Let's Get Creative!

[Keyz]

Okay, so I'm a newb.... like REALLY a newb. The only experience I have is sitting on the toilet reading a ton of books and magazines. But, I'm ready to get off the toilet and get started!

Here's the problem, after all the reading, I don't even know where I want to start. Don't know if I want to go hydro, or aero.... and which system I want to use, buckets, ebb and flow table? My original thought was to get the Sun Hut Tent System from a local hydro store, pretty much the same thing as this

http://www.hydrowholesale.com/mm5/m...=hydro&Product_Code=HHSTD2&Category_Code=CHGK

But after reading about 200 threads, I'm really leaning more toward a DIY set up.

So, lets see how out of the box we can get with this.... Assuming we're starting from nothing and doing a DIY setup, what would you do with this?
Budget: $1000
Available room: About 6x4 (yeah, I know... kinda small)
Goal: 16 oz/ harvest

If you were me.... what would you do?

 

[CANNACO-OP]

Is your 6 x 4 a room already, sealed up, etc and ready to go?

 

[Keyz]

No, my plan is to build a room/box, trying to get handy. But I wasn't necessarily including the actual room in the budget, unless we can squeeze it in Lol. otherwise that'll just come outta my next check

 

[CANNACO-OP]

so you got a spot in a basement? extra room somewhere you going to stick your cab / box ? maybe a little more info would help....

 

[Keyz]

yep, that's exactly the case. originally it was space in the garage, but do to harsh winters, freezing temps would be a problem. So the basement it is. i have a little more than 6x4 available, but i figure the interior will come out to about that size.Probably somewhere between 6 1/2 to 7 feet tall

 

[gregor_mendel]

If it's your house, build. If it's a rent house, buy the tent.
I own my home and sometimes wish I used a tent instead of building.

Unless you are experienced at construction, you would not believe how long it takes to build 2x4 walls and drywall them on your own.

You really don't know what you want, so don't spend money on anything but space, light and environment.

Run some hempy buckets, or handwatered coco to start.
You may like that and stick with it.

If not, you didn't waste a bunch of money on stuff you don't want or need later, and like me, are afraid to sell on craigs list.

Some other things to consider are actual space and accessibility.

Example: Your 4'x6' space hase a door smack in the middle of the 6' length.
If you need to mother, clone and veg in there, you really have 2 2'x4' spaces.

 

[CovertCrops]

I recomend getting 2 3x3 e&f tables for your room. They will allow you the most freedom and flexibility in what mediums you use and how you operate your system. Being that your new you are going to want to experitment until you find what works for you. I have a 4 X 6 space in my basment that I partitioned off for a grow room. I have the 2 3x3 e&f tables with 8-16 1.7 gal pots filled with hydroton top fed every 30 minutes. the link in my signature will show you what I mean (the pics are old, but i have had problems gettin new pics up.) You can make better use of your available growing space with tables, this would also leave you about a foot worth of space to work on your plants.

I also didn't dry wall my grow room. I used cheap plywood and reflectix, which works like a charm. Whichever path you choose I wish you luck.

 

[Keyz]

Gregor I can only imagine how long it would take... just experimenting, I drew up blueprints, and the blueprints alone took me about FOUR HOURS! Maybe the tent would be a better idea, I know they have a 8x4 available in the tent. I'll have to do some measurements to see if I can fit it.

Covert Thanks for that info. Originally I was going to get the 4x4 tent with a E&F table, which probably would have been the best bet, since it pretty much comes with everything I need to get started besides clones and nutrients.

The tent system comes with the e&f set up, resevoir, tables and all; a 400w HPS, Carbon filter, clip on fan, 2 timers... for about $1000 (4x4)... or $1800 (8x4) (2 tables, two lights. Probably another couple timers I'd assume)... Maybe the set up would be the way to go instead of trying to piece it together?

Also, what lighting would you recommend? I really wanted to go with a 1000w, but I guess depending on what space I end up taking up, it might end up being overkill.

 

[CovertCrops]

400 watts over a 4x4 is not enough. You could get away with a 600 watt over a 4x4 but you will be on the low end of the wpsf spectrum (37.5 wpsf) or go with the 1k which will give you something like 62 wpsf in a 4x4. I run a 1k in a 4x4 tent over 2 2x4 tables also. I would go with 6oo's or 1k. If vertical height is a problem i reccomend 600's.

 

[Keyz]

Covert, mind if I keep in touch with you through the private message and pick your brain if i need to? Seems like what Im trying to do you've already done, so Im sure I can waste some fuck up time by running a few things by you first.

 

[CovertCrops]

Keyz feel free to hit me up. I have done and re-done many ideas over the years and would be glad to save you some f-ups if i can. I subscribed to this thread also so I can keep up with ya here as well.

 

[Keyz]

Thanks a lot Wonna. Hoping I can get things setup within a week. As many questions as I ask everybody, and as much material as I read, I know there is no kind of learning like just going ahead and doing it and fixing problems as they arise. But I know since this site exists, it'll save a ton of frustration

 

[CovertCrops]

This site has TONS of info and helpful people! Grabbing the bull by the horns is def the way to go. I'm looking forward to seeing your grow.

 

[Longhair]

400 watts over a 4x4 is not enough. You could get away with a 600 watt over a 4x4 but you will be on the low end of the wpsf spectrum (37.5 wpsf) or go with the 1k which will give you something like 62 wpsf in a 4x4. I run a 1k in a 4x4 tent over 2 2x4 tables also. I would go with 6oo's or 1k. If vertical height is a problem i reccomend 600's.

Hello,
I've Got A Tent 4x4x6.5 With A 400 Watt Metal Halide & 2-300 Watt CFLs. Would This Be Enough Lighting? Also I Plan On Buying 2 More CFLs.
So I've Got A 1000 Watts How Does That Compare With 600 & 1000 Watt HIDs?

Thank You
Longhair

 

[CovertCrops]

Longhair, a 4x4 tent has 16 sqft of growing space so your 400 is only providing 25 wpsf. I personally dont use cfl's in flowering so i dont know how those would factor in. Instead of adding more cfl's i reccomend buying a 600 watt or a 1k. You will be far happier with the results, imo.

 

[Keyz]

Covert, what kinda yield are you pulling with your setup? Well the 4x6 setup I mean

 

[CANNACO-OP]

so are you planning a perpetual grow? keeping moms, cuts, etc?

 

[Keyz]

Well it depends on if my finances go according to plan, I think Im going to start off just taking up half the space of the cab and just go start to finish and start over. Then maybe after I get things going better then partition the other half off to suit my needs. I just know that if i were to separate them now im gonna go well over my budget, but after my first go round, things should be quite alright

 

[CovertCrops]

Yeilds have varied becuase I am still getting to know my strains, but I have been pulling a half pound+ per 3x3. I know the tables can do far better than that once I get the strains dialed in. I've also been trialing different nute's to see what I like best. I try to experiment with as much as I possibly can, nothing beats first hand experience. Starting out with half the room might be a good idea while you get comfortable.

 

[CANNACO-OP]

how handy are you? scale 1 = I do not have the capability of finding a 1 7/8 inch drill bite

or

10 = I have two of them already, plus a set with 25 different sizes.