Will this setup work?

Discussion in 'First Time Marijuana Growers' started by 303inthe503, May 22, 2015.

  1. #1 303inthe503, May 22, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: May 22, 2015
    Hi,
     
    I've recently begun to think about starting my first grow as a sort of personal project/way to become self sustaining. I've got a budget of >$250 and have done a bit of research into what I think would be an ok setup.
     
    My aim is to grow 2-3 plants (most likely 2) at a time with no separate flower/veg places. I'll be doing the growing in an apartment and I'd like to be discreet, so I've decided that cfl/t5 might be the way to go (don't think I'm ready for the heat hassle of HPS). Here's what I'm thinking:
     
    -Grow in a 2'8" x 2'8" x 5' grow tent 
     
    -Use one 2' 4-bulb T5 light for vegging, switching bulbs to 2700k for flowering (http://www.amazon.com/EnviroGro-FLT24-4-Tube-Fixture-Included/dp/B002JQBQZQ/ref=sr_1_41?ie=UTF8&qid=1432253491&sr=8-41&keywords=high+output+t5)
     
    -Add 4-6 more 23w CFL bulbs on the ground for flowering for more light permeation.
     
    -Utilize 6" fan and (inexpensive) carbon filter. This isn't so much for heat as it is for smell, I'd rather be overcautious than careless.
     
    Assuming I don't fuck up the care of the plants, would this be a suitable operation? I'd toyed with the idea of buying a 250 watt CFL and reflector instead of the T5, but bulb costs for the different spectrums of CFL were comparable to a small T5 system. Is that a good choice?
     
    Overall I'd just like to hear some opinions on this idea. I'm not really looking to do anything bigger than a couple plants for personal use.

     
  2. #2 12valve, May 22, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: May 22, 2015
    You'll be surprised the heat even a couple hundred watts of cfl will give off in a small space, I learned that early and had to install a 6" duct boost fan to keep up.  That amount of light should do just fine for 2 plants, especially if you use the added 23w's wisely.  If you're worried about temps, i'd just go with a 250w mh/hps combo light, it'll be similar temp but much better yields with HID.
     
  3. Sounds pretty good man. I use 650w of T8s and CFLs, but like @12valve said CFLs do get pretty hot. Ive had some problems keeping my space below 80, i also have had my share of foxtailing due to heat. Especially with the summer already here, like was already stated you might need some more fans or a homemade AC (or something of that nature) to keep your temps down.
     
  4. #4 SomeRandomNewb, May 22, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: May 22, 2015
    If your worried about heat just buy like a 300 watt mar's LED. Led lights can nearly touch your plants without doing any damage. 
     
  5. So @12valve + @Ebcrew you think a 6" inline duct fan connected to a carbon filter wouldn't be adequate for the heat dispersal during flowering? The T5 I'm looking at is 96 watts and that combined with the CFL would give me between 188 and 228 watts. I know its mostly about lumen output, but this number seems low to me to grow two plants to a (hopefully) good yield. 
     
    If heat is really still a hassle with the CFLs would it be wiser to just get a 400w HPS from the start?
     
  6. Depends on the fan, the duct "boost" fans really aren't mean to have obstructions like a filter, so you'll need a legit 6" inline fan that pulls 300+ cfm, and if you get a 20 dollar speed controller you can dial in the temp once it gets up and running. 
     
    In a 3x3 grow area, a 400w HID would be light years ahead of cfl, but the temps with that will be higher than a 250w HID or cfl in the 200 watt range.  If I were you, i'd just do it right from the start, get a 400w hps, a nice 6" fan, and call it a day.  You'll be set to grow more than enough for yourself, and have room expand if you so decide. 
     
  7. You could also veg with some cfls to save heat/electricity if you want, a cfl light with porcelain sockets could be made for the price of bulbs basically.  
     
    I threw this purple kush SEED straight under my hps though and I swear its healthier than any of my other plants, I veg under cfl though for the most part but ran out of space for this one, lol.
     
    [​IMG]
     
  8. #9 jordanhamdog, May 22, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: May 24, 2015
    of course
     
  9. Flourcents t-5 will do the job better than a 400 watt in my opinion. Get good fans one for air in one for air out twin 6" should do it.
     
  10. So your budget is more than $250? 
     

Share This Page