Advice, please...

Hello,
I have spent the last few weeks just learning about hydroponics. I am really close to starting my first grow and I am really interested in the ultrasonic approach to feeding my plants. Besides that, I have a few other questions.

I am going to grow in a 6' tall, 3.5'x2.5' wide cabinet. Will this be sufficient?

I plan on covering all the inner walls with something reflective and using a nice sized HEPA filter with adjustable air speeds as an intake for the cabinet(from the bottom). I figured one 75 cfm fan blowing on the lighting with one 75 cfm fan blowing out(from the upper portion of the cabinet). The added air pressure in the cabinet from the HEPA filter should help blow air out through the single exhaust fan, correct? Will that work?

I was going to buy a 400W HPS and MH switchable light. is that good?

I want a 14 plant hydroflora system, HydroFlora Systems for Indoor Closet Hydroponic Grow Boxes / Chambers
Is this a good setup, there's more to it of course, but am I on the right track so far.

Thanks for the help...

The switchable lights, you lose a bit in efficiency but make up for it in always being able to use the proper type of light for your growth stage.

In a small space, shell out the extra few bucks for an air-coolable reflector hood and hook your exhaust fan up to that directly. Heat is your enemy and you can take care of the worst of it this way... read through all the logs and most have one thing in common: Adventures in Bringing Down Temps, lol.

I'm not a huge fan of hydro for noobs... this is just me, and plnety of people like it fine, even on the first try. I just personally prefer a compost based medium for a number of reasons:
Soil is very forgiving, compost even more so
From-seed grows you will end up with males and thus lose efficiency in a fixed hydro setup... solve by doing your first run in dirt, keeping a mohter, and then taking clones to fill your hydro setup on the next run.
Hydro requires more investment than you might think at first- you will need a source of pure water, and the meters and/or kits to test it.

It sounds like your cabinet is a good size though. Have fun with it, that's the most important part.

Soil! Forgiving!! LIES!!! (Actually Stinky is right but I hate soil....I know.....you wouldn't have guessed...:D)

Stinky is also very correct about your heat issues.....which you will definitely have. I do use a switchable ballast and the statement about having the correct lighting is the key there for me. Different lighting makes them grow differently imo and lighting is something you cannot compensate for later.
400 sounds good for a cab that size but I would follow her advice on cooling and get some good inline fans to do the work.....you will need them and also a fan to move the air around inside the cabinet (apart from your cooling fan).

Another thing to think about in regards to heat is your reflective material.....I've used mylar for years and somehow never noticed that it can heat up your grow area until recently. You may want to think about white paint or something along that line.

Just a few (stoned) thoughts of mine...:D

adding to the heat topic, do you have to have cool air coming from outside then warm air going back outside?? or would you just be able to blow in room temp air and vent that hot air into another room for heat in the winter??:D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by smokedoja

adding to the heat topic, do you have to have cool air coming from outside then warm air going back outside?? or would you just be able to blow in room temp air and vent that hot air into another room for heat in the winter??:D

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that's what I did this past winter, my furnace only kicked on during the 'night' hours :D ... but, I am poor, and live in a small hovel ... in fact, my next project is to vent the heat outside, but I will build it so it can be 'routed' indoors this winter ... :jointsmile:

yesssss, thats exactly what i wanted to hear!
can't wait til winter

just a bit of info, i got one of those ultrasonic humidifiers(for regular home use). it grows crusties on the plates and it is a bitch to clean. its lying in storage broke with a big deposit of apparently uncleanable stuff on it.

only thing i can say is u can build one like that or better for around half of what they want for it all