Homemade Hydro MindF**k

Hey everybody! I have some questions that I need help with...
to start with you may want some info on my situation:
Over the past couple of weeks I have been researching a bunch of the hydro setups and grow tents/boxes etc..., and I have decided to go with the DWC method because it seems relatively simple and doesnt require a water pump. I plan to build a system myself, including a cabinet. I am trying to keep things stealthy and cheap, (advice?) so the cabinet will be about 2x2x3(I only plan on growing 4 smaller plants, thats 1 plant per sq. foot, suitable for SOG). I also live where its pretty chilly, my room temps can be as low as 40F at night...I plan on using a multi-spec, 500 watt equivalent CFL w/ 7000 lumen output. This seems adequate, 1,000 lumens less than the preferred 2,000 per square foot, but I think a reflective coating will compensate. Because I am using a CFL bulb, little heat will be generated, which means I will have to go for another source of heat, any recomendations on a heater setup? maybe attach ducting to a small space heater and feed it into the grow box? For keeping the reservoir warm I have a fish tank heater, so water temp shouldnt be a problem. To save on precious grow space I plan on having a 3 gallon or less reservoir. Heating and ventilating properly is really the major issue. Im actually thinking about having a few tiny exhaust holes strategically placed to even out heat distribution, with no exhaust fan, so scent could be an issue, im not clear on all the methods to deal with odor. To compensate for the crappy ventilation, I plan on feeding Co2 into the box along w/ the heat via simple sugar/yeast generator.

ok now a list of questions...
-I have come across conflicting nutrient application methods, so: When first placing the sprout into the DWC system, what strength should the nutrient solution be and for how long should I keep using that nutrient strength, and what are the proper levels throughout the grow cycle?...
-What would be best way to heat the grow box?
-Recomended grow cabinet plans/materials? (I can come up w/ my own, just lookin for some other ideas...)
-How to neutralize odors without using a carbon scrubber?
-Tips for maintaining STEALTH grow operation?
- And most of all, Do you have any kind of advice that can help me better my grow box/hydro setup?

Im on a pretty low budget, so Im building everything myself. If i had the $$ I would just buy a kit from Stealth Hydro and a grow tent, but ha... I'll keep dreamin. My actual plans for building the setup have gone as far as this; 3 gallon tub w/ lid, Netpots (should I go homemade or store-bought?), air pump w/ hose+splitter+airstones, single multi-spec 7,000 lumen bulb, all housed in homemade cabinet w/ the insides painted w/ a reflective coating. Add some kind of heater, nutrients, medium and I think Im set, oh and of course a pH test/balance kit, thermometer/hygrometer, oscilating fan and I think thats all I'll need, right? Im estimating a cost of about $160 for all of the supplies needed for my first grow

Start your ppm around 1000. don't waste your time makiing homemade net pots, there dirt cheap.

Yeah, I figured that about the pots. How do I calculate ppm? I must need some kind of spendy device eh? I've heard people say "don't worry about measuring ppm if your a beginner", just make sure the pH is ok and add the proper amounts of nutrients... the ppm thing seems necessary because how is one to know when their nutes need replacement, Im just wondering if I can get through my first grow without having to deal w/ ppm?

I'm starting grow number 5 and dont have a ppm meter (I know I really should have one but not in budget atm) but I run E&F setup. I mix according to recipe and dump and refill res every 2 weeks and do top offs daily.

I've been growing in hydro for about 4 years and just got a ppm meter so no you dont need one but I'll tell you there real nice to know exactly what your working with. There only about $40-$50. Use GH 3 part nutes there cheap and reliable. If you follow this link its a great recipe to use.

http://boards.cannabis.com/hydroponi...iscussion.html

Its a little confusing so if your interested I can give you a simplfied run down of what to do.

600 watt will keep the plants adequetly heated and will be nicer on your electricity bill than 500 of CFL

Anybody else wanna offer up some advice, ideas, answers to questions?
Also, if I add more CFLs will there be enough heat generated to keep the box warm in my chilly house? because i may be able to bypass using an actual heater, idk for sure, its pretty nippy...
Im building a custom cabinet and wondering if theres anything I should incorporate into the design for ease of use etc...
any input is helpful

and where the hell do I find a 600 watt CFL without a mogul base?

