Growing in a not so enclosed space?

[Skrappie]

Okay, I know this may be a silly question, but if people donâ??t ask silly questions, then they never get serious answers.
I moved into a house a few months ago, and have a garage thatâ??s not really doing anything but holding junk. I was considering the possibility of growing in there using HPS instead of my old apartment setup of CFLâ??s in a cab. The thing is, Iâ??m not quite sure how inefficient a 600+ watt system would be in a non closet environment, as thatâ??s how everyone seems to be doing it, and i'm unclear if that is done for security or practical growing purposes.
Could one grow logically under a decent light set up in a room within itself, or would it be a better idea to start constructing a â??closetâ?? around the area I plan to hang my light. I donâ??t have my supplies yet, but I figured Iâ??d ask this very basic question before I attempt to grow pro. No point in using cfl if I have the room for something better!

Any help, suggestions or constructive ridicule would be greatly appreciated.

Have a good day, and happy growing

[Dutch Pimp]

...I got your back man...ask and you shall receive...even if I have to call in the troops...:thumbsup:....

if it was me ...I would box in an area of the garage...600HPS Hortilux would do nicely...how many plants are you wanting to try?

[Duke420]

[QUOTE=Dutch Pimp;1479923

if it was me ...I would box in an area of the garage...600HPS Hortilux would do nicely...[/QUOTE]


yessir, or if you're lazy you could use the corner for at least two sides of reflection. But the box is best, then you can put your carbon scrubber on top to exhaust, for air circulation, and so your house doesnt get so stinky. :D

[Skrappie]

Well, Dutch, you are absolutely a valuable bud to have on my side, but keep the troops out of this though; i'm trying to keep most of my stash to myself :)

I just read the guide on building your own light, and have my browser pointed here 1000W HPS Ballast - RAW | Grow Light Ballast Assemblies (http://www.bghydro.com/BGH/itemdesc.asp?ic=HLBARHPS10&eq=&Tp=) I'm not sure how many plants Iâ??d try to grow, it would depend on how many a 1000 watt system could support, (and how many sq feet i would need for that system) I must admit Iâ??ve done my growing in a very ghetto way, with very minimal results, but after doing some heavy reading Iâ??m ready to join the big dogs.

So now that i know that a box will have to be built. What sq feet are am i looking at if i do go with the 1000w ballast kit?

I thank you guys for holding my hand through this. I really appreciate it, even more so because I like to have everything planned out before putting anything into action. That being said, please put up with me if I have to ask a few more qâ??s.

Oh yeah, and thanks for your input duke, although me and the ol lady don't mind the smell at all, its no point stinking up the house if we don't have to.

[PharmaCan]

You might want to look at HydroHuts. They are about the same cost as conventional construction, and you can take them with you when you move.

[Dutch Pimp]

...is the garage attached to house or free standing?...good electric supply?...more important...what your budget?....if your going to be a bear...be a Grizzly...:thumbsup:...

[Skrappie]

The garage is attached, and it has decent supply, same as the house, Just measured at at 14 foot wide, but don't want to use more then 7 feet in width, lenght is less of an issue. but i don't want to go too extreme. Let's say for the sake of clearer answers that I make a box 6x5. Do you think 1000w is too much?

Also i'll check out the hydrohut deal, thanks for the heads up.

[Dutch Pimp]

...6X5 and 1000 HPS is cool...the light will need to adjust...for seedings up to full grown moma's...about 8-10 plants maybe...I only have 400HPS history..

..if you go hydro...I can't help you...I don't know hydro....I'm a dirt farmer.

[Skrappie]

Also dutch, I have (and read) several grow guides. Todd McCormick's, the 4ed Cannabis grow bible, and a few others that are more obscure. I'm less worried about growing the actual cannabis, and more worried with constructing a box with quality lighting. I was going to buy a 400w HPS light and work from there, until i read the light making guide that i mentioned earlier. With making my own light i'd free up some cash, and of course have the ability to grow more.

I just don't want to go overboard and have too much lighting in too small of a space, or have too little in too big of a space.
I may be worrying a bit too much.

[Skrappie]

Ah you beat me too the punch, I always hate being a over posting freak, but thanks. Now that i have a rough idea of what size i'll be working with, on to the materials. Won't be able to construct until mid july, and if i don't make a log, i'll make sure to at least keep you updated.

I never had room for more then two plants, so now i'm just getting overly excited.

Have a good day, and happy burning.

[Duke420]

You might want to look at HydroHuts. They are about the same cost as conventional construction, and you can take them with you when you move.


ya, good call on the hydrohuts, they are awesome. Wish I found them before i started construction of a room in my shop.

the smell is something to be weary of, its amazing how much odor they put off. Before i got my scrubber, my 1200 sq shop smelled before u even got to the door. I had a 6x6x8 room that exhausted out the top but into my shop, I figured the shop would dissipate the odor..........wrong.

don't get me wrong, the smell was awesome, but I was concerned with neighbors.

[dsm711]

Definitely enclose it in for security sake and for controlling photoperiod. I have a room that's about 5x12 and when I first turned on the 1000w I said to myself "What have I done" Now I'm soooo glad. I have 8 plants and could do a few more but then it would start getting crowded. I have 1 side set up for vegging with 2-4' banks of flouros and a few cfl's.

[Duke420]

600's are great, you can always expand nicely.

I started with a 1ker and recently purchased a 600 to add to the fun.

with all the cool people here, you can't go wrong.

[4x5]

I'd think about building a small room instead of a box, that's what I did.

[the image reaper]

a 600-watter will work well up to about 6'x6' growing area (floorspace) :smokin:

[PharmaCan]

I'd think about building a small room instead of a box, that's what I did.

A small room is actually cheaper to build.

You can check out this thread if you want a few ideas on building a cabinet (http://boards.cannabis.com/indoor-growing/118025-diy-grow-room-log.html) in your garage.

PC :smokin:

[Tomthehippie]

yessir, or if you're lazy you could use the corner for at least two sides of reflection. But the box is best, then you can put your carbon scrubber on top to exhaust, for air circulation, and so your house doesnt get so stinky. :D

Love it! Lol

[Al B. Fuct]

Pre-made grow canopies are farrrrr too expensive for what you get.

Making a grow tent in a garage is a piece o' pie.

Buy a roll of 3m (9ft) wide pandafilm. On the garage floor, construct a rectangle out of 2x4 lumber the same size as the intended floorspace.

Size the tent to fit the size of whatever watering system you intend to use so the 'walls' are as close to the plants as possible, maximising reflection of otherwise wasted light back to the plants.

Put a couple of crossmembers to support a pandafilm 'ceiling' and to give convenient mounting points for lights.

Throw a layer of pandafilm over the rectangular frame to create a 'ceiling'. Get a good friend or two to hold the frame and ceiling up to the garage roof joists while you screw it in place.

Create hanging curtain walls by wrapping the frame with pandafilm. Create a light-trapped entry flap by doubling over the last 3-4 feet of the tent wrapping.

Done! :)