$1000 to Invest in My Closet, 1 Shot at Doing This Right. Please Critique This Idea!

[Uber Newb]

Super long story short: I've spent a life time being told weed is evil and the last year finding out otherwise. It is by far the BEST medicine to ease my chronic pain. (No pun intended) Now I want to stop spending $400 for an ounce and produce my own medicine. (Lets assume my state says it's legal, but I still want to keep a super low profile.)

So, here is the deal. I have two closets that are side by side in a master bedroom that are both identical. I want to convert one of them into a grow closet but have no experience in this other than reading threads on this forum for the last six/seven months. So I am here, asking for your help.

The Budget: $1000 or less (Not including seed costs)
The Goal: 1 oz a week of the best bud
The Space: Closet: Approx 3 feet deep by 6 feet long by 9 feet tall.
The Medium: Soil. Seems everyone agrees its the most forgiving for first timers.

Current Plan of Action: If I understand what I have been reading correctly then the best way to mask odors is with the use of an ozone generator. If you look at the picture there is a rubber-maid box on top of the inline duct fan that has an ozone generator inside of it. There will be two holes on the lid to let out the processed airflow from the fan. This air is being passed into the attic so I don't think there should be any concern for human or plant health problems.

From my readings here on RIU a 600 watt MH/HPS setup should be enough for a 5x5 area. I have also read that the sun produces 10,000 lumen's psf. My idea for a 600 watt unit might be overkill for this area but it's still not enough to mimic what the sun can do. I feel its a fair compromise between cost and future results.

I would also like to incorporate a CO2 Controller and tank system. The only thing that worries me about doing that right now is the exhaust fan can not run 24x7 or you loose all that CO2 your pumping into the space. In this setup, if my fan stops for whatever amount of time, there is a chance that mold, dust, and other shit from the attic will find its way into my grow area.

Anyway, here is the current image that is in my head. I have a feeling there is something I am overlooking/missing/judged incorrectly and know that the community here at RIU will help me correct and understand.

EDIT: This isn't going to be a perpetual grow. Not until I can get some experience under my belt and turn my second closet into a mother/clone/veg area. I have already purchased over 30 seeds which I think will hold me over until I setup the other closet for my mother/clone area.

 

[Gastanker]

600w lights generally cover a 3x3 area.

$84 + $25 shipping 3x3 grow tent http://compare.ebay.com/like/180600047814?ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&rvr_id=222507868536&crlp=1_263602_304662&UA=%3F*F%3F&GUID=18419bf712e0a47a2430a960fe356fc6&itemid=180600047814&ff4=263602_304662
$340 - sealed reflector, 600w dimmable Lumatek ballast MH/HPS, bulb http://www.urbansunshine.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=233_373_375&products_id=18512
$185 - 6" inline fan and carbon filter http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-GrowBright-6in-Inline-Fan-&-Charcoal-Filter-Combo.asp

Total is around $624.00 This would allow you to later add another 3x3 tent with some fluoros or another dimmable 600w or 400w for vegging - could run it off the same fan.

Another tent wound be +110 and a 400w dimmable lumatek with a non cooled hood +180 http://www.urbansunshine.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=233_373_374&products_id=18508

Would put you at $914 - but you would still need soil, nutes, ...

 

[pazuzu420]

Hmm...A Co2 controller is quite an expensive addition to any grow area as it cordinates the amount of Co2 and when and how long the exhaust should run. I'm also seeing that you have no sort of odor control incorperated in the design. Co2 will require you to have the area sealed very well as you won't want the odor escaping the grow area. Another thought is if you live in a cool climate and you exhaust into the attic you can create a situation of high humidity which will lead to mold and even possibly rain inside the attic.
I don't see any problem with a 600w bulb if you can effectively cool it, which would involve a air cooled hood, a way to bring in cool air (either from outside or A/C) and exhaust away from the closet (the attic if able).

