First time grower, can i use lights that are meant for filming

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PakkiTheDog

Member
Hello there.

I recently bought some devil harvest seeds and am eager to plant them. However i have never grown marijuana before and i have some questions. I would also like to endever in filming, video edeting and such, and was wondering if i could use the lights, that are primarely meant for filming, to also grow marijuana. Two birds with one stone . I was going to buy the led lights, how much wattage do the lightbulbs need to have and how many hours of light does the plants need ?
I would also like to ask about the temperature. I shall be growing inside, however the room where i wish to plant is sometimes quite chilly. I'd say from 10-15°C, but a lot hotter in the summertime.
 
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boybelue

Well-Known Member
Idk nothing about film and the type of lights needed but I would suggest buying lights primarily used for growing and try to use those with your filming etc.. A good place to start would be HLG( horticulture lighting group) they make some of the best and most efficient grow lights on the market. For the rest just stay on the forum and read and learn. Other than that maybe invest in a grow book.
On your light schedule plants will usually veg anywhere between 15-24 hrs of daylight. If you don’t have any timers 24hrs 24/7 will do but you can save electricity with timers and the most popular veg cycle of 18/6 that’s 18 on 6 off. Most strains will start to flower when start getting below 14 hrs of daylight in a 24 hr period and the most widely used flower cycle is 12/12. You can speed up flower at a little sacrifice in yields by a 11/13 or 10/14 cycle. A longer dark period usually speeds up flower by tricking the plant into thinking they don’t have much time left to finish.
 
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BuddingHorticulturist

Well-Known Member
PakkiTheDog said:
Hello there.

I recently bought some devil harvest seeds and am eager to plant them. However i have never grown marijuana before and i have some questions. I would also like to endever in filming, video edeting and such, and was wondering if i could use the lights, that are primarely meant for filming, to also grow marijuana. Two birds with one stone . I was going to buy the led lights, how much wattage do the lightbulbs need to have and how many hours of light does the plants need ?
I would also like to ask about the temperature. I shall be growing inside, however the room where i wish to plant is sometimes quite chilly. I'd say from 10-15°C, but a lot hotter in the summertime.
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Not sure about the lights, but you don’t want your temps to go below 15.5*C/60* F with the lights off, and that is quite low. I would keep your temp between 18*C/65*F to 21*C/70*F.

Your temp with lights on should be slightly higher than with lights off. Max temp you wanna go is about 27*C/82*F. Above those temps you’ll see more problems than anything.
 
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PakkiTheDog

Member
Oh good, so much useful information. I think i'll leave the lights on during the night so the temperature doesn't fall too low, and than use the lights during the day for filming. Also i'll go with the 18/6 method. Oh also the electricity is cheaper at night so extra bonus. Also there is a small window in the room that also gives out some light that i'll cover up with something.

I would also like to ask a few more questions. How high does the plant usually grow and also how much distance should there be between the plant and the lights? Also also XD, how big pots do you recommend i seed them in? And what fertelizer do you recommend? I was thinking of using horse manure or is that a mistake?

As for the lights i was thinking something in the line of the bellow links. Just the stands. What light bulbs do you recommend besides HPS? Also anyone knows the wattage?


Also thank you so much, every tip is helpful :D
 
spliffendz

spliffendz

Well-Known Member
Read up on the Grow Journal section when you get time... I would just find a grow style you like and stick with it....
 
WillieP

WillieP

Well-Known Member
Pakki,
I would suggest starting out here:

Grow Weed Easy - Learn How to Grow Cannabis with Simple Tutorials

Growing weed can be easy, though some marijuana grow tutorials make it seem like you need a degree in horticulture. Learn how to plant a seed & start growing with as little time and effort as possible, or read our advanced tutorials for monstrous yields!
www.growweedeasy.com www.growweedeasy.com

Lots of information set up in a tutorial format.
When you come to a specific question, RIU has a great search function.

Good luck on your journey!
Cheers,
WillieP
 
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BuddingHorticulturist

Well-Known Member
PakkiTheDog said:
Oh good, so much useful information. I think i'll leave the lights on during the night so the temperature doesn't fall too low, and than use the lights during the day for filming. Also i'll go with the 18/6 method. Oh also the electricity is cheaper at night so extra bonus. Also there is a small window in the room that also gives out some light that i'll cover up with something.

I would also like to ask a few more questions. How high does the plant usually grow and also how much distance should there be between the plant and the lights? Also also XD, how big pots do you recommend i seed them in? And what fertelizer do you recommend? I was thinking of using horse manure or is that a mistake?

As for the lights i was thinking something in the line of the bellow links. Just the stands. What light bulbs do you recommend besides HPS? Also anyone knows the wattage?


Also thank you so much, every tip is helpful :D
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1) plant height is dependent upon multiple factors- genetics, nutrients, light, etc. it’s impossible to determine how tall or big your plants will get without more information on all of the above.

2) in terms of lights- here’s what I have and it’s been great so far- I have this in 600w with another 200w led in a 4ftx3ftx5ft space and it really seems to be leading to some great growth. Start with MH light for veg and switch to HPS at flower


3) I use 3 gallon pots for my autoflowers.

4) I keep lights 18” or so away. It might be a little further or closer as I don’t measure how far they’re actually away from the plants

other things to consider, get a thermostat and small space heater that will automatically kick on when your temp drops too low. That ease of mind will be invaluable.

do you have an exhaust fan? If not, you’ll likely be needing one.


Also, are you paying attention to your humidity levels? It is a very important factor that can break your heart if you don’t pay attention to it.

If I were you, I would study up and get my ducks in a row before I started popping beans into dirt.
 
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PakkiTheDog

Member
You guys are awesome, thanks for all the help. I'v done some reading and would like some more opinions if i can proceed.

So I'd use 5x 3 gallon pots, with the bellow 3 lights with HPS 600w light bulbs. Should they be enough and do the job?
I think with the light bulbs the temperature should stay around 20°C as i mean to leave the lights on during the night and than turn them down during the day. I'm going to do the 18/6 cycle followed by 12/12. If i understand correctly it takes 3 weeks for the plant to start flowering? Does that mean that you maintain the 12/12 cycle for the remainder of the plants life?
Is it enough if i open a window once a day for the air to change?
Also can i successfully grow the plant without adding nutrition? To be honest the whole nutrition's and Ph levels confuse me, can i just water it or is it best to also add nutrition's? Also how much should i water the plants?


 
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PakkiTheDog

Member
I guess i could use compost, do i just mix it up with the dirt to make super soil or do you just use the compost. Also does anyone know if manure helps?
 
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boybelue

Well-Known Member
I’m a little confused how you plan to use your grow lights as dual purpose while your growing, I thought you meant you might use them after your grow or in between grows. Folks usually leave their lights stationary during the entire grow. It would be overwhelming taking your lights down and back up every day. Also your dark cycle has to be completely dark, not a speck of light the whole dark cycle, in flower that is, veg is not as important but do try to maintain complete darkness at lights off.
Once you initiate flower by changing your light cycle to 12/12 you will maintain that till harvest.
I guess it should be mentioned that you have photoperiod plants and autoflowering plants. If your growing photo strains or plants you must change your light cycle to induce flowering whereas autos flower independently of the light cycle, light cycle has no control over flowering times with autos, hence true autos will flower under 24/7. I do believe some autos will remain in vegetative state at 24/7 but not true ruderalis based autos. Imho
 
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BuddingHorticulturist

Well-Known Member
PakkiTheDog said:
You guys are awesome, thanks for all the help. I'v done some reading and would like some more opinions if i can proceed.

So I'd use 5x 3 gallon pots, with the bellow 3 lights with HPS 600w light bulbs. Should they be enough and do the job?
I think with the light bulbs the temperature should stay around 20°C as i mean to leave the lights on during the night and than turn them down during the day. I'm going to do the 18/6 cycle followed by 12/12. If i understand correctly it takes 3 weeks for the plant to start flowering? Does that mean that you maintain the 12/12 cycle for the remainder of the plants life?
Is it enough if i open a window once a day for the air to change?
Also can i successfully grow the plant without adding nutrition? To be honest the whole nutrition's and Ph levels confuse me, can i just water it or is it best to also add nutrition's? Also how much should i water the plants?


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If you’re growing indoors, you’re presumably doing it for the benefit of having total control of the grow. For example, the box I built has a 600cfm exhaust fan at the top and intake vents at the bottom with filtered intakes (this is important because you want clean air entering your grow space). So, anytime the fan is on, the air inside is exchanged with fresh air from outside. But this is different than leaving a window open for air. By doing this you expose your crop to environmental factors such as mold, mildew, and pests.

Regarding your lights, I’m not sure If I would recommend them or not. Are they powered, or do you have a ballast to use? Why not go with a proven grow light and build a legit DIY setup and get out of this what you put in. You’d be amazed how well it grows when your environmental factors are in control.

And to answer your question about when they flower. My autos started showing signs at 3 weeks. I’m currently on day 34 growing 4 strains, and 3 of the 4 are fully forming buds (couple pics attached) and the final one is just beginning to push pistils, so it depends upon strain.

regarding light schedule- leave it 18/6, or 20/4 the whole way for autos. If you start with 18/6 I’d stick with that.

I would suggest that you start doing a lot of research and answer the following questions before you begin growing:

1) where will you grow it?
2) how will you precisely control humidity, and temperature? How will you prevent extreme temp swings in either direction?
3) what medium are you growing in? (Soil, hydro, coco)
4) what nutes are you going to use?
5) have you sourced your water yet?
6) do you have a pH meter? And do you know the pH of the water you’re using?

Those factors are so critical to growing some quality herb. Sure, you can grow some crappy basement weed In sub-optimal conditions, but why would you want to?

also, I stress, do some research and learn about the link between nutrient absorption and pH. A big part of the plants production depends on that factor and it’s not that difficult. Google is a wonderful thing!
 

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PakkiTheDog

Member
BuddingHorticulturist said:
If you’re growing indoors, you’re presumably doing it for the benefit of having total control of the grow. For example, the box I built has a 600cfm exhaust fan at the top and intake vents at the bottom with filtered intakes (this is important because you want clean air entering your grow space). So, anytime the fan is on, the air inside is exchanged with fresh air from outside. But this is different than leaving a window open for air. By doing this you expose your crop to environmental factors such as mold, mildew, and pests.

Regarding your lights, I’m not sure If I would recommend them or not. Are they powered, or do you have a ballast to use? Why not go with a proven grow light and build a legit DIY setup and get out of this what you put in. You’d be amazed how well it grows when your environmental factors are in control.

And to answer your question about when they flower. My autos started showing signs at 3 weeks. I’m currently on day 34 growing 4 strains, and 3 of the 4 are fully forming buds (couple pics attached) and the final one is just beginning to push pistils, so it depends upon strain.

regarding light schedule- leave it 18/6, or 20/4 the whole way for autos. If you start with 18/6 I’d stick with that.

I would suggest that you start doing a lot of research and answer the following questions before you begin growing:

1) where will you grow it?
2) how will you precisely control humidity, and temperature? How will you prevent extreme temp swings in either direction?
3) what medium are you growing in? (Soil, hydro, coco)
4) what nutes are you going to use?
5) have you sourced your water yet?
6) do you have a pH meter? And do you know the pH of the water you’re using?

Those factors are so critical to growing some quality herb. Sure, you can grow some crappy basement weed In sub-optimal conditions, but why would you want to?

also, I stress, do some research and learn about the link between nutrient absorption and pH. A big part of the plants production depends on that factor and it’s not that difficult. Google is a wonderful thing!
Click to expand...
To be honest i was just planning on buying a surge protector and nothing else. As for the lights i am planning on turning them on and off manually. It's no problem really. I guess i'm just trying to save like 100€, mostly use the lights for filming after the harvest, but if you guys rather recommend specialised lights i'll go for those. I just don't completely understand what exactly is the difference.
Also i guess it is better safe than sorry, i shall take another look at nutrients and try to wrap my head around it XD. As for the Ph of the water, it should be around 6-7. It comes from a clean water source, but i shall test it before attempting to seed.
So the amount of watering just depends on the humidity in the room? On what % should it stay? Otherwise i was going to use the soil, probably buy something from the market and than add some compost. But like i said, i'll try to do some more reading on it tonight.

I am so exited :)
 
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BuddingHorticulturist

Well-Known Member
PakkiTheDog said:
To be honest i was just planning on buying a surge protector and nothing else. As for the lights i am planning on turning them on and off manually. It's no problem really. I guess i'm just trying to save like 100€, mostly use the lights for filming after the harvest, but if you guys rather recommend specialised lights i'll go for those. I just don't completely understand what exactly is the difference.
Also i guess it is better safe than sorry, i shall take another look at nutrients and try to wrap my head around it XD. As for the Ph of the water, it should be around 6-7. It comes from a clean water source, but i shall test it before attempting to seed.
So the amount of watering just depends on the humidity in the room? On what % should it stay? Otherwise i was going to use the soil, probably buy something from the market and than add some compost. But like i said, i'll try to do some more reading on it tonight.

