Newbie Hydroponic/CFL system

[dopeedogg]

I am a 25yr old medical patient who is going to start a smallish grow room, approximatly 10sq feet total. This is my first attempt. I am going to start with 2 plants first, and see how it goes. I am going to use (2) Power grower ECO sytems from Hydro farm to grow in. I plan on using (2) 125watt 6500k CF bulbs in hydrofarm reflectors, then switch to (2) 125watt 2700k CF bulbs when budding starts.

from what i've seen on other posts, this should be sufficient for a decent yield on a first grow atempt. Any Comments/advice would be awesome!

First link is the lighting/reflector setup, the second is power grower pots

Hydrofarm - Hydrofarm FLCOUN Compact Fluorescent Grow Light Fixture (No Bulb)
Hydrofarm - General Hydroponics GH4830 Power Grower Eco Complete

dopeedogg Reviewed by dopeedogg on 06-24-2008. Newbie Hydroponic/CFL system I am a 25yr old medical patient who is going to start a smallish grow room, approximatly 10sq feet total. This is my first attempt. I am going to start with 2 plants first, and see how it goes. I am going to use (2) Power grower ECO sytems from Hydro farm to grow in. I plan on using (2) 125watt 6500k CF bulbs in hydrofarm reflectors, then switch to (2) 125watt 2700k CF bulbs when budding starts. from what i've seen on other posts, this should be sufficient for a decent yield on a first grow Rating: 5

[Weedhound]

The very best advice I can give you.......use better lighting for flowering.....like an HID.

Good luck.

[dopeedogg]

yeah everyone says that, but for what i need/expect is fine. I've seen 2 plants yeild 3 1/2oz from (6) 42watt [150watt equivalent] cf bulbs. They're only like $5 at my local hardware store . I might add another 125watt flowering cf bulb and hang it low between the two plants and rotate them everyday 1/4 turn to get the midlle a good amount of light.

I am going to take pics of the whole process and let everyone see what i get. My 2 hydrofarm power growers are comming in today, so i'll start the picture journal today. My lights won't get here for about 2 weeks, so i have the 2 seedling soaking in natural sunlight for the time being.

[justanotherbozo]

hi guy, welcome to can.com

if you are at all handy, there is no reason to spend that kind of money. those pots are just DWC's which are simple as shit to make DIY (take a walk through my imaginary garden and you will see).
check this thread of MVP's too, believe me, mine isn't the definitive source.

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

as far as lighting goes, at $80.00 for the hood and $60.00 for each of those bulbs, well, it doesn't sound like a good deal to me.

you say you can get those 42watters for about $5.00

for the sake of argument lets say they cost $10.00.

now, at that price you can get 6x42wtters for the same $60.00.

that's 252watts instead of 125 (or 504watts total for the $120.00 you'd spend on 2 of those bulbs, or 1008watts if you really can get them for $5.00)

plus, because there are several bulbs, there are several points of light, in whatever location within your grow you want.

another thing to consider is that mj plants need both cool and warm light throughout thier life cycle so those 125watters aren't very versatile

with the smaller bulbs you can really tweak your light spectrum, you're also spreading the heat over a wider area, those 125's get hot

anyway, all of that assumes you're not only handy with small power tools (you need to know how to operate a hand drill),
you'd also be motivated to do it yourself and keep most of your dough in your pocket.

[dopeedogg]

hey bozo, thanks for the comments. Any advice is awesome. I am definatley a newbie to this so anything from anyone is helpfull. The prices you were looking at were the suggested retail prices from hydro farm. I Probably wouldn't pay that price either.

I only paid around $50 including shipping for each of the power growers. It's not bad considering all it comes with. Buckets, Pump, tubing, Hyrocorn, 2 months of nutrients. I priced it out at my local hydro shop to try to make my own, i was only gonna save around $8 each. Plus i got one reflector and one bulb for $80 total . So i saved quite a bit of money for everything. Plus i can get replacement 125watt cf bulbs both in 6500k and 2700k for around $30 each.

Here's how she looks so far. It is 2 Seedlings in power growers and each under 42watt [150watt equivalent] cf bulb in reflector. In a couple of weeks, i will get my big lights and take pics of the actual grow room set up.

[justanotherbozo]

I am a 25yr old medical patient who is going to start a smallish grow room, approximatly 10sq feet total. This is my first attempt. I am going to start with 2 plants first, and see how it goes. I am going to use (2) Power grower ECO sytems from Hydro farm to grow in. I plan on using (2) 125watt 6500k CF bulbs in hydrofarm reflectors, then switch to (2) 125watt 2700k CF bulbs when budding starts.

from what i've seen on other posts, this should be sufficient for a decent yield on a first grow atempt. Any Comments/advice would be awesome!

First link is the lighting/reflector setup, the second is power grower pots

Hydrofarm - Hydrofarm FLCOUN Compact Fluorescent Grow Light Fixture (No Bulb)
Hydrofarm - General Hydroponics GH4830 Power Grower Eco Complete

somehow, i misunderstood this post and thought you were planning to buy that stuff. i didn't realize you were describing stuff you'd already bought.

if i had i'd have advised you to add a couple of clamp lights to the ones you already have. adding maybe 60watts or so of 2700K during veg and 80watts of 6500K during flowering as the plants need both spectra throughout their lives, just in different proportions depending on which stage of life they are in.

another thing you might want to investigate is how to do a SCROG, i've seen pics of some impressive yeilds from just 2 plants.

anyway, it appears you've done a fair amount of thinking and research on this which makes it a pleasure to offer my 2 cents
lol, you'll still need at least $2.00 to get a cup of coffee.

i look forward to watching as you grow your first crop and wish you much success.

[herbie the love bud]

Move the light a little further up from your transplant right now. It's a little close. I'd love to know who your hook-up on your equipment is, I've been wanting to buy a rainforest for vegging but don't want to pay the outrageous retail cost on it.

[dopeedogg]

thanks guys. Herbie, i did move the lights up a little. Bozo, i will deffinatly add the extra bulbs like you suggested for flower/vegging . I'll keep up with the pictures. I would love for all you guys to sample my yeilds once they're done and ready to smoke! What are growing buddies good for?! :thumbsup:

Oh by the way, both seedling are "purple Erkle".... If anyone has grown this strain before.

[dopeedogg]

Plant Grow Lights, Indoor Hydroponic Systems, Supplies/Equipment - Best Prices, Products & Delivery

I'm not advertising for these guys but they do have very nice prices on everything i have. 125watt cf bulb like $40. Power grower about $55

[iamgrowerman]

Looks good, CFL grows are always fun to watch when they're done right.