First Time grower- Aeroponic adventure

I recently got my MMJ card and have decided to grow my own medicine to help with pain associated with an extremely rare muscle disorder known as minicore myopathy(this only affects 2k people worldwide). Cannabis is my savior. I played hockey for ten years as a goalie until an injury to the knee tore up cartilege, after which my neuromuscular disorder was diagnosed. I have been on Vicodin, Norcos, Valium, Baclofen, and other narcotics to no avail. Then i discovered cannabis. This takes away enough pain that I can focus on my schoolwork and live my life. These pharmaceuticals that docs shove down people's throats do more harm than good; and they take away a very minimal amount of pain and leave you so doped up that you're stuck on the couch. After weeks of research, I've decided to start a small, 2-3 plant aero system in an old cabinet to meet my personal needs. I am curious as to how small one can make an aeroponic system. In my case, I will be using the scrog method to maximize bud productivity. Also, for odor control I want to construct a separate chamber to the side which will draw air in, in which there will be a carbon scrubber and a tub of ona (I've heard that exposing plants to ona can have adverse effects, is this true?). Also, I don't know what to use as far as a rez goes, all the DIYs i have seen use big 5gal buckets. This is not possible for me as the cabinet has height restrictions. Any input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys:D

Anybody there?

Weedwarrior: Yes, we're here but the questions you're asking are complex and I'm not sure you know what you're asking for. I wish there was an easier way, but from what you ask, I think you might be new to this so I’d suggest you RTFB and refer to the following:
1. Read: SeeMoreBud’s book, “MARIJUANA BUDS FOR LESS- GROW 8 OZ. OF BUDS FOR LESS THAN $100.” As a beginner you might want to concentrate on this text.
2. Read: Jorge Cervantes’s book, “MARIJUANA HORTICULTURE THE INDOOR/OUTDOOR MEDICAL GROWER’S BIBLE.”
3. Read: Ed Rosenthal’s, “MARIJUANA GROWER’S HANDBOOK.”
4. You’ll also want to read: Mc Carthy’s book, “GROWING MARIJUANA.”
5. You should also subscribe to, “HIGH TIMES,” magazine. Each issue is chocked full of useful information. .” All these resources are very well written, well illustrated and packed with information that will answer most of your questions before you know to ask them. And I want to add a new book to the list, a 6th one: “THE CANNABIS GROW BIBLE- SECOND EDITION,” written by Greg Green. It’s a match to, if not better than, the ones listed above. Doing your homework and consulting these resources will save you and your plants a lot of anxiety before you plant. These forums are great but often they can’t get the information you need to you in a timely fashion.
If you're starting out with aeroponics, good luck. You have to really know what you're doing in an aero set up. I'd recommend a first experience with good soil or a bubble tub but see what these authorities I mentioned above say. I hope this helps. Hank

lucas forumla + aero = easiest way of growing weed ever.

Aye weed warrior.. Didn't I already answer all your shit? Lol
*edit* Yea I did..

I'm sick of buying my medicine (of which the quality is sub-par), so i've decided to grow it myself. I have an old wooden cabinet thats 27x12x28. I am curious as to how small one can make an aeroponic system and still be successful. Any input is greatly appreciated!

I would go with soil as its MUCH easier to maintain.
But your aero idea can be set up. Easiest way would be buy the largest Rubbermaid or plastic container that will fit in there (But in your case, the shorter the better, so your theres more room for your plants to grow taller). Add in as many 2" net pots as u'd like. Go with fog-ponics. Get a little fogger, there like 20 or 30 bucks. It would be MUCH easier to use one of those at this scale. Run it on a timer at 1-5 min on/1-5 min off. You can mess around with which one you/your plants like most.
You don't need an R/O system or anything if you have averagely clean water. And ANY quality nutrients will work MUUUCH better than you would expect.
*WARNING* You will need to constantly add water AT LEAST twice a day. And CONSTANTLY adjust ph at least once every day.

What do you have in mind for lighting? Its gonna get hot in there.. If you don't have a lot of up front money, I would get the Wonderlite, as it has an AMAZING spectrum for photosynthesis, is really cheap, and is perfect for this small type of grow. Not to mention I believe they have a 2 for one special. http://www.westronli...erlite-grolite/
If you have a lot of cash, go with a MH & HPS combo. Either with 1 larger two in one bulb, or two slightly smaller Ballasts: HPS & MH.

As for ventilation, I usually think bigger is better. If you have space for larger fans, get em.

That is really all there is to it. I had to research through trial and error to find this out as no one on here would give any for sure answers. So a BIG YOUR WELCOME!

Thanks for the wisdom. As for lighting, i was planning on using CFLs since they put out very little heat and save energy (i'm still in high school until thursday and still live at my parents house). For ventilation, I plan on building a small chamber to one side that runs the entire heighth of the cab. I'll use a passive intake of PVC that collects air from the top of the box and runs into the bottom of the chamber. In the chamber I'll have some ona and a carbon scrubber, running into a 40mm fan I pulled out of an old PC (i have two but planned on using one in the flowering chamber to give the plants a lil breeze). I'm on a seriously small budget, as I have an extremely rare neuromuscular disorder called minicore myopathy(docs can't figure out what caused it and its been two years.) This prevents me from working so I'm trying to do this as cheap as possible, that way i can buy good seeds and don't end up with schwag. Does my vent chamber sound plausible and efficient? I appreciate your time for helping out a patient. I've been on Vicodin, Neurontin, Norcos, Valium, Baclofen, and numerous other narcotics that barely put a dent in my pain and leave me all doped up. Cannabis is my savior! It takes away enough of the pain to where it is at a tolerable level, and I'm clear-headed and focused. Sorry if i ranted, had to take a few Valium and I'm feeling spacey.

The wonderlites I posted above are basically flourecents. But with a much much better spectrum. I'm suspecting that in your situation, and low budget, they would be your VERY best bet.
You can build all of the above for 100-300 $$. Or just do soil + those lights for less than 100$

Edited by KalL, 12 June 2012 - 10:35 AM.

lucas forumla + aero = easiest way of growing weed ever.

What about the fact of adjusting ph 24/7 and constant refilling the rez? Along with the way WAY higher risk of crops failing due to power outages or things going wrong.
Come on dude, give this guy sound advice... He has some legit physical problems, he doesn't need 3 months worth of crop dying on him...