 

[TruenoAE86coupe]

Carbon filters are better for removing the amount of odor you are talking about, which will be fairly significant. The main issue i see with your plan is you want to get one ounce every week, but you have made no plans for a veg room, so perpetual harvest will not be possible. You will need to do groups of plants that you veg together then flower together, so they will finish pretty well together. Therefore you maybe able to yield 12 ozs in 12 weeks, but it won't be an oz a week. One thing i do not see accounted is intake air, you plan to vent the heated air, so you will need to intake fresh air, that is cool cause if you are pulling in 90 degree air, its not going to cool anything. Also, you would have no benefit from co2 unless you really sealed the room.

 

[ClosetSafe]

Get a flip switch. Two 3x3 tents. Set them side by side to cover your 3x6 space.
The flip switch will run your ONE ballast on two hoods and lamps. The ballast will never turn off so you wont have a power cycle. But your plants will receive 12/12 light alternatively. While one tent is on the other is off and vice versa. To make one room a veg room, merely add supplemental light on a 18/6 timer. When the main light shuts off there will still be another few hours of supplemental to keep the plants thinking it's veg time. Or just have two flower rooms and run everything on 12/12 from seed. sea of green it. Just have a bunch of tiny single cola plants in there.

think of veg time as a two week process. while flowering is more like a two month process. So get quarts of grow and gallons of bloom base nutrients. Forget tweaking with additives for right now, but don't forget the cal/mag(Shit's crucial). Use air pruning or root trapping pots. Keeps the roots happy in confined spaces. And pull air out of the tents and into the attic. Use air cooled hoods/cool tubes in such spaces. When you only exhaust air out of the grow tent and don't have an intake fan, you will create negative pressure and air will be drawn in via the holes in the tent. It's nice.


Shopping list:
US $83.95 Ship+US $24.95 3x3 ft Hydroponic Box Grow Room Tent Mylar Cabinet HPS
US $83.95 Ship+US $24.95 3x3 ft Hydroponic Box Grow Room Tent Mylar Cabinet HPS
MSRP: $149.95 Flipbox by Powerbox
250 one 600w electronic ballast
250 two cool tubes
120 two 600w bulbs

never mind... this setup might be too costly... If you could find it all in one place and save on shipping and bulbs. Maybe run 400's and buy a cheaper electronic ballast.

Build your own carbon filter?

Edit: sorry i wasted the time with the flipbox. But it's main purpose is to not cycle and prevent fires. Leave the one ballast running 24/7, but split half and half amongst two bulbs. When the ballast doesn't turn on and off it doesn't arc and possibly keeps it in better shape. Or maybe it just wears it out some other way. I personally believe it's safer.

 

[wyteberrywidow]

Or just have two flower rooms and run everything on 12/12 from seed. sea of green it. Just have a bunch of tiny single cola plants in there.
.

This would be reall good as you will yield 14-28 grams a plant 12/12 from seed or like others said get a little veg tent with flouros and use that for a mom to cut clones an flower under the 600.

 

[Uber Newb]

Wow, this really is a great site. I didn't think to see a reply for atleast another hour. Thank youall!

Gastanker:
I was thinking the entire area should be used for the grow. In that case a grow tent wouldn't be needed. Unless of course you think it would help to add stealth to the project and if so it is an idea I am going to entertain.

pazuzu420:
Since there is no carbon filter to stop/slow down the airflow of the exhaust fan I was thinking I would get the full 250cfm of exhaust and create a negative airflow for the closet. With the idea in my head all the fresh air would be coming in from the bottom of the door which WOULD NOT be lined with weather stripping.

The attic does have a fan towards the side of the house. I was thinking that this would help to pull the air I am pumping into it out. Now that you mentioned it though I can see a humidity problem possibly occurring and creating more problems in the attic then I am ready to challenge. This is something to think about.

TruenoAE86coupe:
Just going by the information I have read here I sketched up this rough draft. The majority of the posts I have read so far say that carbon filters are about 99.5% effective so I thought using an ozone generator would be a more 'sure fire' way of eliminating all the smell. It would also allow the fan to create the negative airflow in the closet and keep the smell out of the master bedroom.

On another note, I have been buying my smoke for a while now. I don't mind buying for a bit longer while I finish my first grow. I only stated 1oz a week because thats really the most I can smoke in a week. As far as I am concerned I don't care if it is 8oz every two months.... so long as I can keep myself going while the next crop finishes out. I apologize for expressing that on the post.

 

[bigsourD]

As far as I am concerned I don't care if it is 8oz every two months.... so long as I can keep myself going while the next crop finishes out...

You're still going to need an isolated veg/mother room to take clones from if you want that to work.

 

[Gastanker]

I would go with a tent regardless - it just makes it much easier to control heat and odor issues. You can easily create negative pressure in a tent which ensures all escaping air is filtered - closets have too many cracks and holes to allow for this. Tents also help with light regulation whereas your closet as a whole is a bit trickier. And if you spill nasty bat shit tea in your tent no biggie - on the closet floor is kind of a pain.

I just realized that i'm imagining a closet with a sliding door - I guess if you have a single door it is not as much of an issue.

 

[mccumcumber]

You really want to push cold air in with your inline fan. Don't believe me? Subcool, UncleBen, and many other VERY seasoned growers with great proven results agree. I do it with my 1k watt hps and it keeps it cold so I can touch the hood and feel no heat... very nice!
If you want an oz a week you're gonna have to have a perpetual grow, which is why everyone is telling you to get two grow tents.
Mother plants are very essential for perpetual grows, and you will need to have small mother plants in order for this to work out:
http://www.growery.org/2994/Bonsai-Mothers
^that link shows the method of growing a bonsai mother plant. Very VERY useful.
You could even build your own tents, there are a bunch of do it yourself grow tents (type something like diy grow tent in advance search).
Also, two lights and ballasts are essential. I personally just shop at my local hydro store, they tend to throw in discounts if you make a big purchase. An alternative would be one hps, and a couple of flouros for the mom/veg room. Do what ever works for your budget.
Soil: Use subcool's super soil recipe (oraganics>subcool's oldschool organics>super soil) probably the best recipe I've ever used, makes great buds.
I highly suggest trying uncle ben's topping method for your seeds that you aren't going to make into mothers (advanced marijuana cultivation>uncle ben's topping technique to get 4 main colas). Works wonders on plants, and topping is the easiest form of training. Do this in your veg room, let your plant veg for another week or two, and then it's time for flower. This method also supplies a clone for you, which can be used as a mother for later! Win win imo. After you've tried topping you will probably be more comfortable to delve into other forms of training. Super-cropping is what I'm currently interested in. I think there's a how to article somewhere on this site, again check advanced search.
Hopefully this gives you some help. Happy growing!

Edit: Almost forgot, later down the line you're going to want to find a way to get an appropriate amount of CO2 into your grow areas. Most gimmicks don't really work because you need a consistent amount of CO2 going at the correct ppm. CO2 will increase your yield when all other climate conditions are met.

 

[wyteberrywidow]

You're still going to need an isolated veg/mother room to take clones from if you want that to work.

Not really.Using a 600 watt pulling a oz a plant is not hard.Fit 8 plants in there you can get 8oz every two months.
I see a bunch of people on the 600 watt club pull a oz a plant 12/12 from seed

 

[Snow Crash]

I think you'll need at least two 600w systems

So your initial cost, two ballasts, two bulbs, is going to be nearly 1/2 the total budget. Add in the ventilation required for 1200w of lighting, and you're looking at close to $650.

With the remaining $350 you still would need reflectors, planters, and a few other bits and pieces. To maximize your harvest weight I think vertical bulbs should be utilized in this space with four plants around each bulb. The sockets are much cheaper than a reflector and the vertical position maximizes the efficiency of the bulb.

Since harvest weight/time is the issue I think a cheaper hydroponic method will optimize the size of the plants in a given vegetative period. Coco is my preference here. If you can manage to get each plant to harvest just 2 ounces that would allow you 16 weeks from seed to harvest while still reaching your goals.

