Few Questions about my first grow, hydroponics.

[ambience]

Okay so I have recently done so much reading, and have drawn out so many plans that its not even funny.

To give you a basic idea of what I am going to do, is in a closet, with a 400w or 600w HPS, I plan on growing 4-6 plants in bubble buckets.

Will 400w be sufficient, or would I need 2 of them? Or a single 600w?

I have a 8' x 2' x 8' closet. I was planning on making a DIY grow tent like this one here:

DIY extend-a-closet GROW TENT - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

I was wondering if you guys thought space in the closet would be sufficient or if one of those grow tents is necessary?

My seeds are as followed:

1x Alaskan Ice - Feminized

2x Kandy Kush - Feminized

2x Masterkush (Dutch Passion Seed Bank) - Feminized

These all have similar, if not the same flowering times, so will if im not mistaken, I should be fine having all of them under one light and on the same light cycle? Also how beneficial would it be to have 2 sep grow rooms? One for veg and one for flowering? They would be in separate closets, in sep rooms that are right next to each other, but as I said before the other closet is not as large: 5' 3" x 2' x 8'. Thinking about it more, sep rooms would be better due to the dif flowering period of each plant, yes?

What lights are best for veg, CFL? Also how many CFLs and of what type would I need for my veg room with this many plants? Ive read about so many dif. opinions in types of CFL but the most uniform opinion I could find was 32w at 6500k temp. with the most lumens possible.

Also IDK if this is a problem, but I am going to be using fox farm nutes, and I will be doing LST by gently wrapping string around the stems/stalks and then duct taping that string to the side of the bucket.

Please let me know if im forgetting anything important, and let me know if you would change anything. Thanks everyone for reading this and your time.

EDIT:

I found what seems to be a decent site for lighting: http://www.1000bulbs.com
has anyone ever used the little reflectors they sell or anything like it?

Also how many of these lights do you think would be necessary for a veg room?

 

[Illegal Smile]

I know you aren't going to want to hear this, but if this is a first grow I recommend you scale it back to 2 or 3 plants. Remember, the target yield in a first grow is what you learn from it. If you go with cfls go with a number of smaller ones, 42w is good. There are many threads on cfl details around here, basically 5000 lumens per sq ft and 70% 6500k in veg and 70% 2700k in flower.

 

[ambience]

I know you aren't going to want to hear this, but if this is a first grow I recommend you scale it back to 2 or 3 plants. Remember, the target yield in a first grow is what you learn from it. If you go with cfls go with a number of smaller ones, 42w is good. There are many threads on cfl details around here, basically 5000 lumens per sq ft and 70% 6500k in veg and 70% 2700k in flower.

Haha yeah I know ive heard that from a few people, but to be completely honest, I ordered more seeds for my second grow attempt already. Even if I do lose everything, I wouldnt be any more upset losing 5 plants than 1. Either way im going to learn, but I understand where you are coming from. Also, I have a friend who has experience growing helping me. As far as space, you do not think there will be any issues having 5 plants in that closet? I purchased another door for the closet, except in this one I am going to be cutting holes for a fan, A/C and whatever else I find necessary.

Or should I just go with the grow tent?

Also thanks for info in the CFLs, I have read many threads about this topic, but have found too many techniques and opinions so I thought I would ask again. You say 42w is good, and also, you mention a dif. % in flower, but I will be using a HPS, prob. coupled with a few MH lights.

 

[Txclstmn]

I agree with Illegal Smile, go small your first time. I'd go 2 plants and I would keep them the same strain as well. I would shy away from the Alaskan Ice for your cherry popper, that one can really test your patience

Lights - Flower - One 400w HPS would prob work, but more lumens = more bud. That being said, Quantum makes a digital ballast that has a power switch setting, you can dial it down to 300w/50% or 450w/75% power. If the entire set up is going to be in a closet, the get a cool tube and a fan that pushes at least 300cfm to cool it.

Lights - Veg - I would go with T5 fluorescents 6500k. It let's me keep the lights right on top of the plants and they are a lot cooler than the big CFLs. the plants also tend to grow shorter with thicker stems, which does come in handy later on. Sunlight supply makes a cheap single bulb, 2ft 27w for less than $25. If you get the sunlight supply single bulb ones, get at least 2.

I would not bother with the 2 room set up unless you are planning to go with a perpetual harvest and need to take clones.

I initially planned on using fox farms, but my local hydro shop guy talked me out of using them in a DWC set up. His opinion was that fox farms was better suited for soil grows (He does recommend fox for soil) and not well suited for DWC setups. Now that is his opinion, I don't have any evidence either way, so all of the fox farm fans don't crucify me for trying to help someone out.

LST - I would not use the duct tape and string. Walmart sells a wall picture hanger that uses sticky tape instead of nails. Stick that to the side of the bucket and get 1 or 2 coat hangers and some wire cutters. Cut the hangers into double ended hooks and size to your plants specs.

pH is also real important, especially in DWC, since it constantly wants to go up. I would invest in a good digital pH meter if you can, but get the liquid kit if you cannot, don't bother with the test strips.

Hope this helps and good luck

 

[Illegal Smile]

I've had six full size plants in a closet half that size.

 

[ambience]

Txc, thanks for all the information, I appreciate it. It sounds like that digital HPS light is going to be the way ill go and im going to look more into T5 bulbs, and I should just put both in one closet? Veg and flower? One closet is in one room, and the other in the bedroom right next to it.

I was planning on getting a good digital PH meter anyway, but ill talk to the guys at my local hydro store and ask them what they find works best.

well then i guess I should be fine on space then. Thanks again guys.