Getting Started...In the attic. Help!

[BlaZeNSmoKe]

Aiight I've just found out that my house has a second attic and the only way to it is through my room's closet. I have to crawl through a small opening to get to it but once I get in, I can stand up and walk around. The area I have is 5 ft. x 3 ft. Now I'm wondering, would it be easier to grow organic or hydroponics? Also I'm looking for the cheapest growroom setup that can produce a good yield. This will be my first grow and I have no prior experience, but I do know mj. I'm thinking of planting either White Widow, Haze, or Northern Lights. If someone could, break down the cost for each piece of equip. I need to do this. I'm thinking about growing around 4-6 plants at a time. Is that gonna do well in the given space because I can make more. Thanks for the help and I will be posting pics as soon as my op is underway.

[scooterjay]

organic is cheaper initially. that's what i do, good ole soil in 2.5 gal pots along with a couple 100 watt hps lights and a bunch of mylar.

[mobay]

just put up an attic ladder in my attic , so much space up there kinda scary on what i can grow. i have 4 big buds growing downstairs in spare bathroom , moving them up in the attic today. also 3 white widows growing in a closet upstairs , moving them as well. all on hydro cause i travel alot and dont have to worry about them that much, just keep raising the lights, and make sure the ppm is correct.

[mobay]

all plants are 3 weeks old going to 12/12 next week

[THEEHT]

high all, before you start moving things in to that area you should put in some insulation on all walls and celeining and floor. then put in your electric cover it with drywall or wood then cover it with mylar or paint them all flat white. then you have to fined a light and hang it. now you have a foot print of light to work with. you should also have intake fans and fans with air filters. THEEHT...

[BlaZeNSmoKe]

Thanks for the feedback y'all. Mobay, them White Widows look like they some pretty thangs, if I do say so myself. I can't wait to get started. I'm gonna start taking pictures of the area I got so I won't be growing too many plants in too small an area. The other major problem is electricity, but by looking at y'alls setups, I've got some pretty good ideas. I've got a few more questions though, like what type of bulbs should I use for the greatest yield. And if I'm growing White Widow organically, what is the average yeild per plant (so I can plan ahead of time)? Thanks.

[Zandor]

Dirt farming is what you want to do. The down side to hydro is if water leaks out it can destroy a ceiling in your home.

I assume your mother knows you are going to grow or do you think you can keep it from her?

You can't just incase you think you can. Unless she is blind, def and has no nose to smell. I doubt any of that fall's into your mothers category at all so she will know.

Just a friendly warning to you.

Good Luck.

[GratefulDead4ever]

great advice zandor if only i could find a mom who liked that smell and wouldnt mind cooking with it occasionly

[BlaZeNSmoKe]

Well I live in a two story house, and my mom's room is on the other side of the house, on the first floor. The only opening to this attic part is through my closet, and I don't think she's gonna smell it through all that. Maybe if she came in my room but maybe it'll smell so good, I could play it off as a cologne or new spray.


....or should I just give up now :(

[turtle420]

Well dude, you could get your parents into a world of trouble because of your pot growing shennanigans....

[BkSkillz]

as far as the hiding it is concerned i think were all experts at hiding our plants if not on one scale then in another ..HINT..HINT.. THE LAW.. also if its in an attic make sure no central ventilation runs through the room or else u'll house'll end up smelling like a whorehouse in amsterdam if you want the best yeild for your money go with some 400w mh/hps conversion setup it'll run you about 200-300$ for lighting ballest reflector and a couple extra bulbs mh for veging hps for flowering but if your a cheapskate like myself for now cfls is the way to go about 7 to 10 dollaz for some regular 24w bulbs at your nearest hardware store or jus get it online plenty of secure sites to order off of keep it simple your first time around, lights pots fan reflector and as you go you learn the more it grows the more you'll find yourself looking things up and adding to your grow naturally untill the end of your 3rd week nutz shouldnt be an issue an by then you'll have read up enough to know what to go with other then that jus take everything one day ata time keep it simple and be patient best of luck

[Zandor]

A carbon scrubber in the room running 24/7 will deal with your odor problem. You exhaust it right back into the room it can keep your area clean and free from odor.

[Garden Knowm]

an HID light can make a big statement on your MOM's electricity bill..
love

[scooterjay]

i just finished vegging three little girls with CFL 100 watt bulbs. three of them in a delta configuration. switched over to a 100 watt HPS this morning, it'll stay on 24 hrs. til next monday when i will go to the 18/6 schedule for 4 weeks followed by a 12/12 'til harvest. i may add a second 100w HPS if things look slow to develop. using s-thrive in spring water.....just a couple drops per half gallon. good ole potting soil in 5 gallon pots. i repotted today as well, them babes were root bound....hope they get over the root bound condition. 2 of my gals are wideleaf indicas, the third is a narrow sativa. will post pics when i have a camera.

<<EDIT>> had to do some ceiling repair.....stepped thru the sheetrock!!! i'll be taping and mudding next week!

