Experienced general advice please

[Kiefer]

Hey everyone,

I have been growing for years, and stopping in here and there, with nothing really too serious.. I now own my own place, and have a decent place and means to fix up the old room, so experienced advice is very welcome. Currently I have a 6' x 10' little room, I want to make about 6' x 15' or so. The ceilings are about 7'. I have a few old 600 watt HPS lights that I have thrown in there. The basement stays pretty cool, even with the two lights on and no intake in the room, it rarely rises above 80 degrees. I have tried 5 gal, and 1 gal containers, I use Sunshine mix 4, which I believe is pro mix with some good bacteria and coco. I have a good family friend who owns a few hydroponic stores, I pick his brain all the time, but want your advice too. Basically, if you experienced growers were using a space like the one I described, how best would you set it up? I am open to links to your similar grows, I have been doing research, but most of what I find is a little dated. I will try to grow basic (but good) and popular Kush or Sour varieties, or similar types.

Things I am wondering - What is best size to flower plant? What is best container size? What is best lighting option for this space? I realize there are many factors and answers, I am just looking for your experience.

I have plenty more to ask, but lets start from here, again I am sure many of you can provide helpful links that will answer questions without having to ask.

Thank you all.

 

[carson]

These are almost unanswerable questions which depend on your preferences and the strains you have. Most of the information can be found discussed in threads here. For someone with years of growing experience they seem like questions you would know the answers to, for your situation.

 

[the gnome]

 

[amannamedtruth]

how you gonna make a 6x10 into a 6x15? whats the original size of the room?

with a 6x15 maybe do 4x1k or 6x600 and 2-3x6 tables, they you have about two feet to walk around. That covers bloom room, what about veg? are you willing to add a/c...did you want to contain veg and bloom within the 6x15 parameters?

 

[Kiefer]

I can make whatever size room I want, because I have an entire basement, and framing a room is relatively easy, even for me. I am just closing it off with black/white poly for now, playing around with different sizes and seeing what works best for me.

Of course, I know there are many answers, and I have tried many ways. I just wanted to know what some of you experienced growers who were operating a similar base setup (type of growing medium, basic kush and sour varietys, as I said in the opening).

And yes a lot of what I asked for can be found, but a lot is outdated, and I there are so many people growing hydro, or very exotic strains, or in rooms 3 times the size...

I basically just want to hear how successful growers would up this area, if they could choose their ideal tools. Of course there are many answers, I do not want to start argument, just like to hear how you all recommend success.

 

[Kiefer]

I am willing to do ac, the space stays cool, and I could vent from outside basement, which is also cool. There is a separate veg area, not included in 6 x 15 space. I really probably wanted to use 4 x 12 for the growing area, to give me some room to work around the outside.

 

[amannamedtruth]

right on...well, if you're not wanting a sealed room, you could probably get away with a traditional passive intake/active exhaust, just frame up the room, wall it up, wire it up, find a spot to exhaust the air outside, use a 12 in. minimum fan. Filter the intake somehow so no pests and dust and cathair n shit get in there. Does it have to be narrow or can you do a 10x10 and throw 4 k in there?

 

[Kiefer]

I could do a sealed room, I considered it, as some reliable people have suggested co2.. I also could probably do 10 x 10, the reason for me going narrow was that it is easier to conceal along the back of the basement. I do think 4 x 1000 is a little bigger than I want to go at this point...

Things I am considering, but do not know the best answer include, what is the best type of light? I know some people who really like the double ended bulbs, even have a friend who swears by LEDs.. Also, what pot size do people flower in, and when are they transplanted to this size? Do smart pots really make a difference?

You guys that pull 2 lbs a light.. what is your secret?

 

[the gnome]

go sealed w/co2, you'll have one regret tho

you didn't do it sooner

 

[amannamedtruth]

yup. Sealed is best. Different design though, you should have at least two spaces, a lung room, and your flower room, the lung room can house your A/C blower, inline fan, reservoir...make sure your bloom room has negative air pressure so the lung will have positive pressure by the fan blowing through the filter.

 

[PetFlora]

Check out my threads for ideas

Originally I built a wood frame and enclosed it with windshield reflector later with insulated foam board

Tent prices have come down to ~ cost of building materials, so...

I just ordered 2 tents. A 4 x4 tent is only $125, free shipping


Amazon.com : MILLIARD 50"x50"x79" Mylar 100% Reflective Hydroponic Grow Tent with Window : Plant Growing Tents : Patio, Lawn & Garden

 

[Kiefer]

Thank you all very much.