Mature discussion ... Experienced growers please.

I have recently taken great interest in growing cannabis. From spending hours watching, learning, and taking notes to just watching videos on youtube ... I've put plenty of hours into learning this hobby inside and out.

Right now, I am getting ready to order my lights. 3 1000w Hps/Mh and everything else neccesary.

But I must admit, I am having some second thnoughts.

Some of my neighbors, (local outdoor growers) have cautioned me greatly about the risks of electricity. Being that we live in a small town in the south (right on the bible belt) they seem to believe that running 3 1000w lamps might not be a good idea ;-)

However, a friend of mine who grows indoors in a similar area (and has been doing so for 5 years) tells me don't worry at all.

so naturally its a back and forth kinda thing.

I understand the the electricity industry is a business and that as long as I pay my bills right on time, it shouldn't be an issue.

Maybe its my paranoia.....but I see a lot of downfalls to this, and I have a lot to lose. It could cost me my education, if I were to be caught.

I've spent tons of hours reading up and discussing these types of things, trying to cover all angles, but I know too well it is difficult to cover every single angle....many will not be forseen.

Can anyone discuss second thoughts they may have had before undertaking this challenge? I REALLY want to do it, but I feel it would be foolish to not have a sober look at reality and the repurcussions.

:jointsmile:

Have you considered using CFL's for your grow?

Rule of thumb...1000 watts per room for your grow...and thats the max. Also I wouldnt just crank everything up at once. Maybe 1000 watts per grow. Other than that, if your paranoid it is not worth it. Grow to have fun man, not to stress.

yeah....I decided against it though. Mh and hps seem to be the way to go for me. Cfls would not be able to handle the volume I am hoping for, in my opinion.

also check NORML for your state laws, see what you are actually risking as far as your freedom. What u need 3000 watts for your first grow? Reading up is one thing, actually attempting to do it is another. Start off under a 400 and a 1000, max your output on that, then work up. 1000 watts when done right will get you what you are looking for.

I have no experience with anything on that level... but I KNOW that it is not considered an appropriate beginner set-up. I do respect your ambition and thirst for knowledge. It is great when you see other people take the same initiative and learn stuff on there own. :thumbsup:

3k watts is pretty heavy. I'm also not even sure if this is above and beyond the scope that this site would like people talking about?

I will say that ALL the research in the world is not going to actually grow and maintain anything for you. It's like, you can play a zombie first person shooter video game... but if you actually woke up to a room full of zombies you'd probably shit yourself and pass out :jointsmile:

and unfortunately, you have ALREADY made one of the WORST mistakes that a beginner can do

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Originally Posted by Testament

(local outdoor growers) have cautioned me greatly about the risks of electricity.......[EDIT]......they seem to believe that running 3 1000w lamps might not be a good idea ;-)

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....... IGNORING THE ADVICE OF EXPERIENCED GROWERS :wtf:

but in all seriousness...

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Originally Posted by Testament

Maybe its my paranoia.....but I see a lot of downfalls to this, and I have a lot to lose. It could cost me my education, if I were to be caught.

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Play it safe on the first go around. Check out CFL's (edit: just saw you said you ruled CFL's out, but when done right you can get awesome results)... and keep reading. :hippy: Sometimes paranoia is the one element that keeps you from getting busted-

thanks for the great response.

I had originally planned on using three 600w mh/hps .... but a friend of mine who runs a decent sized op INSISTED that I run 1000s. It seemed like overkill for a 20 plant grow, but he swore by it, and I trust his experience.

Starting smaller does seem like it will probably be the best option. I can learn without risking a 4-5k investment .... and it will be done just in time to make some extra $ and move outdoors for the 2009 season.

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Originally Posted by Forwhat420

Rule of thumb...1000 watts per room for your grow...and thats the max. Also I wouldnt just crank everything up at once. Maybe 1000 watts per grow. Other than that, if your paranoid it is not worth it. Grow to have fun man, not to stress.

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this is interesting. I haven't really heard anything like this before, but it seems logical obv.

does the dispersion between the lights allow for it to look more legit? IE -- not having 3 thousand watts running in one room?

Honestly, the 1000w lights were not my idea, and seemed like overkill .... but a friend who is helping me get it up and running who has his own operation swears by them.

Now your using your noggin!! LOL

I would run it all in one room just to consolidate everything. If I were to do it I would have them starting on different timers in order not to create to much of a start up spark. I would start smaller though.

yeah. I just talked it over with my partner and we are going to go with two 600w lamps and 16 plants. big enough for a nice yield, but small enough to alleviate a ton of concerns.

600 watts are the best bang for your buck more lumens per watt then any others. 1000 watt is over kill in my opinion.

Sounds perfect...Soil or hydro?

soil. the hydro systems in my catalog look great and all, but I want to start natural and then advance to hydroponics after I have a few under my belt.

I spent way too much time learning about soil before I started to hear about dro.

Soil is a good way to start. I strongly recommend planning RIGHT from the start to grow a mother plant out of your first seed pack, because to do hydro effectively, you really should be starting from rooted clones, and to do any style efficiently, starting with clones cuts at LEAST 6 weeks off every crop!!!
Read the link in my siggy for hints too.

600w lamps are a great choice, adn with their lower heat output and high lumens, they are very flexible- you can configure them to always utilize your electric and space at max efficiency.

didn't read to see if anyone else posted this, but

600 watt HPS's are more efficient than 1000 watt HPS's so it might be better to get 600's over 1000's it depends on placement, overlapping lights make for better lumens

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Originally Posted by stinkyattic

Soil is a good way to start. I strongly recommend planning RIGHT from the start to grow a mother plant out of your first seed pack, because to do hydro effectively, you really should be starting from rooted clones, and to do any style efficiently, starting with clones cuts at LEAST 6 weeks off every crop!!!
Read the link in my siggy for hints too.

600w lamps are a great choice, adn with their lower heat output and high lumens, they are very flexible- you can configure them to always utilize your electric and space at max efficiency.

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great idea. having read that, I am thinking of switching to hydro after this grow, once I have a mother plant to clone from. (and those clone trays in the catalogs just look so cool I have to buy one lol :rasta:)

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Originally Posted by Revanche21

didn't read to see if anyone else posted this, but

600 watt HPS's are more efficient than 1000 watt HPS's so it might be better to get 600's over 1000's it depends on placement, overlapping lights make for better lumens

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We are hoping to get 5-6 plants each under two seperate 600w hps in two different closets in the same room.

I feel like the electricity costs will be safer from running two 600s, and I will be able to harvest more than enough bud.

I just want to say thank you to this community, you guys have been REALLY helpfull in helping me get my first grow thought out and set up, and most importantly, you guys have pretty much steered me away from growing commercially, and rather sticking to the hobby / medicinal aspect of growing marijuana.

I figure it will keep me plenty high and out of trouble with the law :D

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Originally Posted by Testament

and most importantly, you guys have pretty much steered me away from growing commercially, and rather sticking to the hobby / medicinal aspect of growing marijuana.

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Good to hear, and you're right! ^^ that is the most important part... because we don't talk about that stuff here. We discuss personal or co-operative medical cultivation and use :thumbsup: That word commercial will get you booted faster than.... well... yeah, just don't talk about that. :hippy: