Optimal Plants per Light for This Set-up?

[Shiva Blaster]

Start with a detailed blueprint. It always makes things go soo much smoother. Blueprints that show room dimension, tables, reservoirs, electrical outlets....etc. Get it right on paper and the building process will go smooth.

I know dudes who just wing it and they end up having to run extension cords all over the place, cause they dont have outlets where they need them... space gets very tight and they dont have room for certain peices of equipment... Blueprints first are the way to go.

Definitely, I am OCD about that stuff. The only reason I don't have detailed AUTOCAD plans already is that we are still finalizing the final site details......we found an area with some dirt cheap commercial real estate to go along with the cheap power and our first choice is a 3500 sqft building for sale for only $70,000.....at those prices, it makes way more sense to buy than lease. Once the application is approved and we can finalize the purchase of a facility, I'll be doing up some very detailed plans.......will put those college drafting courses to good use!

 

[DrKanobie]

Thanks for bringing that up, that's another question I have. On bigger scales, is it worth it to invest in expensive bulbs? I'm not familiar with Ushio, I'm normally a Hotilux Eye guy.

It's defiantly worth it to spend the money and get quality equipment.

A few questions, why only 6 lights per room? I'm currently building 3 16x36 rooms with 18K each with 30 ladies each in 9gal Hercules pots in trays. In order to maximize my space.

 

[Elite Nugz]

Thanks for bringing that up, that's another question I have. On bigger scales, is it worth it to invest in expensive bulbs? I'm not familiar with Ushio, I'm normally a Hotilux Eye guy.

Hortilux is a good bulb. I just really like Ushio's. There strong bulbs that can hold up to the higher frequency of the digital ballasts.

Personally I use the more expensive bulbs and replace them every 3-4 grows. But I have a buddy that buys these cheap $30-$40 Plantmax bulbs and switches them out every 2 grows. He swears he gets the same results as the more expensive bulbs.... but until I get a good PAR meter, I just stick to the Ushios.

 

[Shiva Blaster]

It's defiantly worth it to spend the money and get quality equipment.
[URL=https://www.icmag.com/ic/picture.php?albumid=52584&pictureid=1227379&thumb=1]View Image[/url]
A few questions, why only 6 lights per room? I'm currently building 3 16x36 rooms with 18K each with 30 ladies each in 9gal Hercules pots in trays. In order to maximize my space.[URL=https://www.icmag.com/ic/picture.php?albumid=52584&pictureid=1239517&thumb=1]View Image[/url]

Everything we are buying is top quality, but I was unsure about if it is worth it to buy premium bulbs (and then replacing them every 2-3 cycles) for a larger operation.

We are starting small.......commercial MMJ is just in it's infancy up here, so things aren't as set as the USA. The new regs have only been in for a month. We have lots of room to add lights and rooms in time, no need for us to get greedy right off the bat as this is a new thing for us.

 

[Elite Nugz]

Definitely, I am OCD about that stuff. The only reason I don't have detailed AUTOCAD plans already is that we are still finalizing the final site details......we found an area with some dirt cheap commercial real estate to go along with the cheap power and our first choice is a 3500 sqft building for sale for only $70,000.....at those prices, it makes way more sense to buy than lease. Once the application is approved and we can finalize the purchase of a facility, I'll be doing up some very detailed plans.......will put those college drafting courses to good use!

I have no clue how to use Autocad. Try a program called "SketchUp". I think you might be able to download it for free through Google. Its super easy to learn how to use too. I use it to blueprint the framing, electrical and just about everything. I measure all my equipment so I can place it in the blueprint so its all exact to a fraction of an inch.

 

[Shiva Blaster]

Hortilux is a good bulb. I just really like Ushio's. There strong bulbs that can hold up to the higher frequency of the digital ballasts.

Personally I use the more expensive bulbs and replace them every 3-4 grows. But I have a buddy that buys these cheap $30-$40 Plantmax bulbs and switches them out every 2 grows. He swears he gets the same results as the more expensive bulbs.... but until I get a good PAR meter, I just stick to the Ushios.

