Right so I'm in process of starting my first grow, I've done lots of research the past couple of years but have until now been unable to grow. I have a few questions I need answering to try and ensure I do the best I can to start off. I have a cupboard that is W 1.05m x H 1.84m x D 91 cm that I plan to grow in organically using a 600w hps bulb, first question is how many plants should this be able to accommodate? Also working out the air extraction and what size carbon filter to use is a bit confusing to me at the moment. I have reviewed a number of strains and clearly have personal favourites but do not want to risk a sub-par crop because I jumped the guns and took on a strain that's too advanced for my ability. Chemdawg seems quite appealing as it seems to just shoot up about 1m over 10-14 days into flowering and is supposedly a good choice for beginners but I would really love to have a harvest of one of my favs. Any suggestions on good strains for starters? Right, I dont want to overload the first post with too may questions so I'll leave it for now but I have lots more to ask people!!
HIDs are essentially big heaters - and in a cabinet you're going to need good ventilation. Just keep that in mind. I love HIDs and probably won't ever use anything but them, but not in a cabinet. As far as strains, please just go with whatever you like. Learn to grow PLANTS - strains are irrelevant. Have you made a soil mix yet? J
Try something know to be nice and short like lowryder or any kush, and for a 600watt id say an entry level 250-300 cfm 4in inline would do just fine. Maybe look into a larger area to grow such as a tent or custom build a cab, i threw a 1k into my wardrobe and Jerry thought i was baking bread!! Haha
If you're going to use a 600W in that size cabinet, you need at least a 6in fan. I've got a 600W in a closet that's 5X2X8 with a 440cfm fan, and there's no way I could run it without a fan that big. In a space that small, you might be better off with a 400W. Or you can get a 600W dimmable ballast so that you can turn it down if the heat's too much to handle.
@jerry111165 ... no i haven't decide what grow medium to use yet but im thinking coco, which size light would u recommend for the space i have? @SoooHaggard ... nah i cant do that its too hot where i live! im not really into lowryders, i see they dont yeild alot @InTheGarden ... well ive actually got another cupboard above this cupboard lol and its only separated by a piece of thin ply board. could you send me a link to the sort of fans i would need? ... yeah a 400w looks like it could be on the cards!
@jerry111165 ... no i haven't decide what grow medium to use yet but im thinking coco, which size light would u recommend for the space i have? Read here - http://forum.grasscity.com/organic-growing/1116550-easy-organic-soil-mix-beginners.html J
I use a dimmible 600watt mh/hps in my 2x4x5 tent, I have a 6" 440 cfm inline combo filter running off the lights cool tube. I dont use the 600watt setting because I have heat issues at that wattage, with it dimmed to 400watts on a warm day I can still have heat issues but normally it's fine. Get a dimmable cool tube type light and get at least a 6" in line fan set up 440cfm or bigger, heat will be the biggest issue with a cabinet like you have described. On a totally unrelated note...Here's my next grow just getting out of the clone stage..6 weeks till theres room in the flower tent..im thinking time to do some LST...Im growing in this next round 3 everest bud, 3 bubba 76 and 2 og kush.
If you want to simplify your grow, there's nothing simpler than a good organic soil. FFOF unfortunately doesn't last through a whole grow without adding additional nutrients, and it just can't match a good homemade soil (it can't even get close). You can build a great organic soil for cheaper than the FFOF that will last through multiple grows without needing any kind of supplemental nutrients. With a good organic soil, you also avoid all the deficiency and pH problems so common with novice gardeners. Whatever light you choose, go with one that has a dimmable ballast. This offers you much more flexibility in managing the heat. One important consideration- will you be exhausting to the outside through a window or will you exhaust into the room the cabinet is in? If you're going to exhaust outside, you'll be dumping all that heat and it will be easier to manage. If you're exhausting inside, heat will be more of a concern. For comparison, in my 5x2x8ft closet, with a 600W hps with an aircooled hood and a 440cfm exhaust fan (and I don't exhaust thru a window, just into the room), running at 100% my temps are around 75-79 F. I've just now been able to turn it up to 100%, since it's cooler outside- I've had to run it at 75% (450W) up until now. If you're exhausting outside (or have a window AC unit or something similar in that room), you can definitely do a 600W with an aircooled hood and a dimmable ballast with no problems (you will still need a 6 inch exhaust fan).
I totally agree with your advice, I run almost the same set up just a little smaller tent, still at 400 though still a little hot out. One complaint, Why would you bring up organic soil and not go into any detail on how you make your soil, I could use some options 35 bucks a bag is my biggest current expense lol
will, check out the link in my signature (it's the same one jerry linked to above). For around $50-60 you can make the soil in that thread, and have lots of ingredients left over. Plus it can be re-used over and over again, it just gets better with time. I might be willing to pay $35 a bag for some really incredible, top-notch organic soil. But $35 a bag for FFOF? Not in a million years. For $35 I better be getting some incredible organic fungal compost or something like that. Anyway- put that money towards building a good organic soil and you will reap the benefits for years and years. Also, once you have your organic amendments and build a good organic soil, your expenses end there-seriously.
One complaint, Why would you bring up organic soil and not go into any detail on how you make your soil, I could use some options 35 bucks a bag is my biggest current expense lol It has already been listed in your thread multiple time buddy. It is the thread located in In the Gardens signature. If you're planning on becoming a gardener, then that is THE thread you should be reading - and following, and putting to good use. J Btw - Wills advice regarding lighting is solid. Take his advice. J
75-759 F (24-26 C) ... Isnt that pretty much room temperature?? Jerry, I didnt ask about soil i just said i was thinking coco because you asked about a mix. I'll read that thread and ill have to see how much it'll be
Yes. I should have clarified though. The temps in the closet are 75-79 F, but the ambient temps are 60-68F. So it doesn't seem that hot until you compare it to ambient temp. Before it cooled down outside, temps were around 88, 89F running at 100%.
I use a window A.C. unit and since my tent has a cpl passive intakes that draw off the room, when temps get dicey I chill the whole room.