Newbie Questions

[Rannabis88]

Hello All!

This is my first post on this site and I just want to start out by saying I am proud to be a member of this greatly established community and hope I can learn and share as much information as possible with yall. A few months back I was charged with a DUI, therefore I am under supervised probation with random drug screenings every few months (Bastards!). So in the meantime while I wait to smoke again, I have decided It would be enlightening to grow my own crop, so when I can enjoy my smoke again, I will know the quality, and also not have to be ripped off by money hungry pot dealers (no offense, I know everyone has to make a buck) I think I have a pretty good setup for what I am trying to do, I just would like some imput and advice on getting things starting right. So far my setup consists of the following:

A shelf in my closet is approx 3 feet wide, by 3 feet deep, and about 3 feet tall, this is where the entire staging of the plant will take place. I am using a 2x2 foot fluorescent light fixture with 2 U shaped 40W deluxe cool white bulbs, suspened from the ceiling using a 2 line pulley system. I am able to get within 2 inches of the pots, and the light height is adjustable at all times to a maximum of 2 feet above the pots. I purchased a thermometer/barometer, right now my readings are 73.6 degrees F, and 30% humidity. Are these suitable ranges? Im using a verticle oscilating fan, its very quiet and Energy Star compliant, not sure how much air it moves tho, it made the temp drop about 2 degrees since i put it in there. Ive ordered a mix of seeds coming from the UK, I plan on growing Northern Lights and Purple Power for my first crop using a LST (low stress training) technique to keep the plants low lying, and Im using oversized pots to get the maximum horizontal growth possible. Using vermiculite and topsoil as the medium, should I add any perlite? Any tips tricks of suggestions would be wonderful. Thanks!

[S0DA]

G'day stranger, This is also my first post on this top forum. I thought i would give it a crack as you never stop learning and people have plenty of knowledge to share. I think your space is small but can be made to work. First forget flouros, hid lighting is vastly superior , no matter what they say. Two, ventilation is extremely important! Intake and exhaust fans are required. Also do away with soil and use perlite instead and a quality hydroponic A+B nutrient. Just a couple of things to think about. Hope it helps you matey. newbie q+a

[Gazza2001au]

that fluro isnt going to do a great deal for you if its the old tube style fluros anyway u want 65-70% humidity when vegging 30% will do i have done it but not ideal

[Cactus]

Using a HID lamp in that size would produce a lot of heat if you were to move towards one then put a lot of thought into air ciculation, you would most likely need to invest in a cool tube. I've ran a 400W lamp in a box about the same size as your container but it wasnt ideal.

 

For your size I reckon pick up a 220W CFL, you can get them from any hydro shop, theyre great for small grows and the yield will still be pretty good, if you really want you could pick up 2, a 6400K (mix blue and red) grow light and a 2700K (red spectrum) to add in during flower for extra red spectrum and a bit more light penetration, bearing in mind that there will be more heat. As long as you have good ventilation going in and out of the grow room and put a fan blowing on the cfl's then the heat shouldnt get too out of hand. Start with one light though just to be sure.

 

Perlite and vermiculite sound pretty solid for a medium, that is if you want to go full hydro medium. But theres no rules against using soil, if you want to use some special organic blends or anything like that.

Edited January 26, 2009 by Cactus

[S0DA]

Thats true cactus, cool tubes are grouse and would be ideal for this grow. Then ya could definitely go with da 400, your lack of vertical space means flouros wont give you nearly as much yeild as hid light will, and will maximize what your grow produces. As cactus said, use cooltubes and vent lamp heat straight out. soda -pfk-