Quick questions for closet grow.

[wafflemanwillis]

I'm considering getting a 2'x3'x5' ft tent and running HID. I've never used HID so I wanted to know whats realistic to use in that space.
Right now I'm between 250 and 400 watts. Would 400 watts be over kill?
As far as keeping temps down, am I going to need to use a cool tube in that size space with either one?
My other concern is sound. I would be keeping the tent in my bedroom closet. Is the noise from the fan going to be an issue? I'm not worried about stealth (I already asked my roommate for permission), I just don't want it to be something that'll keep me up or bother me if I'm studying.

 

[Penguin59]

Hi wafflemanwillis!

Sounds like you have a similar idea of a setup to what I'm running at the moment ie. a tent setup in a closet. I personally wouldn't go anything higher than a 250w bulb in that size tent. A 400w will do great things for your yield but you would definitely have to use a cooltube in that case. I wouldn't say 400w is overkill but might be more trouble than it's worth (power bill, temps etc). 250w you can have a bare bulb with no trouble.

I'm using a 250w in my tent grow at the moment and I had a hell of a time getting the temps down to optimum as it's just a bare bulb. Had to work on the ventilation system until it was perfect. My tent size is 2.6' H x 2.6' W x 1.5' D.

Unless there is a way you can vent air out of your closet while keeping the doors closed, you will need to be leaving your closet doors open for most of the day as the hot air from the HID bulb will need to be vented. (Can't have your plants constantly sucking back in recycled, hot air that has already been vented out from your tent). As such, if you're forced to leave the doors open for most of the day, the fans might bother you if you're a light sleeper so it might pay to invest in a fan muffler. However, If you love your plants as much as I do, I find that the humming of the fans becomes comforting to sleep to after a number of weeks!

Feel free to check out the link in my sig for the grow I'm currently running if you need any tips. I swapped to a 250w when I started flowering:

 

[wafflemanwillis]

Hey Penguin thanks for the reply. I've definitely already read up on your grow, its inspiring.

That's what I was thinking too if I grow in my closet. I talked to my roommate and he doesn't mind the tent being out in the living room. This means I have a little more space to work with. However we live in an apartment so that needs to be taken into consideration too.

I'd like to go with 400w if I can, so I might be looking at a little bigger tent. Maybe around 3ftx3ft footprint. Ideally I'd like to use a cabinet as that would be a little more inconspicuous out in the living room if we have guests over. But I'm having trouble finding a cabinet that would work. I've been checking craigslist and went into Ikea.

Anybody have any feedback on these new ideas?

 

[Jnugg]

Having a grow in the living room is nor going to be stealth ..at all.

 

[Keep goin]

Yeah, ^^^ I agree with that!!

Stealth, right out the window...

In such a small space, and worried about heat. Check out the LED threads on here. Some LED's suck, but some rock it out!! For a small closet grow...I would definitely check it out.

Might solve many of your problems...??!

 

[wafflemanwillis]

It doesn't need to be stealth if you read the original post. I know I said a cabinet would be less inconspicuous and that might have mislead you. I just meant more if we have people over I'd rather them not know about it. If any of my friends did find out though it wouldn't be a big deal. And the only reason I was originally going to grow in the closet was because my bedroom is small and that is the only space I have. But my roommate is cool with it being in the living room so I have much more room now. I'm not worried about heat anymore than anyone else as temperatures are important to control. I just haven't used HID lights so I want to get an idea of what I'm going to have to work with.

 

[Keep goin]

I just meant more if we have people over I'd rather them not know about it. If any of my friends did find out though it wouldn't be a big deal.
Don't know where you live...but don't you know "the first rule about fight club, is you don't talk about fight club"
But my roommate is cool...(Hope that lasts for ya...no guarantee that will always be the case...blackmail, cops, etc.) Not to be paranoid...but...it IS illegal !! Don't fool yourself...take precautions!! with it being in the living room so I have much more room now. I'm not worried about heat anymore than anyone else as temperatures are important to control. I just haven't used HID lights so I want to get an idea of what I'm going to have to work with.

A lot of heat...!!
And if you just "grow in the living room" and have people over, IDK personally I think you're asking for trouble. I've been at it for over 20 years and I can count on one hand how many people "know" what I'm up to.

Just my 2 cents...

Good luck, Keep safe!

