Hi all!
I'm excited to say I think I'm finally going to foray into the realm of growing, and I would like any advice I could come by. A friend of mine actually gave me a free 250W HPS light (as well as a timer) and ballast which is, I figure, a significant portion of the entry cost reduced.
First, I have a few questions. I'm new to the entire growing scene but I have read a few general things on the theory behind soil vs. hydroponics and I've read quite a few grow log threads. There are still some things I'd like to get answered, if anyone would be so kind as to help me:
1. Do I need a water pump AND an air pump/air stones, or do I just need an air pump/airstones? I read a few of the stickied threads and many of them mention a water pump, many only mention airstones. What gives?
2. Is it better to go with multiple 5 gallon buckets, or would it be best to try to use a big 15 gallon container, or something similar? 5 gallon buckets seemed nice due to their relative ease of use -- small, not too heavy, each plant in its own controlled system, and I could have three separate shots to make sure I get the nutrients and such properly done.
As I said, I have a 250W HPS, so this isn't going to be some massive grow or anything. I was thinking, would three plants be feasible using this, or would that be pushing it?
As far as enclosure, here's what I had in mind poorly done in paint:
^^ basicly hat I had in mind. The thing would be in a closet and the black support structure would be PVC piping. I've built a few things with PVC pipes and the joints and they seem to hold up well. I was hoping to cover it with a felt tarp and have some kind of reflector on the insides of it, emergency blankets maybe? The thing above the box is the wooden shelf about 6' above the ground.
Three 5gallon buckets below, hopefully. I added a bimetal thermostat because I'm kind of paranoid if things get too hot that I'd rather have things shut down than there be any issues while I'm away for some reason, but I was hoping to make it so the schedule would coincide with the lights being on when I'm at home.
Also, there's another shelf 1 foot higher than the other shelf (so 7' up) that I figure I can move up to if things go really well and if I want to continue going upward, but I'm not sure if I'll even get to that point
Is the size feasible? Is my scale all wrong? Is the light big enough? After reading a few threads, here is what I figure I still need and approximate prices I might be able to find on the stuff used:
Hydroton balls $10
Net pot $5
3 * 5 gallon bucket + lids $15
PVC tubing + fittings $15
3x airstone $20
air pump $5
Thermometer, $10
PH Tester, $10
Bimetal thermostat, $10
Carbon filter, $60
Or about $160 of stuff still needed. As for nutrients, I'm not 100% sure still on that, is there a more detailed guide that might be able to suggest specifics in that regard?
One other thing, will a ~100CFM fan on the carbon scrubber attached to the top be enough to cool the chamber down, or will I run into heat issues? It'd be inside a closet in a cool room, the only external air intake into the closet is by a 1" or so gap between the door frame and the wood flooring.
As for strains, I really have no clue. I was thinking about possibly looking around for some clones or seeds, but I'm trying to keep expenses down at this point, so I don't know.
Sorry his is so long, I hope it's well though out and I hope someone can help me along
EDIT: Maybe this should go int he design forum? I was hoping to turn this into a grow thread once I got things kicked off, so I don't know, sorry if I placed this int he wrong area.
I'm excited to say I think I'm finally going to foray into the realm of growing, and I would like any advice I could come by. A friend of mine actually gave me a free 250W HPS light (as well as a timer) and ballast which is, I figure, a significant portion of the entry cost reduced.
First, I have a few questions. I'm new to the entire growing scene but I have read a few general things on the theory behind soil vs. hydroponics and I've read quite a few grow log threads. There are still some things I'd like to get answered, if anyone would be so kind as to help me:
1. Do I need a water pump AND an air pump/air stones, or do I just need an air pump/airstones? I read a few of the stickied threads and many of them mention a water pump, many only mention airstones. What gives?
2. Is it better to go with multiple 5 gallon buckets, or would it be best to try to use a big 15 gallon container, or something similar? 5 gallon buckets seemed nice due to their relative ease of use -- small, not too heavy, each plant in its own controlled system, and I could have three separate shots to make sure I get the nutrients and such properly done.
As I said, I have a 250W HPS, so this isn't going to be some massive grow or anything. I was thinking, would three plants be feasible using this, or would that be pushing it?
As far as enclosure, here's what I had in mind poorly done in paint:
^^ basicly hat I had in mind. The thing would be in a closet and the black support structure would be PVC piping. I've built a few things with PVC pipes and the joints and they seem to hold up well. I was hoping to cover it with a felt tarp and have some kind of reflector on the insides of it, emergency blankets maybe? The thing above the box is the wooden shelf about 6' above the ground.
Three 5gallon buckets below, hopefully. I added a bimetal thermostat because I'm kind of paranoid if things get too hot that I'd rather have things shut down than there be any issues while I'm away for some reason, but I was hoping to make it so the schedule would coincide with the lights being on when I'm at home.
Also, there's another shelf 1 foot higher than the other shelf (so 7' up) that I figure I can move up to if things go really well and if I want to continue going upward, but I'm not sure if I'll even get to that point
Is the size feasible? Is my scale all wrong? Is the light big enough? After reading a few threads, here is what I figure I still need and approximate prices I might be able to find on the stuff used:
Hydroton balls $10
Net pot $5
3 * 5 gallon bucket + lids $15
PVC tubing + fittings $15
3x airstone $20
air pump $5
Thermometer, $10
PH Tester, $10
Bimetal thermostat, $10
Carbon filter, $60
Or about $160 of stuff still needed. As for nutrients, I'm not 100% sure still on that, is there a more detailed guide that might be able to suggest specifics in that regard?
One other thing, will a ~100CFM fan on the carbon scrubber attached to the top be enough to cool the chamber down, or will I run into heat issues? It'd be inside a closet in a cool room, the only external air intake into the closet is by a 1" or so gap between the door frame and the wood flooring.
As for strains, I really have no clue. I was thinking about possibly looking around for some clones or seeds, but I'm trying to keep expenses down at this point, so I don't know.
Sorry his is so long, I hope it's well though out and I hope someone can help me along
EDIT: Maybe this should go int he design forum? I was hoping to turn this into a grow thread once I got things kicked off, so I don't know, sorry if I placed this int he wrong area.
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