Grim's first Grow !

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey guys, this is also my first post. :smokin:
There are definitely some friendly and intelligent people here. Good to finally be able to post.

This is my first grow which seems to be going fairly well so far, well, except for the fact that I'm lacking a proper grow light.
(Yes, I'm aware that's quite the problem as I'm smoking a joint to ease the stress.) :stoned:
I've done quite a bit of reading, and if you take any time out of your schedule to give me advice I would be more than greatful.

Anyway, as usual I have a few questions:
-Has anyone heard anything good on digital ballasts? Are the built in fans actually worth the cost?
-I see a few 400 watt HPS' on ebay; Are the quality on these trustworthy?
If you have any links on some nice lights, definitely send them this way. I'm open to any and all suggestions.
-Unfortunately the Hydroponics store won't be open until Tuesday and I'm stressing hardcore. Should I put them outside until then?

The plants are currently in.. well, the middle of my room. They were still in the germination/sprouting stage a day ago - I just today found them sprouting from the soil. I'm tempted to move them outside tomorrow so they get some sort of dosage of light. As far as this grow goes, they'll probably have another room to themselves, but I'll be building a grow box in the mean time. Unfortunately, my buddy has a 400 watt lamp he was going to let me borrow but lent it out to someone who hasn't even taken it out of the box after 3 months. Bastards.

I'm trying to keep the price around the $200 dollar range, but if it's worth it I'll definitely consider it. How many lights do you think 400 watts can cover as far as HPS goes?

*My soil - a little dense. In fact, way more dense than I'd like. Even though the PH tested 6.3-6.7, I already bought more soil and a bag of pearlite as well as a new set of same sized pots. I plan on doing a 2/3 to 1/3 ratio of Soil/Pearlite and transplanting them when they get a little stronger and when I get some light on them.

*My supplies - I have a digital thermometer with a wire-sensor attatchment. I also have a timer, superthrive, fertilizer, a PH kit and even temporarily; a large room. The only thing I'm really missing is my light. I also have a few fans as well as a swamp cooling A/C that I can run if need be.

*My strain - It's my first grow so I'm basically using bag seed.. it's mersh bag seed, but seed nonetheless. The seeds I picked were based on their shape, meaty-ness and color. I already have 12 more seeds germinating but I plan on weeding out the good from the bad. I do hope it turns out to be good bud though! :rasta:
(I don't think it possible to grow 18 plants with 400 watts.. but I could easily be wrong.)

I appreciate all the help guys.. as promised:

The Grim Reefer Reviewed by The Grim Reefer on 02-06-2006. Grim's first Grow ! Hey guys, this is also my first post. :smokin: There are definitely some friendly and intelligent people here. Good to finally be able to post. This is my first grow which seems to be going fairly well so far, well, except for the fact that I'm lacking a proper grow light. (Yes, I'm aware that's quite the problem as I'm smoking a joint to ease the stress.) :stoned: I've done quite a bit of reading, and if you take any time out of your schedule to give me advice I would be more than Rating: 5

[The Grim Reefer]

Hey guys, this is also my first post. :smokin:
There are definitely some friendly and intelligent people here. Good to finally be able to post.

This is my first grow which seems to be going fairly well so far, well, except for the fact that I'm lacking a proper grow light.
(Yes, I'm aware that's quite the problem as I'm smoking a joint to ease the stress.) :stoned:
I've done quite a bit of reading, and if you take any time out of your schedule to give me advice I would be more than greatful.

Anyway, as usual I have a few questions:
-Has anyone heard anything good on digital ballasts? Are the built in fans actually worth the cost?
-I see a few 400 watt HPS' on ebay; Are the quality on these trustworthy?
If you have any links on some nice lights, definitely send them this way. I'm open to any and all suggestions.
-Unfortunately the Hydroponics store won't be open until Tuesday and I'm stressing hardcore. Should I put them outside until then?

The plants are currently in.. well, the middle of my room. They were still in the germination/sprouting stage a day ago - I just today found them sprouting from the soil. I'm tempted to move them outside tomorrow so they get some sort of dosage of light. As far as this grow goes, they'll probably have another room to themselves, but I'll be building a grow box in the mean time. Unfortunately, my buddy has a 400 watt lamp he was going to let me borrow but lent it out to someone who hasn't even taken it out of the box after 3 months. Bastards.

I'm trying to keep the price around the $200 dollar range, but if it's worth it I'll definitely consider it. How many lights do you think 400 watts can cover as far as HPS goes?

*My soil - a little dense. In fact, way more dense than I'd like. Even though the PH tested 6.3-6.7, I already bought more soil and a bag of pearlite as well as a new set of same sized pots. I plan on doing a 2/3 to 1/3 ratio of Soil/Pearlite and transplanting them when they get a little stronger and when I get some light on them.

*My supplies - I have a digital thermometer with a wire-sensor attatchment. I also have a timer, superthrive, fertilizer, a PH kit and even temporarily; a large room. The only thing I'm really missing is my light. I also have a few fans as well as a swamp cooling A/C that I can run if need be.

