i am looking to build my first grow room and want to know what people recommend as a entry level (read cheap) light? i plan to build a small closet-like structure in the basement .. . i'm thinking something about 2*4*6. . . all help is greatly appreciated. i bought (am awaiting arrival of) Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor/Outdoor Medical Grower's Bible. . . is this a good text? any other recommendations? thanks.
get ya two 4ft shop lights ,their only about 5 bucks a piece. the ones with 2 bulbs ,then get 2 cool white bulbs,and 2 warm white bulbs ,and alternate them in the lights. people may argue but you can grow some VERY nice plants with this.
thanks for the input, but i'm a total rookie .. . . what is a "400W HPS light" .. . ? i get it is a 400 watt, but what is HPS? will i have to do any wiring? it's an old place... i already have a four foot fixture thing like supertramp mentioned, but how do i know what bulbs to buy? and i'll need a decent timer, right? i imagine there would be no rewireing required for this light setup, right?
Jorge himself also recommends my book, "Bonanza of Green" and I likewise recommend his book to be read right after mine. You see my book shows the new grower exactly how to start out with a low investment system and then Jorge gives much more info on many styles of growing and much more about all the possible techniques. I just teach my BOG method which is very simple and intended for the new grower who knows nothing. After learning my basic method many choose to stick with it as the system is very sensible. Visit BOGLAND here and ask me any question in my forum. BOG
Try Econolight at http://www.e-conolight.com/Product/EFamily.asp Get ya a decently priced HPS flood light.150,250,400 watts up to you.All you have to do is put plugins on the bare wires.Later hope this helps.
well, i have my grow room kind of ready. it's big, so i have room to build a wall to seperate veg and flower plants if i choose. i ordered a 400w hps light along with a mh? bulb for veg plants. i ordered some northern lights seeds and then i am ready to go. i had some shit seeds (some over a year old) that i tried to germinate without success, but i should say that in about 8-9 weeks from the arrival of the seeds i will be a-ok and groovy. oh, i do have one question - do i need a vent? i plan on trying a crop of 4-6 plants and the room is about 8'X12' with a 6' ceiling. if i do need to vent can i simply vent into the basement or do i HAVE to go outside with it? i'd take pics but my camera shit the bed and . . . . .well, i've been working on my grow room, so i've been kind of busy. any and all advice or pointers are greatly appreciated. i'm sure i haven't thought of everything. . . thanks. --doon
Plug in timers can be bought at Ace. A six plug power strip, a 3-way splitter, and two 9+ft. extention cords and your AC distribuiton should be covered. Its best to run your AC with a ground. You never know what you'll need to plug in.
hey bog, i got your book .. . still feel like i don't have a clue, though. will i need an ac unit considering the size of my room (8'X12'X6')? and do i need to vent as well considering i plan on a small crop with only the one 400w hps? oh, and what is a good fertilizer? i keep reading about Rapid-Gro, but i can't find where to buy it and read that they stopped making it. . . .. i'm looking for something simple.
Yes you need an extractor fan placed high up in your grow room this removes hot air and gives the plants fresh air. The one I use is shown on the link. http://www.theonlineelectricalwholesaler.com/catalog/add_to_cart.php?cpath=88_279_286&pid=267 Use an extended spectrum HPS bulb this has 30% more blue spectrum and can be used for your whole grow. See the link. http://www.theonlineelectricalwholesaler.com/catalog/add_to_cart.php?cpath=88_263_269&pid=173 Many people in the states use Fox farm soil and nutrients. As you ceiling is only 6 foot high I would use a net above your plants to train them through so you can keep the height down. Read up on "Screen of green or SCROG"
thanks buffoonman, forgive my ignorance but if i am venting outside of the grow room do i also need an intake vent, and if the growroom is an old coal bin in the basement can i simply vent to the basement or do i have to go outside with it? this is starting to cost some damn money, not too much, but can i use something like this it's about 80 bucks, or can i get something cheaper?
Air will find its own way into the room as there is a negative pressure due to air being extracted. Its called a passive intake. If the room is really air tight you can drill a few small hole at the bottom of the room. If smell in the basement is not an issue you could vent there. But outside would be better but not essential. That extractor looks pretty meaty it should do the job. But if you wanted to fit a carbon scrubber to it I'm not sure wether one would fit.
why is it that every answer raises more questions? what the hell is a carbon scrubber? i think what i really need is someone to come and build the damn room for me .. . back to internet research. . . . googling carbon scrubber. . .. okay, found a carbon scrubber. . http://i1.tinypic.com/2rw95ld.jpg. it looks like it has a fan. do i need this in addition to an inline fan?
also, if i decide to divide my grow room for veg plants and flowers will i need a fan/carbon filter in both areas, or only in the flowering area?
I don't use a carbon scrubber there used when the smell of the plants is going to be a problem. See the fans and scrubbers in the following link:- http://www.theonlineelectricalwholesaler.com/catalog/products.php?cpath=88_279 There are other ways to deal with the smell such as ionisers, ozone generators and even just air freshners. You do need to get a good book that covers everything.