1st tent grow and need advice

So I am almost ready to start my 1st tent grow. My past grows were in my closet.
I made a 5 ftx5ftx7.5 ft grow tent lined with Mylar
1 6 inch inline intake and 1 6 inch exhaust fan. 175% of the air is recycled every minute
I will be using about 500 watts of CFLs. I used 258 watts in my closet with good results.

On all of my past grows I have used Scotts brand supersoil. I love the stuff, but have had problems with root gnats. Maybe had them when I bought the soil, or I may have been overwatering and inviting them to breed. This time, for my pots, I am going to use plastic storage containers like dairy crates lined with landscape fabric. I am thinking that having so much open air space (like an air pot), that the soil would dry more evenly, and it should promote root growth much in the same way. The containers are just under 5 gallons, and will be enough area to prevent root balling. I have always used 5 to 10 gallon pots.
I am thinking 8 plants will fit nice without blocking much light between plants. I run top and side lighting and run a cfl right down into the plant when I can.

My quandaries:

What kind of soil to use? Do I stay with what I know and chance a giant root gnat infestation, or do I go with Fox Farms which seems to be a tried and true "soil". But untested to myself.

Any opinions on the Dairy crate planter?

Any other thoughts are welcome also

if you can get fox farm products then thats what you need to go withand if you want more air just add more perlite to the soil and i was thinking about that kind of 5 gallon air pot idea but i didnt want to risk the water not getting through the mix but adding a cloth great idea
and yeah the gnats are probly from the mix thats why its good to lightly spray some insect killer to your soil a couple days before soking it
hey hit me up if that air pot thing works out!!!!

I would... especially with that much air change there will be as much evaporated promoted fromthe middle and bottom as the top, it'll breath better oxygen to roots etc, as far as the additives go ya the work great but sometime they have negative effect, and that still drain down from the top not out everywhere nor do they off the ability to allow oxygen in at that rate or evaporation from anywhere but the top...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Indimaniac

I would... especially with that much air change there will be as much evaporated promoted fromthe middle and bottom as the top, it'll breath better oxygen to roots etc, as far as the additives go ya the work great but sometime they have negative effect, and that still drain down from the top not out everywhere nor do they off the ability to allow oxygen in at that rate or evaporation from anywhere but the top...

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"I would" what? stay with the supersoil

Lol sorry I was talking about your crates/airport's idea... I think that's a great idea and would work great hence the explanation in my post before:thumbsup:

damn, I thought I was going nutts, thanks for that.

Gotta be careful buying off craigslist too dude! Cops will post a "Sweet Deal" and then follow you to your show.... Best to plan a few stops after picking up used gear.. and keep an eye in the mirror between stops! Cant be too careful man!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by XXXJAYXXX

Gotta be careful buying off craigslist too dude! Cops will post a "Sweet Deal" and then follow you to your show.... Best to plan a few stops after picking up used gear.. and keep an eye in the mirror between stops! Cant be too careful man!

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Sorry dude.. I totally meant to post that somewhere else! and now I cant delete it! LOL.. To be a little more on topic.. Ive always liked Sunshine Mix #4.. Peat, perlite, and dolomite lime.. ph is perfect and it drains and dries well.. Cheers! :-)

cool,

i use kellog soil with cast worms and all the other organic goodness crap. works well. no gnatts. but i had them (gnats) previously using some other soil....when i do see dirt gnats. i have a solution.

take a glass cup or some low dish tray. and put some beer in it. set it in your pot. the next morning you will find about 100 dead gnats in the cup. they cant resist the beer works like you wouldnt believe..add more beer as needed this works good for outdoor growing too if you have slug problems from moisture
ive also heard of people putting a layer of sand over the top of the pot

hope this helps!
growDemon

So I have 6 clones being delivered tonight. 2 x UK CHEESE, 2 x DJ SHORTS BLUEBERRY TRUE BLUEBERRY, 1 X PLATNUM BUBBA KUSH, AND 1 X SKY WALKER OG. I will be planting the clones in small, 1/2-3/4 gal. mini milk crated lined with landscape fabric, and filled with FOX FARMS OCEAN FOREST. I am thinking, transplant in about 3 to 4 weeks into 5 gal dairy style crates lined with landscape fabric.
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I have heard nothing but good things from this clone vender. I will post pics of my new babies tomorrow.