I had to hire an electrician, my son, and I don't know anything about electricity.
I'm still here watching tho.
I'm still here watching tho.
Help with 4 X 4 Grow area setup. Pics at bottom
- Thread starter Myzz617
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #42
Cool. I dont have the funds for that honestly. I live in an apt, I have about two outlets I can use but one it outside of my room so i would prefer to use one if possible. I will do as much reading as i can to see if buying one of the long power strips from amazon will be enough and if it is safe. One question I think you might be able to answer is can you use timers with Cfl's? Everywhere I read the bulbs say to not use timers with them. I planned on daisy chaining some circuit breakers off that long 15 or 16 socket power strip I want to buy. But before the breakers connect to the powerstrip I figured a timer could go there. not too sure about it though. Hopefully I can figure out the answer to my power setup online. But I was thinking to use a timer just in case i dont make it home on time to switch them off. Was thinking either 1 18hr or 16hr day cycle. But if I cant figure out my electric setup them planning for other things is pointless.
One question I think you might be able to answer is can you use timers with Cfl's?
Of course, all of us CFL growers do it.
Of course, all of us CFL growers do it.
- Thread starter
- #44
Hey Myzz617,
I have a medical grow going on right now like what you are all talking about here...I think. Trying to save on buying my meds as they are expensive. This is my very first grow. Hydro/DWC is the way I like to try. I have had saltwater tanks for many years now and have come accustomed to checking water levels/PH and so on. Seemed easier for me to go this way rather than soil.
It's a 3.5X3.5X9ft - could be a little higher not too sure. I have 6 plants. 3-5gl buckets and one 20gl or so blue bin. 2 smaller plants are housed together until I can get another 5gl bucket. But, yeah here is a link for your viewing:
YouTube - First Medical Closet Grow - Part 9
I have purchased 4 of these bigger plants as clones March 17, 2010, and had them vegged for 28 days. The smaller two together in the black bucket are clones I purchased a little later than my original clones (they also had some nute issues in the beginning as seem to have stunted the growth), but now both got over it and seem healthy, besides a little wind burn on the one right in front of the fan.
I am now on day 8 of flowering cycle 12/12. I stared my clones on 24/0 for 5 days then 24/4 for about 2 weeks then the rest of veg cycle was 18/6.
I like what you have going on on your setup
-BubbleX
I have a medical grow going on right now like what you are all talking about here...I think. Trying to save on buying my meds as they are expensive. This is my very first grow. Hydro/DWC is the way I like to try. I have had saltwater tanks for many years now and have come accustomed to checking water levels/PH and so on. Seemed easier for me to go this way rather than soil.
It's a 3.5X3.5X9ft - could be a little higher not too sure. I have 6 plants. 3-5gl buckets and one 20gl or so blue bin. 2 smaller plants are housed together until I can get another 5gl bucket. But, yeah here is a link for your viewing:
YouTube - First Medical Closet Grow - Part 9
I have purchased 4 of these bigger plants as clones March 17, 2010, and had them vegged for 28 days. The smaller two together in the black bucket are clones I purchased a little later than my original clones (they also had some nute issues in the beginning as seem to have stunted the growth), but now both got over it and seem healthy, besides a little wind burn on the one right in front of the fan.
I am now on day 8 of flowering cycle 12/12. I stared my clones on 24/0 for 5 days then 24/4 for about 2 weeks then the rest of veg cycle was 18/6.
I like what you have going on on your setup
-BubbleX
Hey Myzz, haven't heard from you for a while. I hope it's because you're so busy with good things happening!
- Thread starter
- #47
Lol hey Fri actually I am more busy with life 
; work, school and my new born. I have not forgot bout my grow though I have my money and i am ready to spend but I want to make sure I am spening my money right. I am thinking of just going with the 3X3 tent for now until I become more of a PRO at growing. I think I was getting too ahead of my self trying to plan everything out perfectly. PLan on using about 1200W at the max not sure if that is too much on my rooms circuit. PLus I am trying to get my landlord to add another circuit to my room, told him I have to many computers and Im going to have a few servers in my room which is why i need it. Has not been a week since I have told him this so I am just waiting. Believe me I am so ready to start this grow it aint funny been spending 430 for 2 OZ of some Dro. I usually make it back but yea I deff smoked most of it this time around. I would ask how your grow is but I wont be lazy gona head over to it now glad you checked in though I was about to update it anyhow. Need to do a little more revision of my grow plan and I shall be off to building/growing soon. Got finals coming up for school so I want to take care of that and get my license so i dont have to worry about ordering offline or relying on ppl when i want to get more supplies.
