new to all this, need expert advice...

I'm new to these cultivation - indoor growing section of the boards and need help with making my own setup from an experienced grower. What all do I need to start out the right way for a first grow? I would prefer a good balance of cost to quality ratio with lights and what types I need. I'm not positive where exactly I would be growing but it would be definently indoors. I'm looking for enough equipment to grow about 2-3 plants. Could anyone list down everything required to start a good grow and estimate how much each item would cost? Appreciate it, thanks.

would you guy recommend this light for a beginner who is only growing 2-3 plants?

Sun System 2 - 250watt

thanks


EDIT: I notice they have a 400watt version on that same page for about the same price, would it be better to just go with 400watt than 250watt or does this depend on your grow space?

couldnt edit again... but Also whats the difference between the Metal Halide Sun System 2 and the High Pressure Sodium Sun System 2?
thanks

I'd go with the 400W system.
Timer for your lights
Go to e-bay and pick up some mylar for the walls.
GOOD seed!
Potting soil, peat, perilite
Moisture tester
PH tester
Fan for air exchange in room
Oscillating fan for going across the plants

That should be a start!

Have a good grow!:thumbsup:

thanks for the list man, appreciate it. Currently doing alot of reading so that whole list makes complete sense.

It's nice to start your grow in peat pots...you can find them at most stores, K-mart, walmart, etc.......after they get past seedling go to a 6" at least.

I have my seedlings on 24/7 under flos....cool white tube and a soft white tube......

Have a good grow!

i use sun systems's hps 1kw with mh conversion bulbs and very satisfied with the company. their 250 should work well in a closet setting but i'd go with a switchable, remote ballast (toggle switch for both bulbs on the side of the ballast) and the 400 like mr 4bud suggests, it'll be easier/cheaper for future expansion....search em out at whatever webstore you're looking at or see them at discounthydro.com

^ I'll look into that, thank you for the advice.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by del...

i use sun systems's hps 1kw with mh conversion bulbs and very satisfied with the company. their 250 should work well in a closet setting but i'd go with a switchable, remote ballast (toggle switch for both bulbs on the side of the ballast) and the 400 like mr 4bud suggests, it'll be easier/cheaper for future expansion....search em out at whatever webstore you're looking at or see them at discounthydro.com

---

hey Del would this be the right idea? here

yup, that would set you up in style at a decent price. be sure to talk to them before ordering to make sure it comes with everything needed to hang and use...and order whatever is needed, if anything. just so there's no disappointments and waiting when it arrives.

you mods do a great job, thanks again.

MH is for veg growth. HPS for flower. thats why u get a switchable if ur only using one main light system.

p.s. go with more than 3 plants. Half will most likly be male.. so u might be left with one female... and thats now enough medicinal herb to last one 3 more months.. in my humble opinion :}

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bob bobbinson

MH is for veg growth. HPS for flower. thats why u get a switchable if ur only using one main light system.

p.s. go with more than 3 plants. Half will most likly be male.. so u might be left with one female... and thats now enough medicinal herb to last one 3 more months.. in my humble opinion :}

---

to be honest im still living at home with the rents who know I smoke and overall don't have much of a problem with it. I will be making a cabinet and was thinking 2-3 plants would keep it underraps but I guess I could go for more...thanks for the info btw

Gonna be hard to hide it from parents :{
Plus, there gonna get in trouble if u get caught. not good.


But if ur gonna do it, u can do a mini Sea Of Green. Cram 6 plants into a small cab. Flower them at hmm what was number.... 6 inches? or 8. i forgot.

Anyhow, look in the closet/cab forum here. There are some in there that have made some dank small cabs :} One dude.. I forgot name Had a nice cab his tv sat on. and when closed.. It just looked like a wooden tv stand!!!


But I hate to say it.... Living at parents house... I would recomend just buying medicinal herbs :rasta:

t3cyo.Do your self a favour bro .if your parents know you like a smoke ASK THEM if you can grow use the dont want to deal with drug dealers and fund other sorts of crime story.At least give them the choice of being arrested and getting a criminal record and maybe loose there job.I can never state this enough when you grow in some one elses home you must ask them first it is selfish to put others at risk with out at least asking them .If they dont mind you smoking bro they might not bother at all but do please let them in on it and dont tell anyone as freinds can get very jealous when they see our beutifull thing in full flow and ive known of people making phone call to the local leo just because someone has been sucsessfull .best of luck and welcome aboard hope you keep growing we need everyone to growthats my advice for today .the postman.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bob bobbinson

Gonna be hard to hide it from parents :{
Plus, there gonna get in trouble if u get caught. not good.


