New Grower. Will my setup work?

[Nighttimex3]

Hey there. So I'm trying my first grow with 2 plants of Strawberry Cough.

So far, Im thinking a 400 watt HPS light with air cooled reflector, a GrowLab 2'7" x 2'7" x 5'1", a 425-500 CFM inline fan w/ heat shield/sound muffler hooked up to a 6" x 16" PHAT carbon filter.

I'm going to use a 3" passive intake.

Does this sound like it will work? I plan on using soil. Any nutrient concentration recommendations?

Also, how high do the HPS lights have to be from the plants, and can they be used for vegetating successfully?

Thanks!

Nighttimex3 Reviewed by Nighttimex3 on 05-12-2010. New Grower. Will my setup work? Hey there. So I'm trying my first grow with 2 plants of Strawberry Cough. So far, Im thinking a 400 watt HPS light with air cooled reflector, a GrowLab 2'7" x 2'7" x 5'1", a 425-500 CFM inline fan w/ heat shield/sound muffler hooked up to a 6" x 16" PHAT carbon filter. I'm going to use a 3" passive intake. Does this sound like it will work? I plan on using soil. Any nutrient concentration recommendations? Also, how high do the HPS lights have to be from the plants, and can they be Rating: 5

[killfrenzi]

400w hps should be no closer than 6" from top of plant to light. I prefer 8". For the nutrients I would use any of the FoxFarm Products or GH (General Hydroponics) brands for nutrients. You definently have enough light and airflow. Make sure temps in your grow tent stay around 77 no higher than 84 or they will retartd growth.

Post pics when you can. I would love to give you more advice.:hippy:

GoodLuck:,:thumbsup:

[bigsby]

That's one hell of a fan for that tent. 6' x 6' x 6' will be well served by 340 CFM with a big ass filter. There are some variables to work into the equation. Also, your intake needs to be 1.5x your exhaust so a 6" exhaust needs a 9" passive intake.

Check my signature for a link to a discussion thread on grow room setup that includes calculations for sizing your fan needs.

[Nighttimex3]

I was looking to have negative pressure. I read in numerous places that you should have the intake be 1/2 the size of the exhaust, and 1.5x the size of the exhaust.

I dont know which one is right.

Also, should I downsize the fan?

Where can I find a guide for growing?

I'd love more advice!

[bigsby]

I believe it is 1.5x exhaust. I've not seen it listed as 1/2 size. But you could be right. Let's have others weigh in please!

As for grow guides, check the stickies at various levels of these forums. Stinky Attic has done a lot of the best work. See this:

nOOb Guide to Growing da Dankness

You will find stickies at all levels on this board. They are worth looking through. See the stickies here for example:

Basic Growing

And the sticky guide to grow room setup in my signature is well worth a read.

[Nighttimex3]

Thanks a lot! I'll post pics once its set up shortly

[bigsby]

You should figure out your fan needs in a more scientific way. The basic calculation is:

Room H x L x W / 5 (minutes) = Initial CFM

Then add:

+ 1.3x for filter

+ 1.3x for muffler

+1.5x for any elbow in duct

+10% for each foot of duct

I'm guessing that a 170 CFM fan will be more than sufficient for your tent. This will also reduce your the size of the filter you need so examine that was well.

[bigsby]

Those Phat Rhino filters are cheap. Anyone have any experience with them? Are they effective?

EDIT: Oh they used to be known as PHRESH filters but were forced to change their name due to copyright infringement.

So any experience with Phresh / Phat filters?

[CovertCarpenter]

... but canister-size carbon filters will run you 99bux and up in my 'hood, and though they save ya the muss'n'fuss, there are some good threads around here on DIY carbon filtration, with pricetag somewhere in the 40bux range.

As far as finding inexpensive 12v adapters to power fans, as well as the fans themselves, if you live in any major centre, there should be an electronics surplus house in town somewhere; the place that gets the remainders of everyone else's junk, but a great place to scout bargains. I found a 2A 120vAC in, 12v out adapter at the one on Queen St. for like 10bux. Way cheaper than the 1.5A one at WM for $15

You can string a /lotta/ compumuffinfans on one o' those...

[Nighttimex3]

Yeah I think that might be a little overboard.

I think I might downsize to a 4" 165 cfm inline fan w/ 4"x12" Odorsok Carbon Filter, 400 watt HPS fan like before, and a 32.4" x 32.4" x 53.6" tent.

Light comes with a UV timer, hanging kit for reflective air cooling hood.

I can get all that for about $432