I am so exited :)
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Based on the nature of some of the questions you are asking, my suggestion If I were you, Is to do more research as it seems like you don’t know the basics of growing. Watering isn’t predicated on humidity levels. You water the plants when the pots are dry. The amount of water in the pots can and do affect the humidity in your grow though.

I understand my feedback may be discouraging or frustrating for you but I’m trying to help you grow the best product you can.
Based on your plan, you’re setting yourself up for failure and frustration instead of success .

Your system should be as automated as possible. Lights should be automated, fans, dehumidifiers, heaters, etc, should all be automated to reduce as much human error and manual work as possible. You should be using technology to optimize your environmental factors, not steering away from it to save a buck or two here and there. Saving money now won’t necessarily equate to saving money down the line.

Don’t cut corners, do it right and you’ll thank yourself, and your plants will thank you with their yields!

Just my opinion!
 
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PakkiTheDog

Member
BuddingHorticulturist said:
Based on the nature of some of the questions you are asking, my suggestion If I were you, Is to do more research as it seems like you don’t know the basics of growing. Watering isn’t predicated on humidity levels. You water the plants when the pots are dry. The amount of water in the pots can and do affect the humidity in your grow though.

I understand my feedback may be discouraging or frustrating for you but I’m trying to help you grow the best product you can.
Based on your plan, you’re setting yourself up for failure and frustration instead of success .

Your system should be as automated as possible. Lights should be automated, fans, dehumidifiers, heaters, etc, should all be automated to reduce as much human error and manual work as possible. You should be using technology to optimize your environmental factors, not steering away from it to save a buck or two here and there. Saving money now won’t necessarily equate to saving money down the line.

Don’t cut corners, do it right and you’ll thank yourself, and your plants will thank you with their yields!

Just my opinion!
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I'd say that's a bit of an exaggeration. Definitely first time marijuana grower but i had a garden here and there. The thing is each plant has it's different bio sistem, and different plants prefer different care. And i do understand that the more you water, the higher the humidity is, especially if there is no air circulation. However i haven't found anything about watering therefore i asked.

As for automatization i do not agree with you. Maybe for a long time grower, but i do not wish to spend and buy a bunch of extra equipment that i will have no use for if i stop growing weed. It's not about being cheap or cutting corners. As for the strain i read that it should be a stronger breed, especially better for colder conditions. And i am not interested in the highest % yield possible, just enough to save some money and have supplies for longer periods of quality weed.

So basically what i'm asking, if i just water regularly (on how many hours do you water yours?), maintain the temperatures between 15-25 and follow the cycles it should be a successful yield? That one out of five plants should succeed? Also i really want to know if there is any difference between the lights that i posted and the ones that are recommended. If the only thing that matters is the correct wattage and light bulbs shouldn't they do?
 
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BuddingHorticulturist

Well-Known Member
PakkiTheDog said:
I'd say that's a bit of an exaggeration. Definitely first time marijuana grower but i had a garden here and there. The thing is each plant has it's different bio sistem, and different plants prefer different care. And i do understand that the more you water, the higher the humidity is, especially if there is no air circulation. However i haven't found anything about watering therefore i asked.

As for automatization i do not agree with you. Maybe for a long time grower, but i do not wish to spend and buy a bunch of extra equipment that i will have no use for if i stop growing weed. It's not about being cheap or cutting corners. As for the strain i read that it should be a stronger breed, especially better for colder conditions. And i am not interested in the highest % yield possible, just enough to save some money and have supplies for longer periods of quality weed.

So basically what i'm asking, if i just water regularly (on how many hours do you water yours?), maintain the temperatures between 15-25 and follow the cycles it should be a successful yield? That one out of five plants should succeed? Also i really want to know if there is any difference between the lights that i posted and the ones that are recommended. If the only thing that matters is the correct wattage and light bulbs shouldn't they do?
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Then I’ll stop providing suggestions to you. All I can do is give you my personal opinion which I formed based off of the extensive research I’ve done regarding all the factors at play while growing herb.

Not to be rude, but your ignorance is showing just in the questions that you’re asking. This is my first time growing weed as well, and you know what I did before I joined RIU and popped beans? I went and researched the shit out of growing weed. I looked up videos by Jorge Cervantes and other reputable sources. What I didn’t do was ask others for their opinions and then discredit that information because it didn’t jive with my (at the time) basic understanding of growing weed. If you don’t want someone else’s opinion, don’t ask for it. But my opinion is that you have more research to do before you’re even close to trying to have a successful grow.