Hey, looks as if you are on the same path as I. After having already gone through this delema myself, trust me when I say...don't skimp now, it will only cost alot more later not to mention all the time involved in changing stuff mid-way that is not soo efficient. Save your $$$ and buy some essentials. CFL's are cool but by the time you buy enough of them the cost really adds up. I am a rescourceful broke ass joke but I learned quick that if your gonna burn rescources you should put them to efficient use and at least set-up to grow plenty to last the next few months til the next run is done unless you do a perpetual. This is what I went with and it works AWESOME. I built a cabinet 6ft tall, 2ft deep and 4ft wide from 5/8 particle board and painted titanium white. Doors are gasketed to seal up. First essential I bought was a lumatek 400w ballast pretty cheap from a N cali wholesaler AWESOME PIECE!! a cool tube and a centrif in-line fan as well as a goblin carbon filter hooked in tandem and vented outside the cab. I bought a tub made by cornerstone(lid has lock tabs all around it) 20gal(added a fawcet tap at bottom end to flush) and 2 quantum trays for rockwool slabs but I use clay pebs instead. Also air pump, stone, sm h2o pump, sm circ fan, tank heater....etc unless going soil, either way but I prefer hydro. Now on to the heater as I also deal with the same cold north climate. I use a old style hydrofarm climate controller for fans so on the intermit outlet that shuts off when temp/humid rise I built a shielded light bulb fixture for a green party light bulb and use the controller outlet to turn on/off bulb as heat rises/falls in dark cycle....the cats ass!!! I'll try to post some pics if your interested. Hope this helps. BTW the first run out of this cab is almost ready to harvest of the mendo purps. It works soo well that even after many detremental mistakes with nutes def, then toxic, ph spikes and every thing that could go wrong, the climate stayed perfect and they have recovered nicely and have made some very dank dark purple frosty rock solid buds. The next must buy for me is an ec meter, not knowing where things are SUCKS ASS!!

Canna said it.....you sure can go cheap and DIY and for a lot of things that's fine. Right up until you run into a problem and need information such as what your ph is etc so you can pinpoint the issue and fix it before your entire crops croaks off.....which can happen pretty quickly in hydro. That's why they suggest things like decent equipment and monitoring and res changes.....to avoid problems.

The other problem with that is when people (and cannabis growers really seem to top the list) insist on making up their own way to grow....then have problems because they can't seem to do things the regular way that true growers know works. Almost invariably they get into some sort of mess because they've created something that makes sense only in their imagination (three diferent kinds of medium in one pot for example....all needing diffferent ph needs) then their plant doesn't do well (surprise!!) and they're upset and ticked off that the "experts" don't know how to fix their homemade mess...in five minutes.

The more you go off the beaten path, the less good help you will get. And as Latewood always used to say.....if you go cheap.....you grow cheap.
While things can be tweaked.....slacking is still just slacking.

I understand your views of DIY and higher potential for mistakes etc...
But, Im going to be fine w/ my DIY setup because im not going to half-ass it. Im gunna go by the book w/o having to buy over-priced pre-fabricated stuff. It will be a quality setup, I know how people can get anxious and do a shit job cause they don't know what they're doing. Quality will not be compromised, just because its DIY doesnt mean that its inferior, as long as its designed and built w/ care. For the first grow im deff gunna use cfl bulbs, but i will graduate to hps/mh bulbs when i gain more experience

Good! Excellent! You pinned it really.....half assed work is just that. There's nothing wrong with building your own......just don't do a "half assed" job at it then wonder why it doesn't work.

Start a log once you've begun so we can all come over and critique you with our usual non-helpful ways. :D

Good luck.

Absolutely...I am a firm believer in DIY. Aside from the essentials I listed, my whole set-up is DIY. No reference to what kind of quality work you do, fine I'm sure. In reading your post is seemed as if you had not been down this path and sought advice and comments on your plan from someone that had . I, like most on canncom i'm sure strive to help make sure others have success for their labors in areas and combinations they have personal exp with. Who wants to wait 4 mos for 15-20g of goodies. I have mad respect of horts that just take joy in growing these girls or love the expierementation of various combos and are pleased with whatever she yields otherwise no one would know shit. I assume you would like the best yield for your space and buget. based on your request all we can do is point out some areas of concern that we may know not to work well together or suggest an alternative process that may get you better results that may or may not even cost more or take anymore time. One thing about this hobby is you may sometimes have to compromise on space and location but a budget is never absolute. Patience was always my enemy. My growing sucess grew when I patiently waited til I gathered the extra cash for the parts best suited for my space and yield goals. usually by sacrificing something else not as important to me. All that being said I guess a good question for you is "what are your yield goals"? Much easier to determine a formula/combo necessary to get there. Prob hundreds of yield numbers shared here to give you an idea of average potential for your space. Peace bro BTW sugar/yeast makes a huge mess, stinks like ass and won't make a fraction of CO2 that a few min a day with a tiny single burner propane deal that attatches to those baby tanks does.

I think I can get as much as a QP w/ the amount of space I have, but I don't expect to get that much this time around, im hoping atleast 2oz...

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Originally Posted by cannakeeper

BTW sugar/yeast makes a huge mess, stinks like ass and won't make a fraction of CO2 that a few min a day with a tiny single burner propane deal that attatches to those baby tanks does.

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Thanks for the idea man, I just saw some plans for that yeast co2 generator and thought it looked simple, but the propane burner seems soo much more logical... how much do those mini tanks run cash wise? does supplemental co2 make a huge difference?\

At any sporting goods store even Walmart I think, in the camping supplies they have those 4"diameter maybe 6" tall tanks in a 3 pack for $15 and the little single stove burner attatchment I think is around the same. I turn it on til its like a piolot light and hold it inside the cabinet a few times, few min at a time. Not nearly as effective as a CO2 system but still gets noticeable results.