Going Shopping , Need list

High zq! Cant help with the soil(I dont use the stuff). But id say about 5 or 6 good size cfls should do. Dont for get the flat white paint for the interior. A couple small desk top fans might be in order as well. some perilite or vermiculite to mix in whaterver soil you buy. A timer for the lights. A container in which to grow. Id get clay/terecata pots as the roots wont get as hot as with plastic. Thats about all I can think of right now. Peace and good luck, TBug

 

For soil I would say go for a Peat Free mix because I use soil and find that peat can hold the water in too much and that doesn't allow enough oxygen to the roots (some people like it but I dont really), I'd go for a nice light soil without added or time release fertilizers and get some Perlite & Vermiculite to mix in as you feel it needs it (I use 1 part of each and 2 parts soil)

 

cant really think of anything not already mentioned, but get a spray bottle

 

ill tell ya try lowes or ace

i went there today and between the two of them they had EVERYTHING... almost anyway

lights, ballast, reflectors, straight white wooden cabinets (completely adjustable), soil, fert, timers, filters, pipes, fans, thermostats, plant friendly bug killers

it was a shopping spree, now another month before i have any money for seeds and the rest of what i need. i spent way to much . the rest of my hard earned money for month goes to food, rent, bills, and car payment. so now another month wait for the rest of what i need and the beginning of my first indoor attempt, damn me gonna be another month. i went crazy like a kid in a candy store... but imagine a candy store the size of lowes, it was awesome

anyway prices were decent for an example a list of what i got and prices

from lowes
cabinet $107 (already got closet space for grow wanted extra for future mother plants)
400w hid lights $28 each (2)
ballast for said lights $106 each (2)

from ace
100w bulbs (2), cant remember price around $10 each i believe cant find reciept for ace hardware
industrial thermostat around $25
timer around $10

prices are pretty decent so if you got either of these stores around you might take a look its like a one stop shop for grass growers

just dont get outta hand like i did and blow your whole paycheck kinda a buzz kill

didnt look at the soil though so cant really help you but you may wanna take a look

 

you're gonna try a grow with 4 or 5 42watt cfl's? it will be fun but not highly productive. forget about any more than a single plant, and get more than 5 cfl's. Our walmart has them up to 42 watts, and those are about 2500 lumens, so you'll need to get at least 7 or 8 of 'em. or, you could go with the 48" eco-lux, plant/aquarium lights. Those are 40watts, about 2000 lumens. If you must do cfl's only, (they are great for veggin'), splurge and go to Home Depot and buy a 85 or 150 watt cfl--with ballast-- for less than 75 bucks (the 42watters at walmart are 10 bucks each, so less money!)

OR, you COULD save up a couple weeks and get a REAL light. For less than 200 bucks, you can get a 400watt hps light--which you COULD grow 3 or 4 good plants under. generally speaking, if you harvest .5 grams of pot for every watt of light you use, you're doing a fairly good job. That's with hid's. cfl's aren't near as efficient, so you'd be lucky to get that.

obviously, it's up to you but i think you'd be more successful in the long run if you researched this a bit longer so you'd have time to save up and buy that 400watter (hps). If you grow under tiny cfl's, you'll be disappointed and likely give up because it ain't worth the work. Anyway, whatever you decide I wish you the best o'luck.

Elrod

that's an excellent price for 400w ballast in post above!!!