Got a closet and a dream, need advice!

[closetdreams]

Hello!

With houseplants on windowsills the only exception, I've never attempted to grow anything indoors. I've got a nice closet, 2'x5'x8' that I'm dying to dedicate to growing stuff. (2' deep, 5' wide, 8' tall)

The closet rod in there is about 5' off the floor (standard, I guess) and there are two metal shelves above it. The closet has common, louvered metal bifold doors. I own my home, so I can cut holes in the ceiling for ventilation to the attic. I figure I can hang the light fixture from the rod, and put the timer, ballast and other not-plant stuff on the shelves above.

Please advise? I want to be confident in my first equipment purchases. I'm not looking to compete for prizes here, I just want to grow some healthy, productive plants.

Thank you!

 

[KalidoscopeMind]

Amazon has full kits including bulbs, hood, ballast, cords and all that for relatively cheap. I was able to buy my first light (a 150 watt HPS) for 60 dollars and free shipping, and later my 400 watt dimmable HPS for 125 dollars and free shipping. I have seen 1000 watt light kits for 200 dollars and under at times.

For the specific wattage in your space its less a matter of space and more about how well you can keep things cool in there. I would start out with a good fan-cooled 400 watt, raise your plants to about 2 feet under the light, and lower them once they get within 4-5 inches of the bulb.

 

[aridbud]

Go simple!! In that small of a space:

1 LED 400 -600w ample! No heat build up.
Pulley gizmos to raise panel.
Simple desk fan, air circulation.
Walls painted flat white.
Trays (kitty litter boxes are great).
3-5 gallon containers.
Simple timer.
Good soil.

Cover up room window with mylar or cardboard avoiding light leak (HID/LED).

Viola`! Made in the shade!

 

[Pinball Wizard]

Raise your closet rod as high as you can. It's excellent for hanging HID lighting. (7-9 feet)

 

[theJointedOne]

i like the title of this thread

 

[closetdreams]

Thanks for letting me know it could be as "simple" as I had hoped, aridbud! Especially since you said the walls could be white, and made no mention of ducts or vents. Mylar and climbing in the attic doesn't sound like much fun. But, the "sounds like a super deal" setup that's got me thinking more about buying one ASAP uses HPS and MH bulbs and is 600 watts. Would using those lights force me to do more venting?

Would it help to know that the closet is in an office in my house, and can leave the door to the closet and office wide open if I feel like it? I have central a/c and a portable a/c unit if need be. I wouldn't mind sitting and watching the plants grow. I rarely have houseguests, and the ones that do come over wouldn't go in the room if I close the door.

I'll also take out one of those shelves and raise the closet rod to below the higher shelf. I'll want some room in the closet for storing plant care stuff. I'm very excited, because this has been on my to-do list for awhile!

 

[oldmustang]

since you own the home, that's better. I have basically the same size configuration- cut 2 holes for 6" flanges- one on each end of the closet. These are fresh in- filtered out. Build yourself a small table to fit your closet with trays for your plants, hang your light and hood between your in/out air vents and configure appropriately. Hang your filter in your room/closet, flex to your hood, flex to the outlet flange, hang your fan in the attic and vent out, then GROW GROW GROW