Information overload

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Moistvonlipwig

Well-Known Member
I wonder if this is a common problem with newbies like me .

I know I want to do a basic 2x4 tent grow ....
That's about all I know because there's so much other cool fun stuff to sort threw I get distracted and still have no clue about any thing I need to know .
Maybe I'm overlooking it and the information I need is actually easy to find , no one has ever accused me of being a genius .

I think I can figure out the tent itself easy enough along with ventilation and a filter .

So let's start with a light .. led and budget minded .
What lights should I be looking at ?

Edit .. I'm sure this is important for light selection.
Yield won't be my prime focus , important yes but a successful grow over rides that .
And variety is the spice of life , I'd like to do three different strains in my first grow , and I haven't decided between a photo cycle or auto cycle .
 
DeadHeadX

DeadHeadX

Well-Known Member
Yes, very common problem. I recommend starting with an all-in package. Something like this. Spider Farmer tent package in your size for under $400. This has everything you need to get started except soil, amendments/fertilizers, and seeds. Another $75 or less and you’re rocking your first grow.

The solution to most questions really comes with experience. This has been an amazing site to ask questions. The more you grow the more you learn. I’ve been at it a bit over a year (this decade anyway), and have completed four indoor/tent grows with autos, and two outdoor grows with photos. Each round gets better with knowledge and observation. I love autos for indoor, though they can be a little finicky and unpredictable. But fast, plentiful and offer amazing variety. Photos are great, of course. Autos work well for me and my timelines, but to each his own. That goes for grow media also. I like soil, so far.
 
M

Moistvonlipwig

Well-Known Member
That fits in my budget with a little to spare , how would you rate the light ? Bare minimum, adequate for a beginner etc etc ?

The actual growing has me less concerned then getting started , I feel it's fairly straight forward , everything happens in stages so one can concentrate on where things are at and deal with issues as they crop up .
 
R

rmax

Well-Known Member
DeadHeadX said:
Yes, very common problem. I recommend starting with an all-in package. Something like this. Spider Farmer tent package in your size for under $400. This has everything you need to get started except soil, amendments/fertilizers, and seeds. Another $75 or less and you’re rocking your first grow.
Click to expand...
That is a pretty good kit.
 
tree beard

tree beard

Well-Known Member
For a light I'd suggest a viparspectra xs 4000. Excellent bang for the buck, at 480 watts its perfect for a 2x4. As for photo vs auto, you might want to consider photos for your first couple grows. With photos there is much more margin for error, you have time to fix a problem if it arrises. With an auto, your in for the ride. Its going to flower when it wants to, healthy or not you cant stop the process. Also different strains react different, sometimes requiring different nutes/feeding schedules. Trying to do 3 different strains in the same tent is going to present some challenges. Keep it simple, focus on one strain for now till you get the hang of it
 
curious2garden

curious2garden

Well-Known Mod
Staff member
Moistvonlipwig said:
I wonder if this is a common problem with newbies like me .

I know I want to do a basic 2x4 tent grow ....
That's about all I know because there's so much other cool fun stuff to sort threw I get distracted and still have no clue about any thing I need to know .
Maybe I'm overlooking it and the information I need is actually easy to find , no one has ever accused me of being a genius .

I think I can figure out the tent itself easy enough along with ventilation and a filter .

So let's start with a light .. led and budget minded .
What lights should I be looking at ?

Edit .. I'm sure this is important for light selection.
Yield won't be my prime focus , important yes but a successful grow over rides that .
And variety is the spice of life , I'd like to do three different strains in my first grow , and I haven't decided between a photo cycle or auto cycle .
Click to expand...
First step choose a substrate, soil or hydro?

Everything will sort itself after that choice.

If you can grow at all I recommend beginning with soil. It's cheaper to begin. But if you have a really black thumb like me go hydro. The next step will be to buy the MOST light you can afford. Everything else is secondary to your light and substrate.
 
DeadHeadX

DeadHeadX

Well-Known Member
There are many good lights, tents etc. This is why I like the package to get a quick start. It’s not top of the line gear, but will definitely get you some nice harvests and save you tons of reading while you decide which individual parts to buy. Spider Farmer is known to be good at decent prices. Mara Hydro also. Companies like AC Infinity make nice gear, but a little pricier. Tons of stuff out there.
 
M

Moistvonlipwig

Well-Known Member
I checked out that vipar spectra light , it's a little out of my budget.
Knowledge is good though .

I think I'm going to start with soil , I grew up on a farm raising strawberries in n/e Ohio . I'm fairly confident I can keep plants happy and healthy.

