Newbie Alert - Need Complete Growing System

Cr8z13 · Jun 14, 2008

Hello, forumites! I'm completely new to growing and I have much to learn. So much that I don't feel comfortable making any major purchase decisions without consulting people that actually know what they're talking about. That's where you fine folks come in. I've been doing some research(lots of searching here and elsewhere), so I think I'm somewhat familiar with the growing process.

Here are my goals as a grower, I'd like a grow box or hut that can be placed in a utility closet behind my garage. The space is 4ft wide and maybe 15-20ft long. Ceiling is plenty tall. I want a DWC setup that can handle 10-12 plants. I want something that can easily yield at least a pound every 3 months. Is this reasonable? My budget is approximately $1,000, possibly a little more if need be.

Here's what I need(feel free to add anything):

Housing - I was thinking of some kind of cabinet or grow hut, maybe 3x3x6ft.

Lightting - I was thinking 400w HPS with an extra MH bulb for veg. I'll need a mounting kit and a reflector. Maybe I can line the inside of the grow space with mylar too. I don't know if I would need a 600w instead for my goals.

Exhaust and odor control - I'll need some kind of carbon filter, as well as exhaust fans and duct tubing.

Hydro setup - I was looking at the ready-to-go setups here. Is there a better way to go?

Data collection - This looks cool.

Nutrients - I need any and everything one would need to accomadate my goals.

Additional info: I live in Southern California, but not close enough to get a sea breeze. Temps during the summer range between 72-105 degrees. The utility closet is perhaps slightly cooler than outside, but not much. There will be many 90+ degree days. I'm not sure if some kind of co2 setup would be necessary, or wheter my budget can even allow it. I may even get a swamp cooler for cooling. By the way, I already have some seeds on the way(Master Kush).

I'll be purchasing most(if not all) gear online. I would greatly appreciate if someone could recommend 1-3 sites where I can buy everything and get it in good time. I know I'm asking a lot, but I'm willing to offer the right individual something in trade. I'd be glad to give away a 30-day Rapidshare Premium account. I upload a lot, so I generate enough Rapidpoints make new accounts. I can provide proof of this if necessary.

Thanks very much for reading. If you'd like to help me, please reply here. I'll PM you your account info once I'm satisfied with your reply.

NewGrowth · Jun 15, 2008

Build your own hydro set up most of what is sold online is either poor quality or way overpriced for what you get. With a $1,000 budget you should be able to opt for an nice electronic ballast air cooled 1000w hps light. Get a carbon filter for odor control, wal-mart sells cheap a/c units that will be more effective than a swamp cooler. Go for flat white paint for your space or mylar white paint is a bit cheaper though. The TDS/PH monitor you are looking at looks nice but blue lab makes the in rez meters you can buy. As for nutes General Hydro are all around good and reasonably priced, I prefer to work with one part nutes for easier mixing so Ionic nutes are what I use personally (everybody has their personal opinion about nutes just use what works for you). As for CO2 I would not opt for it just yet good fans will provide wour plants with what they need. An effective CO2 system can be difficult and expensive to set up. Good luck keep us updated!

Cr8z13 · Jun 15, 2008

NewGrowth said:
Build your own hydro set up most of what is sold online is either poor quality or way overpriced for what you get. With a $1,000 budget you should be able to opt for an nice electronic ballast air cooled 1000w hps light. Get a carbon filter for odor control, wal-mart sells cheap a/c units that will be more effective than a swamp cooler. Go for flat white paint for your space or mylar white paint is a bit cheaper though. The TDS/PH monitor you are looking at looks nice but blue lab makes the in rez meters you can buy. As for nutes General Hydro are all around good and reasonably priced, I prefer to work with one part nutes for easier mixing so Ionic nutes are what I use personally (everybody has their personal opinion about nutes just use what works for you). As for CO2 I would not opt for it just yet good fans will provide wour plants with what they need. An effective CO2 system can be difficult and expensive to set up. Good luck keep us updated!

Thanks for the reply. Can you please recommend some sites where I can buy everything that I need? And I do mean EVERYTHING. Is my idea for a grow hut sound?

Can I get by with a 600w light system? I'm concerned about the electric bill hit that a 1K system will make. Can my goals be achieved with 600w?

I understand that a cheap air conditioner would be ideal, but I don't think my household current can handle the usage. We have a total of four window air conditioners already. A swamp cooler is really my only option(unless I'm wrong). I could also place a large floor fan in the utility closet and crack the door for ventilation. I was thinking of maybe running my lights at night as much as possible. That way the box won't get too hot during daylight hours.

Thanks again for replying.

NewGrowth · Jun 15, 2008

Swamp coolers can only lower temps a max of 20 degrees below outside temps and running those lights would limit you to about 10 degrees below. The other problem with a swamp cooler is that it adds humidity not much of a problem during veg but could encourage mold during flowering. If your house can not handle the current I would recommend hiring an electrician to install a few more breakers you can tap of of for your grow. 600 watt lights are great and are actually the most efficient you can buy I'm sure you would get by just fine with one. Like I said before the best prices I have found on equipment is Cheaphydroponics.com an ohio based company.

Cr8z13 · Jun 15, 2008

NewGrowth said:
Swamp coolers can only lower temps a max of 20 degrees below outside temps and running those lights would limit you to about 10 degrees below. The other problem with a swamp cooler is that it adds humidity not much of a problem during veg but could encourage mold during flowering. If your house can not handle the current I would recommend hiring an electrician to install a few more breakers you can tap of of for your grow. 600 watt lights are great and are actually the most efficient you can buy I'm sure you would get by just fine with one. Like I said before the best prices I have found on equipment is Cheaphydroponics.com an ohio based company.

