Mini Grow?

[MPL]

Alright, so until I get a location and funding secured I am not going to be setting up anything big for my new grow. Until then, I want to pop some seeds and start selecting for moms.

Since space and money is an issue, I was thinking about doing a 16" x 16" x 16" box to grow SOG 6-12 little plants in. I might go with a footprint of 26" x 14" depending on lighting.

What do you guys think would be best for lighting? I've only ever used a HID lamp. With a 16" x 16" footprint I'm guessing CFLs would be best. If running 2' long T5s would be better I can change it up a bit.

I was hoping to yield 40 grams per harvest from it, but yield is secondary to quality (though quality will suffer from the lighting) and selecting good moms.

Any input on a tiny design like this? I've never ventured so small.

I'll probably use 1 or 2 liter smartpots with soil and GH FN nutes.

 

[lordbudly]

quality will not decline from cfls vs hid? no no no no wrong wrong wrong, 40g is totally doable, run philips pll 55w lamps, 90 lumens p/watt, more then a couple hids ( i think up to 250w)

 

[MPL]

Well, that's definitely an option. I use to have ballasts for those types of lamps too that I used on a microreef aquarium set up.

I was hoping to keep this super cheap, so was thinking along the lines of the spiral CFLs. Dunno though, I've never had to deal with using flouros for lighting so I have no idea what I'm doing.

I'm gonna keep reading up on them on the site. I'm learning lots of good stuff but still need to learn more before I commit.

Is there anywhere to get cheap 24" T5HO lamps and ballasts? I was thinking maybe cramming 6 or 8 of those into the cabinet and making my own reflectors.

quality will not decline from cfls vs hid? no no no no wrong wrong wrong, 40g is totally doable, run philips pll 55w lamps, 90 lumens p/watt, more then a couple hids ( i think up to 250w)

 

[ScrubNinja]

If you can fit PLLs in, I would roll with them. Never used them but specwise they seem like the thinking man's choice.

CFLs are fine though. Like you said if cost is an issue, sure, I would use CFLs. 4 x 45 (real, not equivalent) watts if you were going with the 16x16 size. That'd give you 100w per sq ft.

 

[MPL]

The PLLs are the 4 pin, straight CFL tubes right?

What about using 24" T5HO? They're kinda expensive though.

I was going to cram 8 or 9 x 45w CFLs into the cabinet. Need as much light as possible with CFLs!

If you can fit PLLs in, I would roll with them. Never used them but specwise they seem like the thinking man's choice.

CFLs are fine though. Like you said if cost is an issue, sure, I would use CFLs. 4 x 45 (real, not equivalent) watts if you were going with the 16x16 size. That'd give you 100w per sq ft.

 

[ScrubNinja]

Definitely not arguing with "more watts is better" but I have, I think, 43w per sq ft and the results are not as bad as you'd think. Check it in my sig if you'd like. Deffo put as many as you can in there but watch out for the heat. 9 of em is over 400w so your airflow setup is going to have to be on point with a cab that small. I suspect a lot of micro grows don't go as well as they could because people are fixated on lumens and prepared to suffer heat probs to get them. Just my 2c. When everything is balanced and well setup, it's a great cheap way to grow. Can't really help with the other stuff as I've never used 'em. Good luck!

 

[MPL]

I'll check your grow out. I like lots of light, but if I can get away with less I will.

Definitely not arguing with "more watts is better" but I have, I think, 43w per sq ft and the results are not as bad as you'd think. Check it in my sig if you'd like. Deffo put as many as you can in there but watch out for the heat. 9 of em is over 400w so your airflow setup is going to have to be on point with a cab that small. I suspect a lot of micro grows don't go as well as they could because people are fixated on lumens and prepared to suffer heat probs to get them. Just my 2c. When everything is balanced and well setup, it's a great cheap way to grow. Can't really help with the other stuff as I've never used 'em. Good luck!

 

[lordbudly]

scrub i know exactly what you mean, its not " How big of a light can I fit in here" its " How big of a light can my ventilation that i can afford atm handle?"

 

[MPL]

I've got the ventilation down. Not worried about that. I think I could keep a 250w HPS cool in there if I wanted.

scrub i know exactly what you mean, its not " How big of a light can I fit in here" its " How big of a light can my ventilation that i can afford atm handle?"