First grow, where do i start?

[Purp Kush]

well ive been looking around this site for awhile now. and i finally made myself a little box that might fit 1-2 females. im currently working on dimensions and other things. ill put them up when im done. But i need to start out with what kind of lighting i need, my friend is using florescent lights and hes got a very nice garden, and one day i want it to be like that. But i want to start off small. So if you could help me out that would be very appreciable. thanks

 

[Thecoon]

Well first u need to figure out what your going to be growing in?..hydro...soil? You can use a 150 watt hps. They can flower 1 to 2 small females ina cab size grow. With the right genetic youd probably get around 4ounces for a hardvest!! There is also 250 watt hps..floresecents work tho;they are cheaper. It is just up to you and your space.

 

[Purp Kush]

ok well im working on making a 3-d model with dimensions of the box im going to be using. but i measured it and its 47.5 Inchs tall, 20.5 inchs wide. and about a depth of 24.5. and im looking to grow in soil, to start out with then ill eventually go to hydro.

 

[Moterreal]

You could always do a combo. make your cab (if possible) about 4 inches higher and run 4' t5's (I think) up the sides and a small 150-250w hps at the top.

 

[Purp Kush]

ok well im looking to get the supplies for it today or tomorrow.but when you say 4 t5's up the sides what do you mean?

 

[danny karey]

Have the T5's running on the side's of your cab, with the 150watt or 250 watt Hps at the top of yer cab, or on the ceiling of your cab. The idea is to give your plants as much light as possible. so the idea is to have your plants in your box with the Hps on top of them, and the T5's lighting the SIDES of your plants. Hope this helps. using nutrients for soil I would use Botonicare Pure blend Pro for Veg and Bloom, I find the pure blend pro line very forgiving, think it's all organic. Hope this helps

Danny

 

[Purp Kush]

it helped alot, but when you say t5's you mean florescent rite?and i think im gonna go wtih the 150 watt, cause its not a big box. im sure when i get something from the first grow. ill make a bigger box ha, but id like to start something small then go big.

 

[thcrefugee]

t5s or other flouros could be better for you if its a small box. hps lights create alot of heat that you need to ventilate. temps can easily reach 100-110F with poor ventilation.

 

[danny karey]

Yep T5's are flourescents, Make sure you have your 150 watt with an air cooled reflector, you want as many watts as ya can, but not the Heat that comes with it. It might cost a little more then you wanted to spend, but it will be worth it for sure.

Keep us posted!!!!

Danny

 

[Purp Kush]

well tomorrow is payday, and im not broke ha, so is there a place that i can go to and buy all of this? or order online< not really into it. but maybe. i live close to a lowes walmart< ha, and a small hardware store.

 

[Purp Kush]

Can i just use t5's or do i need the 150 watt.

 

[danny karey]

If I were you, I would use the 150 watt personally and get an air cooled reflector. Do you have access to a hydopnic store? Hardware store might have the lights, either one probabley.
T5's would work too, buds might be a little more "airy" then the ones under the HPS, it's up too you my man. I guess it really comes down too whats available to you. If you can't get the HPS then go with the Flouro's, Ive never ordered grow equipment online personally, but I think there are some people here who have. Goodluck my friend!!! Do you know what strains yer growing, hopfully an idica dominant strain, you will be able hopfully to control the height a little easier.

Happy Hunting!!!!!

Danny

 

[Purp Kush]

well i have 2 Trainwreck seeds. and 1 unknown but its a good looking seed,and was really good smoke. im waiting for another good batch that has a few seeds. cause there really hard to find offline, not many people give you what you want, since you cant look at the seed and be like oh thats purple diesel.

 

[irieeyes808]

I would start off in soil with party cups, for a 1st time grow soil is more forgiving. Get yourself a few CFL's or small HPS or MH. This time of the year you can even start them outside in the nice weather. Good luck, we're watching!

 

[Purp Kush]

i would love to start them outside, but i just think its more of a risk then starting some inside. and i think im gonna go with the CFL'S. im gonna try 4 and if not enough ill go with 2 tubes. and 2/4 bulbs. im gonna check lowes for the soil if they dont have it, im gonna go to a nursery.

 

[Hovz]

Hey purp kush, just thought i'd come by and maybe throw in my opinion. I've grown with cfls before and it just seems like the benefits don't outweigh the risks. If i were you i would go with a 150 or 250 watt hps with a good fan. You could buy a stanley blower at walmart and keep your box at good growing temperatures. econolight sells lights that are very easy to remote ballast and for cheap. Soil is a good way to start out, but make sure you have a good mix of at least 30% perlite so your soil drains good. Also a tsp of dolomite lime per gallon of soil to keep the ph in check wouldn't hurt. And remember to plan on half of your plants to be male when starting from seed. Well thats my two cents. Anyways, will you be posting pics of your grow setup? Good luck with your grow.

 

[Purp Kush]

any specific kind of cfl's i should use?

 

[Purp Kush]

ok well im gonna go check out the blower later on, But what kind of stores sell that light and ballast? yes i will be updating with pics.is there any specific soil i should be looking for, or just look for soil that has 30% perlite?

 

[Hovz]

you should go with the 42 watts warm cfls if u get any, or econolight sells 150 and 250 watt hps fixtures ballast and bulb, and they are easily remote ballasted. I would get 1 big bag of some blackgold peatmoss and 1 bag of perlite and mix it together. If your soil doesnt contain nutrients, you'll feed them through nutrients in the water.

 

[Purp Kush]

ok well can i start and end with the 42 watt cfls?