Question on overall setup of closet

[kangol34]

Hey all,
I have been researching about growing for a couple of months now, and I think I'm going to take the plunge..It's just a matter of time. I am just a little overwhelmed with all of the different factors that need to take place..Mainly lights and space. I have a small closet in my bathroom roughly 1.5x2.5x7. Im definitely going soil, so thats out of the question. Just confused on if I should go CFL or HPS. I dont have any ventalation, so I would think that throws the HPS out of the question bc of the heat factor? I just need some ideas on what I can do with this little closet. Money is not a huge issue, but it being my first grow I dont want to go all out..just yet that is. Those little racks can be easily taken out.

 

[Ms.Fox]

Yes, you would need ventilation if you want to use HPS. You can use CFL's throughout the grow. Invest in some non-Miracle Grow soil and some good nutes. If you have a hydro store nearby try checking them out for all you needs. The closet should be sufficient for a couple plants. Depending on the strain you may be able to fit a couple more in. You will still need air movement, so I would get a fan in there as well. ;-)

 

[Samual D. Stoner]

i would use cfl's as well

leave the racks in and use them to hold up your lights, looks like you can move the racks up and down

 

[McBudz]

You could use CFL's or a 2ft T5 fixture with 4 or 6 bulbs in it. Most 6 bulb fixtures are about 20 x 25 inches or so, may a 4 bulb would be best unless you find one with some tighter bulb spacing. Its nice that you have the vertical height but I don't recommend try to grow a tall plant since you don't have intense enough light to reach the bottom part of the plant. So try to veg maybe 2 weeks then go right to 12/12 for flowering. You can position some CFL's in places to increase light just be careful they will burn you plant if your plant grows into them. You could make 2 separate grow room in that 1 space. One for clones/seedlings and the other of flowering. Or if you do everything 12/12 from the start you won't have to worry about light leaking from the top to the bottom or vice versa and you can keep a constant cycle of growing since you yields will be on the smaller side with the floro's instead of HID. You may even be able to do up to 6-8 plants from 12/12 at a time depending on pot size and configuration. go at least with a 1 gallon pot. I a little bigger would be best. Try to get square pots too less wasted space and more soil per square foot. and welcome

So look into T5 grow/bloom bulb configurations. Or CFL's whatever your wallet can handle.

 

[kangol34]

the 2ft t-5 fixture seems appealing to me for the lighting...And I would assume I can veg and Flower efficiently using this light? Also, How much of a spike in electricity would I expect If I used the t-5 setup, and how much for the cfls? I live in an apt. and I was wondering if anyone thought the smell would be too strong and tip me off? Thanks guys for your help. Hopefully I can get my lights ordered soon and get this rolling, any good recommendation on where to buy a t-5 system?

 

[Paladin]

I'd say that this would be a bad idea. Simply because if this is your only bathroom , there would be way to much traffic . Unless you don't plan on having any company over .

 

[oks226]

the bathroom is going to reek, order an ONA GEL, they work really well to control smell in small places. I would go for a 400 watt HPS, for me, I am not happy with what t-5's produce, you may get an ounce out of that closet from them, a 400 watt HPS will give you 4 ounces. You can install a small vent in the top of the door for air movement.

 

[kangol34]

We actually have two bathrooms in our apt... and this is my bathroom so it is limited to just my bedroom only, so I dont think it will be too big of a deal if I can just control the sweet smell . I'm just a little worried about the HPS because of the venting and extra electricity issues.

 

[McBudz]

They sell products for smell. IMO the best type of product will be Activated carbon filters. Look around they sell stand alone carbon air scrubbers that filter the air and don't have to be hooked up to a whole ventilation system like you see most of us with. CFls depending on the size and strength go from $4 up to 35 or more. If you check my journal I recently bought a 2ft by 6 bulb fixture for $150. I use all 6500K lights but you can configure them with both 3500K and 6500K for both veg and bloom. It will work but will not give the densest buds or penetrate deep into the plant so best not to grow tall plants. I would just stager plants and go 12/12 all the time with 2 T5 fixtures with grow/bloom bulbs in each. 1 up top 1 down below. Harvest a plant every couple of weeks once you have the process down. And use cfls' to fill in any areas that may need more light. You can get them pretty close the the plants just dont touch em.

 

[kangol34]

Do you think a T5 4-Bulb with possibly a couple cfl's would be efficient for 3 or so plants..through vegging and flowering? Or would you recommend the 6 bulb? Also, I'm wondering still about the electiricity usuage with the t5.

 

[Dr. 215]

My setup right now is a couple t-5s and some CFLs around the sides. There is no issue with electricity spikes using CFLs or regular floros, they don't use a lot of energy. Like McBuds said, CFLs do not have alot of depth, so grow a short strain and get them allllll around the ladies. Best of luck man.

 

[stratlogic]

My last apartment I cut a hole in the ceiling of my closet in a corner closest to the door because it's impossible to notice it unless you know it's there and it worked great. I then exhausted the heat of my 400w HPS via dryer tubing into the attic and no one noticed when I moved out and temps were minimal.

If you had an aircooled 400w HPS you could definitely grow a mean bush in that closet. Also, if you have a hydro store nearby, I highly recommend slapping some mylar on up in there too. That closet definitely has a lot of potential. I'm looking forward to see what you do with it.

 

[Racefan]

kangol34, your pics aren't loaded to the site like they are required to be. Please load all pics to the gallery first then add them to the posts. A link showing how is in my signature.

 

[kangol34]

Thanks guys for all support..I know its a debatible subject, but should I go ahead and fork out the extra cash for some fox farm ocean forest and then also the FF nutrients or should I go for something a little cheaper? Also, If I can't find any FF near me(I havent looked really), but where would be the best place to buy FF online?

 

[Paladin]

Hydroponics - FoxFarm Nutrients Sale

 

[McBudz]

Thanks guys for all support..I know its a debatible subject, but should I go ahead and fork out the extra cash for some fox farm ocean forest and then also the FF nutrients or should I go for something a little cheaper? Also, If I can't find any FF near me(I havent looked really), but where would be the best place to buy FF online?

I wouldn't order it online shipping costs will be more than the soil costs. Do you have any hydro shops near you? Find out if they have sunshine mix #4 or pro-mix hp.