Second Grow and want to follow ICmags advice

[KPizzle]

This is the second time I'm growing, because I did my last grow with my friend, and he pushed me into doing 5 plants (which I thought was WAY TOO MANY for a 250 watt. He wanted them so we did it... Well, to say the least, 5 plants was a very bad idea and the end product was very disappointing in my eyes.

This time I'm doing it on my own and wanted to follow your guys' advice. I'm strapped on cash so I want to save money on this build by doing a DIY cab and carbon system (and possibly other suggestions, my new roomie is pretty good with his hands so he can do some reasonable things).

Here's some info on what I already have:

• I have a 250 watt MH/HPS
• Fox Farm OF + the Flora Nova Series Nutes and KoolBloom
• About $150 extra to spend on extra materials.

What I want to know is:

• How many plants should I do for a 250 watt?
• How I can make a DIY vent system or something to control the temperature
• How to build a stealth cab for soil
• How to (if possible) make a DIY carbon system

Thanks for the help and hope to hear from you guys soon!

 

[FreezerBoy]

It's not the number, it's the style. In my SOG days, I did 2-3 dozen under a 250. With ScrOG, I do 1.

FFOF is known to be a double extra, super hot soil mix. I wouldn't let a new plant (seed or clone) near it till it's been soaked and drained a day or two and runoff is clear.

Plant numbers are determined by grow style. What's yours? Check the "Beginners Links" in my Sig. See especially the 250 Watt club to see what others are doing. You'll also find a great Filter DIY tutorial. The filter also acts as your cooling.

While a 150, Pipedream's setup is a good read that could be upsized. Note he's got 6 plants under a 150.

The Link-O-Rama has links to some of ICs finest threads on a wide variety of topics

 

[pinecone]

FFOF is known to be a double extra, super hot soil mix. I wouldn't let a new plant (seed or clone) near it till it's been soaked and drained a day or two and runoff is clear.

Rooted clones should be good-to-go in FFOF. For seedlings I would recommend cutting it a bit (like 3:2) with some seedling starter mix - or just starting them in something else (starter mix, peat pucks, or rapid rooters). You can buy a small bag of starter mix or some peat pucks at the nursery for not very much. When you do your first transplant put them in straight (out of the bag) FFOF. They won't need to be fertilized in veg if you transplant progressively every couple of weeks or so (my experience at least).

Pine

 

[chronologic]

Not trying to rob this thread but I have a similar question. Im looking to do a partitioned room set up. 40 germ, 20 veg 16 flower. Germs are going under floro's, veg under MH and flower under HPS. I want to utilize sliders w/ 6in intakes so I can drop my lights closer w/o tip burn. Im thinking of going 500's For MH's and 600's for HPS. will two of each be enough??????? I wanna keep the cycles relatively short so height in flower should end at 4 feet-ish.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[ijim]

For the air cleaner I use furnace filters with activated carbon from the pet store sandwiched in between. You can seal them with duct tape and shape to whatever design you want. There are a ton of DIY air filters here.