Very nice indeed. Where u from if u dont mind me asking, obv its a MJ smart state or country. I plan on getting the 3.3X3.3 tent which is like 6 feet tall. It actually works out for me better since my closet is 3 10.5 inches deep so I shall be safe. I plan on starting from scratch found a few seeds I will try to germinate once i buy everything. Which will be in about a week or two just need to figure things out. PLus im waiting on my taxes still. Do you have a grw journal? I like how you made that Vid on 4/20
; work, school and my new born. I have not forgot bout my grow though I have my money and i am ready to spend but I want to make sure I am spening my money right. I am thinking of just going with the 3X3 tent for now until I become more of a PRO at growing. I think I was getting too ahead of my self trying to plan everything out perfectly. PLan on using about 1200W at the max not sure if that is too much on my rooms circuit. PLus I am trying to get my landlord to add another circuit to my room, told him I have to many computers and Im going to have a few servers in my room which is why i need it. Has not been a week since I have told him this so I am just waiting. Believe me I am so ready to start this grow it aint funny been spending 430 for 2 OZ of some Dro. I usually make it back but yea I deff smoked most of it this time around. I would ask how your grow is but I wont be lazy gona head over to it now glad you checked in though I was about to update it anyhow. Need to do a little more revision of my grow plan and I shall be off to building/growing soon. Got finals coming up for school so I want to take care of that and get my license so i dont have to worry about ordering offline or relying on ppl when i want to get more supplies.Hey Myzz617,
I have a medical grow going on right now like what you are all talking about here...I think. Trying to save on buying my meds as they are expensive. This is my very first grow. Hydro/DWC is the way I like to try. I have had saltwater tanks for many years now and have come accustomed to checking water levels/PH and so on. Seemed easier for me to go this way rather than soil.
It's a 3.5X3.5X9ft - could be a little higher not too sure. I have 6 plants. 3-5gl buckets and one 20gl or so blue bin. 2 smaller plants are housed together until I can get another 5gl bucket. But, yeah here is a link for your viewing:
YouTube - First Medical Closet Grow - Part 9
I have purchased 4 of these bigger plants as clones March 17, 2010, and had them vegged for 28 days. The smaller two together in the black bucket are clones I purchased a little later than my original clones (they also had some nute issues in the beginning as seem to have stunted the growth), but now both got over it and seem healthy, besides a little wind burn on the one right in front of the fan.
I am now on day 8 of flowering cycle 12/12. I stared my clones on 24/0 for 5 days then 24/4 for about 2 weeks then the rest of veg cycle was 18/6.
I like what you have going on on your setup
-BubbleX
Very nice indeed. Where u from if u dont mind me asking, obv its a MJ smart state or country. I plan on getting the 3.3X3.3 tent which is like 6 feet tall. It actually works out for me better since my closet is 3 10.5 inches deep so I shall be safe. I plan on starting from scratch found a few seeds I will try to germinate once i buy everything. Which will be in about a week or two just need to figure things out. PLus im waiting on my taxes still. Do you have a grw journal? I like how you made that Vid on 4/20
Lol hey man actually I am more busy with life. work, school and my new born. I have not forgot bout my grow though I have my money and i am ready to spend but I want to make sure I am spening my money right. I am thinking of just going with a 4X4 tent for now until I become more of a PRO at growing. I think I was getting too ahead of my self trying to plan everything out perfectly. PLan on using about 1200W at the max not sure if that is too much on my rooms circuit. PLus I am trying to get my landlord to add another circuit to my room, told him I have to many computers and Im going to have a few servers in my room which is why i need it. Has not been a week since I have told him this so I am just waiting. Believe me I am so ready to start this grow it aint funny been spending 430 for 2 OZ of some Dro. I usually make it back but yea I deff smoked most of it this time around. I would ask how your grow is but I wont be lazy gona head over to it now
So you've got a little one, that explains a lot! They do know how to fill your life don't they. Great to hear man, hang in there, it's the finest thing you'll ever do in your life. I can't tell you how proud I am of my two sons.
Listen, gotta run, my buddies coming over, we're heading out for a bite. Have a good one!
