M
Microwido
Maybe 1 oz for $150, now thats do-able
-
Happy Birthday ICMag! Been 20 years since Gypsy Nirvana created the forum! We are celebrating with a 4/20 Giveaway and by launching a new Patreon tier called "420club". You can read more here.
-
Important notice: ICMag's T.O.U. has been updated. Please review it here. For your convenience, it is also available in the main forum menu, under 'Quick Links"!
Grow 8oz's of Bud for Less Than $100
- Thread starter Care Free 1
- Start date
smithsutton3
Member
its just for the equipment .. its about 50+ for each 1000w at 12 hrs a day each month .. u can break it down from there .. ya need ph tester and a tds tester to get the nutes and water right .. the 8zs is possible but .. it takes a bit more then soil to get ya there ..
peez ..
peez ..
Last edited:
I think a good approach is to sit down and figure out what % of your grow budget will be dedicated to the basics:
seeds- can be commercial indoor bagseed
ferts
lights
media
pots- you can go cheap by scavenging these from nursery dumpsters
exhaust- don't skimp. This and ferts may be your limiting factors
lightproofing
electricity
The figure out how cheap you can POSSIBLY go on each, with the space you have, and by that number determine your limiting factor and what your scale will be.
IMHO, setting a weight goal in any grow is foolhardy, especially on your first go-round with that style. First design a grow that can be built for $100, period, and work up from there.
seeds- can be commercial indoor bagseed
ferts
lights
media
pots- you can go cheap by scavenging these from nursery dumpsters
exhaust- don't skimp. This and ferts may be your limiting factors
lightproofing
electricity
The figure out how cheap you can POSSIBLY go on each, with the space you have, and by that number determine your limiting factor and what your scale will be.
IMHO, setting a weight goal in any grow is foolhardy, especially on your first go-round with that style. First design a grow that can be built for $100, period, and work up from there.
first i'd like to say that peeps who are talking shit have probably not read the book. while the book is not unequivocal proof it can be done, i highly doubt its a farce. read the book: supplies used were 42 watt cfl's with reflectors and miracle grow soil. ph strips were used. if you are gonna talk shit at least figure out wtf you are talking about first...
If you've got nothing to say don't waste space in the thread posting. I don't think it can be done, but I've looked into the book, I've looked into the author's posts at another forum, and I'm open to the idea. You're not losing a single thing by this guy doing the test, so what's the problem? I'm very curious to see how it all goes, maybe if you guys were a little more open minded you could learn something, but if you just insist it can't be done, then get the hell out of here, there's plenty of other threads for you to look at.
I do think it's very fair not to include the price of seeds.
Prices vary wildly - and high quality, very high yielding strains can be had for very little money, while at the same time it's also easy to spend 100-200 dollars for strains you want.
Most I've paid myself was probably around 20-30 dollars and I'm quite happy with what I got. Doesn't mean I won't consider spending 100+ dollars on seeds also - I might very well do that for the right strain
Prices vary wildly - and high quality, very high yielding strains can be had for very little money, while at the same time it's also easy to spend 100-200 dollars for strains you want.
Most I've paid myself was probably around 20-30 dollars and I'm quite happy with what I got. Doesn't mean I won't consider spending 100+ dollars on seeds also - I might very well do that for the right strain
samuraioro
Member
I'm subscribing and wishing you luck...I think a lot of us could benefit off of your experiment.
Nobody said this would be easy. It will take some creative thinking, and a little grower expertise to pull this off.
The first lesson I got in the difficulty of this is when I went to purchase the bulbs. I am not satisfied with the bulbs available at Lowes. I had to do some searching, but I found some 42 watt full spectrum bulbs. They were $1.75 more per bulb, but worth it IMO.
Many decisions on bulbs also. Do I get the warm white, cool white, halogen white, or full spectrum white? While warm white would make sense for flower being 2700K, I decided to go with the 5100K full spectrum for one reason. Production!!! I believe the brighter light intensity will be needed to achieve the required bud production.
What also factored in is the total cost of the bulbs alone was $58.70 for 5 bulbs. The project orignally called out for 6 bulbs, but that would be a budget breaker. Estimated energy cost for the 5 bulbs over 9 weeks 12/12 with no veg will be less than $18. I am determined to keep this project on budget.
Here is were we are so far:
Bulbs - $58.70
Sockets - $3.75
Cords - $3.84
Plates - $1.44
Y Sockets - $4.96
Electricity - $18.00 estimated for 9 weeks
Soil/Perlite - $8.00
Pot - $4.00
Total cost so far would come in at $102.69. Just over budget, but acceptable. The only way to drop it down below budget would be to go lower quality/wattage bulbs, or only 4 bulbs. No timer either, so that will be manual. I have a timer already but this will not be used. Lumber, string, and screws are just something laying around the house. Tap and rain water will be used. $150 would seem more reasonable, but lets see what we can do to keep the project budget as close as possible.
Here is the light fixture just before assembly. The bulbs were returned and replaced.
The first lesson I got in the difficulty of this is when I went to purchase the bulbs. I am not satisfied with the bulbs available at Lowes. I had to do some searching, but I found some 42 watt full spectrum bulbs. They were $1.75 more per bulb, but worth it IMO.
