Ten thousand dollar budget... suggestions

[mikeross]

7'x14' sealed vert room with 6k worth of vertical lighting with 2 8" cool tubes. 2 vertical stings consisting of 2 1000hps bulbs and 1 MH in the middle. Each 3k cool tube would be at the center of a 7x7 area. Each side will be harvested once a month hoping to yield anywhere from 6-8lbs 96 plant sites total... 48 for each 7x7 area. 4 shelves of 12 per 7x7' space. each plant would be about 24" away the the lights. Gutters under the pots will lead all run off back into each of the 2 50gal rez. would run 1/2" and 1/4" tubing for feeding. I would have a separate veg room vegging out 48 plants per month in 1 gal pots and then transfer into 3 gal pots 3-5 days before flower for a total of about 30 days worth of veg, all in a ebb and flood setup. top and super-crop during this 1 month veg. Anyways, also would need 2 8" vortex fans to cool the cool tubes... they would be sucking air from a basement window and exhausting out the hot air into a 1200sf basement or connect to a vertical plumbing stack or sewer wye in the basement... depends on how cold it is ouside.

Gonna need a mr.slim mini spit for both a/c and heat with inverter technology, would go with a 18+k unit. The 2 8" vortex fans keep the room very cool, steady 85* for most part of the year during lights on is easy to maintain without a/c on. also would buy a 100+ pint santa fe dehumidifier. Sentinel climate controller with co2 monitor, NG or LP co2 generator with electrical start, various pumps and filters, reflective wall material, 2x4's, hardware, hydroton, nutes, bulbs ballasts, electrical ect should put you pretty close to 10k if not slightly over.

The above setup can yield 8lbs per month on a perpetual setup if dialed in well... best I have seen was 8lbs consistently with small issues during the grow cycle. I bet you could hit 2g per watt if you focused on one good yielding strain like AK47 or ChemD with no issues during the grow. Thats over 12lbs from 3k worth of vertical lighting from 48 plants.

Thats what I would do if I had to do it all over again... hopefully soon. The above setup is proven and has been up and running for 3 harvest... didn't take long to dial in. First run hit 2lbs with a old ss-ak47 cut.

My friend was happy to put out the coin up front to build the perfect room in his eyes. I hope to copy this show setup this year. If its going to be a permanent room spend the money and build it properly the first time around.

Good luck

 

[mikeross]

that sounds like an awesome setup. yeah the more weight the better in my opinion im going to be headed to the 707 for this and will have a bunch of cards i can work with. thats crazy 8-12 lbs off of 3k and have two rooms. man that would be nice. sounds difficult to setup though. also i think the 1000 watt mh bulbs are too big for the cool tubes.. so i dont think that would work.

thank you all for all the suggestions. I was thinking about doing something like stoneys set up with the 2 600s on light movers on the 4x8 trays and maybe starting with 4 tables. he was pulling around and over 3lbs off each table.

There are many 1000w MH that can fit in a 8" cool tube, the 24" long ones.

I was dead set on running a exact setup like stoney419. do a search on my user name and you will see my planned setups. even went as far as having a friend run 4 600's in magnum hoods all in tandem air cooled w/o co2 over 2 4x8 tables 98 plants. Friend got 2.5lbs first run with a proven ak47 cut. stopped after the first run but 3lbs is possible with c02 in a sealed environment.

I was dead set on the above setup until I started reading many vertical grow journals on other various horticulture forums... there are even forums now dedicated to only vertical growing.

Anyways, vert is the way to go and I feel more people will start growing vert style and more products designed for vertical growing environments will start being produced.

Its the best use of light and you can obtain heavy yields with small plant #'s

 

[GrowerGoneWild]

have a ten thousand dollar budget for a grow room. space is not an issue. would appreciate some suggestions on how to go about spending it before i jump right in. wattage is not an issue either..
thanks

DIY.

Run Mag Ballasts, spend on bulbs. Wire ballasts yourself its cheaper.

HVAC equipment, like centrifugal fans. vs those inline fans.

Dont blow your budget on your bloom room.

Think carefully before you buy some high dollar hydro equipment.
you can fabricate your own stuff for cheap.