- Thread starter
- #49
Product Link Price
hannah ec/ph meter High Tech Garden Supply $194
hannah waterproof ppm,ec and ph meter $150.00
5 Liter Hydroton (2bags) High Tech Garden Supply $14
Lumatek hortilux 400w hps with timer/400w agro bulb and 6" cool tube High Tech Garden Supply $380
3x3x6.5 High Tech Garden Supply $160
30x zoom microscope Pocket Microscope 30x Zoom [30x] - $18.95 : neHydro.com, Hydroponics and Gardening Supplies $30
3 Hygrometers Digital Thermometer & Hygrometer [CW610] - $19.95 : neHydro.com, Hydroponics and Gardening Supplies $60
vortex 6" inline Vortex Powerfans 6 Inline Fan [VTX-600] - $179.95 : neHydro.com, Hydroponics and Gardening Supplies $180
10 pack 5" net pots High Tech Garden Supply $13
2 water pumps Rio 600 - 200 GPH [RIO600] - $19.95 : neHydro.com, Hydroponics and Gardening Supplies $40
10 X 42 feit daylight Amazon: Feit Electric ESL40TN/D 42-Watt Compact Fluorescent High-Wattage Bulb, Daylight $100
nutes
seeds
rockwool
ph up/down
calibration fluids
TOTAL $1,320.50
Nehydro total with ph meter/ without ph meter $460.00 $310.00
HTG total with ph meter-without ph meter $761 $567
Other $100.00
Here is my recent spread sheet of the things I plan on buying before I start my bagseed. I left out a few electrical things as well as plywood and 2X4's I am going to use to turn part f my closet into my veg area. Anyhow if anyone takes the time to look over this stuff and suggest/recommend anything else I appreciate it. The things I left blank i have not figured out what exactly what to buy or the brand or what i want to use. Anyhow I will be buying these items before June, which is when i plan to get a GJ going
Edit-I am trying to make things as simple as I can when I am buying them so I am not ordering from 50 different places. The two stores I will most likely go there and purchase the stuff because I am all set with ordering online with my info and all that lol. ONly thing I will order online is the 42W feit bulbs and the other electrical stuff. Have not figured out the exact design for my veg closet but I have plenty time to figure it out.
Also here are the power fixtures i have been looking at. I will run a contractor power cord into my closet for my main connection. But here is what i have been looking at to add to my "control panel" inside my grow closet:
Amazon: Cyberpower CPS-1215RMS Rackmount PDU Power/Surge Strip - 12-Outlet 15A 1800VA 1800 Joules
Amazon: Tripp Lite PS4816 16-Outlet Power Strip (15-Amp, 15-Foot Cord)
Amazon: Tripp Lite PS3612 Multiple Outlet Strip 15-Amp 12 outlets 15ft Cord
Hey guys, I plan on stopping by HTG supply satuday to pick up the items i have listed above. I am planning on going with the 3X3 tent for veg and use my closet space to flower. Anyone think i should just get the 4.6x4.6 tent and use that for flower and just use closet space for veg since flower stinks things up more? I am thinking about getting the DarkRoom 120 - $229.95 - it seems like this one will fit better than the 4.6X4.6; I will be going to this store in another week or two to get the rest of my stuff. anyhow i will paste the things i am thinking of buying this Saturday. All suggestions and recommendations are welcome
hannah ec/ph meter High Tech Garden Supply $194
5 Liter Hydroton (2bags) High Tech Garden Supply $14
Lumatek hortilux 400w hps with timer/400w agro bulb and 6" cool tube High Tech Garden Supply $380
3x3x6.5 High Tech Garden Supply $160
10 pack 5" net pots High Tech Garden Supply $13
Just going over your list real quick my first thought is don't spend the cash on the meter. I'm sure it's a great tool, but my $25 meter does all I need it to do.
- Thread starter
- #51
cool where did u get ur meter from? would u say most i should spend is 75 on a ph meter?
StinkFinger
New Member
Agree with FPF.
If anything, take the savings (from the meter) and up your lamp wattage. Can't ever have enough light.
Also, great place for purchase is Plantlighting Hydroponics & Grow Lights
(I'm a loyal customer, have great shopping experience, and prices can't be beat)
Nice planning M! Great start!
SF
If anything, take the savings (from the meter) and up your lamp wattage. Can't ever have enough light.
Also, great place for purchase is Plantlighting Hydroponics & Grow Lights
(I'm a loyal customer, have great shopping experience, and prices can't be beat)
Nice planning M! Great start!
SF
- Thread starter
- #53
I was actually thinking of getting the 600W HPS system but i remember seeing a forum about them being defective at times. My plans are on using the 400w hps with about 800w of cfl lighting. Not too sure if the 4X4 tent or 3x3 tent can handle that but those are my plans to use combined lighting. I have my planning journal at home so i forget the estimated lumens per sq foot but it is not a bad average at all. I like to make sure i am spending my money on the right things and dont have to go back to the store which im going to have to do anyways but I am taking preventitive measures to try to avoid multiple trips-until I have a car at least. Any suggestions for PH up/down fluid and calibration fluids? From FPF's grows I think im going to get some big bud for nutes but not sure what else i should get.
StinkFinger
New Member
Ahh, didn't see you were supplementing with CFL lighting. As long as you've done the calculations, then you should be fine. I think a 600 would be great, but if you mentioned you've seen problems with the ballast, no sense in chancing it.
I don't think it matters so much with whatever PH Up or down MFG you purchase. I use Gen Hydro. For the calibration solution, most MFG would LIKE you to use their solution because they have quality control over the production process and they can "guarantee" their measurements when using their calibration solution. Most of them are all around the same price, so no biggie on this point. Just make sure you get the proper solution based on your meter instructions.