Many decisions on bulbs also. Do I get the warm white, cool white, halogen white, or full spectrum white? While warm white would make sense for flower being 2700K, I decided to go with the 5100K full spectrum for one reason. Production!!! I believe the brighter light intensity will be needed to achieve the required bud production.
What also factored in is the total cost of the bulbs alone was $58.70 for 5 bulbs. The project orignally called out for 6 bulbs, but that would be a budget breaker. Estimated energy cost for the 5 bulbs over 9 weeks 12/12 with no veg will be less than $18. I am determined to keep this project on budget.
Here is were we are so far:
Bulbs - $58.70
Sockets - $3.75
Cords - $3.84
Plates - $1.44
Y Sockets - $4.96
Electricity - $18.00 estimated for 9 weeks
Soil/Perlite - $8.00
Pot - $4.00
Total cost so far would come in at $102.69. Just over budget, but acceptable. The only way to drop it down below budget would be to go lower quality/wattage bulbs, or only 4 bulbs. No timer either, so that will be manual. I have a timer already but this will not be used. Lumber, string, and screws are just something laying around the house. Tap and rain water will be used. $150 would seem more reasonable, but lets see what we can do to keep the project budget as close as possible.
Here is the light fixture just before assembly. The bulbs were returned and replaced.
i'd recommend using the timer and also using 6500k bulbs veg and 2700k or 3000k bulbs for flower.
just my .02
just my .02
dontstepongrass
I would do a split light setup using both spectrums, but it will put me over budget. Remember, no veg will be required this grow. Go straight 12/12 as soon as the seeds are up.
Here is the finished light fixture. Build time less than an hour, and on budget. Adjustments can and will be made if necessary. I think I have some flat white paint in the garage, so I might paint the underside to help reflect light. Might add some side reflectors also with spare wood painted flat white.
I would do a split light setup using both spectrums, but it will put me over budget. Remember, no veg will be required this grow. Go straight 12/12 as soon as the seeds are up.
Here is the finished light fixture. Build time less than an hour, and on budget. Adjustments can and will be made if necessary. I think I have some flat white paint in the garage, so I might paint the underside to help reflect light. Might add some side reflectors also with spare wood painted flat white.
The yield may not be 8oz, but it still might not be an outright lie. Often people who sell this sort of book (or movie or whatever) describe the best possible outcome. You can, in theory, turn out 8 ounces, so that's what they write. Titles like that can be a little misleading.
And also, say you only get even half of that, or even a quarter of that. Two ounces for $100 and three month's work is a pretty damn good return on investment. I can see a lot of situations where even very experienced gardeners might want to have a really cheap small scale grow.
There's always also the possibility that it'll work. Far stranger things have happened.
And also, say you only get even half of that, or even a quarter of that. Two ounces for $100 and three month's work is a pretty damn good return on investment. I can see a lot of situations where even very experienced gardeners might want to have a really cheap small scale grow.
There's always also the possibility that it'll work. Far stranger things have happened.
soulflyx2k
Member
I like how organized you are on this grow =D... Rep rep
How many plants will you grow?
How many plants will you grow?
D
DrKong
while i support your testing i will have to say it won't come even close to 8 ounces. It's 5 CFL bulbs, you will be lucky with 2 ounces. This might be suitable for some people who don't smoke alot so it's still a good project.
It's going to be a pain in the ass to flower with no timer.
good luck.
It's going to be a pain in the ass to flower with no timer.
good luck.
DangerP
I think 8 oz's is possible, and thats why I selected Mummia for this grow. But you are right, 2-4 oz's would be acceptable, but I plan on 8oz's.
soulflyx2k
I will start a pack of Mummia, and some Snowdog also in cups. Probably up to 14 plants max. I will make some decisions as I go along on which plants will be selected for final potting. My goal is at least 4-5 Mummia in the final pot, which will be a large one. I think I could get 2oz's per plant with this setup if all goes well.
Any other females found will go in my mother room for cloning this winter, and some males if they look good will go in a male isolation chamber for cloning and breeding with later.
I think this setup will work good for future micro breeding projects.
There are a few things in the book I dont care to do. For one thing I will not place a layer of newspaper in the bottom of the pot. I also dont like to start my plants in larger pots because I believe its better watering in the right size pot, and getting those growth sputs when going into fresh soil after transplant.
I think 8 oz's is possible, and thats why I selected Mummia for this grow. But you are right, 2-4 oz's would be acceptable, but I plan on 8oz's.
soulflyx2k
I will start a pack of Mummia, and some Snowdog also in cups. Probably up to 14 plants max. I will make some decisions as I go along on which plants will be selected for final potting. My goal is at least 4-5 Mummia in the final pot, which will be a large one. I think I could get 2oz's per plant with this setup if all goes well.
Any other females found will go in my mother room for cloning this winter, and some males if they look good will go in a male isolation chamber for cloning and breeding with later.
I think this setup will work good for future micro breeding projects.