Go ahead if you want and pop 5 seeds under those lights without nutrients, an understanding of the importance of pH and nutrient uptake, automatic light timers or any type of true environmental control and see how long it takes you to run into problems. Then, do me a favor and report back when all your plants are dead and then re read all the posts with an overwhelming amount advice that I’ve already given you. My guess is if your first grow is done half assed you won’t ever grow weed again because your results will be sub-par.

To your point of growing outdoor plants (no matter the kind) in a garden. You should understand that indoor growing is significantly different with different challenges than you would encounter when growing weed in an outdoor environment.
 
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PakkiTheDog

Member
BuddingHorticulturist said:
Then I’ll stop providing suggestions to you. All I can do is give you my personal opinion which I formed based off of the extensive research I’ve done regarding all the factors at play while growing herb.

Not to be rude, but your ignorance is showing just in the questions that you’re asking. This is my first time growing weed as well, and you know what I did before I joined RIU and popped beans? I went and researched the shit out of growing weed. I looked up videos by Jorge Cervantes and other reputable sources. What I didn’t do was ask others for their opinions and then discredit that information because it didn’t jive with my (at the time) basic understanding of growing weed. If you don’t want someone else’s opinion, don’t ask for it. But my opinion is that you have more research to do before you’re even close to trying to have a successful grow.

Go ahead if you want and pop 5 seeds under those lights without nutrients, an understanding of the importance of pH and nutrient uptake, automatic light timers or any type of true environmental control and see how long it takes you to run into problems. Then, do me a favor and report back when all your plants are dead and then re read all the posts with an overwhelming amount advice that I’ve already given you. My guess is if your first grow is done half assed you won’t ever grow weed again because your results will be sub-par.

To your point of growing outdoor plants (no matter the kind) in a garden. You should understand that indoor growing is significantly different with different challenges than you would encounter when growing weed in an outdoor environment.
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I really don't understand what is up with your attitude, definitely didn't expect this kind of behaviour on the marijuana forums. And you definitely are being rude for no real reason. AND YOU ARE A FIRST TIME GROWER!!! And you are giving me shit, because you used google and bought what was suggested to you by others, a recipe you followed to the letter because you probably actually don't have any experience growing plants, and are just being hot headed and overly proud!

I'v worked on the garden ever since i'v been 15 (7 years), planting different vegetables including tomatoes. Do you think growing tomatoes is easy, especially without pesticides? BUT YOU CAN DO IT!!! The plants are stronger than you think and you are exaggerating! Even if the plants die i lose 40€ of seeds, better than hundreds on equipment. STOP being so narrow minded! I respect your opinion, but don't force it on me, especially by being rude when it is uncalled for!

All i want to know is a simple math question. Can a plant successfully grow if (t 15-25°c) + regular watering + 3 weeks 18/6 later 12/12 + 600w HPS + linked lights yes/no? And if no, why not?

You say i should search on google, but you are incapable of telling me yourself. Sometimes it is not the student that can't understand the lesson, but the teacher that can't teach it.
I did google it and it says it's optional! You do know that plants get nutrition from the dirt you buy or the one from the back yard. If you use better nutrition it will grow faster and might produce higher yields, but that doesn't mean nothing will grow if you don't use it. And what kind of soil do you think we have, i leave at the country side in one of the greenest countries in Europe with cleanest water. I really think you are exaggerating a bit.
 
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spek9

Well-Known Member
PakkiTheDog said:
If you use better nutrition it will grow faster and might produce higher yields, but that doesn't mean nothing will grow if you don't use it.
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Once the plants use up the available nutrients, they will starve and die. That's a fact.

The soil you buy that has fertilizer added typically only provides enough nutrition to last 3-5 weeks. After that, you need to add more.

If you believe some Google search that says nutrients are optional, you're reading incorrect information.
 
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PakkiTheDog

Member
spek9 said:
Once the plants use up the available nutrients, they will starve and die. That's a fact.

The soil you buy that has fertilizer added typically only provides enough nutrition to last 3-5 weeks. After that, you need to add more.

If you believe some Google search that says nutrients are optional, you're reading incorrect information.
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Oh, thank you so much. What would you suggest to add after the first 3/5 weeks?
 
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