I've been reading around the forums trying to compile all the ingredients and tools and whatever else a first time grower will need. So I decided why not just make 1 list to try to help all new growers. Any suggestions are welcome just remember this is for the a joe shmo who doesn't have $5000 to spend. Also this is preferably meant for soil growers but hydroponics are more than welcome to add to the list. Ill start things off. Soil and nutrients are very important to the grow and my favorite soil would be fox farm. It can be purchased at most gardening stores but just in case you don't have any stores around that carry it or you don't want to buy anything online I also use a mixture of perlite, sand, potting soil, and top soil. 40% potting soil 30% perlite 20% top soil 10% sand. if you don't feel like doing the math that is 400ml potting soil, 300ml perlite,200ml top soil, 100ml of sand (1000ml of soil). Also if you are going into hydroponics tap water is no good. I would suggest investing in distilled water or if you have the money get a reverse osmosis system. You will be glad you did and it will save a lot of headaches down the line.
Basics list
- Thread starter orkid1989
- Start date
MostlyCrazy
New Member
I do hydro and you are right that the initial investment is hydro is higher than soil. Tap water can be made good as I have used it for 7 grows. With hydro you need a ph and tds pen, access to decent quality water (under 200 ppm), the right nutes ( I prefer General Hydroponic 3 part Flora series for a new grower). You also have to talk about lights. If you grow in a closet then cfl's are the way to go as you learn. They require no special venting of heat out of the room. You concentration should be on the plant on your first couple of grows and you will get addicted to it. CFL's do not produce as much bud as HID lights but for a new grower the trade off is worth it. Learn to grow the plant and then improve your skill and equipment. You'll need some fans also. One to get fresh air into the room ( fresh air has lots of CO2 and that is what the plants use for max growth) and mount the intake low. You will also need one up high to get the heat out of the grow room.
That's the basics. Right kind of water, measureing devices, good nutes and temp control.
Seeds are a big factor in ultimate yield also but I suggest that a new grower learn while using bagseed. No use in investing in quality genetics before you learn how to take advantage of what the plant has to give.
That's the basics. Right kind of water, measureing devices, good nutes and temp control.
Seeds are a big factor in ultimate yield also but I suggest that a new grower learn while using bagseed. No use in investing in quality genetics before you learn how to take advantage of what the plant has to give.
I
Illegal Smile
Guest
i'll add 2 principal needs - good seeds and good lights
Damn, you stole my thunder
Does that mean that I get to add:
"A fan for air flow".
EDIT: Damn, Mostlycrazy beat me to the punch. Farts.
Ya very good point. I know how but I guess not everyone does. What they can do though is go to walmart and for a few dollars buy a cord. Which they can tie directly into. That way they can just plug it in. Also where is the cheapest place to get vortex fans and stuff?
GrizzlyAdams
Well-Known Member
I bought one of those duct fans. If you don't have the wiring, buy a grounded extension cord, cut off the female end, strip it and splice away. I won't vouch for the safety of this idea, but the fan will turn on.
WITH DUCTING BOOSTER FANS! Do not be misled. The "Max Boosted" air flow is usually listed not the "free air" flow. The boosted air flow is the CFM the fan can reach if there is air already being pushed through the duct. The free air flow is actually what the fan will move. Say if you get a 250 CFM 6" inline duct fan, its probably really a 160CFM fan. They aren't trying to rip you off, remember these are designed to be installed into an existing duct system that already has a powerful blower attached to the furnace/AC. Still a good deal for a small setup, but if you are buying ducting fans or duct booster fans, you aren't getting whats on the label.
WITH DUCTING BOOSTER FANS! Do not be misled. The "Max Boosted" air flow is usually listed not the "free air" flow. The boosted air flow is the CFM the fan can reach if there is air already being pushed through the duct. The free air flow is actually what the fan will move. Say if you get a 250 CFM 6" inline duct fan, its probably really a 160CFM fan. They aren't trying to rip you off, remember these are designed to be installed into an existing duct system that already has a powerful blower attached to the furnace/AC. Still a good deal for a small setup, but if you are buying ducting fans or duct booster fans, you aren't getting whats on the label.
c5rftw
Well-Known Member
yah he is exactly right with the CFM... I am a contractor and when we are framing... if you cut enough wood, your gonna cut your power cord.. we just wire em back with electrical tape.. i would say that yes you can use that but solid wiring is always better, but it crazy that the extension method is actually cheaper lol. i mean if your runniung under 25 ft.
MostlyCrazy
New Member
I get most of my stuff from here. Good delivery, decent price. I got this one and it should be fine for a tent with a filter on it for your grow space.
http://www.discount-hydro.com/productdisp.php?pid=671&navid=29
Check under ventilation for the vortex and other fans. You can use the boosters for the intake and you still want a small oscellating fan to move the plants around.
http://www.discount-hydro.com/productdisp.php?pid=671&navid=29
Check under ventilation for the vortex and other fans. You can use the boosters for the intake and you still want a small oscellating fan to move the plants around.
Stoney McFried
Well-Known Member
Some people may disagree, but I say a ph tester. Also buy epsom salts,because mg def. seems to be really common. At least one replacement bulb if you are using a HID light. A lock for your grow room door.This isn't essential if you live alone and don't have visitors, but I'd still feel better knowing it was locked. A regular fan to blow on the plants and make them stronger. Soil,nutes,lighting,ventilation fans (I don't have any, but I use a 150 watt hps, so it's good....I refresh the air by opening the door for a while during the day cycle.) A jeweler's loupe or handheld microscope for checking trichomes,containers for growing in,in different sizes if you plan to transplant.
Some bamboo stakes and strong twine if you need to tie the plant back to expose certain parts to more light. Good sharp scissors or a razor for topping, cloning, or trimming and some alcohol to disinfect them before and after use.Temperature and humidity gauges.A light timer. Glass jars for curing.Cloning gel if you plan on cloning.A spray bottle if you need to do some foliar feeding. Bookmark the growfaq here for easy access in the event of a problem with a plant.
It's a good idea to do a "dry run" of your equipment before you start growing.You can get an idea of what the conditions will be,and if you need more fans,etc, to get temps right. You can also check for light leaks and take care of them as well.
Some bamboo stakes and strong twine if you need to tie the plant back to expose certain parts to more light. Good sharp scissors or a razor for topping, cloning, or trimming and some alcohol to disinfect them before and after use.Temperature and humidity gauges.A light timer. Glass jars for curing.Cloning gel if you plan on cloning.A spray bottle if you need to do some foliar feeding. Bookmark the growfaq here for easy access in the event of a problem with a plant.
It's a good idea to do a "dry run" of your equipment before you start growing.You can get an idea of what the conditions will be,and if you need more fans,etc, to get temps right. You can also check for light leaks and take care of them as well.