There are a few things in the book I dont care to do. For one thing I will not place a layer of newspaper in the bottom of the pot. I also dont like to start my plants in larger pots because I believe its better watering in the right size pot, and getting those growth sputs when going into fresh soil after transplant.
DrKong said:
I usually go into my grow room every day at the same time, lights on and lights off. Ony a mild pain in the ass if you look at it that way.
I also believe Mummia will yield 8oz's in this setup, but I am always optimistic.
If you scrounged a pot or made one from rubbish in the garage, or used a grow bag made of a garbage bag or some equivalent, that brings you below the $100 mark.
A word of advice, since you're at the top of your budget- start with a small pot and pot up frequently, because you have no more $$$ for a pH up/down/test kit and you are in a peat based soil. That makes it imperative that you don't let your soil stagnate to the point where it requires flushing. Since you are using pre-ferted soil, this is also going to help keep the fert levels more stable over time.
A word of advice, since you're at the top of your budget- start with a small pot and pot up frequently, because you have no more $$$ for a pH up/down/test kit and you are in a peat based soil. That makes it imperative that you don't let your soil stagnate to the point where it requires flushing. Since you are using pre-ferted soil, this is also going to help keep the fert levels more stable over time.
smithsutton3
Member
lol i would take apart an old hps fixture before i would use those fixtures .. no lumens out of those to grow shit .. an old 400w mh/hps with the bulb can be gotten easy all over just look .. hell sometimes u can get one just for the askin .. if ya want to get 8 ozs from a closet u have to get the light way up there as in wattage (no getting around this) sorry folks .. and u will have to go hydro to get the weight u want .. the dwc buckets with nutes and a light for 150 in equip is no prob then u have to look at the light bill then u have to look at posible a/c and or a fan ect when u get done u will have spent about 300 or so to do it right with the min amount .. look at it this way u can pay for it with 1 oz from the plant and the rest for the next grow and more equip to boot .. dont only take from one scource of info and say thats the only way that it will work .. theres lots of possible options to blow out the closet walls ..
ahh .. the good old growin pain days .. yall will figure it out soon enough .. heres a tip look for someone that has mad it work with a pictorial .. thats what i did and i followed there lead .. even with my big grows .. ya dont have to figure it out with all the mistakes when someone allready has ...
peez ..
ahh .. the good old growin pain days .. yall will figure it out soon enough .. heres a tip look for someone that has mad it work with a pictorial .. thats what i did and i followed there lead .. even with my big grows .. ya dont have to figure it out with all the mistakes when someone allready has ...
peez ..
stinkyattic
Fortunately I already know the PH of my tap water and know the exact thing to do already to bring it down to acceptable levels from experience. I use RO water usually, but for this grow I will use tap and rain water to prove this can be done.
I thought about using a some grow bags, but decided to go with around 4 plants in a large container instead. It was on sale, and will be easier to deal with IMO, and I will up pot from large cups when the time comes around sexing.
smithsutton3
This will be a challange. If you check out the threads for Growdoc's Mummia, you will see that he was able to get decent yield from this strain with no veg time. This experiment will show the method used by SeeMoreBuds in his book, so I will follow his method and see what comes from it. That method along with Growdoc's strain might give the results I am looking for. Time will tell, and you will see!!!
Fortunately I already know the PH of my tap water and know the exact thing to do already to bring it down to acceptable levels from experience. I use RO water usually, but for this grow I will use tap and rain water to prove this can be done.
I thought about using a some grow bags, but decided to go with around 4 plants in a large container instead. It was on sale, and will be easier to deal with IMO, and I will up pot from large cups when the time comes around sexing.
smithsutton3
This will be a challange. If you check out the threads for Growdoc's Mummia, you will see that he was able to get decent yield from this strain with no veg time. This experiment will show the method used by SeeMoreBuds in his book, so I will follow his method and see what comes from it. That method along with Growdoc's strain might give the results I am looking for. Time will tell, and you will see!!!
D
DrKong
I would agree, i've bought a 150HPS for cheaper then you got the CFL.
As for pots out of the trash cans and garbage bags inside cardboard boxes, i have and still do this. No more garbage bags(no drainage) i use cups, cracker cans, LARGE empty plastic buckets that used to have kitty liter in them(clean). Cheap grows are what i'm all about.
I've been thinking alot about the CFL SOG grow where they yield .5-1 ounce per clone in a 16oz bottle. I think they use about the same wattage as your doing. The issue is your growing from seed. I say once you get a monster yield pheno and SOG the clones you have chance.
Edit~the grow mentioned was by Drgreengenes
his newest grow(1100+CFLwatts)LINK
As for pots out of the trash cans and garbage bags inside cardboard boxes, i have and still do this. No more garbage bags(no drainage) i use cups, cracker cans, LARGE empty plastic buckets that used to have kitty liter in them(clean). Cheap grows are what i'm all about.
I've been thinking alot about the CFL SOG grow where they yield .5-1 ounce per clone in a 16oz bottle. I think they use about the same wattage as your doing. The issue is your growing from seed. I say once you get a monster yield pheno and SOG the clones you have chance.
Edit~the grow mentioned was by Drgreengenes
his newest grow(1100+CFLwatts)LINK
Last edited:
