First Grow, CFLs and Fem Autos!

How's it going RIU?
This is my first grow and I am really looking for advice, comments, and to help other beginners like myself. Hope I can give back to the RIU community, here goes!
ALL FEM AUTOS:
3 x Blue Himalaya Diesel
2 x Mi5
1 x Northern Lights Blue
1 x White Cheese
1 x Critical +
1 x Skunk Mass
1 x Biodiesel Mass

Living on the East coast, received them in 3 weeks from Attitude by money order, which they just stopped accepting. I am growing in a trustworthy friend's closet. After germinating (100% success!!) by paper towel method I planted them in solo cups.
The temp inside is 78 deg F and Humidity is around 60%.
Grow Box: 2'x5'x2.25' covered in mylar
Lighting: 5x60W CFLs, all daylight 6500k.
Medium: 4 parts Fox Farms Ocean Forest, one part Fox Farms Light Warrior, and one part perlite. I've heard this organic mix doesn't require any nutrients so after a pH test I'll only need to water.

These pics are from before finishing the mylar covering
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So the story is I have a 400W HID setup (MH and HPS bulbs with air cooled hood) to use but am only planning on using CFLs cause of the heat buildup. In 7 more days we plan to transplant to 3 gallon containers and throw in 6 more CFLs (60W, 2700k). How does this sound in terms of lighting for 10 plants surrounded by mylar?
And planning for the future can anyone give a tip on how to get rid of the smell? He lives in an apartment and (understandably) reallyyyy doesn't want any smell.
It's only been 3 days since germination but they all are sprouting nicely (to my knowledge). I'll have more pics up soon!
 

pacificarage

Well-Known Member
Those CFLs aren't 60 watts. They are 60 watt equivalent CFLs. On the package, it will display 60watts, and then in smaller print usually, the actual wattage. That's what you'll want to go by. I believe 60 watt equivalent are around 13 actual watts. So 5x13w CFLs will not be enough, no. You'll need much more light than that. Especially, if you plan on using them to flower with.
 
Whoa, you're right! Thank you so much. I'm trying to decide on how the HID light setup could be accomplished now. Anybody have ideas on cooling methods when using a 400W? I have a 9" fan currently in the box.
 

Autogrown

Member
Get yourself a 400cfm can fan and run that 400W hid. That should keep your temps down in a small space. Check out my DR90 apartment grow. Got the temps down to 75-85 range with an uncooled hood and a tiny 6V usb fan to circulate inside.
 
I appreciate the advice. I'll make sure to do that in my next grow, that'll be indoors. Are you sure 400 cfm isn't excessive?
It's about time I put up some pictures of the outdoor kids, about 44 days old now.
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I'd appreciate any (accurate, lol) feedback on their health and futures, for both me and the viewers. I think they look damn beautiful, and give off a pretty strong smell
 
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I'm going to update a little bit here with some sad news. I took this picture late at night and it turns out that after looking at it when I got home there are white dots on the leaves. After some research I've concluded that it could possibly be spider mites and if this is true then it is spread to my other plants, and they are pretty much doomed! :(
 

Mahjeek

Active Member
I grew outdoors once and had a spider mite issue right off the bat. Try throwing a tent over them at night and toss some lady bugs in there. Just be sure to leave ventilation. I'm no pro, but it cured my problem with the quickness :)
 
Thanks for the advice man! I will make sure to do that next time around! I am spending the summer away from the poor girls so they're being supervised by my partner :/ I'll relay your message to my him though and send pics when I can of any comeback that happens!
 
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