StinkyAttic, xCrispi, Zandor, ANYBODY who may be able to help...

[mmayhemm]

Hi, this is my first post. Ive been researching for about a year now and planning, and I will be taking the plunge to Hydro. Ive read pretty much every thread/post by you guys and Latewood, and I think that all of you have great information. I will be using a little bit that ive learned through each of your posts.

Ive done some outdoor planting, but never anything indoors yet. I have decided on DWC, and I am about to complete my order for supplies. I am thinking of a 5X5X6 room in the basement, the ceiling is a little over 6 ft, so I can make the sides wider if I have to. Im thinking 4 to 6 plants would be ideal, but my main question that I cant find a definitive answer on is: What size light to I need? I originally was thinking the 600W Digital Lumatek, but some posts/threads say this is not enough light, others say it is fine. I dont know if 1000W would be better or if 600W would be fine.
I respect all of your opinions, and was curious what you guys or anybody else might suggest. Sorry for ranting, just wanted to get the opinions of the people who seem to make the most sense to me consistently in my readings. Thanks again, and anybody else feel free to chime in too... I will keep up on this thread, or can be reached by email at my s/n@potdotcom peace... Mayhem :jointsmile:

mmayhemm Reviewed by mmayhemm on 01-14-2008. StinkyAttic, xCrispi, Zandor, ANYBODY who may be able to help... Hi, this is my first post. Ive been researching for about a year now and planning, and I will be taking the plunge to Hydro. Ive read pretty much every thread/post by you guys and Latewood, and I think that all of you have great information. I will be using a little bit that ive learned through each of your posts. Ive done some outdoor planting, but never anything indoors yet. I have decided on DWC, and I am about to complete my order for supplies. I am thinking of a Rating: 5

[mmayhemm]

I dont know if it matters, but I will be constructing the room of 2x4s and black and white poly. I saw a few threads on this and it seems like the best way for me to do it. I will be using an oscillating fan, as well as a stanley blower modified for exhaust, and a homemade carbon filter. 5 gallon buckets with the G.H. Dual diaphragm air pump, and Latewoods nutrient guide. Just need to know which light would be adequate. Thanks again...

[Weedhound]

more light is always better as long as you have good ventilation

[GodBud]

I concur with WH for that # of plants 1000 would be the way to go but that will generate substantial heat in that space your going to use so venting is key

Good luck

[xcrispi]

Whats up Mmayhemm ,
As a general rule ppl. try to shoot for 50 watts per. sq. foot .
5 ft. X 5 ft. = 25 sq. ft. X 50 watts. = 1250 watts . I'd go for the 1000w. hps or a switchable ballast . I have good luck w/ a EYE hps hortilux bulb start to finish .

What type of hood / reflector do you plan on using and how are you gonna cool it ?
1000w in 150 cubic foot of space will rock if you can keep temps down , but I sure don't see 4-5 plants in it . They get crazy huge fast , you'll see .
Peace
Crispi :thumbsup:

[mmayhemm]

Thanks for all the quick responses and information. I'm limited on my vertical space by the height of the ceiling, but the length and width could change. So I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm open to suggestions. As I stated this is my first indoor grow, I'd like to create the most efficient space possible. Crispi, what would you suggest for 4-5 plants, or would 1 or 2 in the 5x5 be just as good as 4-5 plants that weren't as big? Thanks again everybody

[mmayhemm]

I was leaning towards either the lumatek 600 or the lumatek 1000 with an 8 in aircooled reflector. Any opinions on whether this would be the best option? I heard these have better light distribution to more plants than cool tubes and can be placed closer to the plants.

[stinkyattic]

A 1000w switchable over 5 or 9 5-gallon pail DWC pods is appropriate for that space. More plants if you veg for a shorter time. With low ceilings, veg should be short or you should consider a SCROG.

1 or 2 plants in that space would only make sense if you did a screen of green.

[mmayhemm]

Ok. So its pretty clear to me now that I will need the 1000 rather than the 600. I'd like to have the fewest amount of plants possible to have a large yield. Latewood stated he was doing 1/2-3/4 lb. Out of each 5 gal. Bucket by following his formula. I'm thinking if I follow his formula and guidelines, I should be able to do half of what he does. So if I do 4-5 plants or maybe 6 I should be able to harvest 1lb? I don't want to scrog or sog, maybe fim or lst instead and just have big trees? Thanks again for your help everybody.

[xcrispi]

Hey Mmayhemm ,
Are you gonna use unsexed seeds , feminised seeds , or clones ?
If your using std. unsexed seeds I'd def. do a cpl. extra buckets to compensate for the males .

Image Reaper is finishing up his 1st cab. hydro grow as we speak . I think his cab. is 2ft deep x 4 ft wide and 6ft tall and 400w.- and he's lucky to have fit just the 1 g/h power grower / glorified waterfarm in it . Look see -> http://boards.cannabis.com/hydroponi...ydro-grow.html

Plan on huge humidity too , anything over 45% is risky during flowering due to bud rot / mold . I think using the poly for walls will be to your advantage as far as the heat situation , heat will go right thru it unlike wood / particle board . :thumbsup:

Digital ballasts = only 1-2 yr. warranty . No use of a generator , and you need a very clean / constant power supply or voltage fluxuation right from the pole can kill a digi ballast . Keep the ballast outside the cab. to help w/ heat too .

My rooms only 6 ft. tall too . It sucks . = Come dig my basement out an extra 2 ft. and repour the floor for me bro. This is why I chose cooltubes over a conventional a/c hood . I cant keep the lights over the canopy in late flower , if you look at my grows in late flower - plants are on either side of the lights w/ lights dropped well below the canopy so the bottoms of my plants get as much light as the tops and rotate buckets 90 degrees every cpl. days . This - I'm sure lengthens flower time = oh well .

Stinky / Scrog - We don't know if they're using clones or not . Scrog in a confined space is scary . Hard to cull males once woven in the screen . And way hard to do maintence in the event you have to get inside a bucket to screw w/ airstones etc...

Regardless of topped , sog etc... keep in mind 6ft. - 1ft for buckets - 1 ft. between plants and lamps - 6-10 in. for thickness of whatever hood / reflector you choose only leaves 3-3.5 ft. for plants . So plan on flowering early like Stinky said . Indica Dom. will prob. be to your advantage too .

Peace bro.
Crispi :jointsmile: