I'm going to be starting my first grow with some Northern Lights auto-flowering feminized seeds. I chose these because they were recommended for beginners on a lot of articles I read, have the effects I desire, and have a strong name behind the strain. I have a few questions that I'd like to ask before I purchase a few items: Grow Tent I'm looking at this grow tent: Giantex 32x32x63 Any thoughts before pulling the trigger? I plan on growing 2 plants at a time. Lighting I was going to use a bunch of 40w CFL bulbs, but ultimately think that this is the better route: MarsHydro LED I can always add a few CFL bulbs if I need to, but this seems like a solid start. Will I need an exhaust fan for this? I live by myself with the exception of a few pets so the smell is not an issue, only possible heat build up. Containers & Soil I have five gallon buckets, but I have a few questions. I know the containers need to be able to drain out of the bottom so should I plant directly into the 5-gallon buckets and drill holes in the bottom or use a slightly smaller container that fits into the 5-gallon bucket so that water can grain out the bottom of that into the bucket? I also plan on going with a good organic soil from my local Lowe's or Home Depot and mixing in about 30% perlite (70% soil, 30% perlite). Nutrients I'm going to go with Botanicare Grow and Botanicare Bloom Since I have rather small grow, I was going to mix up a gallon jug of the grow and then go with a gallon mix of the bloom. I've read the to 1/4 of the recommended mix. My question is can I just mix up two separate 1-gallon jugs to use when the plants need to be watered? What's a good schedule to water or is it best to go by the feel of the soil? Am I missing anything? I'm open to any suggestions to make this as successful as possible without breaking the bank!
Hps/mh carbon filter cool tube 6 inch inline fan 5 gallon smart pots fox farm ocean forest and happy farm fox farm trio cal mag ph pen perlite 5 gallon planter trays and aomething to elevate the pots on
With the tent go as tall as possible to combat against any height issues. 63 inches is tough. With 1 foot pots and a light that will take up 2 feet of the top of your tent & a carbon filter somewhere uptop next to the light. Leaves you with 2 feet left..... ...go 78 inches+ if you can
I like the bloom and grow but I think I'm going back to genhydro 3 bottle. Liked the results better. Use 3 or 5 gallon smart pots and the height comment was spot on. I can guarantee you will outgrow that tent though. I had a 40x40 and just went up to a 60x60 Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
I'm surprised that I'll need more height since I thought u could grow more horizontal than vertical. Looks like 72" or 78" is the way to go though. Also, can you guys prOvid some input on these smart pots, soil I can obtain from Lowes, and watering? Im using auto flowering seeds so should I germinate in paper towels or go put the seed directly into the soil? I planned to mix the nutrients in gallon jugs and just pour directly from there. That ok? Also, if I get a pH pen to test the soil..do I add the pH up or pH down directly to the soil or water and then into soil?
That tent is a little on the high end price wise IMO. I've been look at tents and a 4x4 cost cheaper then that! I have a 36x20x62 and I paid $70 but that was two years ago it's an Apollo and has a lot of light leaks. This on gets good reviews and it's only $74 can you go up to 70 inches high?https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00U...+grow+tent&dpPl=1&dpID=41WKpuAbygL&ref=plSrch Btw: that tent has 210d Mylar lining which is pretty good for the price. And I wouldn't use a mars 300 led that's not big enough IMO. 400 watt HID or a Cmh 315 which are great lights and very efficient. I would go with the Cmh 315 there not very expensive. And you'll get three times the yield you would with the mars 300 it only has 140 watts from the wall. You Need about 50 watts square foot IMO. Good Luck
our local Walmart started carrying bales of promix this season, check yours and see if so that's a great medium, it's 18$ for a compressed bale that opens up to four cubic feet
I can do 70...can do 72 or 78....the link doesn't have those options though. Thanks for all the replies by the way!
To second the promix, it's great. I advise against going to lowes to get the soil, they usually store it poorly and the second you may open the bag and put into pots you'll notice gnats flying around. You can combat them sure, but why have the hastle? Promix doesn't attract gnats, it's ideal for indoor growing. Just make sure to add 25-50% perlite if there is not any in the store bought promix. It helps for water drainage and you defiantly do need it
So you can go up to 72 or 80? Here you grow read the reviews! You might want to start in solo cups then go into 5 gallon buckets. I would use paper towel method IMO. But I would soak them in water for 24 hours and then transfer them to paper towels make sure they're a little bit wet and then put them in Ziploc bags then you should see your tap rot about 12 hours later maybe sooner. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01F...+grow+tent&dpPl=1&dpID=51iCvCYUonL&ref=plSrch
Looking into bigger tents in the 72" range since I have the height. Also going for promix, perlite, and some 3-5 gallon smart pots. I just need something to elevate the pots and something to catch water run off. Also, can I add the pH up or down directly to the water that already has nutrients in it? I planned to mix up a gallon of nutrients at a time along with a gallon on plain water. I've read to mix nutrients at 1/2 recommend dedicated dosage and then alternate between that and regular water every other watering. Any suggestions.
Cool...yes, can go to 72". I read that auto flower seeds are better starting in the pot they'll grow in aND not to trasnplant....but still was going to use solo cups with ziplocs initially.
The one i use is 48x48x80 its made by anjeet i got it for 88$ shipped its got metal poles and metal corners
What ima gonna do next time instead of cups is i usually just throw em in a cup of room temp water for 18 hrs then straight into the soil then put em in the dark for about 8 hrs and wet the soil. Cover with little clear domes like half a plastic bottle. Once they start remove domes and keep lighta at good distance. No cups strait to the 5 gallon next time. Some people use a starter soil and some say ocean forest is too hot i mixed mine 50/50 with happy frog and 25% perlite and all six sprouted one died later.
Can anyone link me to a fan, carbon filter, ducting ect.. like the whole lot of it. I'm only growing 2 plants at a time so try to keep it in a budget.