Need advices for room setup

[Zummy81]

Hi, I'm new to this forum but it seem like the place to be to have some good advices. By the way, english is not my primary language so please be tolerant with some errors that I might do...:jointsmile:

Let me explain the situation, I've decided to start my own growing room, in a closet under the stairs, in my closet (yes a closet in a closet !!!!) For now I only joined a plan (not a scale plan...the measurement are in inchs) of the room but I will add somes pictures soon. The place is in a L shape, roughly 28 square foot. I plan to use only 3 x 3 section for growing my plants.

One of my big concern is the height of the ceiling, only 4 foot high. I have read many things on the type of lightning I should be using...With a 4 foot ceiling, I won't be able to suspend a big 400 or 600 watts lamp. So I've decided to use neon, is that a good choice ? Nothing is purchased yet so if you have better solutions let me know :D I want my grow room to be as effective as possible....

What do you think is the best lightning system for this place ? Is it a good idea to put 2 200 watts fixed to the ceiling in addition to the neons ? What is the minimal distance for a safe and effective grow between the light and the plants, is it about one feet ? Can I install a 400 watts lights fixwed on the wall ? If I understand well, in vegetative grow, the plants needs more lumens per square foot comparatively to the flowering grow :wtf:

Let's abord the ventilation system now...First I don't plan for the moment to grow more than 4-5 plants. I put a air vent in my grow room that go to my closet. My plan is to open the door when the lights are on for a good air circulation. Put 4-5 fans in there to really get the air moving in a circle patern. So fresh air will be coming from the air vent (just by a fan) circle around the place and come out through the open door (something like that..). Do I need a better ventilation system, with an air intake and outtake for a little grow room if I often leave the door open ? When the plants are in sleeping mode (lights off) the door will be closed and the fan will be directing air through the vent. Do you think this is right ?

For now, that my concerns...I'm in the stage of buying my lights and my seeds. The room is all cleared and ready for the lightning installation. Do someone knows a good website that I can thrust for buying my seeds (any seeds suggestions by the way) :rastasmoke:

Peace to all, and thanks in advance for your help :D

[stinkyattic]

Bienvenue!
When you say 'neon' are you talking about the type of lights called 'flourescent' in English? Here is a picture of one type:

[Zummy81]

Yep that's exactly what I mean...first bad translation :thumbsup:

[stinkyattic]

It's okay, the best way to get better language is to use it, and anyway your grammar is nearly perfect, better than many native speakers! Might as well have fun while you're at it, right?

Yes those are good lights for pot. You have to choose the right bulb, and get enough of the lights to give you enough, ummm, light, hahaha! The best bulbs for growing are called 'daylight'. The ones that say 'plant and aquarium' are not good. They are for for fish and aquatic plants, and you need the 'daylight' or even 'cool white' ones for pot. Luckily those are also cheaper.

For ventilation, the most important thing is a strong exhaust (outtake) from high in your grow space. The intake does not need a fan at all. Then you just use a couple small fans to make air movement inside the room.

[Zummy81]

Thanks for your quick response, I will go buy some daylight fluorescent after work...Do I need another light for the vegetative grow ?

[stinkyattic]

It will be fine for both vegetative and flowering. When you have more space though, a HPS light is MUCH better for flower.
Remember that using flourescents, you need to keep your plants short and flat by training them so that all the parts of the plant are very close to the lights. 1-3 inches is a good distance; if you have a lot of lights, they can be a bit further away.
T12s or T8s are the size bulb. T8 is brighter but T12 is cooler. The inexpensive fixtures at home depot that I show in the picture will accept either size.

[Zummy81]

I've just went to an hydro shop...the guy told me that fluorescent was only good for vegetative grow. He told me that my plant would look skinny if I decided to grow them with fluorescent in their flowering grow !!! Do this guy know what he's talking about ? And if I put alot of fluorescent, can I obtain some good result ?

My 4 foot ceiling is my main problem, I just don't have enough space for a 400w or 600w with the reflector...Can I install a 400w (with reflector) on the wall that will light the room on the horizontal, instead of the vertical lighting we usually see ? Time to blow one :rasta:

Peace

[Zummy81]

That's the place I have to work with, in my closet...

[vangraffe]

Hi,

I want to follow this thread as it is close to my own situation.

Stinkyattic - can you tell me how you have dealt with the smell, or was it not so bad?

cheers to all

[Zummy81]

Hi I just purchase this T5 lamp : Sun Blaze T5 High Output Fluorescent Grow Light 4ft 8 Lamp...I think it will be perfect for me. One, I can hang it vertically or horizontally, so I can save some space (4 foot ceiling). Two, it's way much cooler than an HIV lamp, so I won't need (I hope) an outake fan connected to a window (that's impossible for my room setup). I will add some others fluorescents to have the more light as possible, planning to grow 8 plants.

For ventilation, when the light will be open I will let the door of my closet fully open with alot of fans so the air can circulate pretty well. I know it will make the room more humid but I will eventually purchase a desumidifier. Do you think it will work ?

My last question concern cloning the plants. Can I take the clone and put it right away in a small pot with earth mix in it or I have to get a hydro system ? I don't know when it's the right time to clone a plant, how high should the mother plant be ?

Peace