Qwerg's 400w HPS/Metal Halide Grow!

Qwerg

Qwerg

Well-Known Member
Hello everyone, starting a new grow. I usually use the AeroGarden Pro 200 with CFLs. But I've stepped it up. I bought a reflector, ballast, and an HPS bulb and Metal Halide bulb. I am growing in what I believe is 2 gallon pots with Miracle Grow potting soil that says will feed my plants for 3 months. As you can probably tell, this is my first time growing in soil. I'm vegging on 18/6, flowering 12/12. Both are 400w, I'm only growing two plants. Which brings me to my first issue. For two plants, would 150w be a good choice for a two plant grow op? I don't really want to burn electricity, will this 400w along with the ballast etc., run up my electric bill substantially?

Pics soon, seeds are germinating!
 
<stealthgrowing>

<stealthgrowing>

Active Member
The 400 watt light will cost a little more to run of course, simply because it uses more electricity to operate. I am using a 150watt HPS in my small grow box. If the box were larger I would get a larger light. The size of your light depends on the application. For 2 small plants an 150watt HPS is probably adequate. You can focus on nutrition to improve results.
 
Qwerg

Qwerg

Well-Known Member
Well, I started with Miracle Grow potting soil, the included fertilizer is said to feed plants for up to 3 months. But some people on the forums have told me before to completely avoid this potting soil, but since I already have it, should I really go out of my way to order Fox Farm?

I'm going to try to get a 250w HPS and Metal Halide. But that won't be for a while, so I might start with 400w and move to 250w.

Other then some starting issues this grow should be great, I have great looking seeds in germ, and I have supplies to setup a cozy grow room.
 
Qwerg

Qwerg

Well-Known Member
1 of 2 seeds has germinated
. I'm going to start to germinate 4 more seeds tonight even tho I only need to more germinated seeds, I just don't want to wait on 1 other seed that maybe one that never cracks, know what I mean? Also I'm trying to think of some I can grow along side the grass I'm going to grow under the 400w. Any ideas?
 
Darkuser

Darkuser

Well-Known Member
If you're going to use Miracle grow, you should fill it out with perlite or something like that. I've had loads of problems with 3 plants I put in that stuff and now put 50% perlite in it until I run it out, then I'll be using something else.

I got nute burn without having added any nutes. It holds way to much water and can take a week to dry. So if you water to soon or have to flush, you open yourself up to root rot, and that stunted one of my plants pretty bad. It's got a very high acidity, but most people's tap water counters that if you don't drop the PH much.
 
Qwerg

Qwerg

Well-Known Member
Darkuser said:
If you're going to use Miracle grow, you should fill it out with perlite or something like that. I've had loads of problems with 3 plants I put in that stuff and now put 50% perlite in it until I run it out, then I'll be using something else.

I got nute burn without having added any nutes. It holds way to much water and can take a week to dry. So if you water to soon or have to flush, you open yourself up to root rot, and that stunted one of my plants pretty bad. It's got a very high acidity, but most people's tap water counters that if you don't drop the PH much.
Click to expand...

Well I do use tap water, and I planted the rockwool cube in the soil today, along with a cracked seed in a mix of compost and MG. Didn't test the pH yet though. Pics in a little. I can buy soil right now, what kind do you highly recommend?
 
Darkuser

Darkuser

Well-Known Member
I'm fairly new myself and still learning what's best. But, I just know from those first 3 plants not to use MG by itself anymore, and many people say the same. From what I understand, the acidity and absorbensy problems come from the peat in MG. You need soil that drains well and allows oxygen to the roots, so anything with good drainage will work.

DaGambler uses nothing but Perlite and MBlaze uses Coco, and I'm thinking I may give one of those a try. Seems like they have a lot of the benefits of a hydroponic system. For a new grower who may be unsure how much water and nutes to use, a light medium with great drainage really helps you not fuck up your plants.
 
Qwerg

Qwerg

Well-Known Member
Well put, I just know I cant get Fox Farm around here, and I'm not about to order a small bag and pay 18 dollars for some slow shipping. SO I figured I go down to Home Depot or Lowes and check out the soil supply.
 
Realclosetgreenz

Realclosetgreenz

Well-Known Member
If i were you i would build a box around your grow.(Visqeen plastic and 2x2s will due great) This will help control Temps and C02 if used(Doubles yield) also keeps area the where your growing cleaner. a box can be built at home depot for a max of about $50.
 
Qwerg

Qwerg

Well-Known Member
I'll look into it, are you saying they build the box at home depot, or the supplies to build it cost no more then $50?
 
Realclosetgreenz

Realclosetgreenz

Well-Known Member
Qwerg said:
I'll look into it, are you saying they build the box at home depot, or the supplies to build it cost no more then $50?
Click to expand...
No the supply's are at home depot for about $50( theyll cut the 2x2's for you thou). You build it at home with a screw gun and some screws. It will also make better use of your light source by reflecting light transmission.
 
Qwerg

Qwerg

Well-Known Member
Just posting to let you guys know...the grow room has completely changed spots. It's now surrounded by white walls. Pics are coming soon, maybe tonight. One seedling is tall and the first true leaves are getting bigger, the second set has become visible. The other pot has a seedling now too!
 
Qwerg

Qwerg

Well-Known Member
I turned off the Metal Halide bulb, I figured they're seedlings, why so much light just yet. Currently I have 2 23 watt CFLs (100 watt eqv.) red spectrum and 1 13 watt (65 watt eqv.) blue spectrum CFL postyed up very close to both plants. Will this be bad for the plants. They already had stress today because some (long story) turned my MH off for a good 4 hours leaving plants in complete darkness. Pics soon. BTW another seed germinated.
 
Qwerg

Qwerg

Well-Known Member
Is it ok, to give my two seedlings CFL light a majority of them time and sometimes Metal Halide light, I feel like the MH for seedlings running for 18 hours is not fully needed. What I'm asking is, will it stress the plant to keep dramatically changing the light level. When they getbigger, maybe like two nodes, theyll stay on full Metal Halide.


BTW, the seedlings had two days of a little light stress, lights not being on when theyre supposed to be, fixed that though. Seedlings look GREAT! Planted another seed too!
 
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