Again, all sounds good man. Nice research and prep you've put in. Will pay dividends in the future!
SF
The TDS meter I mentioned is the Primo by Hanna, I think I bought it from Amazon. It has been adequate.
As to the lighting, I'd go with the 600 myself and maybe cut back on the cfl's. HID lighting is more efficient so you get more lumens/watt so in essence the bigger hid will be cheaper to run than the cfl's. You'll still need to deal with heat if you go with either the 400 or 600.
I don't think there is any problem with magnetic ballasts, I've only heard of problems with electronic ballasts. but if you feel better with the 400 go for it. Remember, the price of the 600 isn't much more than the 400.
- Thread starter
- #56
For the heat I am going to get a 6 inch inline fan from nehydro.com Vortex Powerfans 6 Inline Fan [VTX-600] - $179.95 : neHydro.com, connect my cooltube 6in reflector and i should be all set. I am thinking of just to Veg with CFL to avoid the heat issue during that cycle since I will prob just veg in my closet then when i flower use the 400w hps with 800w or so of CFL. Might use the hps in the last 3 weeks of veg but transfer to the tent during that time. Hell i might just use the tent for both phases. Mind as well. Plus I need to make sure that adding one extra circuit will be enough to support 1200w, my inline fans and rotating fans and my AC as well. I think adding another seperate circuit plus using my rooms circuit i should be good. trying to plan the 18/6 time frame from when no one will be using the oven because peolpe have said that chews up amps on my circuit panel. Electricity configuration is what has been holding me back with addition of the other things i mentioned a few days ago.
I am pretty sure about the 400w hps because everything is digital well at least from HTGsupply and Nehydro. I am trying my best to stick to stores that I can get to rather than deal with ppl over the phone. Not too much of a people person to begin with lol.
Sry for the long a$$ response.
Your set up sounds great, I'd do it a little different, but that doesn't make mine right, your's will do fine, you've obviously done your homework. Good job. Remember, my Sour D shouldn't have worked under those veg cfl's.
There are too many variables to say this is right and that is wrong. You have to read what the plant is telling you, you can't force anything, the best you can do is optimize conditions.
Keep on keeping on man!
There are too many variables to say this is right and that is wrong. You have to read what the plant is telling you, you can't force anything, the best you can do is optimize conditions.
Keep on keeping on man!
- Thread starter
- #58
OK well just want to update you guys, I went shopping this weekend @ HTG supply. Good customer service there I got the AN micro-grow bloom the huge bottles and some big bud for nutes. My big bud had a leak in it think i lost about 2-3 cups worth, was kind of mad because the one i paid for was 137. Sh!t is expensive it must work well! I should be figuring out what exactly my feeding cycle will be soon. Not sure if i am going to use to roughneck tub i bought or the 5gal buckets; might use both well considering it anyways. But I bout a 600W MH/HPS system. The 3X3 tent in which i think is a little bigger well in person it seemed big enough. I will take pics later tonight, got work, gym and school today. But after spending about $900 I am pretty happy and should be growing by june hopefully. Going to start looking at seeds even though i am going to use bagseed think it is best to order the seeds I want so when the time comes i can toss my bag seed practice plant and get it on with the real stuff. Still need to figure out if i am going to need that extra outlet or not but I got plenty time and its a new month so if needed i can make that push from my landlord.
- Thread starter
- #59
So here is what i picked up on sat. Less then 800 I spent. Guys at HTG were helpful but he forgot to add the 6" duct fan that he advised me to use on the end of my venting for the out-take. Along with the brackets he said I should get. So I might have to get these else where hopefully I will be making another trip to a hydro store soon. The Hood I have is an easy cool 6, not sure if my 600W MH bulb will be fine in it as it only says it supports my 600w HPS and for MH it says 1000w, 400w, 250w and 175w. I think I will be fine if it supports 1000W why would it not support 600w right? Things left on my list are Ph meter, vortex inline fan, brackets and 6" duct fan, Ph calibration fluids, microscope, hygrometers, oscillating fans, PH up and down and a few CFL bulbs for the Veg phase. Hopefully I will spend no more than another 400. Plus I need to order some seeds of course. Other than that I think I am almost ready. Shall be clearing out the closet this weekend and I am going to attempt to make my carbon air scrubber this weekend as well.
- Thread starter
- #60
So now my landlord wants us to move by july. We are a contract at will and he took half the rent for this month but before taking the rest of the rent he tells my sister and I that he wants us out because he "needs" the apt due to space issues with his family. So now IDK if I am going to wait till I move to stat my grow or if I am going to sit it out until October because thats when the room opens up at the place i planned on moving too. Might just move with my sons mother and have our own place but thats more risk I really dont wish to take. So now I am delayed even more well good news is im going to the other hydro store this weekend hopefully to get the rest of the stuff i need.