The more I read makes me lean towards photo period , I may not try three strains , but I'm a machinist and detail oriented keeping track of things is something I'm good at
 
Hollatchaboy

Hollatchaboy

Well-Known Member
OP.... my advice for your first time... grow 1 strain. Different strains may have different needs...ie.. different light intensities, different nute schedules and levels, and other factors, that could make it difficult. Learn what you're doing first. It'll make it easier, and potentially cheaper, in the long run.
 
curious2garden

curious2garden

Well-Known Mod
Staff member
Moistvonlipwig said:
how would you rate the light
Click to expand...
It's 200W from the wall divide by 8 (sq ft of tent) and you have 25W/sq ft. I'd shoot for at least 32/sq ft and wouldn't flower under less than 400 watts from the wall.

But yes you could finish under it and it's a decent buy. It would be fine for seeds/veg so if the bug bit it would be useful in your future. I have a 2x4 with this in it:
horticulturelightinggroup.com

HLG 250 VEG PRO

The HLG 250 lamp is designed for rectangular grow spaces. With HLG’s low profile rectangular design, an improved light spread is obtainable at just 12” from the canopy, and is ideal for vegging in vertical racks by maximizing available height for plant growth. This full spectrum white and deep...
horticulturelightinggroup.com horticulturelightinggroup.com

It's 240 watts from the wall and I keep her at 10%!! and she does better than my Hyphotonflux 4000 which is 485 watts from the wall. But she's very expensive. Just starting out the SF bundle is workable.
 
1

1212ham

Well-Known Member
tree beard said:
For a light I'd suggest a viparspectra xs 4000. Excellent bang for the buck, at 480 watts its perfect for a 2x4. As for photo vs auto, you might want to consider photos for your first couple grows. With photos there is much more margin for error, you have time to fix a problem if it arrises. With an auto, your in for the ride. Its going to flower when it wants to, healthy or not you cant stop the process. Also different strains react different, sometimes requiring different nutes/feeding schedules. Trying to do 3 different strains in the same tent is going to present some challenges. Keep it simple, focus on one strain for now till you get the hang of it
Click to expand...
Wow, don't think I've ever seen a 480w LED suggested for a 2x4, especialy for a first grow.
 
M

Moistvonlipwig

Well-Known Member
Ok so I keep reading and reading ... it isn't helping .

Let me ask in a way I know I'll get an answer I understands.
Say I put three plants of northern lights in the tent and keep things simple with minimal training and beginner level nutrients

What could a person expect for a yield with 200 , 300 and 400 watt lights respectively , and how much does increasing the wattage add to the difficulty level
 
Charles U Farley

Charles U Farley

Well-Known Member
1212ham said:
Wow, don't think I've ever seen a 480w LED suggested for a 2x4, especialy for a first grow.
Click to expand...
Well, my situation is quite different from the OP. My plant genetics have quite literally had decades of highly intense light, in a very small space, with massive amounts of ventilation. That being said, I've been exceedingly happy with this light, got it on a great sale (300 bucks) and it's perfect for my needs and if the OP decides to move up in tent size in the future, he won't have to upgrade the light:

xs5000.jpg
 
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laddyd

laddyd

Well-Known Member
Things to be aware of:
Make sure your tent is at least 6 feet tall.
Your lights will generate a fair amount of heat, detachable drivers are a nice feature to keep the heat down.
A decent exhaust fan is important.
Ditto a couple of circulation fans.
Soil, coco or hydro is up to you, coco and hydro need attention every day [unless you automate]but typically have the highest yields.
When it comes to nutrients keep it simple.
 
Charles U Farley

Charles U Farley

Well-Known Member
Moistvonlipwig said:
I wonder if this is a common problem with newbies like me .

I know I want to do a basic 2x4 tent grow ....
That's about all I know because there's so much other cool fun stuff to sort threw I get distracted and still have no clue about any thing I need to know .
Maybe I'm overlooking it and the information I need is actually easy to find , no one has ever accused me of being a genius .

I think I can figure out the tent itself easy enough along with ventilation and a filter .

So let's start with a light .. led and budget minded .
What lights should I be looking at ?

Edit .. I'm sure this is important for light selection.
Yield won't be my prime focus , important yes but a successful grow over rides that .
And variety is the spice of life , I'd like to do three different strains in my first grow , and I haven't decided between a photo cycle or auto cycle .
Click to expand...
You've come to the right web forum, generally people are very helpful here when you have questions. This is also a good place to start for just general reading and information:

www.growweedeasy.com

Learn How to Grow Cannabis Indoors | Grow Weed Easy

This easy tutorial explains how to grow cannabis indoors from seed to harvest. Learn how to take care of your plants with step-by-step instructions!
www.growweedeasy.com www.growweedeasy.com
 
tree beard

tree beard

Well-Known Member
Charles U Farley said:
Well, my situation is quite different from the OP. My plant genetics have quite literally had decades of highly intense light, in a very small space, with massive amounts of ventilation. That being said, I've been exceedingly happy with this light, got it on a great sale (300 bucks) and it's perfect for my needs:

View attachment 5343129
Click to expand...
I have one in a 2x4 as well, its a kick ass light
 
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