This will be my first time growing, and I would like input to result in a better foundation. I will be utilizing a grow space of 3.78 square feet and 10.58 cubic feet (2.7 L X 1.4 W X 2.8 H). It seems i could fit two gallon pots in this area, so i'm aiming for two plants. I've followed a basic tutorial for Rubbermaid boxes and designed the box as such. The top of the box has 6 bulbs sockets which can be expanded to 12 with Y splitters, for a total of twelve 23 watt cfls emitting 1,700 lumens, for a total of 20,400 or 5396 lumens per square feet. Would it be better to use less bulbs, but higher lumens or does this seem fine? I can only use CFL at the moment. Is this lighting "Weak" for an ounce a plant? to ambitious? (using some sort of training protocol) Any suggestions to improve lighting? After researching on the forums, I'm unsure of what type of exhaust fan I should utilize? According to a sticky which suggest that LxWxH/5 would equate the air exchange needed. 10.58/5= 2.116 = CFM Needed? I'm not sure what to make of this number, but based on the watts used and size of grow space, what type of fan and carbon setup would I be needing? I have seen pc fans + diy walmart carbon and inline duct fans. If you could link some fans on amazon as I would like to purchase asap, a quieter fan would be appreciated if possible. I would prefer a inline/carbon combo if somewhat economical and can be used for a small expansion at a later date These are my first few questions, looking for to your responses.
hi dude. lol people come up with some weird numbers using that airflow formula. check out this chart If you have 3.78 square feet I'd recommend about 300-350 watts of cfl. So I'd go with about 12 -13 of those 24w bulbs..or switch over to 42w bulbs and run 6 or 7. 42w bulbs run like 10$ each though.. so if you run about 300w, look at the chart and see that you'll need 100-150cfm in order to keep it 6-8 degrees above ambient temps. (most of my boxes run at about 7 degrees over) . If you want a fan that is stealth...go with a panasonic whisper fan...they run about 100-120$ and they're dead quiet. Let me know if you're interested and I can link you a direct model. It's very important to get the right one. For filtering I would run a filter slightly bigger then the pencil holder style diy ones....you could get them to work, but you would need probably 3 of them. It would be easier to just buy a 4" filter....if you're handy you can build a tray style filter which I run with my fan.
Thanks for all the info, here's what's in my amazon cart, I have two day shipping thanks to amazon prime student account =) Please let me know what you think, so I can order ASAP Ventech 4 inch Inline fan @190 CFM (skipped on the ventech filter, as some suggested piss poor performance, will try atrium grate diy carbon filter. how are these?) Also, bought a fan controller as it might help with noise and airflow. I also had to scrap out using the Y sockets, because the current designs does not allow for them as I thought. So I also ordered 4 42 Watt 2700K CFL @ 2650 Lumens and 2 42 Watt @2800 Lumens. I will be using these lights for veg and flower. Lumens per square foot would be 4,200 for two plants. Going to grow in soiless mediums using perlite exclusively and/or coco, and purchased GH trio nutrients. Can you guys provide input on expectation of realistic yield and I spent about $300 (didn't know it would add up so quick) Should I have just gotten a tent and went hps? Sorry, I'm growing for my own meds, but I have to be conservative of what I smoke because I can smoke more than a few grams a day and an oz can go by pretty quick. Thanks!!!
everything sounds good.. I usually suggest people go with hps if they go over about 250-300w of cfl. I assumed you had already set up the sockets and owned the cfls though...? on nutes and stuff I always recommend the same thing..coco and GH nutes....you'd need some calmag too..and ph up/down and a meter. I have some coco info on page 2 or 3 of the thread linked in my sig....I think. on yields - I'd guess you could get 1/4 to 1/2 gram per of light...if everything goes smooth. So I guess a couple ounces max...with hps you could get better yields for the same amount of wattage used...I just didn't suggest it earlier cuz I didn't know your goals and thought you had the cfls all ready to go. It's up to you....you can always upgrade later, your fan/filter might be able to cool a 400w hps if ambient temps aren't too hot...or just add more 42w 'ers
Alright, thanks so much for the quick reply, i skimmed over your thread, but haven't had a chance to read up, it is very informative and will be a reference, thank you. Thanks very much brother, I will look into HPS soon (cfl bulbs can be expensive lol), ill keep you updated when I get rolling,