Hello GC Community, I'd just want to take this chance to say Hello and Thank all of the many, many individuals on here who have helped me learn quite a but about growing. I've been reading for about a month now and finally decided to take the plunge. I bought a couple of audio/visual equipment cases (same material as musical instrument cases) that I think should do really well and will minimize light leaks. My plan is to do something of a perpetual system using soil (FoxFarm-Ocean Forest) where I should harvest every 2-3 weeks or so. While waiting for the lighting, I'll be putting on mylar on both. The first box will be for vegging. It's dimensions are 25.5"H x 23"L x 9.5" Depth. I just bought it yesterday and now plan on buying all of the quipment I'll need. Here is a picture I took while I was taking out the styrofoam lining...while you're looking at it my first questions (of many) is which LED light do you think I should use (wattage, brand, etc)? Because of the depth it kinda limits my options in terms of size although with the door it adds about another 2.5" to the depth. I'm leaning towards an 200 watt LED (Blackstar?) but not sure if that's overkill. I'm also planning in using fresh worm castings/tea for my nutes. Some other questions for the veg box. Because I'll be using LED lighting, do I need to still worry about ventilation? Do you think I would need to supplement the LED lighting with CFL's on the side? Lastly, do you think I will need to make the LED adjustable to go up and down? I germinated some seeds a couple of days ago and a few of them are already starting to sprout (Thanks again for the suggestions) so my main focus is on the veg box. However, I'm also looking towards outfitting my bloom box. The dimensions for the bloom box are 33.5"H x 23.5"W x 21.5" depth. The case opens on opposite sides and each door gives me about an addiltion 3"/door. I plan on using a 600 watt HPS bulb for this with a cooltube and some fans. Here are sme pictures. As you can see, there's a frame already built in that I thought would come in handy at first. But after doing some thinking, it kinda limits my floorspace. Do you guys think I should leave it or take it out? Some other general questions... 1. I've been thinking about adding a CO2 source in the bllom box for higher yields. Do you think I need a tank of some sort or could I get away with a homemade type of thing for a relatively small space? Thanks so much guys and please feel free to add any other suggestions/observations!
Sounds like a cool idea! Always wanted to do a perpetual grow with 2 boxes but limited on space right now. I've never grown with Led's but the research I have done always points to go big or go home. Don't waste your time with ebay's 14w led panels. Use atleast 120+ for your size box but I would do closer to 200w but that's just me, I guess it can be done with way less. LED's are fairly new to the market. In a couple years the prices should be where they should be and I'll switch then. Yea you need to run ventilation, LED still make heat just not as much as cfls. Your ladies need fresh air to grow. Plus if smell is goin to be an issue you will want to run an exhaust through scrubber. My opinion would be to spend the money were you need to on your led panel in the flower box, and throw in a couple cfls in the veg box. 2-4 cfls will be plenty to veg for a few weeks before they make it to the flower box. If you are a doit your self'er browse through so DIY LED reef lighting at 3reef or other reef forums, a lot of those guys have been building led panels way before they hit the grow scene. When I use to have a reef tank and these guys were building led panels every one said it wouldn't work, but now there used to grow amazing corals ad amazing bud, good luck to you.