Honestly, with 1200w, vertical, and a good coco system... You could be seeing 5 ounces per plant (depending on strain) in that given period of time, which would compensate you for the period of time it will take to grow the current harvest, and the second harvest.

So that's what I would do. Drop about $700 into two 600w electronic ballasts, two 600w HPS bulbs, two sockets, two honeywell circular fans, an 8" inline exhaust fan, speed controller, insulated ducting, and maybe a duct muffler (DIY) if there's a few bucks left over. The remaining ~$300 or so needs to go into eight 5 gallon planters, a few 1 gallon planters, the 40 gallons (plus) of media you'll need, and any nutrients, thermometers/hygrometers, pH meter, and additional circulation fans you might need.

Light schedules are EXTREMELY important indoors. So is constant ventilation. You are going to need to find a way of maintaining the temperature, humidity, and absolute darkness during the night period, especially during flowering. You should consider getting some panda film and making a kind of tent with the closet. You can use velcro on the wall and the plastic sheeting to get into the grow area, duct tape around the rest of the sides to keep the light out, and a hole cut into the plastic for the exhaust ventilation.

 

[ClosetSafe]

Wow, didn't realize the general response was two ballast two bulbs.

Is the flipbox that bad?

http://www.powerboxinc.com/flipbox.html

Opinions appreciated.

 

[Gastanker]

Wow, didn't realize the general response was two ballast two bulbs.

Is the flipbox that bad?

http://www.powerboxinc.com/flipbox.html

Opinions appreciated.

Awesome gadget but I am going to have to play devils advocate. It is not great for a ballast to run 24/7 for 9 weeks straight - the constant heat is just bad for all the internal components. The price difference between a switchbox ($150) and a new 600w dimmable lumatek ($180) is only $30. This extra $30 gives you temporary reassurance if one light goes, prolongs the ballasts life, as well as the bulbs life - most newer digital ballasts have a soft start feature to promote bulb life but by quickly diverting the current you bypass this feature. You can't dimm the tents separately either with the switch box nor use one tent for veg and the other flower - both would have to be flower all the time.

 

[Uber Newb]

I think you'll need at least two 600w systems

So your initial cost, two ballasts, two bulbs, is going to be nearly 1/2 the total budget. Add in the ventilation required for 1200w of lighting, and you're looking at close to $650.

With the remaining $350 you still would need reflectors, planters, and a few other bits and pieces. To maximize your harvest weight I think vertical bulbs should be utilized in this space with four plants around each bulb. The sockets are much cheaper than a reflector and the vertical position maximizes the efficiency of the bulb.

Since harvest weight/time is the issue I think a cheaper hydroponic method will optimize the size of the plants in a given vegetative period. Coco is my preference here. If you can manage to get each plant to harvest just 2 ounces that would allow you 16 weeks from seed to harvest while still reaching your goals.

Honestly, with 1200w, vertical, and a good coco system... You could be seeing 5 ounces per plant (depending on strain) in that given period of time, which would compensate you for the period of time it will take to grow the current harvest, and the second harvest.

So that's what I would do. Drop about $700 into two 600w electronic ballasts, two 600w HPS bulbs, two sockets, two honeywell circular fans, an 8" inline exhaust fan, speed controller, insulated ducting, and maybe a duct muffler (DIY) if there's a few bucks left over. The remaining ~$300 or so needs to go into eight 5 gallon planters, a few 1 gallon planters, the 40 gallons (plus) of media you'll need, and any nutrients, thermometers/hygrometers, pH meter, and additional circulation fans you might need.

Light schedules are EXTREMELY important indoors. So is constant ventilation. You are going to need to find a way of maintaining the temperature, humidity, and absolute darkness during the night period, especially during flowering. You should consider getting some panda film and making a kind of tent with the closet. You can use velcro on the wall and the plastic sheeting to get into the grow area, duct tape around the rest of the sides to keep the light out, and a hole cut into the plastic for the exhaust ventilation.

I like this idea. I was actually reading a post on the forum about why vertical setups are more efficient than horizontal bulbs with reflectors. I do have a question about using a vertical setup...