[orangeman]

Aiight I've just found out that my house has a second attic and the only way to it is through my room's closet. I have to crawl through a small opening to get to it but once I get in, I can stand up and walk around.

Ok this is way off-topic but I cant help but to say your one lucky mo'fo lol. I wish my room was like this :(.

[scobbie]

tell no one and i mean no one as as your mom or dad is the house holder it is they who will be prosicuted so keep it to your self cause people can get real jealous when they know you are growing your own bud so do your mum and dad a favour and keep stum

[Garden Knowm]

tell no one and i mean no one as as your mom or dad is the house holder it is they who will be prosicuted so keep it to your self cause people can get real jealous when they know you are growing your own bud so do your mum and dad a favour and keep stum


GREAT ADVICE..

[BlaZeNSmoKe]

^^^^Cosign....and that's one thing I'm good at. @Orangeman, man I can't even explain the feeling I got when I found out about it too, haha. This was like the first thing that popped into my mind (that and turning it into a recording studio). @Zandor, how much do those carbon scrubbers you speak of cost? @GardenKnowm, good looking out, I didn't even think about the electric bill....So with that in mind, what kind of lights can I use without causing too much attention. Basically, I'm tryna create a grow with the cheap but still effective lighting, keep the odor on the low, and a good yield. If not a good yield, then a strain that has a quick process so I can start over again quickly. Thanks for all the replies, I think this can turn into something beautiful, and I hope it does. Peace.

[orangeman]

Well as for the lights I know a friend who just uses a 150 flourecent light and he got pretty good buds. I'm not sure about you but I use like...a 100w light bulb for my self just for regular lighting in my room, I'm sure an extra 50w wouldnt cause too much attention lol.

[mfactor420]

^^^^Cosign....and that's one thing I'm good at. @Orangeman, man I can't even explain the feeling I got when I found out about it too, haha. This was like the first thing that popped into my mind (that and turning it into a recording studio). @Zandor, how much do those carbon scrubbers you speak of cost? @GardenKnowm, good looking out, I didn't even think about the electric bill....So with that in mind, what kind of lights can I use without causing too much attention. Basically, I'm tryna create a grow with the cheap but still effective lighting, keep the odor on the low, and a good yield. If not a good yield, then a strain that has a quick process so I can start over again quickly. Thanks for all the replies, I think this can turn into something beautiful, and I hope it does. Peace.

I had a very elaborate attic grow room with up to 30 plants, hydro. Yes, hydro can create huge ceiling damage if it leaks. Mine did a couple times. I never had an aroma problem in the house. The attic was the warmest room and the warm air vented upwards and outwards - never down into the house. I used a 1000w. halogen bulb & ballast which added about $15.00/month to the hydro bill. I also used a hydro system called "plantation 3000". Your local hydro shop will remember it. Watch how much weight you put on your attic floor too. You don't want the ceiling caving in on you. You can buy a complete flourescent fixture and 2 bulbs for about $25-35 depending on if they are on sale at Home depot. I had these fixtures strung by pulleys and I could raise the lights as needed. You can buy special flour. grow tubes that will fit these fixtures. There will be no noticeable increase in the monthly bill.

I echo a couple comments here. Tell no one. Absolutely no one. Start out simple and build on it slowly. Remember, in case you forgot, tell no one.

Want more details, email me.

[j913jones]

Man Id grow hydro wit that small space. My closet is about hat size. I got an Emily Garden it holds exactly 6 plants. Only like 80 bucks U.S. It comes wit everything u need from start to finish. The light is what is goin to cost. If you grow cheap it will show. I spent 300 bucks on 400watt metal halide w/ reflector, ballest, sheild, and bulb. Good luck dude
Smoke til ya Choke

[cajole]

[attachment=o48176]:confused: reading this message board has been benificial. i hope to be setting up my attic in 2 weeks. could their be a problem from the fiberglass in the insulation?

[Garden Knowm]

HEy jones.. nice emily garden... i'd like to see how that turns out...

do you always leave the reivor exposed?

: )

[cajole]

[attachment=o48277]this may sound stupid but if i use two 200 watt halide lights will that have the same effect as using one 400 watt halide light?

[mfactor420]

[attachment=o48277]this may sound stupid but if i use two 200 watt halide lights will that have the same effect as using one 400 watt halide light?

I would say the effect on your electric bill will be the same. The effect on your plants may be different. One 400w bulb shines from only one part of the room. upper centre no doubt. Therefore some of the leaves struggle for adequate light. 2 200 lights will spread the light more evenly depending on your placement of them.

Does that help?

[cajole]

[attachment=o48330]Yeah that helps clear up things...thnx

[cajole]

thanks mfactor,, thanks alot

[Tupamaro]

now is there any important CFL's you need to buy for flowering and vegging? or is it just CFL. for reg. flourescent it's cool for vegging and warm for flowering, correct?