20x30x14 and 4x12x6 Perpetual soil/ef - RIU input welcome!

What's up RIU! Long time reader/watcher, first time poster. First, my compliments, I love this forum!
I've got a small budget of $6k, which I know amounts to a drop in a bucket but I have a couple of rooms I can't quite decide how to utilize. I'm partial to soil because DWC I hear is not for newbs, but also considering something like the Oxygen or Titan in conjunction with soil just to get my feet wet

The first room (flower) is 20x30 with 14ft ceilings. Basically between kitchen and backyard. It's south facing, so gets a lot of natural light. I have an electrician coming to check it out, but thinks it will run about $800 to have everything beyond code and up to par to handle my anticipated 5kW, but i hope to iron out how much i'll really need by getting a good list together.

In a perfect world it would be awesome to take advantage of the natural lighting in addition to LEDs and/or Gavitas or Digilumes, but that comes at the risk of a neighbor etc seeing. So what would you do? A tent such as a 20x20 is almost half the budget, and maxes out at 7ft tall, so does not let me take advantage of the 14ft ceiling, and I'm thinking the extra 7 feet could make a lot of difference in yield (minus 3ft for a powerful light and it's still 11ft to work with), what do you think? So if I don't go with a tent, I can partition it, but my building/framing skills aren't really anything to brag about and the floors are wood. So confused not being able to choose!

The other room (veg) is a smaller sun room above this one, it's a narrow 4x12 with 6ft ceiling. Again it gets a great amount of sunlight, but would need to be sealed at night (or would it due to 24hr veg?). Should I do perhaps LEDs or T5s to supplement the natural lighting? Any opinions/advice greatly appreciated! Thanks RIU, I -hope- to get some shopping done soon and have the first grow in these rooms going within the next couple of weeks.

PS:
lighting:
Love what I'm reading about Gavitas, have also heard about Digilumes, and like the Mars LEDs. Since heat can be an issue with Gavitas, what are your thoughts on 1 Gavita on a long light mover, and 2 static LEDs?
Hope this doesn't sound too silly, but my theory is that perhaps it will save on cooling and offer a range of light spectrum(?)

How many plants would you recommend in a 20x30? Thank you.

my imput to help is go with gavitas, weill wash out any led in the market done alot of research and i have 6 gavitas. and only using 5 right now.


And thanks for coming in with ur first post. Good luck with your project amigo =)


-Jugz

Thanks a lot Jugz!! That solves that problem, lol! Any thoughts on the rooms? Happy growing
ps- just saw your vid, good stuff Jugz! Shows maybe I don't really need a big room to pull the yield I need.

max huff said:

Thanks a lot Jugz!! That solves that problem, lol! Any thoughts on the rooms? Happy growing

Click to expand...

my room is 10x20 something 8 ft ceilings, if u check my video attached on my signature u can get a better grasp on what i run on my room, I just remodeled it used to be half flower half veg now is all flower, trying to push 10-12 pounds every 40 days.

let me read ur post again i havent smoke in 24 hours im all shaky lol.

-Jugz

I should change the title of this to: Two 10x10 tents
because it looks like that's where I'm going after much research, and posting over in Newbie Central, framing for the first time, especially with ceilings this tall just isn't necessary. Any pointers on two 10x10s? Vegging will be done in another room so both of these are good for flowering. Very tempted to run one with two LEDs each on 6ft light rails (any ideas on make models appreciated- I really want the Lumigrow 650s but too expensive this time around) , and the other tent with three Gavita 600W(?)- no light rails as I'm hearing to higher they are the better. My budget this run is $6k, a little more available in 3 months to expand on this foundation. For veg upstairs, a room pond lined and panda filmed with either an LED and light mover OR a 600W Gavita on a 6ft light rail. Will get all the drying etc stuff in 2-3months. This run I'm thinking will be all soil and manual watering

Narrowed it down to dual 10x10 tents, but only have enough to get one tent up and running LOL!
Would anyone mind critiquing my list? I'll owe you one for sure! Just looking for ways to cut some costs.. .

—Tent/lighting/Environment—
1x 10x10 Agrimax tent http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-Grow-Tent-Super-XXL-120-x-120-x-79-Silver-Lined# - $500 + $130 shipping
2X GAVITA 1000 - $1000
(for veg room) 2x Quantum BadBoy T5 HO 4’, 8 Bulb Fixture 432w - $480
AC - Frigidaire FRA093PT1 9,000-BTU - $449.00
2X Light Rail 4 Adjust-A-Drive Complete Kit - $480
Gavita master controller EL1 $251.10
Grower's Edge Large Display Thermometer & Hygrometer $52
Heavy duty timer $60

——Exhaust:——

Phresh® Filter 6" x 24"


550CFM


$194.95

Can-Fan RS10 HO - 10 in - 763 CFM $200

DUCTING $40


—Intake—

Phresh® Intake Filter 10" x 12"


700CFM


$122.95








Fan? Note sure yet..

x2 70 PINT IDEAL AIR DEHUMIDIFIER + barrel for water collection - $400

3 fans - $80

green night lights (http://www.thehydrosource.com/illuminati-super-green-5w-led-night-light.html

SOIL PH & MOISTURE METER $50 http://growershouse.com/accurate-ph-8-soil-ph-and-moisture-meter

cloner $160


--SOIL AND POTS—

Happy frog, Fox Farm or Jorge’s mix $140ish

30x 3gallon buckets/pots $100

30x 7gallon geopots $210


—watering—

2x 50gal res

2x submersible pump $60

2x no kink hose $80-

x2 Mondi Telescopic Water Wand $40

• Bluelab PPM Pen $71

STEALTH RO 200 - $250

x2 Deep Water Oxygen Shield 3 Air Diffuser (40-70 Gallon) $80

ActiveAqua Chiller, refrigeration unit 1/10 HP 1 x $303.96



—NUTES—

$100?

http://www.advancednutrients.com/

weeks 1-4 bud candy

week 5-6 mills a*b 15ml, ultimate pk 8ml, humboldt honey 5ml, heavy prime 2ml, heavy roots 1ml, sugaree 10ml, big time enzyme 5ml, earth juice catalyst 5ml, turpinator 15ml


--MISC—

PLASTIC SHEETING/POND LINER

STAPLES

DUCT TAPE

Neem oil

CloneX

Gloves

Snips

Grower's Edge Illuminated Microscope 60x $8.81

Have you grown in the past?

Ill sub up. I love watching it all unfold.

Done a couple of outdoors for my personal consumption. Took some gardening classes too, lol. Unfold is an understatement, I know this is a gamble with all of the intricacies so it's more like "burst at the seems" than unfold haha. Do you have any thoughts on the setup? I realized the to light movers are more than another Gavita, think I should put a third Gavita instead of two on light rails? this might mean more heat though and thus more electricity. ugh. Thinking of adding some solar in 2 more months instead of building out that 2nd 10x10 already

Alienwidow said:

Ill sub up. I love watching it all unfold.

Click to expand...

Thanks for subbing, will definitely keep updated and would really appreciate your opinion

I would not try to fix things that are not broken. Meaning, you are buying things that you may never need/use. The AC unit and/or the dehumidifier may not be needed. IF you setup a good intake and a good exhaust system, your temps might be manageable thru the fans alone. I think light movers are a total and complete waste of money unless you already have one, or somebody give one to you. Otherwise, I could spend the money saved from NOT buying them on a ton of other more useful stuff.

Also, you don't need a carbon filter for the intake. The intake brings in fresh air from outside, therefore, it has not stinky stinky.

Mad_Prophessor said:

I would not try to fix things that are not broken. Meaning, you are buying things that you may never need/use. The AC unit and/or the dehumidifier may not be needed. IF you setup a good intake and a good exhaust system, your temps might be manageable thru the fans alone. I think light movers are a total and complete waste of money unless you already have one, or somebody give one to you. Otherwise, I could spend the money saved from NOT buying them on a ton of other more useful stuff.

Also, you don't need a carbon filter for the intake. The intake brings in fresh air from outside, therefore, it has not stinky stinky.

Click to expand...

Thats so funny, me and you see things totally 100% completly, opposite. Ive never seen any grow besides a 400 w ever able to not have an a/c, especially in the summer months. Also ive never seen a room thats full of plants not need a dehu to keep the humidity below 50%. And i use a carbon filter as a scrubber thats all, but i can tell from outside the house if someones not useing one, especially if your over 2000 w and in full bloom. Even the light movers, i dont run them but ive seen great results with them, the problem with them is they like to break and its almost as much to fix them as to buy new ones lol

No need to move your lights when you are moving your plants at least once a week (or should be).

I am not saying NOT to use a carbon scrubber, I am saying that it is pointless to use on the intake that is fresh air from outside the building. Of course you need it for the grow. I have mine bridged to the temp and the RH with my Sentinel CHHC-4. Any time the temp or RH goes too high, each tent has it's own filter/fan that fires up to draw in more air from around the tents and fresh air ducts. If they get too stinky, I just keep them running 24/7 but on a low speed.

If you have air cooled hoods, and they are drawing in outside air, you will be fine without AC. Make sure your lights are on at night and not during the day. Also, if they start getting too hot, jack up the CO2. It is gonna be cheaper no matter what to add CO2 instead of fighting a losing battle over the temps and power bill with the AC. Like I said, your lights should be on at night regardless of the season for the heat issues. Without the lights on at night in the winter months, your plants will get too cold. The sun during the day, while the lights are off, will help to keep them from getting too cold in January. During the summer months, its that cool night air flowing through your ducts (use clear ducting between the hoods too for some extra lumens) that will keep tents in PAR range.

Mad_Prophessor said:

I would not try to fix things that are not broken. Meaning, you are buying things that you may never need/use. The AC unit and/or the dehumidifier may not be needed. IF you setup a good intake and a good exhaust system, your temps might be manageable thru the fans alone. I think light movers are a total and complete waste of money unless you already have one, or somebody give one to you. Otherwise, I could spend the money saved from NOT buying them on a ton of other more useful stuff.

Also, you don't need a carbon filter for the intake. The intake brings in fresh air from outside, therefore, it has not stinky stinky.

Click to expand...

If the movers are prone to breaking I want no part of them especially at that price, but dang a lot of what I've been reading says they cover enough footprint to justify the purchase. However the cost to repair scenario is scary! Maybe an extended warranty if available?
I can see your point on not filtering intake, just being a little over protective to reduce the dust/insects/bad particulars. I suppose I could use a HEPA instead in the same room to reduce this (or am I being too paranoid about insects, bacteria and air born nasties?).

Alienwidow said:

Thats so funny, me and you see things totally 100% completly, opposite. Ive never seen any grow besides a 400 w ever able to not have an a/c, especially in the summer months. Also ive never seen a room thats full of plants not need a dehu to keep the humidity below 50%. And i use a carbon filter as a scrubber thats all, but i can tell from outside the house if someones not useing one, especially if your over 2000 w and in full bloom. Even the light movers, i dont run them but ive seen great results with them, the problem with them is they like to break and its almost as much to fix them as to buy new ones lol

Click to expand...

Yes! Summer months in SoCal, and I'm expecting it to be VERY dry and VERY hot this year especially (but not very dry in the tent or veg rooms though lol)

Mad_Prophessor said:

Make sure your lights are on at night and not during the day. Also, if they start getting too hot, jack up the CO2. It is gonna be cheaper no matter what to add CO2 instead of fighting a losing battle over the temps and power bill with the AC.

Click to expand...

CO2, now THAT's what I'm getting if I can save some $ and keep within budget! The house in general has a great HVAC system, so the room can stay steady 70 more or less without issue. Even 65 in summer wouldn't be a problem, if the room is expected to have a 10 degree increase.

max huff said:

If the movers are prone to breaking I want no part of them especially at that price, but dang a lot of what I've been reading says they cover enough footprint to justify the purchase. However the cost to repair scenario is scary! Maybe an extended warranty if available?
I can see your point on not filtering intake, just being a little over protective to reduce the dust/insects/bad particulars. I suppose I could use a HEPA instead in the same room to reduce this (or am I being too paranoid about insects, bacteria and air born nasties?).

Click to expand...

The air that cools the hoods never enters the room and is literally just passing through. It doesn't carry a smell if the hoods are sealed and can be vented outside without scrubbing. For the fresh air intakes, they make little screens to go over the end of whatever size port you want to use. Spray those screens with a pesticide and let them dry before use if you want, but I have never had a problem with just the screens.

max huff said:

Yes! Summer months in SoCal, and I'm expecting it to be VERY dry and VERY hot this year especially (but not very dry in the tent or veg rooms though lol)

Click to expand...

My house is usually around 25-30% RH. The tents rarely ever see 50% even when everything turns off while in PAR.

max huff said:

CO2, now THAT's what I'm getting if I can save some $ and keep within budget! The house in general has a great HVAC system, so the room can stay steady 70 more or less without issue. Even 65 in summer wouldn't be a problem, if the room is expected to have a 10 degree increase.

Click to expand...

Expect anything you want, you wont have any idea until you hang the hoods, run the ducting, and fire them bitches up!

Pesties?? Never! All OG, my body reacts even to Lysol! But I get your point. I might have found a small price break on the lights.
Digilume DE 1000 is about $60 cheaper than Gavitas, and is rumored to have better PAR. any thoughts on this one?