Long-time smoker and first time grower here. I'm planning to convert a small storage trunk i have (roughly 12"x15"x30") into a small portable grow-box for stealth and security reasons. The only relevant experience i have is computer building (cramming lots of heat-sensitive electronics together in a small box that must be cool and quiet) and pot smoking (i know good bud when i see it :D )
As of yet plans include a set of 27 watt, 1850 lumen compact fluorescent lightbulbs with built-in ballast. They come in 2700K, 4100K, and 5100K varieties for vegetative/flowering growth. Combined with a 6 socket lantern light string gives the potential for over 11000 lumens (within a space of 1.5 ft^2 and 3.5 ft^3). All this for $80-125 for 6-12 lightbulbs. Hopefully with a rig like this i can bend the rules a bit and squeeze more plants than normal in there. Ideally i'd like to put 2-4 heavy flowering buds in there and string the lights throughout the height of the plants rather than simply from the top. Combined with a screen-of-green setup (or similar) i think some really massive yields can be achieved.
This brings me to the growing material. I kinda have my heart set on a hydoponic system for obvious reasons, but so far my knowledge is extremely limited. I understand the basic concepts of nutrition and fertilization, but creating a hydro rig still appears incredibly complex and rather expensive. Growing in soil seems both easier and more economical. Are there any kits available that have all nutrients and growing materials together at a decent price? Aside from that, do you have any recommendations for the necessary supplies preferably from a single reputable distributor? Is there any way that something like that could be built for under $150-200? If not would it simply be more realistic to switch to a soil-based rig?
Thanks in advance for anything you guys can help me with :)