Yeah, they rock....definitely no complaints with the results that I get with them. I found a really good place on Ebay that gives some really nice discounts on huge orders, so I'll probably stick with what I know and use the Eye's to start. I usually replace bulbs every 3 flower cycles. I'd like to test out some cheaper bulbs in a side-by-side and see what the difference is......Hortilux are the only bulbs I have ever used so I don't know any different.

Also, there are a couple of videos that I've seen on Youtube of growers doing side by side grows with same everything and using Hortilux for some hoods and cheapo bulbs on the others and there is a hugely apparent difference.

 

[DrKanobie]

Everything we are buying is top quality, but I was unsure about if it is worth it to buy premium bulbs (and then replacing them every 2-3 cycles) for a larger operation.

We are starting small.......commercial MMJ is just in it's infancy up here, so things aren't as set as the USA. The new regs have only been in for a month. We have lots of room to add lights and rooms in time, no need for us to get greedy right off the bat as this is a new thing for us.

If all of your other equipment is top quality why go cheap with the lamps? I would also consider blocking off the empty space in your rooms so that your are not cooling and generating co2 for unused grow space. You defiantly don't want to waste energy in a larger building.

 

[DrKanobie]

Also are you able to do all of the construction and wiring yourself up to code? If not, finding a trustworthy carpenter and electrician could pose its own issues.

 

[Shiva Blaster]

Also are you able to do all of the construction and wiring yourself up to code? If not, finding a trustworthy carpenter and electrician could pose its own issues.

A carpenter friend and I will be doing all the framing and basic construction. All of the electrical and HVAC will be done by licensed professionals, this will be a legal commercial grow that will have to pass stringent audits before getting the "green" light, so it's not like we need to worry about secrecy if that's what you mean. As far as having access to quality tradespeople, my business partner owns another company that has contacts in the area that we will be operating in, so we should be ok getting good people to do all the necessary work.

 

[Elite Nugz]

Yeah, they rock....definitely no complaints with the results that I get with them. I found a really good place on Ebay that gives some really nice discounts on huge orders, so I'll probably stick with what I know and use the Eye's to start. I usually replace bulbs every 3 flower cycles. I'd like to test out some cheaper bulbs in a side-by-side and see what the difference is......Hortilux are the only bulbs I have ever used so I don't know any different.

Also, there are a couple of videos that I've seen on Youtube of growers doing side by side grows with same everything and using Hortilux for some hoods and cheapo bulbs on the others and there is a hugely apparent difference.

You just have to be careful with some of those youtube videos. A lot of those turn out to be just marketing tactics.

 

[DrKanobie]

A carpenter friend and I will be doing all the framing and basic construction. All of the electrical and HVAC will be done by licensed professionals, this will be a legal commercial grow that will have to pass stringent audits before getting the "green" light.

My grows are totally legal as well. I retain an attorney to keeps us on the total strain and narrow. With all this being said, it is my experience that you want to vet all people that have knowledge of the location of your commercial grow. Our attorney also does a background check on everyone and has them sign non disclosure agreements.

 

[Elite Nugz]

A carpenter friend and I will be doing all the framing and basic construction. All of the electrical and HVAC will be done by licensed professionals, this will be a legal commercial grow that will have to pass stringent audits before getting the "green" light.

I do everything myself. But before I learned how, Id hire contractors. I'd just give them the blueprints and tell them to follow my specs. If they asked questions, I would tell them that I was building a server room. Server rooms require high amounts of electricity and have to have good cooling, and lots of power outlets.

To me, thats the easy part. The hard part is finding a warehouse to grow in. Not many property owners around here are cool with having growers occupying their properties. So you gotta find a hole in the wall spot, that the owner or property management doesnt care too much about. Otherwise they might ask to do an annual walk-threw, which happened to me once, and I had to tear everything down and move.

 

[Shiva Blaster]

You just have to be careful with some of those youtube videos. A lot of those turn out to be just marketing tactics.

