PLS critique my set/up & plan (not built yet, but all details are here)

Grow Box:
--(2) 21.5 gallon Rubbermaid totes
--Lined w/Mylar covered bubble wrap (called Reflectix Bubble @ Lowes)
--Will be light-proof

Lights: 3 on each side of box, after built will see if I can fit 1 more light at each end for a total of 8 lights inside:
--(6) 6500K cfls for veg
--(6) 2700K cfls for flower (will use 3000K if I can find them)
--Will bolt lights to box, raise girls up to light w/books or something

Ventilation/Odor Control:
--6” inline duct fan at top blowing out into closet inside house
--2” 90-degree elbow PVC bottom at bottom of totes for passive intake
--DIY Pencil holder/pantyhose carbon filter (I’m figuring out how to attach this so the fan is sucking air through it…will add once into flowering only and it will prevent light from entering through fan)

Power:
--40ft 16 gauge 3-prong extension cord, I’ll splice/wire lights/fan into this cord

Strain:
--bag seed (unknown) starting w/2 seeds (very first try, don't even know if they'll germinate)

Medium:
--Foxfarms Ocean Forest
--Perilite for good aeration/draining

The Plan:
--Germinate w/paper towel/jar method (about 2-3 days)
--When ready, start in dixie cup w/soil and when roots are established, transfer each to 5 gallon flower pots w/soil (final pot size)
--Keep lights as close as possible w/out burning leaves
--LST (tie down method), so veg time may be shorter due to restricted vertical space, but start once a primary tip appears
--I’ll Ph test my tap water, if whack, I’ll buy distilled
--I’ll Ph test my soil too, looking for 6.0-7.0 (veg 20-5-5 & flwr 5-15-5 for nutes, but hopefully this will be ok w/fox farms and good water)
--Temps for lights on 85F tops, lights off 75F
--Humidity for Veg/Flower 40%-60%
--Veg light 24/0 and when ready to flower do 0/24 for 1 day to “kick start” the girls
--Flwr light 12/12 (start using carbon filter)
--Start looking for sex (hairs=good female, green sacs=bad male=kill it)
--Flower 8-10 weeks, look for 2/3 of trichs to be red/amber w/some milky
--Harvest full branches (but clone females during flower stage after confirmed sexing)
--Hang dry in 45% humidity low/no light for 5-6 days till stems snap but not brittle
--Trim and cure in mason jars, burp 1x/day for first 3 days then 2x/week for next month, then 1x/month—ready to smoke and use trimmings to make hash

Anything absolutely essential missing? I know this is all “just on paper” for now and a lot of it "depends", but I’ve been doing my research and can’t think of anything that = instant failure. Thanks for input! I priced all this out (w/some estimations) but it came to about $250.00 for absolutely everything just FYI. If my seeds don't germ I'll purchase some Northern Lights since it's recommended for total newbs like me and indoor set ups. Tnx everyone! I'll post pix after I get this thing going.

too much w no pic man..when u get it setup id show it off..u have the materials though

I'd prep yourself to get other water than Tap. Water makes such a big differene in the taste, size and quality of your bud.
-I like RO/purified best. Instead of raising the ladies you could consider making your lamps adjustable (easier to move lamps than flowering plants).
-I'd do 18/6, plants grow the most when they rest, giving them a night period will help them grow up quicker (rest from light stress)
-I'd look for 5%-15% ambering Trics-> any less is a severe drop in THC potential.

Looks great other than that man. Should be a fun setup man

Bayou bud said:

I'd prep yourself to get other water than Tap. Water makes such a big differene in the taste, size and quality of your bud.
-I like RO/purified best. Instead of raising the ladies you could consider making your lamps adjustable (easier to move lamps than flowering plants).
-I'd do 18/6, plants grow the most when they rest, giving them a night period will help them grow up quicker (rest from light stress)
-I'd look for 5%-15% ambering Trics-> any less is a severe drop in THC potential.

Looks great other than that man. Should be a fun setup man

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light stress? idk always heard and have seen my plants grow quicker under 24hrs i just do 18/6 to conserve electric

Dutchmast3r said:

light stress? idk always heard and have seen my plants grow quicker under 24hrs i just do 18/6 to conserve electric

Click to expand...

Really? I was doing 24/0 then did 20/4 for a bit, but 18/6 really REALLY shot my plants up quick. 24/0 is supposed to be ideal for clones and "science" says that a plant in veg prefers a night period, even if only for a few hours. Photosensitive plants still need their night cycle, I read it aids to its ability to grow to let it "rest" at night.

Bayou bud said:

Really? I was doing 24/0 then did 20/4 for a bit, but 18/6 really REALLY shot my plants up quick. 24/0 is supposed to be ideal for clones and "science" says that a plant in veg prefers a night period, even if only for a few hours. Photosensitive plants still need their night cycle, I read it aids to its ability to grow to let it "rest" at night.

Click to expand...

I'd like to see some of this "science" you speak of. I use 24/0 after trying 18/6. Seems everyone has an opinion from their experience, but I've never seen any hard evidence so i'd be curious to see.

Ok, so far tips are:
1. Make lights adjustable
2. Experiment with 18/6 versus 24/0 for vegging
3. Harvest w/less amber in trichs than what I originally stated

Anyone else? I'll be buying everything this week and building (can't waste $, that's why I'm asking now), but any obvious trainwreck waiting to happen w/my plan so far? Tnx

If you can try starting out with more then 2 seeds... not only will it increase your chances of having a lovely lady but also in case you screw up... or if they screw up on you... considering it's your first time you WILL make mistakes... it happens to everyone. I know ive had my fair share... still do to this day been doing this for a few years now.. anyways if you can germ mayb 5-6 seeds you will be much better off.. if you only have room for 1 plant in your rubber maid wouldnt hurt to have to choose the best/favorite female out of 2 if you had em. Just a thought. I can see you clearly have done plenty of reading as your plans all sound very good.. I didnt know half of that when i gave it my first go.. i put some seeds in dirt watered em and put some incandescent light bulbs on em! haha the good old days... no wonder my plants never made it to harvest.

anywho your plans sound great but once you get going none of it will matter as you will constantly be changing and adapting to each and every grow different. best of luck to you.

BK

Thanks so much BK. I wondered a/b that. I'll take you up on your advice and start a few more seeds. Hopefully off to the store today and the fun project of building all of this!

Do not clone while flowering you will regret it! Take clone's early and mark clearly so when you cull the male's you can take the male clone's as well.....If you wan't you can do in reverse..clone early...move to 12/12 and sex.. remove male clone's and parent plant! continue vege until 1/2 the height you want and flower knowing you have all ladie's at the dance!! Wishing you the best my friend! jack

Makes total sense Jack. I'll plan to clone before going to 12/12, put the clones into 12/12 early and sex so I can get rid of the males before flowering of plants begins. This will prevent pollination in case I've got boys and (hopefully) get my next round of girls going! I see the logic. Hadn't quite figured out the timing of it all.