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View Full Version : Getting nervous, about to start 1st ever grow



redbud60
08-25-2010, 11:09 AM
Excited more than nervous actualy. I am starting small with only two plants which I will get as clones approx 4-6 inches tall.
I have been setting up/building my grow room for the past couple of months. Talk about a money pit!! I've run to Menards and Lowes so many times they know me by name now.

6X6 basement room with 7 1/2 foot cieling, sealed except for intake and exhaust. Painted flat white, floor grey.
435cfm inline vortex style fan with speed control for exhaust/passive intake.
2 400 watt MH/HPS lights
Dehumidifier
AC/heat ducted in, controllable
I have assembled a collection of nutrients,sprays,pest control, ph testers, etc....etc...etc..
Here is what I have decided to go with:
FoxFarm Nutrients, Grow Big/Big Bloom/Tiger Bloom
Age Old Kelp foliar spray
Einstien Oil foliar spray
FoxFarm Don't Bug Me
I also hope to clone, so I have orderd a starter "kit" Clone2Root its called, and I have built an admittedly rudimentary "Clone Box" which I will detail later.
So, I informed my guru that I am ready for the clones. I just hope I can keep them alive and thriving.
I did grow some killer tomatoes this year!!!

keylime
08-25-2010, 02:23 PM
sounds like you're well on the way. You didn't mention whether you have your lights vented and the size of your ducting for your fan. With 800 watts being generated, equals approx 2500 BTUs of heat you are putting into that room. My suggestion is to run the room for a few hours without plants in them and check your temperatures after a few hours..... you will want to stay BELOW 80F, 75 is ideal, over 85 is "not good enough"

keylime

lilbambam
08-25-2010, 02:28 PM
hope it goes well im building my room right now :rasta:

redbud60
08-25-2010, 02:33 PM
Thanks, I have the 6" inline fan necked down on exhaust to a 4" duct and then outside. Length of 4" duct to outside is about 7'. Plenty of exhaust and intake, I really need the speed control. I wouldn't think I would need to run the fan at more than 50%. Average temp in basement summer is around 72 and winter more like 62. I do not have air cooled lights so I will have to rely on good air circulation. Also have an ocillating fan in the room. If necessary I will rig up some kind of fan/blower to blow directly on the lights. I will do the "dry run" you suggested, excellent idea.
Forgot to say that I do have the ballasts outside the room, so a bit less heat inside.

redbud60
08-25-2010, 02:34 PM
hope it goes well im building my room right now :rasta:

Same to ya :D I hope it's going well for you. So, how big? how high? lights? inquiring minds want to know!

GROWxMOREx420
08-25-2010, 06:07 PM
Only 2 plants in 6 x 6?

I would grow at least 4. If something goes bad with one or more of your plants, you'd only be left with 1 or none. Trust me, my first grow I lost nearly half of my crop due to powedery mildew. It is not uncommon for first time growers to make mistakes and end up with no harvest at all.

On the flip side of the coin, having only 2 plants allows you to really spend time with them and take care of them. That 1 on 1 time lessens the more plants you have, so tending to them every day can decrease the chances of losing them.

I'm just throwing food for thought out there to keep in mind....

redbud60
08-26-2010, 03:20 AM
Well, ya. I hope I don't lose them, but only time will tell.