Definitely, they were from quality independent growers whose opinion I trust. I've also seen data done by grow stores who analyzed 7-8 HPS bulbs that they carried, and the Hotilux was always at or near the top. I do remember that there were a couple of other bulbs that were $30-35 bucks cheaper that tested out to be quite close though, so I may have to try and dig up those videos again as I wasn't familiar with some of the brands they carried. 30-35% savings for only a couple of % less useable light energy would be a sensible trade-off.

 

[Shiva Blaster]

My grows are totally legal as well. I retain an attorney to keeps us on the total strain and narrow. With all this being said, it is my experience that you want to vet all people that have knowledge of the location of your commercial grow. Our attorney also does a background check on everyone and has them sign non disclosure agreements.

Yeah, we are in the process of looking for a lawyer as well. As far as security goes though, that is irrelevant up here. It's not like in the USA, you have to notify all the authorities and citizens of your location and have a sign out front. The security requirements are also extremely high, no one will be able to break into our location once all the security is installed. 100% of the property will be under video surveillance 24/7 with high barbed-wire fencing, motion detectors, with everything hooked up to alarms and monitored remotely by a 3rd party security firm.....the whole works. The larger operations in the city all have security staff onsite 24/7. Key codes and biometrics will be required to access the site as well as all areas containing plants or dried product. Like I said, you post signs and tell everyone you are there (by law) so having an electrician know where you are growing doesn't matter in the slightest

It's a much more time-consuming and expensive process out here....it is a brand new thing, previously medical patients grew their own or bought stuff grown by the government for the most part. Now you can no longer grow your own and everyone has to buy from mail-order licensed commercial growers. The requirements are very strict and it is tightly controlled, much more so than for you guys. You should see the paperwork you have to submit just to get the security clearance......fingerprints, crazy detailed personal and professional history, etc. If you've done anything sketchy in your life, you will not get approved.

 

[Elite Nugz]

Definitely, they were from quality independent growers whose opinion I trust. I've also seen data done by grow stores who analyzed 7-8 HPS bulbs that they carried, and the Hotilux was always at or near the top. I do remember that there were a couple of other bulbs that were $30-35 bucks cheaper that tested out to be quite close though, so I may have to try and dig up those videos again as I wasn't familiar with some of the brands they carried. 30-35% savings for only a couple of % less useable light energy would be a sensible trade-off.

If you find the videos again, send me the link. Id be real interested in checking them out and seeing how they actually test em. I use to hear that PAR meters where the best way, but when I was at the Cannabis Cup not too long ago, I was talking to a dude there that had something that he said was much better then a PAR meter. I cant remember what it was called though.

This guy put his meter in front of some LED's this booth was selling and the guy started laughing once he seen what his meter read. He wouldnt say anything though, to not ruin the LED guys sells. So he just kept quiet.... but if you do find those vids, please send em my way.

 

[Elite Nugz]

Yeah, we are in the process of looking for a lawyer as well. As far as security goes though, that is irrelevant up here. It's not like in the USA, you have to notify all the authorities and citizens of your location and have a sign out front. The security requirements are also extremely high, no one will be able to break into our location once all the security is installed. 100% of the property will be under video surveillance 24/7 with high barbed-wire fencing, motion detectors, with everything hooked up to alarms and monitored remotely by a 3rd party security firm.....the whole works. The larger operations in the city all have security staff onsite 24/7. Key codes and biometrics will be required to access the site as well as all areas containing plants or dried product. Like I said, you post signs and tell everyone you are there (by law) so having an electrician know where you are growing doesn't matter in the slightest

It's a much more time-consuming and expensive process out here....it is a brand new thing, previously medical patients grew their own or bought stuff grown by the government for the most part. Now you can no longer grow your own and everyone has to buy from mail-order licensed commercial growers. The requirements are very strict and it is tightly controlled, much more so than for you guys. You should see the paperwork you have to submit just to get the security clearance......fingerprints, crazy detailed personal and professional history, etc. If you've done anything sketchy in your life, you will not get approved.

