Hello all - first post here, but been lurking between the leaves for a while! 
I've seen some amazing grows around here and have huge respect and appreciation for most of you guys. You are my inspiration!
About to try my first grow in 15 years. Last time in my hazy student days it was a big bushy outdoor monster. This time its going to be a reasonably small stealth set-up. For various reasons (wifeys stipulations, small kids, other family, friends etc) it has to be small scale and stealth. If I manage to get anywhere near an ounce first time around I'll be over the moon but am in it just as much for the learning and simply as a new fun project for 2012!
Please don't laugh, but as space is limited it's going to be inside an old oak hi-fi cabinet in the garage, hidden amongst the years of other accumulated junk. If I can keep the smell down it will be undetectable.
Wife and kids are away this weekend so plan to go shopping and build then, hopefully starting the grow next week. Cash is tight, so the whole thing has to be cheap. I'm going to outline my plan below - if you can I'd really appreciate it if you could take a quick look and offer any pointers or opinions. Thank you!
Size: 50 x 50 x 60cm high. Told you it was small!
(Maybe room for a couple of plants? 3 too many?)
Strain: Thinking about a feminised auto-flower low-ryder. Hopefully one that's not too stinky to grow. I know it will smell in flower, but as much as I'd like too I can't risk a super stinky strain. Speed, ease, size etc are all important factors.
Any recommendations? Doesn't have to be super potent but must be a good smoke.
Lighting: Like the idea of LED. I know it has plenty of sceptics, but am willing to try. The tech does seem to be slowly improving. Low heat and energy. Directional. Would LED be suitable for my small space?
I'd also consider CFL for the same reasons. As I'm going auto-flower, I will concentrate mainly on red spectrum. I heard that around the 630nm range is good? LED or CFL? Which will produce a better crop? What about both at once? LED up top, small CFLs under the canopy (no room at sides)? Is there even any point lighting under the canopy?
LED or CFL? For my 50x50x60cm space (1 or 2 plants) what wattage do you reckon I should go for?
Reflector: LED is directional, so not too worried about overhead reflector there. If I go CFL I might buy a basic kit with both CFL and reflector. How about side-walls?
Was going to paint the insides white. Would foil be better, or is it really worth investing in the Mylar reflective film stuff?
Heat: In a small enclosed space hopefully the LED or CFL will keep things nice 'n snug (as its in the garage in the winter) but not too hot. Will use PC fans to keep cool if necessary. Fish-tank heater to keep the soil or reservoir warm enough.
Medium / substrate: Undecided. Either soil for ease, or homemade DIY hydro. Soil is easier, but is the extra hassle of measuring PH, dealing with nutes etc worth it considering I'm on such a small scale? Would the bucket / trough / reservoir and pump take up too much of my limited space (50x50x60)? I guess overall its a trade off between ease and simplicity versus speed of growth and yield?
Soil or hydro for this small size?
Ventilation / odour: PC fan for extraction. Home made carbon filter. Thinking of using odour catching carbon filter used in cooker hoods / extractors. Will this work? Either PC fan or solar inside the box just to keep the air moving. Will have a small inlet (box won't be air tight anyway) to let fresh air in.
Will cooker extrator fan carbon filter work?
Humidity: Is this an important consideration or will it be okay as is? Should I use a mini-fogger? I imagine as its wintertime and the air damp I should be okay.
ScrOG: I've seen some amazing resulting using a screen. I figure due to my small space training and pruning around a Scrog could have big benefits as height is really an issue.
Can you even Scrog a lowryder?
Does the above sound reasonable?
Anything I've forgotten?
Anything you think I should change?
I'm really open to any recommendations, and really want this project to succeed. Once i get going I'm a determined and extremely focussed, even obsessive old git, but am always receptive to any advice!
Please, any help or feedback, no matter how small is appreciated.
Once I've got all the bits ready I intend to document and create a diary of the whole thing from build to smoke, so you can all laugh at my stoned fumbling around and inevitable failings!
Peace
tictok
p.s. I realise this post kind of crosses the boundaries of multiple forum sections, but as I'm a noob, figured this was the best place for it?
