1st time grow

[TD.]

Hmm OK. I was looking to spend around $700 for the digiballast, lamp and cool tube...

 

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/1000-WATT-HPS-COOL-...34.c0.m14.l1262

 

Reason for 1000W was for penetration. Because I can use a whole bathtub worth of space, but basically have the rest of the bathroom for heat dissipation, I felt it was better to have more penetration based on the limited reading I've done on here so far. With only two plants the plan was to maximise the yield by veging and blooming two fairly large /tall plants, and the 1000W I was assuming would be essential to get light to the bottom of a 6 ft high plant?

 

Well done rty looks like you found a good deal on ebay.

If your going to actually pay/waste the money to run the 1000watt bulb then grow as many plants as possible under it....start with 9 and see where you end up space wise.

If you only want 2 plants then purchase the 600watt system i linked a few posts back.

Save your money for the ventilation and smell prevention.

Have you calculated the cost of running the smaller 600watt system + fans and control gear ?

Also look into a DWC styled system, the rapid growth of the plants will mean that you have the entire system (lights/fans/bubbles) on for less time than if you were growing in soil. Last time i done a dwc grow i saw good healthy rapid growth daily

 

 

 

I get what you are saying about the exhaust fan. I've also now read that it is better to pull air through a carbon filter than push. The revised plan is to DIY a metal bin style activated carbon filter, placed on the ground near the plants. This is ducted up to the cooltube, and a duct then hooks up to an appropriate sized fan. (still not sure how much cfm or l/min I need for 1000w)

 

Centrifugal fans are engineered to force air thru carbon filters, they dont mind the pressure build up, its what there built for !

I think I've seen the DIY bin sized filter on ICM forums.....if so then make sure u assemble it correctly, otherwise there will be smell leaks.

How you want to run your setup is up to you mate.

 

 

Now the question I have is, do I need to vent the fan into the roofspace, or will it be sufficient to draw the hot air from the HPS to the other end of the room and let it vent out through the exhaust fan slowly?

 

It would be a bit more inconvenient to have to cut a hole in the roof to fit a fan. And to stealth it enough, I need a fan that will look like an exhaust fan once I remove the ducting. The plan is to be able to pick up the ducting, carbon filter, unhook lights and obviously move the pots to restore it to "bathroom" condition .

 

Its advisable to vent into your roof space, you wont need to cut anything, just remove the current bathroom fan and you should be left with a hole in your ceiling. put the carbon filter/centrifugal fan in your roof space and snake the ducting down into your bathroom thru the hole and connect it to your cool tube. hot air and smell go into your roof and thru a filter....and you shouldn't hear much down in the room if the centrifugal fan is in your roof space.

 

Of course this is only one possible way of setting things up, there are many possibility's, but i find better results when the filter/fan are outside your growing room.

 

You plan on finding a fan that looks a regular bathroom exhaust, i say good luck to you sir, such tasks are easier said than done. also you will have to do mods to accommodate its weight and its vibrations. If you think that you need to pack up and move at the drop of a hat then maybe its best not to grow yet.

 

....

Edited March 18, 2009 by TD.

[rty]

Thanks TD, so I gather you are not a fan of the 1kw lights for smaller grows?

 

It's hard because there is so much conflicting info out there ... I figure if I am limited to just two plants that I would get as much light as possible to maximise plant potential. However I am cognisant of the possibility that there is just too much light for two plants too...

 

Thanks for the info on fans. I reckon you're on to a winner by taking out the old vent. Don't know why I didn't think of that and I can also replace the old fan when required reasonably easily.

 

I will read up on DWC's. Was attracted to coco due to perceived simplicity as described by its proponents and given its my first grow...

 

cheers

rty

[rty]

Oh just for background the reason why I am sticking to soil/coco vs hydro and two plants vs many is due to the prevailing laws in the state, not because I am not listening to advice

[TD.]

well now you have everything figured out, when are you getting started ?

[rty]

Haha, I'd say I'm far from having everything figured out

 

Thanks to your help, I think I am settled on equipment:

 

600W HPS & digiballast from ebay $250(!) - maybe a cooltube

centrifugal fan

ducting

carbon filter

maybe a stand alone rotating floor fan just for air movement

 

For ease of use I am leaning towards coco. Still trying to figure out the pros and cons of this, and also a good basic nute schedule.

 

At the moment it sounds like to be idiot (me) proof using the Canna range of coco and coco nutes would be easiest.

 

However, I'll move media and nute Q's to the appropriate forums, after having a good read of past threads

 

Thanks for all your input TD on lighting/ventilation!

[TD.]

Its always good to give back to the community mate.