Damn.... California is a piece of cake. Super easy. All you need is a Dr Rec, and a State ID. If you want to be even more safe, then you form a Non-Profit Mutual Benefit Corporation with the state, get a Tax ID # and a sellers permit... Then get enough patient recs to account for all your plants and your good to go. Then you just have to find a warehouse in an unincorporated area, so you dont have to worry about zoning regulations. Do all that and find a property owner thats willing to rent to a weed grower, then your set. You dont have to tell anyone where your growing, and definitely no signs saying its a grow. Just need strong doors, and a good surveillance system. Mine is viewable from my cell phone, and has motion alarms that notifies my phone directly when there set off.

 

[Shiva Blaster]

Damn.... California is a piece of cake. Super easy. All you need is a Dr Rec, and a State ID. If you want to be even more safe, then you form a Non-Profit Mutual Benefit Corporation with the state, get a Tax ID # and a sellers permit... Then get enough patient recs to account for all your plants and your good to go. Then you just have to find a warehouse in an unincorporated area, so you dont have to worry about zoning regulations. Do all that and find a property owner thats willing to rent to a weed grower, then your set. You dont have to tell anyone where your growing, and definitely no signs saying its a grow. Just need strong doors, and a good surveillance system. Mine is viewable from my cell phone, and has motion alarms that notifies my phone directly when there set off.

Yeah, it's set up very different out here. It's controlled federally as opposed to by Province or State. The laws just changed last month and so far there are only 12 licensed producers in the entire country. Almost all of them are huge corporations with investors and enormous factories in big cities. One is even listed on the stock exchange and is publicly traded. They either have huge overhead or are just really greedy, because most are asking silly prices....as much as $10+/gram straight up (plus shipping) for mass-produced product of questionable quality. There was actually just the first ever recall yesterday....one company had to recall a pile of Purple Kush that got sprayed with some nasty pesticide and came from a facility that failed an inspection.

My partner and I are taking a very mom-and-pop approach. There are a lot of patients that are now forced to buy their medicine from big greedy corporations, and it sucks. I am an entrepreneur that is taking a huge risk on this, so obviously I hope to make some money......that said, I strongly believe in providing patients in need with quality 100% organic hand-trimmed medicine of the highest possible quality at a fair and reasonable price. I feel strongly enough about it that I am quitting my job in the city, selling my house and worldly possessions, and moving across the country to the boonies where this sort of thing can be done affordably on a small scale. This opportunity has never been available in Canada, and everything has been "just a job" up to this point.....being able to make a living working with this amazing plant and helping patients in need would/will be a dream come true.

 

[packerfan79]

Damn.... California is a piece of cake. Super easy. All you need is a Dr Rec, and a State ID. If you want to be even more safe, then you form a Non-Profit Mutual Benefit Corporation with the state, get a Tax ID # and a sellers permit... Then get enough patient recs to account for all your plants and your good to go. Then you just have to find a warehouse in an unincorporated area, so you dont have to worry about zoning regulations. Do all that and find a property owner thats willing to rent to a weed grower, then your set. You dont have to tell anyone where your growing, and definitely no signs saying its a grow. Just need strong doors, and a good surveillance system. Mine is viewable from my cell phone, and has motion alarms that notifies my phone directly when there set off.

Elite can u recommend a lawyer in so Cal. I've searched this site for info on starting a small Co OP. All I get are trolls telling me I better be a millionaire. I'm not rich and not looking to get rich. Just want to legitimized what I already do. Thanks

Sorry for the hijAck.

 

[Shiva Blaster]

Elite can u recommend a lawyer in so Cal. I've searched this site for info on starting a small Co OP. All I get are trolls telling me I better be a millionaire. I'm not rich and not looking to get rich. Just want to legitimized what I already do. Thanks

Sorry for the hijAck.

No worries about the hijack. I know what you mean about the trolls, I was a little apprehensive about posting in here at all for that reason.....thankfully, I've managed to get some nice experienced folks responding to this thread.....thanks guys!

 

[Granger2]

Just read this thread and wanted to point out a couple of things. 20x15=300, not 600.
6000w in 300sq ft=20w/sq ft., about 1/3 enough. Good luck. -granger