Hell, just give me 2G's And I'll get you going.

 

[wickedpete66]

To the OP. have you ever grown before?If you have, you should have a pretty good idea about what you need/want. If you haven't then 8 lights is a pretty big undertaking for first time. May I suggest that you start with 4 lights and tables. That will give you approx 24 plants to take care of or screw up(which your likely to do , if this is your first grow). I would also suggest if this is your first time, that you stick with one or two strains that are similar.It will be easier to fix problems if they occur. 24 plants in hydro should easily yild at least 1.5oz/plant even if you have problems.

 

[amargas]

To the OP. have you ever grown before?If you have, you should have a pretty good idea about what you need/want. If you haven't then 8 lights is a pretty big undertaking for first time. May I suggest that you start with 4 lights and tables. That will give you approx 24 plants to take care of or screw up(which your likely to do , if this is your first grow). I would also suggest if this is your first time, that you stick with one or two strains that are similar.It will be easier to fix problems if they occur. 24 plants in hydro should easily yild at least 1.5oz/plant even if you have problems.

Wickedpete- apparently you are recommending 6 plants per light, whereas one of the first responders recommended 144 plants for eight lights- which is 18 plants per light or 4x4 space. Anyone shed any light on these two schools of thought?

 

[Shcrews]

get 1000's not 600s man, unless you're feeling a lot like stoney419, you could use the extra watts... Just ask dongle69

 

[HighBreed]

After spending over 10k recently Ill post up some suggestions.
Does the 10k include rent and electric?
If so then there goes half for 3-4 months worth.

Suggestions:

Get a whole sale account.

Econowings- if you can go without aircooling your hoods then buy these.
It will let you buy more lights.

Harvest Pro ballasts (not the elites) - reliable ballast for a good price.
I have 4 HP elites and 7 HP regular.
The HPE are louder, heavier, hotter, and more money.
Not worth it.
Digis are expensive. you can buy 2 HP for the price of one digi.

Do not buy switchable.
Sounds nice for only $5 more but with 10 lights thats $50 that could be cut
not to mention switchables draw more amps.

BIG FANS!
Like 16"-36" industrial fans.

Dont buy regular Vortex inline fans, the price is too close to the Can Fan Max. Buy those.

Sentinel HPH-8
great controller, cheap and effective.
Nice part is you can put on any length cord you need making it remote.

Guess thats good.

 

[HighBreed]

this is what i have so far..


4 4x8 trays 880$

8 digital 600 watt hps $1879.60

2 6 inch 424 cfm inlines fans 200$ for cooling the lights... would that be enough for 8 600's?

tell me the stuff im thinking of buying is crap to save me what might end up being a big mistake


thank you all

Please dont get me wrong, want to make sure you get what will work.

First I would not buy those products or from eBay.
With the shipping you might as well go to a grow store.

Now those inline fans are garbage. You will highly regret wasting money on those.
They are far far far from being able to handle 8 lights.

I would buy this:

1000w HPS Sun System 10 $173
http://sunlightsupply.com/hort/products.aspx?request=SS-10-ECONOGRO&title=Remote Ballasts&type=product

1000w Ultra Sun HPS $62
http://sunlightsupply.com/hort/products.aspx?request=HORT_ULTRASUN&title=Lamps&type=product

Econo Wing $40
http://sunlightsupply.com/hort/prod...OWING_REFLECTOR&title=Reflectors&type=product

$275 for a complete 1000w set up

8" Can Fan Max $287 each buy 2 so $574

Buy 6 - 1kw set ups, 3 trays, and 2 can fan max for $3100-$3200

Then take some money for some large fans.

 

[150wPimpin]

co2 tanks & gas- $500

I think you can get the tank and the gas for under 100$


try your local fire extinguisher refill shop used tank $80 gas $15 also a great place for your brewers out there to get your gear

 

[HighBreed]

im pretty set on getting digital 600 watt balasts because they are the most efficient.

They are not. Never seen a 600w set up I liked.
Also they are more expensive considering what you get.
We only use killa's here in Oregon.
Its all about canopy penetration.

