Gonna Start My First Indoor Grow-Need Info

Hey Y'all,

I am not new to growing but was forced to do it guerilla style outdoors for many years. I'm at the point now of saying "fuck that shit!"

Crawling down a steep muddy slippery hill at 2:00am 1-2 times a week is getting to me. So is monitoring weather, bug infestation, hiding from neighbors and an occasional deer munch. There's got to be an easier way!

So here's what I'm thinking. I got a very small closet in the basement (5'x2') but all I want is perhaps 3 females. I will buy fem seeds to make it worth my while.

The closet is painted flat white, but there is no means for exhaust. I would literally have to blow a fan into the closet. No one uses that bedroom so I could easily keep the door closed 24-7. It is dark and cool.

What do I need? I'm thinking a 400W MH/HPS combo. MH for veg, HPS for flowering. Right? I also considered CFL's but in the past fluorescents grew weak spindly plants.

So I need a light with ballast and reflector, organic soil (hydroponics intimidate me), a fan, a light timer and thermo/humidity gauge. Would that be it?

If so, what seed choices works best in this scenario? I need to stay away from the skunky shit to avoid detection. I yanked an outdoor plant 6 weeks ago and when I hung it in this closet, ALL 3 floors of my house smelled skunky! My wife was having a shit fit.

Also, I may take this idea into my huge attic if the wife doesn't agree to the basement closet.

Last question-will a 400W bulb show a huge change in my electric bill?

Thanks, love, and peace to all

Sounds pretty good, to that I would only add a PH tester, if you're going to use nutes that color the water you'll want a PH pen, instead of the chemical tester. May be other stuff but I'm kinda sleepy. lol
A single 400w won't put much on your bill - depending on how much you pay per kilawatt, it should only be around maybe $25 a month on the high end.

DoeEyed said:

Sounds pretty good, to that I would only add a PH tester, if you're going to use nutes that color the water you'll want a PH pen, instead of the chemical tester. May be other stuff but I'm kinda sleepy. lol
A single 400w won't put much on your bill - depending on how much you pay per kilawatt, it should only be around maybe $25 a month on the high end.

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Thank you! I'm glad I got some input! The whole pH thing is foreign to me since I usually just plant in the ground with pre-prepared soil.

I also hope the 400W system will produce 3 thick budded females. Here's what I'm eyeballing: http://www.htgsupply.com/viewproduct.asp?productID=51374

Happy tokes!

Topo said:

Thank you! I'm glad I got some input! The whole pH thing is foreign to me since I usually just plant in the ground with pre-prepared soil.

I also hope the 400W system will produce 3 thick budded females. Here's what I'm eyeballing: http://www.htgsupply.com/viewproduct.asp?productID=51374

Happy tokes!

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I have a similar setup as I have a basement space that nobody goes near.
I have a 400w hanging light, an air conditioner timer, and a couple of normal fans.
I have the light long-wise along the ceiling, and i put four plants in at a time-
two plants are on each of the short sides of the closet, and i grow them along wires strung the whole length.
I use very small pots- 2 gallons size, and as the plants get longer, I just twist them along the wires.
I have the lights so that they go on at night, when the ambient air is cooler, and i just open the closet at night and close (and lock it) in the morning. The fan or two run at low speed.
I grow lanky sativas, in soil I mix-- 1/4 perlite, 1/4 vermiculite, 1/4 peat moss, 1/4 compost, to which I add lime (with it, I have never had to think about Ph), blood meal, bone meal, worm castings, and bat guano.
I add a very weak feeding of Big Bud about every 3 weeks, and at the same time I give them a little molasses mixed with epsom salts.
I love my "espalier" plants- its the way they grow grapes!
I always have four plants vegging, and a dozen clones rooting in a shoe box in another closet under a flourescent.
With a jar curing, a jar drying... its the perfect mini set up for an effective organic grow that meets the needs of two medical users, and anyone else that I love.

That system is kind of a rip off because its just this light, and a lot of stuff you can get for free or much less.
http://www.htgsupply.com/growlights.asp?categoryID=1&subcategoryID=155&typeID=55

If your closet is right next to the bathroom and the bathroom has a vent you can vent out from here. Tapping in is usually extremely easy in a basement. Be careful with an attic grow take action to avoid detection from LE as attic grows are very vulnerable to helicopters if used in your area. 1 400watt light is no big deal if asked you put in heated tile in the bath. (they wont) unless you live in a 2 bedroom apartment, but for a house that's just a new appliance.

my electic bill is about 18USD more a month with a 400w digital ballast with an MH in it

customcloset said:

my electic bill is about 18USD more a month with a 400w digital ballast with an MH in it

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WOW!! Thanks everyone for the great ideas-a lot of thought went into them

I liked how you mentioned the attic risk too, and the mixture for good soil. I may just do away with that aforementioned kit, because I can get all the other stuff cheaper.

The bedroom is not close to the bathroom, so an exhaust set up is not possible. BUt I do have outlets right outside the closet, so that's one good thing.

Now, as far as ordering a light system, there are no hydro or light stores around. I will have to buy through the internet. I saw a lot of good deals in that one thread, but does anyone want to leave me a referral? Also, when the light is delivered, should I have it shipped to someone else's address (to avoid being watched?)

Peace, love, nugs and frisbees!

Ok guys, now I'm hunting down a lighting system that will allow me to convert from MH to veg, to HPS to flower, right? Tell me what you think of this: http://www.amazon.com/Watt-Electronic-Ballast-Hydroponic-Light/dp/B002J7PYSU

I veg in a separate cupboard with flourescents and just use the HPS for flowering.

Flowergirl said:

I veg in a separate cupboard with flourescents and just use the HPS for flowering.

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Ok cool. Do the flo's provide thick bushy vegetative growth? If so, I may be PM'ing you for details. Or we could do it out here in the open...that's why I LOVE this website. I will tell you that I have a very restrictive budget. I got furloughed as a special ed teacher in middle school.

I grew in a dorm closet back in 1979. The flo's were not effective to get good strong veg. It was a waste of time, energy and emotion for me then. I guess now times have changed!

I just went into my attic to get a temp reading. Even though the days are in the low 70's and nights are into the 40's, it was like 84*F up there. Cooler days are ahead, but that's hotter than I would like it.

I'll be in touch-thank you so much

Topo said:

Ok cool. Do the flo's provide thick bushy vegetative growth? If so, I may be PM'ing you for details. Or we could do it out here in the open...that's why I LOVE this website. I will tell you that I have a very restrictive budget. I got furloughed as a special ed teacher in middle school.

I grew in a dorm closet back in 1979. The flo's were not effective to get good strong veg. It was a waste of time, energy and emotion for me then. I guess now times have changed!

I just went into my attic to get a temp reading. Even though the days are in the low 70's and nights are into the 40's, it was like 84*F up there. Cooler days are ahead, but that's hotter than I would like it.

I'll be in touch-thank you so much

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lol I veg with CFL's - I think they're pretty bushy anyway, what do you think?

DoeEyed said:

lol I veg with CFL's - I think they're pretty bushy anyway, what do you think?

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Bushy indeed! Now I need to bone up on CFLS too!

Ok folks, I'm ready to pull the trigger (easy now, I mean buying a lighting system ) for the attic and it looks as though I'm honing in on 400W MH/HPS combo and augmenting with some CFLS for some lateral coverage if needed. 'Anyone have any businesses you'd like to endorse from positive experiences?

Gonna call in a credit card number tonight or tomorrow....thanks!

Topo said:

Ok folks, I'm ready to pull the trigger (easy now, I mean buying a lighting system ) for the attic and it looks as though I'm honing in on 400W MH/HPS combo and augmenting with some CFLS for some lateral coverage if needed. 'Anyone have any businesses you'd like to endorse from positive experiences?

Gonna call in a credit card number tonight or tomorrow....thanks!

Click to expand...

I recommend www.htgsupply.com. They can be a bit slow on occasion, but have excellent customer service, and some of the lowest prices around for lights.

DoeEyed said:

I recommend www.htgsupply.com. They can be a bit slow on occasion, but have excellent customer service, and some of the lowest prices around for lights.

Click to expand...

Thanks....I've been looking around and what you said is indeed the consensus! My neighbor (we're pot-head pals)said he'd buy it since he's not growing it, but he wants to buy a lighting system from a local store and pay cash.

Trouble is that there aren't many around here and the one shop that is in my state is expensive.

Happy tokes!

Topo said:

Hey Y'all,

I am not new to growing but was forced to do it guerilla style outdoors for many years. I'm at the point now of saying "fuck that shit!"

Crawling down a steep muddy slippery hill at 2:00am 1-2 times a week is getting to me. So is monitoring weather, bug infestation, hiding from neighbors and an occasional deer munch. There's got to be an easier way!

So here's what I'm thinking. I got a very small closet in the basement (5'x2') but all I want is perhaps 3 females. I will buy fem seeds to make it worth my while.

The closet is painted flat white, but there is no means for exhaust. I would literally have to blow a fan into the closet. No one uses that bedroom so I could easily keep the door closed 24-7. It is dark and cool.

What do I need? I'm thinking a 400W MH/HPS combo. MH for veg, HPS for flowering. Right? I also considered CFL's but in the past fluorescents grew weak spindly plants.