What you be able to hang the lights in a cooltube and attach a carbon filter on the bottom side with the exhaust fan near the top of the closet? I would think so as long as the fan has a huge amount of CFM to pull the air from the filter so far away. Let me see if I am explaining this correctly: From the top of the closet going into the attic working your way down it would look like this:

Flange -> Exhaust Fan -> Flex Tube -> Cooltube & Light -> Carbon Filter.

The goal with this question is to keep the amount of holes i have to drill in the ceiling to a minimum.

 

[Uber Newb]

I would go with a tent regardless - it just makes it much easier to control heat and odor issues. You can easily create negative pressure in a tent which ensures all escaping air is filtered - closets have too many cracks and holes to allow for this. Tents also help with light regulation whereas your closet as a whole is a bit trickier. And if you spill nasty bat shit tea in your tent no biggie - on the closet floor is kind of a pain.

I just realized that i'm imagining a closet with a sliding door - I guess if you have a single door it is not as much of an issue.

Never thought about what would happen if I spilled something on my hardwood floor. Good point.

On another note: This closet has only one swing open type door. Putting a tent inside shows two immediate advantages: spills and light leaks
The only thing that concerns me is getting access to the sides or back of the unit. With the size of the door and the sizes of the tents I have checked out there would be no way to pull the whole thing out through the door. Should I need to that is...

 

[bulla]

i have about the same size room i pack 54 plants in it and try to harvest 7 plants a week a have a veg room filled with rotating plants for my bud room .i run c02 i also have a 750 cfm fan hooked to light blowing outta room on scrubber and a 650 cfm blowing air in ...the 600 hps kills me for heat and my intake fan is hooked up to open window and its winter time.my temps are at 80 degrees and if it gets a lil warm out shoots to 85 easy so come summer i def need a ac unit..this is a very small room for me my last bud room was 15x18 foot so i never had a heat issue..if u pack in plants and rotate like i do u will have no problem getting a oz a week even if u split that room in half with a top /bottom or side/side .i grow my plants around 2 foot tall each plant is 2 big buds from top to bottom ....not sure if any of this will help like i said i always had big rooms so this small room shit is all new to me for now ....as for the c02 i bought the system when i had the big rooms and i use it only because i get free bottles it does produce better than without but im sure im losing alot my out fan turns off for 15 minutes 2 times a day when i use it GOOD LUCK

 

[Snow Crash]

I like this idea. I was actually reading a post on the forum about why vertical setups are more efficient than horizontal bulbs with reflectors. I do have a question about using a vertical setup...

What you be able to hang the lights in a cooltube and attach a carbon filter on the bottom side with the exhaust fan near the top of the closet? I would think so as long as the fan has a huge amount of CFM to pull the air from the filter so far away. Let me see if I am explaining this correctly: From the top of the closet going into the attic working your way down it would look like this:

Flange -> Exhaust Fan -> Flex Tube -> Cooltube & Light -> Carbon Filter.

The goal with this question is to keep the amount of holes i have to drill in the ceiling to a minimum.

What I would do is set up a dedicated exhaust system. I would hang the carbon filter from the ceiling, between the two lamps. Then I would run ducting from the filter to the fan, which I would also hang using bungee cords, after which it exhausts out of the exhaust hole you need.

The Cooltubes are not required with the 600w bulbs. With a 1000w, definitely, but the heat from these bulbs is actually contained in a kind of "wind tunnel" that you create with the honeywell circular fan. These fans are about 10" wide and create a fantastic vortex of air. You'll use one fan beneath each bulb and face it so that it blows upwards. This not only creates a kind of "invisible" cooltube, it also supplements air circulation and directs the heat towards the top of the area (where it will then be exhausted at a very rapid rate).

This reduces your cost, as the Honeywell fans are about $16 at Target/Walmart or online. This also increases the efficiency of the bulbs because the light does not need to pass through the glass of the CoolTube. You also need less ducting, and you don't need a Y-joint to connect your ducting together.