But if ur gonna do it, u can do a mini Sea Of Green. Cram 6 plants into a small cab. Flower them at hmm what was number.... 6 inches? or 8. i forgot.

Anyhow, look in the closet/cab forum here. There are some in there that have made some dank small cabs :} One dude.. I forgot name Had a nice cab his tv sat on. and when closed.. It just looked like a wooden tv stand!!!

---

the tv stand idea is what I was thinking before I went to sleep last night. My tv is sitting ontop of something that could easily be a hiddin cab.

Quote:

---

t3cyo.Do your self a favour bro .if your parents know you like a smoke ASK THEM if you can grow use the dont want to deal with drug dealers and fund other sorts of crime story.At least give them the choice of being arrested and getting a criminal record and maybe loose there job.I can never state this enough when you grow in some one elses home you must ask them first it is selfish to put others at risk with out at least asking them .If they dont mind you smoking bro they might not bother at all but do please let them in on it and dont tell anyone as freinds can get very jealous when they see our beutifull thing in full flow and ive known of people making phone call to the local leo just because someone has been sucsessfull .best of luck and welcome aboard hope you keep growing we need everyone to growthats my advice for today .the postman.

---

thanks for that advice, I figured if they had no idea about it and lets say I did get caught that they would be fine...I guess I'll havta build up the courage to ask them. I would set this all up at a friends house but a few reasons why:

a: none of my friends know yet that I am very serious into growing
b: friend would want half the profit
c: If would rather have it at my own house to have full control over it.

my parents are pretty layed back people but convincing them on this may be hard...but if they realize its personal use and saves a hell lot of money down the road, they may reconsider...we'll see.

hello t3ch.

I was in that same situation while I was under my parents home. It took me a while to build up and ask, but you know they were laid back like yours , let me smoke pot and do some drugs in the house ( most drugs they wouldnt know about and could care less). It could be the fact they both smoke pot and could love the supply as much as I. I asked them and of course they asked a few questions if I knew what I was doing electrically, heat wise, and legally. They told me that if I got caught I would be held responsable and not them wich is fair to me.

If they know you smoke it, they might not care.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trivium

hello t3ch.

I was in that same situation while I was under my parents home. It took me a while to build up and ask, but you know they were laid back like yours , let me smoke pot and do some drugs in the house ( most drugs they wouldnt know about and could care less). It could be the fact they both smoke pot and could love the supply as much as I. I asked them and of course they asked a few questions if I knew what I was doing electrically, heat wise, and legally. They told me that if I got caught I would be held responsable and not them wich is fair to me.

If they know you smoke it, they might not care.

---

well it may seem your parents are a little more laid back, I'm, 99.9% positve my parents don't smoke but they did back when they were younger and know my dad was around it alot. I'm going on 19 so they know I can take responsibility in my own hands but it may take some good arguments here and there, thanks for the response, it may help me build up the courage to ask.:pimp:

When are you going to ask?

I want to hear how this goes!

*shoves fistful of popcorn into his mouth*

heh ya, u should record it :} I wanna hear the conversation also :P

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Grim Reefer

When are you going to ask?

I want to hear how this goes!

*shoves fistful of popcorn into his mouth*

---

Lol, I'll be sure to post in this thread right after I get my response. I'm not exactly sure when I'll be asking, looking for the right time...

right after you smoke a fat spliff with them is a great time :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 4x5

right after you smoke a fat spliff with them is a great time :)

---

lol offering them a spliff would probably be a more awkward situation than asking to grow...but I got what you ment.:thumbsup:

not sure if anyone cares or is still wondering if I asked my parents yet.............its turns out that I didn't ask yet, but I got another option. I got a buddy who lives 5-6 hours away in another state who is offering for me to live with him for free and wouldnt mind me growing at all:pimp:

Great option, better option is to live alone, your buddy gets too drunk/high off your shit one night, tells his buddies, then you got problems. happened to me once, now only my wifey knows.

I was recently robbed of 2 pounds because I grew with one other person.
People talk too much. Do it alone. Or stay with your plants the whole last few weeks. And when I say stay with them. I mean all the time. You can go pee or poo. But thats all. lol

well its in a smaller town that I live in now, most of the kids down there in are still in school/middleschool/highschool. I'm the type of person who can't focus on stuff constantly but when I find the right hobby(growing) im all over it. It's all I can think of at every moment, I'm obsessed. Meaning I'll guard thoughs plants with my life:rasta: