Newbie here - need advice, help and confirmation.

Hey all, I've decided to try and turn my closet into a small grow area using a DWC system and I could use all your help. I've down hours of research and note taking and these are a few questions I have for my specific situation. Hope y'all don't mind helping out a newbie!


Closet area - 5x4x5 (no ventilation but two AC vents near the closet. One is right outside the closet door and the other is located near the closet on the ceiling in my loft on the backside of the closet wall)
My main concern as of now is the ventilation. Is the area small enough that I could place the intake fan low, the exhaust fan high pointed on the bulb and the oscillating fan in the middle along with a cool tube reflector and it be enough without messing with my AC ducts? Any must haves I am missing (carbon filters, CO2 injections, ect..)? Any info here would be GREATLY appreciated.

I've also thought about putting a smaller grow tent (5x2.5x2.5) in the closet instead of using the whole closet. Would this complicate things with the lack of ventilation or would it help if using the fan method I listed above?

I've read that I can leave the closet door open to help with cooling/ventilating the area during the vegetative stage but what would be the easiest way to handle the flowering stage in my situation?

DWC - 2-4 plants. (2 containers holding 2 plants each in 5" net-pots) I'd like to yield a good amount but doesn't have to be the max.

Lighting - 400W HPS/MH grow light (w/ or w/out cool tube?). Would 250W be enough for the amount of area + # of plants I have or will 400W only help produce more yield?

Nutes - Fluroduo

Seeds - testing with bag seed of hydro, not sure of the strain.


I guess that's it, if you need any other information please feel free to ask. I really appreciate any and all help you guys are willing to give. Look forward to your replies!

Howdy Texasguy! Good luck on your grow... I like the fact that you are testing your grow with bagseed. That's what I did too!!
Let's take things one at a time.. Venting: The ideal setup is what you've said... Intake fans at the bottom and exhaust fan at the top. Along with the oscillating fan to help circulate air in the closet, I think you'll be ok for a small grow! Do get a carbon filter to connect to your exhaust fan if odours are an issue...CO2 is def a plus when flowering but you don't have to get an expensive tank.. there are homemade solutions for CO2 (ie: a mix of dry yiest, brown sugar, warm water or club soda for foliar feeding)
About the closet in the closet... not too sure it would help! It would just take up space and make your grow area temps rise faster!! It would make it more lightproof though!!
Feel free to leave the door open when lights but only during veg. When flowering it's gonna stink more, especially with no filters on. If odour is not an issue leave it open when lights on untill harvest!
Lighting: 1-3 plants could sufice with 250W MH/HPS. 4-5 (maybe even 6) plants with the 400W.
Nutes: I don't know that line of nutes myself but follow recommended dossage. What soil are you gonna be using. Some soils are enriched and you don't need any nutes for the beginning of veg period!
Hope this helps...

Mr Nash, you are my new friend! haha. Thank you for the reply along with the well wishes on my grow.

Odors aren't really a problem for me, but my GF would prefer it not stink up our whole house. I've checked into the exhaust fans with carbon filters and they are pretty pricey, I might have to go a round without it and see how the smell goes. If that is the case, would any fan work as exhaust? I'd be starting the seedling in Rockwool then transferring it to it's net-pot and placed into it's medium which would be Hydroton. No Soil?

I have VERY little knowledge on CO2, not sure what the best process would be for a DWC system. I'll have to look into it, thanks for the example on the homemade solution.

I guess I will have to go with the 400W to ensure I can suffice what might become. Since I'm not working with any in-closet AC ventilation, the cooler it is off the light the better it would be for me. How much harder would it be to cool a closet with a 400W light compared to a 250W?

I agree on the box in the closet, it would probably make the heat too difficult. Lucky for me the closet is on a side wide wall, blocked from the window and is deep enough to where if I leave the door cracked, light doesn't penetrate the back of it. All walls and ceiling in the closet are painted a fairly bright white. Would this be enough or should I invest in Mylar? Cheaper the better.

Thanks for your help!

My bad... you said DWC in your first post but it skipped my mind after trying to write down my answer... lol I'd suggest to keep your GF happy and if you can't get the filter buy some cheap air freshener with odour elimination qualities plus some ONA blocks or gel... A happy GF is a good company to light one up with!!
Now the DWC raises some issues to me... How are you gonna do that in a closet?
It's not much harder to cool a 400W compared to a 250W. I would use a heat shield on my light to avoid canopy burns and a fan directed to that lamp if a cooltube or an aircooled hood is out of the question moneywise!!
Mylar or panda sheet is quite cheap to get and does not compare to any indoor paint. Even cool-certified outdoor paints cannot reflect as much light as mylar!
It's nice to be of help... Growpals it is!!! lol

My GF is definitely good company to burn one with! haha. 6 years and she still can't roll a blunt though, disappointed in my self for that one.

As for the DWC, I'd go with the standard 5 gallon bucket method or use some deep, air tight cases I have. I'd use the bucket/case as it's own reservoir then just do the due with the air line, air pump, air stone, valved drainage line, ect.. Am I missing something that would make it not work in a closet?

I've never heard of Panda sheet, I will definitely look into it! Thanks

Is there anyway to private message on this forum? It could be easier for us to communicate in the future that way.

If I'm online just run your mouse over my name at one of my posts and it'll give you the options... If not find me through your friend list on your profile page and click on me to get to my profile and PM me there!
Panda sheet is reflective white on one side and black on the other... It's the same thing more or less!
You are not missing anything on your DWC... I'ts just smt I never though of doing in a closet... not that I have researched DWC that much. I'm a soil-man myself!!!
And have your gf learn how to roll... that's really disappointing on both sides.. lol just kidiing!!