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View Full Version : Questions about converting an attic into a grow room.



Buddahbear
09-21-2006, 10:40 PM
Hello. I'm a new user to this MB I used to frequent the Overgrow forums but those were long since shut down. I was hoping to get some advice.

I've grown in grow boxes, and guerilla grows before but having since recently moved into my own new apartment I've decided to set up a grow room. Originally I planned on using my closet (roughly 2'X5'X9'), but recently I have stumbled upon a hidden attic.

My attic is covered in dust and dirt, and is reachable by climbing through a panel in a hall closet. It's covered in insulation (white soft shavings) in between the wooden studs. It has cross beams but other than that is ideal. It is around 30' by 50' by 8' (not factoring in the wooden cross beams.) There isn't any readily available access to the outside air, but you can hear noises from outside very well and there is a mild draft.

Some light peaks through the center of the ceiling (it's a slanted /\ type roof) through some kind of plastic weather protection. I was wondering

if an attic like that (dirty, no floor just insulation in between wooden studs and cross beams) would be able to be converted?

I think the air isn't too stale because the roof walls itself is thin because it isn't insulated (there's a mild breeze and you can hear the outside very well), but I don't have access to the outside air(short of sawing some holes I suppose) would that be a good enough environment to grow in?

I always have the option of using my closet, but I'd prefer the roof for space/secrecy.

Tokudai
09-21-2006, 10:46 PM
The main problem with an attic is the heat factor. Ventilation can also be an issue, but the heat is the big negative. How big a grow did you want to do? Do you get snow in the winter where you are located?

Buddahbear
09-21-2006, 10:53 PM
Seeing as this is my first real grow room, I'd probably start slow and if I am successful increase the size. If it's possible I'd probably just have a 10-15 plant start up (one section with flouros for vegging/growing) and one flowering section with some kind of HID I guess. I was thinking soil, but I've also considered Hydro.

I figure if the ventilation wasn't a problem I could make a little chamber using insulation on the floor and getting heat from the lights and if needed heat lamps.

Buddahbear
09-21-2006, 10:56 PM
Agh sorry part of my post got erased.

I do live in a cold area (Philly 'burbs), but I figured if I make sealed chambers the lamps could keep the plants warm and I could also use heat lamps if I had to.

Tokudai
09-22-2006, 08:15 AM
Security-wise, being the only house on the block with no snow on the roof might be noticed. Keeping the whole attic warm is pointless and costly

I'd probably build a complete small box or two up there, and not use the floor or roof of the attic at all..Then you only have to worry about the climate in a smaller contained space. Should eliminate most of the problems of a large area.

15 plants can be a big grow or a small grow - Realistically what size lamp(s) and what kind of yield do you need to make it worthwhile? Lets say Monthly (although you know you dont harvest monthly unless you go perpetual - right?) How many ounces/month do you need to pull?

Buddahbear
09-22-2006, 06:13 PM
I'm looking for anywhere between .5-2 pounds per harvest whatever's practical though, I was planning on making chambers/boxes and possibly considering doing perpetual harvest.

A flowering chamber and a vegetation/clone chamber. I was thinking of doing HID for flowering, maybe doing sea of green or screen of green (maybe 600 watt) and flourescent (I was considering trying compact flourescent but if that doesn't work I can always just use tubes on a chain method).

Do you think it would be worth it to get a hole in the roof to get some fresh intake air or does that not matter too much?

weedsmoka16
09-23-2006, 09:10 PM
im growing in my attic right now its my first grow but ur attic seems just like mine there is a vent in my attic nd i put the plants close so it gets good air..so far my plants seem to b doing fine.

Chlorella99
09-23-2006, 11:13 PM
that would be a little funny to be the only house on the block with no snow on the roof?

Buddahbear
09-24-2006, 02:02 AM
Do you think it would be worth the trouble to make an enclosed environment?