The system and the genetics you choose are what will ultimately determine just how much bud you'll pull in a given period of time. You can throw all the watts you want in there, dial the environment in just right, but if you have low harvesting buds grown in soil with salt based fertilizers (like many new growers do) you may not hit your goals even with 1200w of lighting.

Decide on the lighting and the ventilation system first for sure. Then you need to consider the actual growing system and genetics. I don't think you're going to have a ton of cash left over, maybe $300... maybe $200, so keeping the costs low here (because the good genetics are going to cost you nearly $100 if you don't "know someone") is super important while still producing a Grade A product on the first try.

Perpetual systems are considerably more expensive to set up. I think for you, in the beginning, you need to just run some good fem'd seeds. I'd suggest picking up 10 Lemon Skunk from Greenhouse Seeds or 10 Sensi Star from Paradise seeds. The Lemon skunk will be a larger plant and benefits from a good deal of topping to keep it shorter and bushy. The Sensi Star will be shorter but you can get great harvests utilizing Scrog or LST with it. Both of these strains provide a very delicious bud that is revered by most smokers who enjoy the citrusy side of the flavor spectrum. My sensi star tasted a little like a lime-kiwi desert and the Lemon skunk was more like pledge, really fuely/skunky/chemmy/lemony.

The method you choose to grow with is the thing to really consider now. Where is your comfort level there? Are you looking to do hydro? Organic? Organic-Hydro? There's a lot of ways to grow and it'd help to know what you're familiar with before suggesting something you won't like.

 

[Uber Newb]

What I would do is set up a dedicated exhaust system. I would hang the carbon filter from the ceiling, between the two lamps. Then I would run ducting from the filter to the fan, which I would also hang using bungee cords, after which it exhausts out of the exhaust hole you need.......

I am going to be redrawing the grow area based on what you and others have helped me with. For a first timer there are nuggets of gold all throughout this thread and the rest of the forum.

As far as the seeds that money has already been spent and is not included in my $1000 budget. I picked up strains that I either had experience smoking, had good reviews, or just sparked my interest. I got...

5x White Widow Fem <- My favorite day time smoke
5x Bubblelicious Fem <- Sounded Too Good to Pass Up
5x Master Kush Fem <- Was on sale
5x Northern Lights Fem <- My favorite bed time smoke

I do eventually want to use StinkBuds aero setup but not until I get used to reading the plants and using soil.

 

[Uber Newb]

Alright, so here is the re-worked draft....

The Stuff:
1 ) GrowBright 4" Inline Fan & Carbon Filter Combo - $120.95
2 ) 4" Back Draft Damper - $23.95
3 ) 4" Flexible Ducting - 8 Feet - $6.99
4 ) Single 4 Inch Cooling Flange - $5.00
5 ) 3x Device Timers - ~ $35.00
6 ) GrowBright 600 watt High Pressure Sodium Bulb & Socket - $99.98
7 ) Honeywell Table Top Air Circulator Fan - $40.00
8 ) CO2 Release Kit - $99.95

I got most of these prices from HTG Supply. What I can't get from there I will probably just buy locally. Ofcourse, before placing the order I will be shopping around offline just to make sure I am getting the best deal.

Also, I think I am going to use the 5 gallon SmartPot containers for the eight plants. So add on another $50 or so for those.

All and all this puts me at about $830.00 which is not including the cost of my soil, nuts/ferts, etc.

I think by putting each 2 plants into a rubbermaid container I can avoid most spills from overwatering, drainage, etc. The only thing I am still worried about is the humidity going into the attic. There are some mixed results I have read via Google search about this topic.

I can get the 20lbs tanks of CO2 all day long for free. So I don't see any reason to not spend the $100 for the regulator and go for the best results.


The mechanics:
Lights are really simple. They will be either on or off via the 18/6 or 12/12 depending on where I am in the grow
The floor fans will be on the same timer as the lights
The Carbon filter will kick on for 15 minutes every hour.
The CO2 tank will be on for 45 minutes every hour. The timer on the tank will only allow it power on while the exhaust fan isnt running.


Anyway... Comments, questions, & suggestions would be appreciated.