 

[Penguin59]

I get where you're coming from waffleman. It's good to be cautious and to protect your interests but there is nothing more rewarding than sharing your hobby with others I must say. Just keep the ambient temps in the surrounding living room a couple of degrees cooler than what you want in your tent and you will be fine.

I have a very close knit circle of friends. All of them stoners and all I could trust with the knowledge that I only have two plants growing at any one time. Would be a different story if I were growing any more than two plants though. It's your choice at the end of the day.

 

[Keep goin]

Penguin...that was ME responding in BOLD in that last post.

waffleman is asking questions in "new growers" area of the forums.

I'm just trying to help...

If you're growing 2 plants, you are probably right...no problems. I am not sure what waffleman's plans are!? My attitude has always been, I'd rather be paranoid than in a cage. But I'm NOT growing 2 plants...lol

 

[Penguin59]

Huh? No no I just meant that he said his setup doesn't need to be stealth so I was just saying it's up to him how he wants to play it.

Not sure what you meant by you responding in bold but I think we've got our wires crossed somehow!

 

[Bud Buddington]

Waffleman, I have a cab about the same size as the one you are thinking of using (2x3x5) and I use a 400W with a vented hood. I had some serious heat problems in the beginning but now that the hood is vented and I have a fan blowing right under the glass I can keep plants 8-10 inches away without burning them. A 250w may be a lot easier to handle in a cab that size though. I recently bought a 2x2x5 grow tent and plan on putting a 250w which hopefully won't give me the heat issues I had with my first cab.

If you want more details check out my grow journal.

 

[wafflemanwillis]

Hey Keep goin, I definitely agree to err on the side of caution. I'd rather no one know. My roommate has been my best friend for years and I've known him for much longer. I trust him with my life and I know he trusts me the same. We don't have people over very much. Most of my friends these days probably wouldn't even suspect it, let alone notice it, if they came over and there was a humming cabinet in the corner. A humming tent though is a little bit more obvious...
I know this in the new growers section because technically I'm still new to this. But I'm by no means a 'noob'. I've tried a couple grows in the past but never to completion because I was a dumbass and thought I could grow at my parents house without their permission and get away with it. Anyways I've spent countless hours and probably days researching this stuff. I think I have everything figured out for what I am going to do for now. My biggest problem right now is locating a adequate cabinet that I can convert. I haven't been having much luck so its tempting to take the easy way out and buy a tent.
Anyways thanks Penguin, I think we are on the same page. And thanks Bud! I'll definitely check out your journal.

 

[Keep goin]

Hey Penguin...

I get where you're coming from waffleman. It's good to be cautious and to protect your interests

No biggie...I just thought this statement meant you thought HE was saying he was looking to be cautious...and I was saying to be cautious. To me growing in your living room is NOT cautious.

I was responding in bold within his quoted post to answer each point individually...IDK I saw someone else use that technique, and it seemed to work..!??

Yeah, waffleman...sounds like you have the "right" relationship with your roommate to trust him. But you're now talking about growing in your parents house...no offense, but that makes you sound young.
Just trying to keep you out of jail...again, not sure of what state you're in. (some of us have to worry more than others, unfortunately!)

I opt for the hermit/cave dweller approach...safety first, last, always...

Good Luck

 

[wafflemanwillis]

Haha no not in my parents house anymore thank god. I moved out. A couple years ago I tried to do a pc grow and had to abort with only a few weeks left in flower. The smell became unmanageable. Now that I don't live in my parents house I can have a proper set up with a scrubber and all. Anyways I feel like I'm starting to defend myself for no reason now haha. But I live in California, pretty laid back around here so I'm not really too worried. This thread has gotten pretty off track. Thank you everyone for your help and input! I appreciate it.

 

[Keep goin]

Yeah, waffleman...

Sorry if I threw the thread off track!! Definitely NOT my intent...just wanted to help.

Most of my "carrying on" would NOT have happened had I realized you were in the land of the FREE...(lucky!!) You don't have to worry the way I do...so enjoy, you sound like you are on track.

To answer your original question...3x3 tent will give you the ability to go 400w HPS..or dare I say even 600w!! The more wattage you put in the more you will pull at harvest time. If you go cool tube, or some kind of vented hood heat shouldn't be much of a problem.

Enjoy, and good luck!!