*My strain - It's my first grow so I'm basically using bag seed.. it's mersh bag seed, but seed nonetheless. The seeds I picked were based on their shape, meaty-ness and color. I already have 12 more seeds germinating but I plan on weeding out the good from the bad. I do hope it turns out to be good bud though! :rasta:
(I don't think it possible to grow 18 plants with 400 watts.. but I could easily be wrong.)

I appreciate all the help guys.. as promised:

" Everything posted by me above was in fact fictional and based on immense research. Any pictures povided in my post were simply contributed from other sources online. "

[mobay]

1st grim u can use fluo lights for now home depot, lowes would have them until u get your 400w . 3x3 area is what a 400w would take care of. if you want to grow 14 plants 1000w is what u would be needing. remember 2 weeks with the fluo lights then put your MH in until they are 12inchs tall and then slap in your HPS 12/12 for the remaining grow.

[turtle420]

Lights:
www.BGHydro.com Better Grow Hydro...

I'm a super-satisfied returning customer to them. They're great!

As to the digital ballasts: They kick ass. Lower power consumption. Less heat. More efficient. etc.

I my self, I'm waiting a couple of years (2 or 3) until the digital ballasts are nailed-down engineering-wise. I read a review of one (with the built-in fans) that had a malfunction, and the fans started blowing little flames of fire out the exhaust of the ballast. !!! yikes!!!

Those are my 2cents.

Sorry if I missed more questions, but it's early in the morning, and your post is amongst the longest I've ever seen. Not that it's bad or anything... but my "brain power" isn't up-to-spec yet.

Best,

-turtle420
.

[The Grim Reefer]

1st grim u can use fluo lights for now home depot, lowes would have them until u get your 400w . 3x3 area is what a 400w would take care of. if you want to grow 14 plants 1000w is what u would be needing. remember 2 weeks with the fluo lights then put your MH in until they are 12inchs tall and then slap in your HPS 12/12 for the remaining grow.

That's a good idea, the only reason I'm not doing that though is because it seems like a waste of money if I'm getting a light tomorrow at the Hydro store.
However, if I order one online, that might be an option. Should I throw them out into the sun today?

Thanks for the feedback mobay

[latewood]

Lights:
www.BGHydro.com Better Grow Hydro...

I'm a super-satisfied returning customer to them. They're great!

As to the digital ballasts: They kick ass. Lower power consumption. Less heat. More efficient. etc.

I my self, I'm waiting a couple of years (2 or 3) until the digital ballasts are nailed-down engineering-wise. I read a review of one (with the built-in fans) that had a malfunction, and the fans started blowing little flames of fire out the exhaust of the ballast. !!! yikes!!!

Those are my 2cents.

Sorry if I missed more questions, but it's early in the morning, and your post is amongst the longest I've ever seen. Not that it's bad or anything... but my "brain power" isn't up-to-spec yet.

Best,

-turtle420
.

I buy most of my lighting equipment from BGhydro...they are AAA!

[The Grim Reefer]

Lights:
www.BGHydro.com Better Grow Hydro...

I'm a super-satisfied returning customer to them. They're great!

As to the digital ballasts: They kick ass. Lower power consumption. Less heat. More efficient. etc.

I my self, I'm waiting a couple of years (2 or 3) until the digital ballasts are nailed-down engineering-wise. I read a review of one (with the built-in fans) that had a malfunction, and the fans started blowing little flames of fire out the exhaust of the ballast. !!! yikes!!!

Those are my 2cents.

Sorry if I missed more questions, but it's early in the morning, and your post is amongst the longest I've ever seen. Not that it's bad or anything... but my "brain power" isn't up-to-spec yet.

Best,

-turtle420
.

Yeah I wanted to get some more info on digital ballasts but it doesn't seem like there's much of a selection now as far as price and units go.

BetterGrow has a really nice selection.. which setup did you go with?

[The Grim Reefer]

Ok - I couldn't stand it anymore. I put all of the pots outside so they can at least get some sort of light. Grr..

It would be ideal for me to have 6 plants going at one time on this grow - would a 400 watt provide me with enough energy and light?

[The Grim Reefer]

Tempted to get this for 6 of my babies and eventually - my grow box. I think they'll take a liking to it. I'm still shopping around but as far as price and wattage goes this is looking pretty good:

http://www.insidesun.com/index.php/action/item/id/727/

[The Grim Reefer]

Just ordered my lights not a half hour ago.

I ended getting 2 x 250 Watts from InsideSun.com, this is nailbiting not having a consistant source of light

..but I have faith.

-Watered them with Superthrive yesterday.
(a mixture of 1/4 tsp and 1 gallon water)

-It's obvious that they're stretching for light. I expected this and am going to transplant asap when I get my lights in. I'll probably use the bury stem method so my babies don't get too weak.

-I've been keeping them outside as soon as the sun comes up and then bringing them in when it comes down. When inside, I have a fan on them at all times.

*crosses fingers for those lights*

I'll post pictures when I bring them in for the night, 4 are sprouted.