I've seen some amazing grows around here and have huge respect and appreciation for most of you guys. You are my inspiration! About to try my first grow in 15 years. Last time in my hazy student days it was a big bushy outdoor monster. This time its going to be a reasonably small stealth set-up. For various reasons (wifeys stipulations, small kids, other family, friends etc) it has to be small scale and stealth. If I manage to get anywhere near an ounce first time around I'll be over the moon but am in it just as much for the learning and simply as a new fun project for 2012!
Please don't laugh, but as space is limited it's going to be inside an old oak hi-fi cabinet in the garage, hidden amongst the years of other accumulated junk. If I can keep the smell down it will be undetectable.
Wife and kids are away this weekend so plan to go shopping and build then, hopefully starting the grow next week. Cash is tight, so the whole thing has to be cheap. I'm going to outline my plan below - if you can I'd really appreciate it if you could take a quick look and offer any pointers or opinions. Thank you!
Size: 50 x 50 x 60cm high. Told you it was small!
(Maybe room for a couple of plants? 3 too many?)
Strain: Thinking about a feminised auto-flower low-ryder. Hopefully one that's not too stinky to grow. I know it will smell in flower, but as much as I'd like too I can't risk a super stinky strain. Speed, ease, size etc are all important factors.
Any recommendations? Doesn't have to be super potent but must be a good smoke.
Lighting: Like the idea of LED. I know it has plenty of sceptics, but am willing to try. The tech does seem to be slowly improving. Low heat and energy. Directional. Would LED be suitable for my small space?
I'd also consider CFL for the same reasons. As I'm going auto-flower, I will concentrate mainly on red spectrum. I heard that around the 630nm range is good? LED or CFL? Which will produce a better crop? What about both at once? LED up top, small CFLs under the canopy (no room at sides)? Is there even any point lighting under the canopy?
LED or CFL? For my 50x50x60cm space (1 or 2 plants) what wattage do you reckon I should go for?
Reflector: LED is directional, so not too worried about overhead reflector there. If I go CFL I might buy a basic kit with both CFL and reflector. How about side-walls?
Was going to paint the insides white. Would foil be better, or is it really worth investing in the Mylar reflective film stuff?
Heat: In a small enclosed space hopefully the LED or CFL will keep things nice 'n snug (as its in the garage in the winter) but not too hot. Will use PC fans to keep cool if necessary. Fish-tank heater to keep the soil or reservoir warm enough.
Medium / substrate: Undecided. Either soil for ease, or homemade DIY hydro. Soil is easier, but is the extra hassle of measuring PH, dealing with nutes etc worth it considering I'm on such a small scale? Would the bucket / trough / reservoir and pump take up too much of my limited space (50x50x60)? I guess overall its a trade off between ease and simplicity versus speed of growth and yield?
Soil or hydro for this small size?
Ventilation / odour: PC fan for extraction. Home made carbon filter. Thinking of using odour catching carbon filter used in cooker hoods / extractors. Will this work? Either PC fan or solar inside the box just to keep the air moving. Will have a small inlet (box won't be air tight anyway) to let fresh air in.
Will cooker extrator fan carbon filter work?
Humidity: Is this an important consideration or will it be okay as is? Should I use a mini-fogger? I imagine as its wintertime and the air damp I should be okay.
ScrOG: I've seen some amazing resulting using a screen. I figure due to my small space training and pruning around a Scrog could have big benefits as height is really an issue.
Can you even Scrog a lowryder?
Does the above sound reasonable?
Anything I've forgotten?
Anything you think I should change?
I'm really open to any recommendations, and really want this project to succeed. Once i get going I'm a determined and extremely focussed, even obsessive old git, but am always receptive to any advice!
Please, any help or feedback, no matter how small is appreciated.
Once I've got all the bits ready I intend to document and create a diary of the whole thing from build to smoke, so you can all laugh at my stoned fumbling around and inevitable failings!
Peace
tictok
p.s. I realise this post kind of crosses the boundaries of multiple forum sections, but as I'm a noob, figured this was the best place for it?
