Grow Plans... Good? Bad? Check it...

[chron-tron]

Okay, I am a greenhorn when it comes to serious growing. I've grown outdoor and had window plants before, but I'm looking to get just a bit more serious. I'll run you through my proposed set-up, and I'd like some input on how you think it will work.

The Set-up:

2 strains - Black Domina - Blueberry.

1st cabinet - 3' x 3' homemade hydro* with a 3' high 1000w HP Sodium bulb (10,000 lumens) for flowering (12 hrs light)

2nd cabinet - 2' x 2' homemade hydro* with 2' high 400w metal halide (9,997 lumens) for smaller plants/clones (18 hrs)

*homemade hydro - aquariums (lightproofed) with pots in styrofoam floating atop the water, herb planted in pots in clean peat gravel, aerator hose, fan blowing accross

Walls of cabinets to be flat white as it is said to reflect more light than aluminem foil/safety blankets.

I have an AutoCAD drawing of the bitch if anyone needs clarification on what exactly the setup looks like.

CONCERNS:
The lumens remain consistent (close enough), so I don't THINK the light change should cause any problems.

Hydroponics - the system seems fairly airtight in theory, but I've only used soil up to this point... are there any crucial factors I should know about hydro (changing water, consistent temps, transplanting tips, etc)

Plant Spacing - I am giving them basically 1 square foot each in my 12hr cabinet, and I don't know if this is enough! Obviously I want to have a good harvest if I'm gonna put in the time to set this up. I could leave them unpruned, or prune them... doesn't matter to me, I just want the best yield possible out of the set space.

Cost of running lights - Chances are I will be renting a place while I have this set-up, and I don't want the hydro bill jump enough to raise suspision. Any estimates on the cost of running these lights (400w sylvania MH, 1000w HPS).

This is not yet set up, so by all means post your suggestions/improvements... I will be getting this project under way in May... and it'd be nice to learn as much as possible before then.

1 Last Thing... I want input, but only if you actually know what you are talking about. Don't post what you think 'would work better' unless you know your shit! Let's see what you've got...

BLAZE ON!:jointsmile:

[Bree1978]

Well I think either your watts are off or your lumens.....HPS 1000w put out 140,000 lu and 400w MH put out 37,000 lu.....So, that is way too much light and HEAT in that little of space! CFL's or floros would be good in that veg chamber and a 400w HPS for flower. Or perhaps you have the wattage off...?

Instead of pruning look up LST. Basically tying and training the plant. Or you could flower once they reach 6 nodes, that way they don't get too big.


Bree don't know hydro, so I can't comment on any of that.


:jointsmile: Bree

[chron-tron]

Bree... thanks for the response. As for your lumens/wattage questioning, the numbers you have quoted are if you have the light 1' away. I have looked at the J. Cervantes 'indoor grow bible' which has a table in it for each lamp, and how far away to have it from the plants in order to deliver the disired number of lumens (10K). The heat on the other hand, I haven't taken into consideration. I didn't think 1 light with a fan blowing on the cabinet would require additional exhaust vents. I've seen plants grown with flouro tubes, and they just don't seem to get enough light... growing in a window is more effective.

[keeko]

how do you plan on cooling the 1000w in the 3x3........thats kinda overkill if you cant keep your area cool

[Bree1978]

Bree... thanks for the response. As for your lumens/wattage questioning, the numbers you have quoted are if you have the light 1' away. I have looked at the J. Cervantes 'indoor grow bible' which has a table in it for each lamp, and how far away to have it from the plants in order to deliver the disired number of lumens (10K). The heat on the other hand, I haven't taken into consideration. I didn't think 1 light with a fan blowing on the cabinet would require additional exhaust vents. I've seen plants grown with flouro tubes, and they just don't seem to get enough light... growing in a window is more effective.

Well, if you have too much light in that space, you will bleach your plants.[attachment=o130570] Photo taken from : International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums - The Complete guide to Sick Plants,pH, and Pest troubles! (http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=11688)
I know this first hand because I am working in a slightly bigger space with a dual spec 800w (87,000 lu) and have bleached my plants, slightly. In your CAD design (which I am familiar with, share if you'd like) did you take space out for ventilation and lighting fixtures? Just a thought. Heat will be a huge issue. And don't start a fight (saying lightheartedly) I and many others have grown with floros and had good results-mine was a first grow so it couldda been much better.... Before that I had trying growing in a window and got SHITE!!!! lol...that is how I came to join this site. Another point- why bust your energy budget in the beginning stages? A lot of growers use floros for moms/seedlings/clones. Of course you have been an outdoor grower so you can't compare that with indoor, consider the enviromental issues...especially space!!!! So why deal with heat and mo' money?

:jointsmile: Bree

[chron-tron]

Aight, I'd like to toss my CAD file up here for... whoever really, just gives a better idea for you of what I'm up against (design-wise). I'd like to post the FILE itself, as I've used the layers and such which would be useless in jpeg format. Is there an easy way to post a file on the board?

