amazon tents and stuff

1) I would go with another 600w HPS for your other side of the tent and use a 400W on the other side. Definitely go with at least a 6" exhaust setup or even an 8"; I go with the 8", squirrel cage fan, 1 carbon filter, 2 cooltube reflectors where the duct runs on a straight line across the tent with 2 cooltubes.

2) I would just find another grow bible to download for free rather than spending $.

3) Probably grow on 5 gal containers; Either ProMix Bx or Roots Organic soil

4) What seeds you going with?

 

I would probably consider the supplemental lighting mandatory in that situation personally. I run a 1kw in my 4x8 tent but next run I will be dropping it's size to 4-5'x4" and adding side light still maybe even. There simply isn't enough light from the single bulb to illuminate the whole area.

I feel like personally I am going to be most comfortable with 3-5 plants in there although more, smaller, plants is always an option if you really want a larger number of plants.

 

I use the earthworks tent, love it. I run a 6" fan to cool (2) 600w lights and another 6" fan/filter to ventilate the grow area.

I like your plan for upgrading as you go, I did the same thing starting with a 400w. Good luck and have fun!!

 

Oh sure, when you upgrade you can put your 400 to work in your veg area. My 400w isn't being used right now but I've got plans for it in the future, running my 250 for now on a project.

Both of my setups, lighting, fans, and pumps all together is about 1800w running 12/12, at $0.12 per kwh works out to $77 per month. On top of my regular usage, of course.

I grow 8 plants in my tent. They're filling the entire 4x8.... they got an extra week of veg by accident, lol for 7 weeks veg.

I got my tent from another blade so I don't know what the box said, but I'll ask him and pm you back.

400w to start will certainly work. I grew with a 400w in a 4x4 diy box for years... even with your 4x8 wide open and just the 400w in the middle I'd expect a good 10-12 oz. In my opinion, if you section it off just for reflectivity the benefit would be too small to notice.

 

The tent comes with a reflective floor, and it comes with a waterproof 4x8 reflective liner for the bottom to catch spills, it's like an extra floor. The original frame comes with 8 different cross bars for hanging equipment, some of them hang a few inches lower than the others. They can be moved around or taken down while the tent is assembled. The frame is aluminum and is very sturdy once assembled. There are zippers all around the tent, so you can unzip the front and both sides if you need more access. There really is no "front" or "back", both sides have a vertical zipper. Thick flaps run over every zipper to contain light, and the seams are well-made.

I use 5gal-7gal fabric pots, most people call them Smartpots but my brand is Aurora pots. They're $5 each at the hydro shop and they work great.

My ventilation consists of (2) 6" fans. One of them for cooling both lights and the other one pulls through the carbon filter. They run seperately from each other, the air coming from the lights doesn't mix with growroom air so it doesn't need to be scrubbed.

OK, here's a list of equipment I'd recommend, just search amazon for them
(2) Lumatek 600w ballasts, hydrofarm cord, should be about $180-$200 each
(2) 600w Eye Hortilux bulbs, buy them new $70-$80 each
(2) 6" hydrofarm a/c hoods $60 each (will match the hydrofarm cord specified on the lumatek ballast)
(2) 6" Active Air 440 cfm $70 each
(2) Active Air fan speed controllers $17-$20 each
(1) 6" can filter $180-$200

rope ratchets, 6" ducting, timer, power strip, ext cords, thermometer/hygrometer, pots, soil, nutrients.... Maybe another $200-$300

I should mention, that you can find cheaper generic equipment. Light kits and fan/filter combos. I recommend quality equipment in areas that would be critical if they failed, like your ballast and carbon filter.

edit: It's veg area, btw

 

^ I agree......pay a little more and don't burn your house down. As for carbon filters.....get the best because that is your first line of security.

 

I got a 24x48 box from Amazon, mylar was thick, the box didnt have any lettering on it, just plain brown box and got mine for 80 bucks, im not gunna spend 300 for the same thing

 

Based on my 1kw not adequately lighting my 4x8 area I would have doubts about less then half the light being adequate for half the area personally. That's with 0 experience in a 4x4 yet since I haven't rebuilt yet and 0 experience with 400w lights.

You're in great hands with not Sure I'll bow out

 

I'm not sure of your experience, but your getting fairly pricey with all the equipment. I've noticed it's a easier to start with something
You already know and get the basics down before buying seeds online. Again I don't know your background. Just some advice. This can be an expensive hobby if you go overboard.

 

I swear by phresh 6x16s my lasts set was good for 2 years.....after 1 year I just started hitting it with a mallet every harvest and they kept going......in 4x4x7 tents. With 450 cfm blowers.

 

Great thinking....If your good you can get 100% of your investment back in 4 months ....and still have some smoke

 

I used eBay. I got. 1000w sun systems hood ballast and hortilux bulb for 125$ used. I'm really big into used to start out. I converted a closet in a bed room into my flower area. My veg room is 175 MH (borrowed) and my germ/ sprout
Veg cab is CFL. as my grow spaces.

I also researched for awhile, it was very overwhelming! Good luck, keep up the search and if you have questions post post post! Everyone has the ability to grow at least mid grade cannabis. It just takes time
Here's my journal if you want to take a look and give you an idea of a tent. This cabinet was free and the light was donated.
Link:
http://forum.grasscity.com/absolute-beginners/1184022-first-grow-how-we-doin.html