Looking for advice to build a custom-built hydroponic system

[Thimble]

Hi there,

 

First of all, I couldn't found the presentation section, so I guess there is none, never the less, I'd like to introduce myself. I'm new to growing cannabis, moreover I'm new to Australia (forgive me for my poor english), I'm an international student, studying business in Sydney

 

As I said, I'm new to grow cannabis, more precisely, I'm not even new, since the project is to be started in a few months, but I like everything to be planned well so everything goes as smooth as possible. I've done my researches about growing, and more specifically about growing in OZ. It seems that back in Europe everyone advices to start with soil for your first grow, while most of the OZ growers use hydroponics system. Since I want everything to go fine, I guessed I should used the most common system down there to make it easier to gather advices and materials.

 

So I'm going for a hydroponic system, the goal of this grow is auto production, keeping that in mind, my yeld goal would be around 2 ounces a month (to cover me and one of my flatmate consumption). Therefore a there are a few options :

- First are "one shot" grows, I grow multiple plants a the same time, harvest them approximately 4 months later, and smoke the yeld the next 4 months. So I need to be able to produce 4x2=8 ounces at a time

Advantages : No need for multiple wardrobe/spaces/light/system, veg and flo are done in the same everything

-Second, go for a "perpetual harvest" system, you have a mother plant from which you get clones, which you put after 2 weeks in flo, doing so every week, will let you harvest every week to sustain your consumption

Advantages : Less work every time ? couldn't find any other reasons, but I'm sure there are some others (tired) but you have to build to spaces, so you can keep your MP and clones in vege, multiple lights etc

 

Once I'm decided on which system to go, I still need A LOT of advices (sry ):

I'm planning on going for a 1mx1mx2m(h) grow tent, will it be enough to grow that much weed ?

How many plants should I rely on for that yeld considering both system ?

I'm "new" to sydney, I've spent 1 semester so far, going back home soon, the plan is to grow when I come back, so I absolutly have no clue of where to buy the materials, any advices ?

 

Finally we go to the worst part : the custom built system

What I mean is that, even if I've done the researches, I still have plenty of time, and I want to build a custom shopping list, my budget would be between 500 and 800$ (enough ?)

I don't wanna get wrong, I know the first you always do, but still

So I would like some help to build this shopping list:

Light : I was going for 400w hps for both vege and flo, but I'm not sure if it's enough, and I'm scare that it might be too hot in february (when i come back) to use those kind of lamps

Ventilation : Have no clue, need help on this one (extraction, inside the tent, carbon filter maybe ?)

Grow space : As said was going on a grow tent 1x1x2 in mylar to maximise light effect

Hydroponic system : I'd rather go for a DIY one, cheaper and not that hard to do, but I don't know about the shopping list, any advice / list would be great

Nutrients : Which brand to use ? Then I guess it's pretty straight forward

And finally accessories : Thermo/hygro, PH/EC meter (the rest I should be able to find in any supermarket (timers and stuff))

 

Voilà, thanks for any answers your could bring.

I know that is a lot of question, but I'm not in a hurry at all, and I think that this post could be helpfuf to anyone in the same situation

 

Again thanks, and fill free to add anything I could have forgotten, any advice, I'm eager to learn how to grow properly

 

Thanks (again)

[iatd]

Multi Ebb & Flow

 

This is what i'm doing next. Its a really simple ebb and flow system. All items can be bought at Bunnings and its super cheap. I'm really excited about it myself.

 

td

Edited January 10, 2010 by iatd
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