[Dizzy1]

You should print that CAD file as a PDF so the non-cad people here can view it as well.
I have the capability if you need help.

subzero @ gmail . com

edit:
missed your last post. What do you mean you used the layers and it would be useless as a jpeg? As in if you just did a screen shot?
You should still be able to print it to a PDF or TIFF using your pen table and have it look correct. Or even do a print preview and take a screenie.
If you need help lemme know.

[chron-tron]

I tried to upload the file, but the forum won't let me post a DWG file. I converted the file to a BMP, then in paint to a jpg. Lost quality, but better than nothing! on the photo. Also, layers were labelled so you could tell what they were (eg. styrofoam, hidden lines, screen, etc) but as long as you didn't just blaze a cannon, you should be able to piece it together. If anyone has interest in seeing the CAD file, I can email it (as I will to dizzy1).

[JackdaWack]

Yo man, fans dont blow through walls..... ha. U need some sorta serous active exhaust and intake to keep that shitts cool, 235cfm to cool a 400 wtt 4 foot tall cab.

[whitestalkslongwalks]

well i'm pretty sure that's not a solid wall silly :)


is the room lightproofed? cuz this cab is VERY open. you can't be letting light in your flowering room when your girls are sleeping

[chron-tron]

no... it's not a solid wall. I had planned to have an angled grate to let the fan blow through, yet still block out light which may come from wherever (gonna be in a basement, so not much). i am trying to do this without the use of exhaust fans and such, 'cause I'm gonna be renting. No use gettin too elaborate until I'm gonna stay put. I figured between the fan and open top, heat would be taken care of, but I may need to figure something else out to deal with the light issue. Playing with the idea of getting rid of the aquariums and using soil with nutrient/CO2 lines... which tends to be more productive?

[Dizzy1]

I could make the quality a little better for the pic, but what you got there itsn't all that bad.

Just FYI, there should be options to plot a Jpeg and you can change the custom properties to make it a higher rez.

[chron-tron]

dizzy, if you've got any ideas... toss 'em on that CAD drawing and shoot it back to me

[Dizzy1]

Hehe
Please don't confuse me with an experienced grower. :D
Don't get me wrong, I'm full of ideas, I'm also not sure how good they are in the end.
Still in the planning phase myself for my 1st go. I'm working on my cab as we speak, doing the slow route. I got laid off 3 weeks ago after 7 years and I just now got a good job offer, so this little project of mine got back burnered. I should be up and going in a couple of weeks.
I do plan on doing a lil "sketch" of the cab in the next couple of days. :)

[chron-tron]

right on man, i'll be adding more to this post as I start construction of my cab. Suggestions in the meantime...

[xxxhazexxx]

hello mate when growing hydro make sure water temps are right and use an air stone instead of flat paint use mylar,you need a excaust fan and flexi ducting to control the heat and that ocilating fan needs to be inside you room,and you dont need no more than a 400 to flower and a 250 to veg:thumbsup:

[chron-tron]

I am using these peat pucks for the first time, and I'm fuckin' disappointed! I germinated my plants-to-be inside a damp cloth in a ziplock container (covered with shirt for darkness) and 10/12 split and sprouted their little tail. I added water to the peat puck until they swelled to 1.5" and drained off excess water as directed. I was very careful to handle the seeds as little as possible when transplanting, and used a deilicate pair of needlenose pliers to ensure the tail stayed pointing down inside the pucks. Knocked a little peat over top the holes, covered it up with the mini-greenhouse, and tossed it under a 60w bulb with a reflector (wanted to put 'em outside, but it was still a little chilly). That was on thursday... it's tuesday night, and the bastards still haven't sprouted. I sacrificed one seed/puck to look and see what was happening inside, and it looks the exact same as when it went in. I even opened up the shell itself to check for signs of drowning (discoloration) and she's white as a pearl. Any time I've had seeds in dirt, they poked up within 2-3 days... can anyone here tell me what the fuck is up!?

[chron-tron]

I am using these peat pucks for the first time, and I'm fuckin' disappointed! I germinated my plants-to-be inside a damp cloth in a ziplock container (covered with shirt for darkness) and 10/12 split and sprouted their little tail. I added water to the peat puck until they swelled to 1.5" and drained off excess water as directed. I was very careful to handle the seeds as little as possible when transplanting, and used a deilicate pair of needlenose pliers to ensure the tail stayed pointing down inside the pucks. Knocked a little peat over top the holes, covered it up with the mini-greenhouse, and tossed it under a 60w bulb with a reflector (wanted to put 'em outside, but it was still a little chilly). That was on thursday... it's tuesday night, and the bastards still haven't sprouted. I sacrificed one seed/puck to look and see what was happening inside, and it looks the exact same as when it went in. I even opened up the shell itself to check for signs of drowning (discoloration) and she's white as a pearl. Any time I've had seeds in dirt, they poked up within 2-3 days... can anyone here tell me what the fuck is up!?