Also if you buy a digi then do not buy a generic brand.
Only a few good digis/electronic ballasts out there.
Lumitek, Galaxy, NextGen, Quantum, and I think one more but thats about it.


Also if your going to get CO2 look up Air Gas.
20# tank fill for around $120 and $20 a refill.

 

[150wPimpin]

They are not. Never seen a 600w set up I liked.
Also they are more expensive considering what you get.
We only use killa's here in Oregon.
Its all about canopy penetration.

Also if you buy a digi then do not buy a generic brand.
Only a few good digis/electronic ballasts out there.
Lumitek, Galaxy, NextGen, Quantum, and I think one more but thats about it.



Also if your going to get CO2 look up Air Gas.
20# tank fill for around $120 and $20 a refill.

you didnt like it so that is good enough to base your "they are not" on ?

how about some facts to back your statement up would help.

 

[Vespatian]

Is plant count an issue for the OP?

 

[SoCaliSmoker]

I already rep'd + for Shcrews, that was a bad ass breakdown!

 

[PuReKnOwLeDgE]

A good question to ask is how much do you want and how often? That is how I build my rooms, I start from the end and work to the begining. I just got done saving a cart last night that I will be purchasing over the next 6 months, 22K.......on top of everything I already have. I always set aside enough money to to get me through the next 3 months, bills, food, and whatever else that may come up. When your a good grower, roots are your security, but it is always nice to have everything covered up front. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[ureapwhatusow]

if im spending 10k on a grow im bootstrapping it into real cash

im also thinking first time in a room KISS

we haven't discussed the skill level of the caretaker, the genetics or the location so there is plethora of nasties that can occur including loss of services, genetic sensitivities, pump failures, resi temperature control, pests and disease excessive temps, legality, etc so without all the details you have to be prepared

but lets pretend this is real world anywhere america and you are asking how do i turn 10k productive grow

id do it simple and id do it "hydro" hand fed promix n perilite

8000 watts

in 2 4k arrays

a fan for and filter cooling hoods each array

with nutes your in under 5k

the lack of water tables will reduce the need to control humidity, venting out through the hoods and using fresh air for the first run may alleviate the need to cost AC initially

the biggest environmental factors in a good sealed room hydro system are humidity and temperature

if your investing big bucks into a grow as if it will be permanent expect a good mini split and dehumidifier and that is big dollars

if your asking this it begs the question are you experienced enough to keep up with a multi watt hydro system if you are asking this

get th lights do 8k in to 4k arrays 9 plants per light in containers

hand water them a hydro mix

feel out the room the genetics the location

if its good you will have enough medicine you can get a 20k air conditioner and not dent your stack

here are some pictures of exactly what im talking about

2 rooms costing under 2500 each to completion

 

[ureapwhatusow]

if im spending 10k on a grow im bootstrapping it into real cash

im also thinking first time in a room KISS

we haven't discussed the skill level of the caretaker, the genetics or the location so there is plethora of nasties that can occur including loss of services, genetic sensitivities, pests and disease excessive temps, legality, etc so without all the details you have to be prepared

but lets pretend this is real world anywhere america and you are asking how do i turn 10k productive grow

id do it simple and id do it "hydro" hand fed promix n perilite

8000 watts

in 2 4k arrays

a fan for and filter cooling hoods each array

with nutes your in under 5k

the lack of water tables will reduce the need to control humidity, venting out through the hoods and using fresh air for the first run may alleviate the need to cost AC initially

the biggest environmental factors in a good sealed room hydro system are humidity and temperature

if your investing big bucks into a grow as if it will be permanent expect a good mini split and dehumidifier and that is big dollars

if your asking this it begs the question are you experienced enough to keep up with a multi watt hydro system if you are asking this

get th lights do 8k in to 4k arrays 9 plants per light in containers

hand water them a hydro mix

feel out the room the genetics the location

if its good you will have enough medicine you can get a 20k air conditioner and not dent your stack

here are some pictures of exactly what im talking about

2 rooms costing under 2500 each to completion nutes and all

 

[B. Self Reliant]

10k can go quick!

