Small indoor for fun & personal use

Hello lovely people!
Doing research for some time so far and gathering materials for my diy indoor grow room.
Nothing fancy or big - 1 or 2 mostly indica plants to be grown in DWC for personal use.
A bit concerned with my hydro choice as no previous experience with it and soil is said to be more forgiving to beginners.
Probably will stick to 80x80x160 or 100x100x180 tent size.
Here I will gather the shopping list, plans, progress etc.
Your inputs are very welcome, I will try to keep this thread neat and maybe once it will be useful for someone

Stranger307 said:

Hello lovely people!
Doing research for some time so far and gathering materials for my diy indoor grow room.
Nothing fancy or big - 1 or 2 mostly indica plants to be grown in DWC for personal use.
A bit concerned with my hydro choice as no previous experience with it and soil is said to be more forgiving to beginners.
Probably will stick to 80x80x160 or 100x100x180 tent size.
Here I will gather the shopping list, plans, progress etc.
Your inputs are very welcome, I will try to keep this thread neat and maybe once it will be useful for someone

Click to expand...

Welcome friend
Get the largest tent you can, and I recommend growing 3(4?) plants, definitely not one.
You have to think of failures, and with only one plant you are severely limiting your self.
Plus after 3 months of grow, you as a novice will probably get 3 oz from a plant, which won't last.
Grow 3, that's 9 oz's which should last until your next crop comes in, plus you'll get a nice cure on your product.
Good luck

Hey mate, if you're going to grow 2 you may as well grow 4 and give yourself a better chance of success.

Jimdamick said:

Welcome friend
Get the largest tent you can, and I recommend growing 3(4?) plants, definitely not one.
You have to think of failures, and with only one plant you are severely limiting your self.
Plus after 3 months of grow, you as a novice will probably get 3 oz from a plant, which won't last.
Grow 3, that's 9 oz's which should last until your next crop comes in, plus you'll get a nice cure on your product.
Good luck

Click to expand...

DownUnderDoper said:

Hey mate, if you're going to grow 2 you may as well grow 4 and give yourself a better chance of success.

Click to expand...

Hey, thanks for the advise both of you, there is one concern - I have 45l bucket now (IKEA's Samla), there is enough place for 4 holes in the lid (52x39 cm), in case something goes wrong and out of 4 one or two die, I could just cover the holes to prevent the light getting inside the bucket.
But: is 45l enough for 3-4 plants (enough space for roots) and if the tent space will be sufficient once I have 1x1x1,6 m tent +
250w hps is ok for 1-2 plants, but what is with 3-4?

The first thing I've started to look for was the light. Lots of options to consider and endless articles.
In my country (EU) the supply is poor probably just as demand.
What I've found is a Ukranian web-site of local manufacturer (no EN version of the site, neither prices in EUR/USD).
Manager confirmed that post delivery is possible and I was able to pay with my card.
The order didn't come yet so let's see
Below is my order list with prices:
- ballast 250w HID: 9,25€
- igniter for HID lamps: 4€
- x3 250w HPS bulbs: 11,5€
These prices are crazy but the manufacturer is well-known with a good history...
I read to invest more in the ballast since "it can catch up you house on fire" but I really trust their production.
P.S. It's a magnetic ballast of course. Will try to add photos later - leaving to see Deadpool2

Stranger307 said:

The first thing I've started to look for was the light. Lots of options to consider and endless articles.
In my country (EU) the supply is poor probably just as demand.
What I've found is a Ukranian web-site of local manufacturer (no EN version of the site, neither prices in EUR/USD).
Manager confirmed that post delivery is possible and I was able to pay with my card.
The order didn't come yet so let's see
Below is my order list with prices:
- ballast 250w HID: 9,25€
- igniter for HID lamps: 4€
- x3 250w HPS bulbs: 11,5€
These prices are crazy but the manufacturer is well-known with a good history...
I read to invest more in the ballast since "it can catch up you house on fire" but I really trust their production.
P.S. It's a magnetic ballast of course. Will try to add photos later - leaving to see Deadpool2

Click to expand...

You had to buy the ignitor separate?
Why buy 3 bulbs?
I would have recommended 400 watts HID, at least.(600 preferably)
250 will work for 1 plant, but not much more.

Stranger307 said:

But: is 45l enough for 3-4 plants (enough space for roots) and if the tent space will be sufficient once I have 1x1x1,6 m tent +

Click to expand...

Yes

Stranger307 said:

250w hps is ok for 1-2 plants, but what is with 3-4?

Click to expand...