Ok, cool. What do you think of the grow hut? Also, are you inerested in the Rapidshare account? I just now noticed that I don't have PM privileges. I'll have to email you the details.

NewGrowth · Jun 15, 2008

No I don't really need a Rapidshare account but thank you. I like those tents I'm getting one for my next grow but I'm getting a homebox brand as I read they have better reviews.

Cr8z13 · Jun 15, 2008

Thanks again for your help. I'll be sure and post again when I have something to report.

Cr8z13 · Jun 21, 2008

We have had pretty ridiculous heat these last few days in Southern California. It's just after 11am and it's already 88 degrees. Originally I was planning on placing my Homebox XL in a utility closet outside. If I do that I'll have to run yet another window AC(making it our fifth). This has led me to rethink whether I should put everything inside the house, specifically my bedroom(only option). I already have an AC installed and I could just run it 24/7. It's only 5200 BTU and it's Energy Star compliant.

There are a few things that concern me about putting everything in my bedroom. For starters, I have a lot of shit in there. TV, 6.1 surround, and my computer to name a few things. My grow setup will consist of a 600W lighting system, 6" inline fan, and the Ebb & Gro system(with 55 gallon rez[!]).

I'm pretty sure I'm going to need to get an electrician out here because there's no way the household electrical system is going to handle everything. What can be done, and will it be expensive to perform? Bear in mind that I can probably get a family friend electrician to do the work, I just wasn't sure what kind of parts would need to be purchased.

Secondly, I'm a little scared to put that big f'ing rez in my bedroom. How hard is it to cause a catastrophic fuck-up with ebb & flow, my system in particular? I'm home most of the time, so I'm confident that I can monitor everything dutifully. Still, can something happen beyond my control that would cause my room to turn into a water park?

Any help with these issues would be greatly appreciated.

happyface · Jun 23, 2008

Cr8z13 said:
Hello, forumites! I'm completely new to growing and I have much to learn. So much that I don't feel comfortable making any major purchase decisions without consulting people that actually know what they're talking about. That's where you fine folks come in. I've been doing some research(lots of searching here and elsewhere), so I think I'm somewhat familiar with the growing process.

Here are my goals as a grower, I'd like a grow box or hut that can be placed in a utility closet behind my garage. The space is 4ft wide and maybe 15-20ft long. Ceiling is plenty tall. I want a DWC setup that can handle 10-12 plants. I want something that can easily yield at least a pound every 3 months. Is this reasonable? My budget is approximately $1,000, possibly a little more if need be.

Here's what I need(feel free to add anything):

Housing - I was thinking of some kind of cabinet or grow hut, maybe 3x3x6ft.

Lightting - I was thinking 400w HPS with an extra MH bulb for veg. I'll need a mounting kit and a reflector. Maybe I can line the inside of the grow space with mylar too. I don't know if I would need a 600w instead for my goals.

Exhaust and odor control - I'll need some kind of carbon filter, as well as exhaust fans and duct tubing.

Hydro setup - I was looking at the ready-to-go setups here. Is there a better way to go?

Data collection - This looks cool.

Nutrients - I need any and everything one would need to accomadate my goals.

Additional info: I live in Southern California, but not close enough to get a sea breeze. Temps during the summer range between 72-105 degrees. The utility closet is perhaps slightly cooler than outside, but not much. There will be many 90+ degree days. I'm not sure if some kind of co2 setup would be necessary, or wheter my budget can even allow it. I may even get a swamp cooler for cooling. By the way, I already have some seeds on the way(Master Kush).

I'll be purchasing most(if not all) gear online. I would greatly appreciate if someone could recommend 1-3 sites where I can buy everything and get it in good time. I know I'm asking a lot, but I'm willing to offer the right individual something in trade. I'd be glad to give away a 30-day Rapidshare Premium account. I upload a lot, so I generate enough Rapidpoints make new accounts. I can provide proof of this if necessary.

Thanks very much for reading. If you'd like to help me, please reply here. I'll PM you your account info once I'm satisfied with your reply.

SH Hydroponics, Inc.
this is where i bought my first setup
Marijuana Hydroponics Systems
this is what i did when i realized i should have built my own.......but STEALH HYDRO IS GREAT FOR BEGGINERS.i still use the EXACT set up.but they put the plants too close together so i cusomized my own.well happy growings.

NewGrowth · Jun 23, 2008

Sounds like a better Idea to keep it in your house cops can walk into a utility shed without much trouble but a private residence requires a search warrant. I agree with your electrical concerns and it probably would be wise to install a second circuit for your grow, its better not to risk a fire or come home to see a breaker tripped and all your plants are dead. It is not too hard to install another breaker if you have basic electrical knowledge. If you have the money just get an electrician to put one in for you. Good luck bro keep us updated! Your flooding concerns should be minimal those grow tens have nice waterproof liners and if you take care of your set up you should have no problems.

Cr8z13 · Jun 23, 2008

Thanks for the replies, folks. One more batch of supplies and I'll have everything I need to begin.

Newbie Alert - Need Complete Growing System

Cr8z13

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NewGrowth

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Cr8z13

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NewGrowth

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Cr8z13

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NewGrowth

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Cr8z13

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Cr8z13

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happyface

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NewGrowth

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Cr8z13

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