Before getting too wrapped up in on what kind of cultivation method you'll use, or how many plants you'll have, etc., I'd worry about setting up a secure growing environment. Bulbs, ballasts, hoods, buckets, trays.. .whatever you need for the plants themselves. . . that can all be fairly predictable when it comes to pricing, and quite honestly there's lots of methods that will all work very well.

The room itself is what's unpredictable. It's also where the trips to Home Depot start adding up! Look in the grow room design forum and cruise around a little bit. You'll see that most folks spend 95% of their time setting up the room itself. Routing safe electricity, making sure you have easy access to water, putting plastic up, making sure security is in place, installing vent fans with filters & intake fans, setting up a dehumidifier. . . that's the hard part that will be unpredictable and cost you an arm and a leg.

As mentioned by a couple other folks, even if you had only 1k left after doing all that, you could still go et a bunch of 5 gallon bucket with some coco or some other medium and grow strong/potent/healthy plants.

 

[john cutter]

10k can go quick!

Before getting too wrapped up in on what kind of cultivation method you'll use, or how many plants you'll have, etc., I'd worry about setting up a secure growing environment. Bulbs, ballasts, hoods, buckets, trays.. .whatever you need for the plants themselves. . . that can all be fairly predictable when it comes to pricing, and quite honestly there's lots of methods that will all work very well.

The room itself is what's unpredictable. It's also where the trips to Home Depot start adding up! Look in the grow room design forum and cruise around a little bit. You'll see that most folks spend 95% of their time setting up the room itself. Routing safe electricity, making sure you have easy access to water, putting plastic up, making sure security is in place, installing vent fans with filters & intake fans, setting up a dehumidifier. . . that's the hard part that will be unpredictable and cost you an arm and a leg.

As mentioned by a couple other folks, even if you had only 1k left after doing all that, you could still go et a bunch of 5 gallon bucket with some coco or some other medium and grow strong/potent/healthy plants.

solid info here.

 

[wickedpete66]

Wickedpete- apparently you are recommending 6 plants per light, whereas one of the first responders recommended 144 plants for eight lights- which is 18 plants per light or 4x4 space. Anyone shed any light on these two schools of thought?

I was basing this on a scrog grow with 3x3 tables.I would put 8 plants per 4x4. Op states that he is experienced, but he is asking a lot of newbie questions.

Most experienced growers have an idea about what they want and are usually looking for efficiency.

If the op wants to use 4x8 tables then 2 600wt will be fine as long as penetration isnt an issue, ie: either scrog or plant height stays around 24"-30". If he wants 3-4' trees then only a 1000wt will penetrate this or go vertical

Magnetic vs Digital ballast. I have not seen a digital ballast that didnt interfere with am radio. If you are in area that doesnt have a lot of houses then digital is the way to go, but they do get hotter than magnetic ballasts

 

[wickedpete66]

if im spending 10k on a grow im bootstrapping it into real cash

im also thinking first time in a room KISS

we haven't discussed the skill level of the caretaker, the genetics or the location so there is plethora of nasties that can occur including loss of services, genetic sensitivities, pump failures, resi temperature control, pests and disease excessive temps, legality, etc so without all the details you have to be prepared

but lets pretend this is real world anywhere america and you are asking how do i turn 10k productive grow

id do it simple and id do it "hydro" hand fed promix n perilite

8000 watts

in 2 4k arrays

a fan for and filter cooling hoods each array

with nutes your in under 5k

the lack of water tables will reduce the need to control humidity, venting out through the hoods and using fresh air for the first run may alleviate the need to cost AC initially

the biggest environmental factors in a good sealed room hydro system are humidity and temperature

if your investing big bucks into a grow as if it will be permanent expect a good mini split and dehumidifier and that is big dollars

if your asking this it begs the question are you experienced enough to keep up with a multi watt hydro system if you are asking this

get th lights do 8k in to 4k arrays 9 plants per light in containers

hand water them a hydro mix

feel out the room the genetics the location

if its good you will have enough medicine you can get a 20k air conditioner and not dent your stack

here are some pictures of exactly what im talking about

2 rooms costing under 2500 each to completion

Nice set up.

OP could also take it one step further and use hempy buckets with coco. Passive hydro and can reuse the medium.