED's that solved a lot of my heating and cooling issues inside my 2 x 4 Tent. You might take a look on there and spend the extra $50 over your budget but it will pay off in the end! Just my 2 cents lol

Link to my light - https://growerslights.com/collections/horticulture-lighting-group-quantum-board-led-kits/products/horticulture-lighting-group-260-watt-xl-quantum-board-led-kit?variant=8194470117477

 

[SoMe_EfFin_MasS_HoLe]

I Just Ordered a new LED from https://growerslights.com, Good Service and great prices on DIY kits, Very nice high output LED's that solved a lot of my heating and cooling issues inside my 2 x 4 Tent. You might take a look on there and spend the extra $50 over your budget but it will pay off in the end! Just my 2 cents lol

Link to my light - https://growerslights.com/collections/horticulture-lighting-group-quantum-board-led-kits/products/horticulture-lighting-group-260-watt-xl-quantum-board-led-kit?variant=8194470117477

I'll definitely check it out. Thanks alot brother

 

[vtim802]

50 watts per sq ft is 400 in your tent, isnt that what you want for hid lights? im a noob too, on my first grow. my tent is 2.5 x 2.5 = 6.25 x 50 watts is 312.5 total watts so i have a 275 watt led and have 50 watts of cfls hanging. my temps run in the high 70s to 83 max, i cant imagine the heat if i had 600 hid going in there

 

[SoMe_EfFin_MasS_HoLe]

50 watts per sq ft is 400 in your tent, isnt that what you want for hid lights? im a noob too, on my first grow. my tent is 2.5 x 2.5 = 6.25 x 50 watts is 312.5 total watts so i have a 275 watt led and have 50 watts of cfls hanging. my temps run in the high 70s to 83 max, i cant imagine the heat if i had 600 hid going in there

Yes you want at least 50 watts a SF. You can run a 600 in my size tent as long as you can exhaust the warm hot air and you can bring in fresh air. A 600 will give you 75 watt a sf in my tent. I've not set anything up yet as I have not gotten my beans yet. However I'm going to set up everything today or tomorrow and stick my basil plant in there to see how it gos. If I need too I can run my ballast on on 450 watts or even lower at about 275 watts. This is only if I dont get an led. I want one but the one I'm looking at is 350.00. I'm not going to just buy any led especially a amazon blurple one. I'm not sure what's going on with the return/refund of the hid yet the company keeps giving me the run around. I was going to just keep it and resell the kit if they dont refund it and put that tawords the led I'm looking at. It's not going to happen for a few weeks now because I had to spend 600.00 on a hotel for the last 2 nights. Something happened to the furnace in my house. The carbon monoxide detectors were set off Friday night. They are hard wired right too the fire department. They came to my house and basically kicked me out because it's not safe. The issue is being fixed today so hopefully I can go home today at some point. If not that's another 300.00 out the window. My beans should be here today tracking says. Once I know for sure that they are here and what's going on with the hid light issue. I'm going to post what's been going on along with prices of the setup and websites where I got my stuff.

 

[SoMe_EfFin_MasS_HoLe]

50 watts per sq ft is 400 in your tent, isnt that what you want for hid lights? im a noob too, on my first grow. my tent is 2.5 x 2.5 = 6.25 x 50 watts is 312.5 total watts so i have a 275 watt led and have 50 watts of cfls hanging. my temps run in the high 70s to 83 max, i cant imagine the heat if i had 600 hid going in there

Also, the more light the more roots and the bigger the roots the bigger the fruits. Or in this case buds. I've seen a good amount of people running a 600 hid in my tent with no problems. I'm on the east coast and it's about to get cold here. I'm not really worried about the heat in the winter from the light. Spring and summer is a different story but I have central air and will pipe it straight into the tent come spring summer if needed. That's if I decide to stay with the hid. Even with led it's going to put out some heat. I'll deal with those issues should they arise.

 

[great123]

its sounding like you're being a little too cautious. you dont need to spend so much.

My suggestion is, for your first grow:

-coco
-just get A+B nutes, H+G is a great way to go. don't do anything more. just get an A+B.
-EC and PH
-~75 dollar 400 or 600w ebay HPS, dim it like you mentioned
-use battery acid mixed with water for PH down(look it up), you shouldn't really need ph up
-get insulated ducting if sound is a concern, it's a huge huge huge benefit for the 10-20 dollar extra cost
-get an ebay COOL TUBE hood. it's vented but doesn't have as big of a reflector. i wouldnt try to run a big vented hood in a 2' space

 

[great123]

Also get little things on ebay or at the dollar tree, stuff like that. My trimming stuff was all a dollar per pair.

you can save a lot. search lowest + shipping on ebay. My bottom-rate MH/HPS ebay setup works just fine, and I went all out on Lumatek my first time around. There's no difference.

 

[jeepster1993]

It did surprise me when I started reading this thread, then added up what my tent cost.
The Gorilla lite 2x2.5 with 1 foot high extender
6 inch speed adjustable fan with carbon filter
3 bubble buckets 3 1/2 gallon (air pumps, stones, hoses, hydro corn...all)
Canna nutes, the full line
Timers-2 one for lights and one for fan
An LED, 250 watts, home made from 5-50 watt each cobs
Seeds. This is key. More than even the light

A killer setup, all top shelf equipment.
Probably a $$$thousand though..

 

[vtim802]

yeah im kickin myself in the ass messing with regular seeds FIRST when i have auto fems and normal fems just sittin around. learned alot of shit this first two weeks, considering scrapping and stating from scratch. all the research in the world aint amount to shit when i actually started. fuck the budget i spent without any care and ended up around 1050 after everything is said and done. i have pretty much everything for a while now. will pay for itslef in time budgets make me micromanage personally and then never end up doing anything. coulda had many many harvest in 19 months lol

 

[jeepster1993]

yeah im kickin myself in the ass messing with regular seeds FIRST when i have auto fems and normal fems just sittin around.

I also grow femmed seeds.
With only 3 buckets, they all need to be females.

 

[great123]

yeah im kickin myself in the ass messing with regular seeds FIRST when i have auto fems and normal fems just sittin around. learned alot of shit this first two weeks, considering scrapping and stating from scratch. all the research in the world aint amount to shit when i actually started. fuck the budget i spent without any care and ended up around 1050 after everything is said and done. i have pretty much everything for a while now. will pay for itslef in time budgets make me micromanage personally and then never end up doing anything. coulda had many many harvest in 19 months lol

i did autofems first. I can't say if it's better or worse. In theory, I would believe they're probably more forgiving to light leaks and changes. Aside from shorter grow time, that's probably the only benefit for newer growers. Just do them for a different grow . Don't scrap what you have.

 

[SoMe_EfFin_MasS_HoLe]

its sounding like you're being a little too cautious. you dont need to spend so much.

My suggestion is, for your first grow:

-coco
-just get A+B nutes, H+G is a great way to go. don't do anything more. just get an A+B.
-EC and PH
-~75 dollar 400 or 600w ebay HPS, dim it like you mentioned
-use battery acid mixed with water for PH down(look it up), you shouldn't really need ph up
-get insulated ducting if sound is a concern, it's a huge huge huge benefit for the 10-20 dollar extra cost
-get an ebay COOL TUBE hood. it's vented but doesn't have as big of a reflector. i wouldnt try to run a big vented hood in a 2' space

I know I'm being too cautious, it's something I'm working on in general. Thank you for the advice and I did get insulated ducting.