First hydro grow- got some ?s!

[jesus9112]

Hey guys! I'm beginning my first hydro grow, I have done 2 micro pc grows in soil before, and I have learned a lot. But that was 3 years ago and it's time to get serious. I'm looking to grow roughly 2lbs in 16 weeks.

Here's what I'm looking at grabbing at the store later this week:

6x6x6 grow tent
1000w hps/mh grow light with ballast and reflector
8' carbon filter

My main concern is the hydroponic system I'm going to be using for growing. The ones I'm looking at seems to be really expensive, and I'm not really looking to spend that much on this system.
This is the 12 plant system is the one I've been looking at.
http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-Big-Boy-Hydroponic-System

My questions are:

1. How many plants would make sense to have under these circumstances?

2. What system would you recommend to me?(Prefer not to build).

3. How much and what complete nutrients would you recommend?

We are really trying to not spend over $1000 and we are already up to $600 with the tent, light, and filter, but if we must go over we will.

All help is appreciated! I know I still have a lot of researching and work to do, but I have some experience and can definitely make my dream a reality! Thanks

 

[TheCleanGame]

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[Quantifiable]

I will answer your questions first then provide a suggestion:

1. How many plants would make sense to have under these circumstances?

6x6x6 is approximately 3.2m2. Depending on:
1. Strain, some high potency strains have reduced yields. Some strains are high yielders. 450g - 650g per square meter is a figure listed on some seed websites (450g being NL5, 650g being BigBud).
2. Is the grow horizontal? If growing flat, it might make to screen of green it. With proper management, you can radically increase the efficiency of your available growing area by regularly shaping and pruning your plants.
3. Is the grow vertical? If utilising space in 3 dimensions, your 3.2m2 floor footprint (as the floor space required to erect your tent) could potentially be scaled up (3.2m2 per wall inside the tent).

2. What system would you recommend to me?(Prefer not to build).
I quite honestly expect you to build a kick ass DIY system for significantly less than what a retail one would cost. You'll develop an appreciation in building it yourself, quickly be able to grasp the fundamentals and innovate your own system and save a buttload of cash.

3. How much and what complete nutrients would you recommend?
General Hydroponics gets a lot of attention on the forums. Since we don't have access to that in my country, I've learned the brand of nutrients is not as important as nutrients being in the correct ratios. Delve into the basis behind each product being recommended based on your plants needs. You'll find given the wide range of choices, many of them work.

 

[Quantifiable]

One more thing about your expectations too. You want to grow 910g off 1000 watts of lighting. The Gram Per Watt (gpw) rule of thumb suggests 1gpw is very good. I don't think you can figure on being 91% of your way there on your first grow. I estimate 600g (1.5lbs) is a more reasonable expectation.

 

[northerngrafta]

You should run oxy pot system or bubble buckets not sure which country your from as to what they are referred to.
I Reckon you want to run 4 plants tops and just keep nutrient really simple if its your first grow get an 2 part base a decent root stim a pk boost for flower. make sure you have a ph and ec meter not the cheapest that money can buy. an keep things simple this way you can get to grips with things and if anything goes wrong peeps on here will be able to help you... dont get talked into some mad 5 - 10 part nutrient program there is just no point for a beginner.
This system can sometimes cause problems for beginners but if you learn how to run it now a few grows down the line you will be get decent results oxy pots offer the fast growth and big yields people expect from "hydro"

hope this helps

 

[johnnybravo]

Go big on an exhaust fan

 

[paladin420]

Not a bad Lookin system. Timers and Uni-seals will be the failure points to watch.

For me there is no better ebb system than titans. Flawless makes for more time to handle whatever other problems arise.

Start with the GH and kiss. Add your own touches after you learn some basics.
Be prepared for floods. Wet vac!!. Be prepared to flush when you see something wrong with your plants.

Come on in the water is fine

Pal

 

[jesus9112]

Hi thank you so much for all the great replies

I decided it might be better to go a little DIY. How does eight or ten of these sound? Does it make sense? Is it efficent?

5 gallon Black Bucket
6" Net Pot Bucket
One Dual Outlet Air Pump up to 40 gallons
4 Feet of tubing
4” airstone
¼” barb connector
Hydrostone Grow Medium

Another question. Will I be able to power 8 buckets with one air pump? If they are 5 gallon buckets each?

Thank again guys!

 

[TheCleanGame]

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[TheCleanGame]

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[Dr.Tone]

I'd run 4 plants if your going with a 4x4 and 6 plants in a 5x5