No

I just started my self and I’m using a coco coir mix. I’m using a 2x2x4 (feet)tent and growing 2 plants using 4 CFL’s (auto fem’d strain)

From someone that just started like you, researching and asking questions. I have had to change my exhaust and air intake and my lights a few times. I also started with a 315 CHM light, which is wonderful but too much heat for my space.

Also look at hydro nutrition for your plants if growing in coco, as coco grows like hydro but easy like soil).

Hi all. Lots of things happened lately. I couldn't even start to build the grow tent as I'm moving to another flat and has just now received my lights ordered around 2 months ago.... customer service they call it...
I had a lot of time to think everything over 7 times, created lots of setups in my imagination.. and got my Auto AK from Queen seeds.
I will try to squeeze the budget for the first grow and modernize for next grows step by step.
So far the plan is:
1 auto plant
Found a "tent" (actually wardrobe) in IKEA done from thin plastic, thus will need extra layer of white film from the inside - light penetration and reflection - will try to attach photo.
Got my 250w ballast, ignite and bulbs will buy a reflector later on.. will use it for flower only.
Got CFL fixture with x5 adapter. Found 32w bulbs 6500 with 2150 lumen each - will have 10750 lumen for veg for one plant.
Will grow in a smart pot using organic fertilizer from Biobizz with their All Mix medium.
I still have to sort out ventilation topic though..

The "tent" - 80x55x180 cm - 30€
And my lights arrived.. both hid (flower) and cfl (veg)

"Tent" got kinda scrog but the cells are too small...(

Jimdamick said:

You had to buy the ignitor separate?
Why buy 3 bulbs?
I would have recommended 400 watts HID, at least.(600 preferably)
250 will work for 1 plant, but not much more.

Click to expand...

Everything is separate and I'll have to do some magic with it...
I'm so glad I've ordered 3 bulbs - it took almost 2 months to get my order and the bulb cost like 3-4€ each
I doubt I will order from there again but I got some cheap bulbs on stock now at least..

Lovely people of forum, all set and growing! Will send photos and description once got enough time for that...
Could you please take a look and advise on what's the problem with this beauty?? (except that chewed part of the leave - found a grasshopper this morning having breakfast...bottom of the tent was opened, set there a net today.. stupid me) - leaves bend in the middle... internet says it's heat issue - temperature is around 26-27°C inside, humidity 68-72, exhaust is 24/7 on. So far it's under 2 CFLs 1600 lumen each. 250w HPS is ready to go, just don't know when to launch it..
I got a pretty strong fan as well which is on from time to time
Appreciate any help!

Jimdamick said:

No

Click to expand...

Please advise on above

DownUnderDoper said:

Hey mate, if you're going to grow 2 you may as well grow 4 and give yourself a better chance of success.

Click to expand...

Hi there mate! Could you please advise on symptoms above?
Also attached is a more recent photo.
I had temperature issues with the ballast, so currently plant is under 4 CFLs 1600 lumen each

P.S. I think one crucial detail is missing in this journal.
Seed was planted to earth 08.09.2018
Attached is a picture from 09.09.2018
So currently plant is one week old.
It's auto Royal AK auto feminized from RQS

HID ballast is getting too hot once it get it's effective operational temperature - information on Internet is 80-120°C
That temperature isn't enough to set wood on fire, but I don't want to take chances...
So my HPS is off until I get non-burning plates to put under ballast..

Evening update:
Bought those plates - it's about 5x5 cm and 0.5 height, so I used 6 of them to make two layers for my ballast. HPS is on to check out the temperature thing.
Also set up the second exhaust as i feel that one doesn't manage it good... I doubt I can spoil anything with more airflow
Anyway tent needs a layer of reflexing film inside - to improve reflection rate and increase isolation (probably will reduce the intake "hole" from the bottom to increase suction - another reason for this is OPSEC of course)

My current ballast on the top of the tent and 2 exhaust "chimneys"
Sorry for the quality of the inside photo - don't want to on/off HPS every now and then.. it's now 35cm away from the plant top to be on the safe side

So we start the second week!

It seems that plant loves HPS!
Set up the second fan and pointed it on the lamp... temperature fell down........1°C
Linked exhaust and second fan to the lamp's timer, so during 6 hours of darkness just 1 fan will work to move some air inside.
As a critical measure I've bought a freezer block (ice brick) or whatever that's called... to put inside the tent during the day until the temperatures outside goes down. But I'm in doubts if it won't be too much
On the photos is my first LST attempt

Just for historical purposes adding the very first photo..