Closet Plans- want to do it right

Hello all, and thanks to very interesting and informative threads, I am about to embark on plans for my closet.

Background on me- grew a few times outdoors, one unplanned from a spur of the moment placing of a good seed loosely in soil in my backyard in a spot with good sun yeilded a very nice organic 10 node dwarfed plant (I pruned as per info on HT website), failed teenage indoor attempts.

the space- approx 28x28x8ft

the planned purchases-still in flux but here's some ideas Ive had-
1) mylar on all surfaces
2) possible two levels with a light controlled lower level for flower/veg and an upper clone/germination level. if not, then whole closet for veg- clone outside in a homemade box using HO flouros.
3) combo 2 250 hps/mh lamp or single 250hps tube using a mh 250 in veg, then switching to hps on 12/12- was considering a vented tube- should my ballast be external?
4)ventilation via a hole in door upper (intake via fan and charcoal filter combo-refillable) in baffle for light seal) and lower (fresh draw from air pressure from upper).
4) rainforest 6 pot aero 21 gal resivior
5)ph test strips to start or 200+ dollar combo meter
6) c02 - want to use possibly a natural method to start or maybe a tank system that wont break the bank.
7) seed bank strain in the indica variety, possible NL2 or Herer if I can find em.

I dont want the whole budget to go sky high on first yield (although if first yield is greater, I can re-coup some of the costs. I would like to start by a/c season and supply cooler air via bedroom ac draw through vent system and keep the power drain relatively low given my estimated needs on light to space ratio- I think this is somewhat a good plan.

Side question- if I get the aforementioned equip/strain, what kind of yeild would I expect if my total crop is kept in the 3-4 month range? Can I start the light drop at approx 14-18" after a 2 stage prune?

Also- if I scrog would this be a better yeild to space ratio? And from what I have read it seems that scrog should occur at around 12" or so, bringing (training) the nodes through for a period of a few weeks before the light cut.

lots of readers, no suggestions?

I thought this board had a lot of helpful advice...havent heard a peep out of anyone regarding my setup.

this makes me sad.

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Originally Posted by StuPot

lots of readers, no suggestions?

I thought this board had a lot of helpful advice...havent heard a peep out of anyone regarding my setup.

this makes me sad.

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You might want want to scale down for your first indoor grow. Until you get the hang of things. My first grow worked me to death, and I have plently of free time. I am a hermit.

scale down...ok, but how do you suggest?
I have a good deal of time also- work nights only 6-8 hrs.

Hi, that sounds pretty good the only thing I would consider is having intake towards the bottom for many reasons mainly to encourage stem development and also because hot air rises and in the flowering phase the smell will as well so intake at the bottom exhaust at the top. From what I read as well (not 100%) Co2 is in higher proportions at ground level so any intake best serves your plants at this level.

You have alot of space to use (not something I know much about). In terms of ventilation you would want an extraction fan connected to a carbon filter at the top of the room taking air outside.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by StuPot

scale down...ok, but how do you suggest?
I have a good deal of time also- work nights only 6-8 hrs.

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If your outdoor grows were sucessful, then you know more than I did on my first grow. I germinated 18 out 20 seeds- 13 out 18 female. Fine so far, but I didn't have room for 13 flowering plants, in my closet. So rotated half every 12 hours for 60 days. That's a lot of work! (I would do it again, in a heartbeat) I would recommend laying out six 3 gallon pots and building your growroom around this. Study each phase of growing as they occur, using the various forums or grow books. I used Overgrow.com, but they are gone now. You need to keep your growing knowledge ahead of the maturing plants. Study- study -study It's hard to just wing it!

thanks for the ventilation advice megoctane.

SEE PICS....as far as the sucess of my outdoor- I wasn't at all as ambitious as you mr dutch, I was living in suburban NYC, and only cultivated ONE plant, but it was sweet- I dwarfed it. payed close attention to its needs, and after about 5 months outside, had at least a dozen and a half nodes which at harvest were the best I had tasted. SEE PICS!!

Back to my grow plans-

If you re-read my plans- I am planning a NON-DIRT 6 plant system from RAINFOREST.

I figure in the given space of a modestly sized closet, the 250-500 watt dual bulb (hps/MH) in one reflector would be MORE than adequate- I dont want to fry the plants. I was also just considering a sealed tube light system so I can get even closer to the plants, and use only a 250 single MH and switch to HPS at 12/12.

sound right??

Just to answer a few more questions you have. Mylar is good yes white paint is better because it reflects more evenly. Not an option for everyone. The MH for vegetative is ideal. Most use CLF's because their cheaper to run and obviously less heat. Yes the ballast should be external.

As for Co2 there are tablets you can dissolve in water. They work and the plants will grow incredibly fast just a small mention I don't have much advice on Co2 systems because I don't grow alot of plants but they are very inexpensive to buy and will supplement for a proper system while you think it over. Do a search for No Mercy Co2 Tablets. And check this thread http://boards.cannabis.com/showthread.php?t=54651 You could use the basic concept and apply it to your situation.

Are you going to train the plants? If yes, then why not use 3 feet of the heighth for veg and 5 for flow, put the MH in the veg and the HPS in flower. Then you can have a steady crop too. Maybe just build or buy, a small cloning cab.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by StuPot

Also- if I scrog would this be a better yeild to space ratio? And from what I have read it seems that scrog should occur at around 12" or so, bringing (training) the nodes through for a period of a few weeks before the light cut.

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Yea you might want to look into scrogging, not the biggest buds, but alot. I been keeping a small scrog in with the girls in my cab.