Grow room questions

[televisor]

I've been actively reading as many threads and FAQ's as possible on building a growing room but I have a few specific concerns I'd like anyone to address, any input at this stage is very helpful.

I'll begin building a grow room within the next few days which also highlights the urgency of any and all responses (I'll be using my vacation time to do this project).

Anyway here's a summary: I'm going to build a small "Tool" / Storage closet in my basement, and have in the back of the closet a separate "closet" for the actual grow room. Presently there is just open space, so I will be framing these rooms myself. This is the first primary question... what size space should I have for my room? I will only be growing for a max of 3 years and hope to yield enough to keep me supplied for years to come. In other words my grow room setup will only last that lenght of time (3 years). The cieling is 8 feet tall, I've been debating on a size of 7x5 for the grow room?

I'd planned on insulating with r38 around the walls and then placing drywall up. Now, do I simply paint the drywall with flat white paint or invest in the sheets of steel I saw mentioned on here? Would there be any advantage to the steel? (or is it just a smell barrier?)

I've planned on an exhaust either out the back of the house or up through the roof (i havent figured out which is more convenient, yet), and planned on an intake from the neighboring tool closet front.

Next, as far as lighting goes I COULD afford a 400W fps, but I already have several regular light bulb balasts with circular reflectors and wall clips (the utility lights you can buy at wally world or wherever) In this case and for my limited grow time, would a few Compact Flourescent's be better?

Also, should I create an automatic / timer-ed watering system or would I be ok watering them myself?

I've purchased 2 high-end Panasonic Computer Fans, one I planned to use for the exhaust and one for the intake.

Finally, and most importantly, what type of door for this closet would you recommend? Smell is a serious concern although people will rarely ever be in my basement, I will inevitably have a family member who will want to see the front tool closet.

Please comment on this setup and ask any questions you like... I want to make this room as perfect as possible. THANKS!!!!

televisor Reviewed by televisor on 06-29-2006. Grow room questions I've been actively reading as many threads and FAQ's as possible on building a growing room but I have a few specific concerns I'd like anyone to address, any input at this stage is very helpful. I'll begin building a grow room within the next few days which also highlights the urgency of any and all responses (I'll be using my vacation time to do this project). Anyway here's a summary: I'm going to build a small "Tool" / Storage closet in my basement, and have in the back of the closet Rating: 5

[stinkyattic]

. This is the first primary question... what size space should I have for my room? ....The cieling is 8 feet tall, I've been debating on a size of 7x5 for the grow room?

That'll be fine if you're not even considering getting more than a 400w light

. I will only be growing for a max of 3 years and hope to yield enough to keep me supplied for years to come.

Good luck preserving it for years to come.

.

. Now, do I simply paint the drywall with flat white paint or invest in the sheets of steel I saw mentioned on here?

It's not steel, it's mylar (like a cross between plastic and chrome- sort of.
Flat white is just fine.

. (or is it just a smell barrier?)

Nope. You're going to have to deal with that issue separately; see below.

. I've planned on an exhaust either out the back of the house or up through the roof (

Up through the roof is ideal. If you have an unused chimney, use it. The higher up the exhaust is, the more the wind disperses smell, the more stealth the whole thing is.

. Next, as far as lighting goes I COULD afford a 400W fps,

YES! Get one! [HPS you mean]

. but I already have several regular light bulb balasts with circular reflectors and wall clips (the utility lights you can buy at wally world or wherever)

NO! Those are useless for agricultural applications.

. In this case and for my limited grow time, would a few Compact Flourescent's be better?

If you insist on using clip lights, flouro's are better than incandescents.

. Also, should I create an automatic / timer-ed watering system or would I be ok watering them myself?

In dirt, you're well off to water them yourself because it forces you to pay more attention to your garden and you will see problems right away.

. I've purchased 2 high-end Panasonic Computer Fans, one I planned to use for the exhaust and one for the intake.

You'll want a bit more air flow than that. Ventilation is crucial. Have some other fans blowing gently around the room.

. Finally, and most importantly, what type of door for this closet would you recommend? Smell is a serious concern although people will rarely ever be in my basement, I will inevitably have a family member who will want to see the front tool closet.

It's the exhaust air you're going to have to deal with the most. search for 'carbon scrubber' or 'ozone generator'.

Good luck. Do your research.

[locomark]

Well,

To add a little more for you to think about. You want to grow for three years to last you for multi years. I would go for more bang for the buck. 1000 watts or more if you want more weed than you can consume in a month. Flourescent and computer fans are small time not enough to grow for years to come. You have to think big if you want to close down in three years. You will have to have great genetic like Bigbud which will give you more bang.

Look at like this a 400 watter will give you about eight or ten ounces per harvest. You need to grow for the long haul not just till you make the next harvest. I would go for two 1000 watters for flowering and a 400 watter for vegatation. You want to grow excess that you can smoke later so you have to grow BIG. Yes there are cost involved but you can swing it I'm sure.

Loco

[televisor]

You're right LOCO, that does make more sense, what kind of energy demands would a 1000W light bring?

The room is framed and insulated now, just need to finish installing the exhaust vent (which is going to be one serious bitch) and add drywall.

I;ll try to post some pics later.

[iwantFUEGO]

ive heard a single 1000w hps can raise your electricity bill by 40-60 dollars!

[stickyinsalem]

ok...if you are going to put a big amout of money into lighting..i would just suggest ebay.com...i've been looking on there all day and they have SHIT LOADS of CFL's on there that come in packages of like 30 and more...for less than 50$$...just a suggestion...but you sound as if your like me and good at building so...like i did...i put a shit load of light outlets in my box and used small lights to manuver them around where i need them...AT THE BASE of the plants...at the top...think about the future of the plants...and read some on what people have problems with in later stages of plant life...some cant get lighting under the top nodes...my problem with that is solved...although i may have spent more on buying lights seperate at lowes and walmart...(you can save on ebay)...i dont have one huge light at the top making it difficult to light the bottoms of the plants...as far as mylar and white paint...i used white paint...but i am thinking of getting mylar for my box...just for the fact that mylar reflects more...i have 8 lights total...with white paint im only getting another half light reflected...but with mylar...ill get about one more whole light bulb...freeeeee...and we all like frree shit...lol...
Just a suggestion...not a pro

[iwantFUEGO]

sticky can you post a pic of how your placed outlets all over your box?
Thanks :thumbsup:

[bongerstonerd00d]

I would avoid eBay even if I had to pay twice the price. I dont care to go to jail.

A 1000 watt light uses 1000 watts per hour, or 1KW unless using a digi ballast. They save about 15%. Look on your electric bill and it will tell you how much you pay per kW hour. Then do the multiplication.


b0nger

[stickyinsalem]

lol...so where you get your lights??? a grow site?...think about that one

[bob bobbinson]

no stickyissalem. ebay has been supposedly known to report people. so ive heard.

You can look in phone book for hydroponic shops in ur area. Thats what I did. And they had everything and more. I mean everything.

Or if ur just doing CFLs you can go to home depot or menards.