So I need a light with ballast and reflector, organic soil (hydroponics intimidate me), a fan, a light timer and thermo/humidity gauge. Would that be it?

If so, what seed choices works best in this scenario? I need to stay away from the skunky shit to avoid detection. I yanked an outdoor plant 6 weeks ago and when I hung it in this closet, ALL 3 floors of my house smelled skunky! My wife was having a shit fit.

Also, I may take this idea into my huge attic if the wife doesn't agree to the basement closet.

Last question-will a 400W bulb show a huge change in my electric bill?

Thanks, love, and peace to all

Click to expand...

Didn't read the rest of the replies here, but I think without some exhaust, a 400 watt MH/HPS would get way too hot for the babies.. Even w/ the door open.. I tried this approach at the beginning of my current indoor grow (leaving it cracked) and the temperatures were still questionable.. Plus, when you have the door open, your light is leaking out into the bigger room thus cutting down on the actual light that your plants are getting...

It will work, it just isn't the optimal conditions for the plants...

You will notice an increase in your electricity bill for sure... For the last month, I've been using a 250 watt HPS bulb for only 12 hours the past 3 weeks.. and compared to last year (same weather conditions), the bill went up about $25-$30.. Running it for 18 or 24 hours a day, obviously the increase will be more... Just make sure you pay the bill..

Good luck to ya'!!!

My personal preference is florescence. Back when you grew with them, they were not as good as they were today...at all. Really all you need is a few 5000K, 80+ CRI, 26W CFLs for vegging, and they once you move into the flowering stage, keep those on but turn on your 2700K 80CRI 26W, they emit more in the red spectrum, and 5000k emits more in the blue spectrum. Just keep the plants real close to em and you'll have some beautiful tight noded bushy queens.

Another option is to put GROLUX or Verilux full spectrum t5s above your plants, and the aforementioned CFLS all along the sides. Sounds like you know what your talking about good luck! and post a journal so we can see your girls!

a 400 will not show shit on ur bill.. like 20-30 buck a mnth(undetectable)... my advise to u is to research and know exactly what u wanna do b4 u start... nuffin worse then wanting to change set ups 1/2 way through or coming across a prob that coulda been avoided and then coming here throwing posts out like a mad man trying to find answers(like space, height heat, ect...) if u fail to plan u plan to fail.. thats what i say... i have been resaerching every option like systems and shit like that for mnths, and i still havent gotten to my "actual" grow yet.. ya im growing now but its jus a quick set up to keep me goin till im ready as i knew i would want to make sure im doin exactly what i want to do, not what seems best at the time... trust me, my set up plans have changed about 10 times since i started researching.... i am now finishing up the last of my research

as for a place to order... try horticultre source... they r classified as a garden center not a hydro store there for being cheep... my local store sells a 369GPH pump for 120 and i can order it from HS for 19.95+shipping... a 600hps ballest and bulb for 200 and my store wants like 500... sumthings r not worth ordering like large items such as flood trays and such

All you realy have to do is get all the right equipment that you will need.If you have experiance in growing then you are harf way there.But there is one major rule and that rule is never tell a sole no one not family girlfriend no one.Make it out has though you are buying and banging a little out if you have too.My advice it is up to you if you follow it is to get a grow tent.You can pick one of these up from the kit bag shop for about 250 pound.This will have everthing that you need to get going a 300 hps light ballast carbon filter and exaust fan the tunt it's self is well worth the money good quality.You will even get the exaust vent tubeing.The only thing that you will need to but extra is a couple of fans but there only a tenner each in the uk.Have one to move the plants around thus makeing them alot more viggeruss.The other fan needs to be blowig onto the fan this will cool the light and stop it from over heating.And the other most important rule is to make sure that the light is kept realy close to the cannopy top this is crucial to stop the plants from becomeing leggy.Leggy plants will end up produceing very little you need close internodes.Also get a nice feed like vitalink a and b veg and a and b bloom with a little tub of big bud to add during week two.Also don't get into a habbit of watering every so often the plants will need one water a week but wet them through and you will notice that the plant dry out about day 5 but don't worry this will cause the plant to produce a nice root mass.I also flush the plants once a week after week two on the same day i flush them with water ph of 5.5 and leave for a hour or so then add fresh nutrients made up while i'm waiting for the plants run of to stop.And no all this water will not harm the plants infact they thrive on it.It is only like hydrphonics but in soil but the plants dont become soddon because there loseing water all the time.So keep the lights close and the ph around 5.5/6.0 and flush regular after the second week this will aid in gettimg rid of all the salt and othe things that the plant rejects and you should be a successul grower indoors,TYKE