Starting a grow. My designs

[fuci]

Hello everyone!

This is going to be my very first post here on ICMag so a little about me first. I hail from the Northern-EU, Finland to be precise. I'm an electrician, graduated in 2009 and went straight to work. I have a loving and understanding girlfriend whom with I've been for 4 years (Bought a home together in 2012, so basically we're married but still not quite so). Hmm... Let's see... First contact with cannabis was about 5 years ago and been smoking since. Have had a couple of tries growing, but nothing worth mentioning.

Today I'm here to present my plans for my next try and go.

1. Simple construction, 60x60x160 growtent (This one I already own)
2. Exhaust will be done with professional grade ductfan (125mm, 0...450m3/h adjustable. (This one I already own)
3. Odour control shall be done via carbon filter. (Exhaustfan sucks through the filter) (This one is yet to be bought / made)
4. Deed of the sun will be carried out by a 400W actual draw ledpanel. http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Gree...Free-Shipping-3-Year-Warranty/1249851361.html

Now this is as far I've thought for now. On the previous tries I've experimented with 100W LED panel (plants in soil) and gotten some (little) bud off the plant(s). Number of reasons for low harvest including low power of the panel and so little attention given for them.

Anyways, I've been thinking about changing the old habits and going to aim a bit higher this time around.

My goal is to produce HQ bud, preferably in soil but I'm also looking into hydroponics. Quantity is not nearly as important as quality. I have yet to decide on the strain, thinking of durban poison (got some really good batch of this strain a couple of years ago, left an impression), nor have I decided on soil/hydro/something else.

So I quess I'm asking for advices / experiences / suggestions on the grow tent design, choosing the grow media and the strain. Looking to get things running by the end of moth.

-Your's truly

 

[messn'n'gommin']

I've never used LED's, but your setup looks to be on track.

For me, I use two 250w CMH lamps in a closet about 2' by 4' (about 60cm x 120cm, I think?). Hempy buckets with a traditional mix and KISS method for nutrients.

hth!

 

[fuci]

Hi,

Thanks for reply.

I'm kind of torn between choosing the lightning even though I have my mind almost set on LED panels. CMH looks intresting also but I don't know anyone in real life that have grown with it. Traditional SPNA/HPS is the least favorable. So I quess it's between LED panel and CMH really.

CMH appeals to me in a way that it's "Sure to grow", also true with LEDs but you really never know what you're getting when you order from china, and the rates they go on webstores is way to high. How are the temperatures with CMH? Does the transformer heat up? Are you running your setup with cooltubes or some other vented hoods?

 

[Ttystikk]

To be honest, instead of trying to get fancy when special bulbs, in your shows I would go the proven route with power: whether 600W or 1kW HPS, and for either I'd suggest Gavita Greenpower lighting. That's an extremely efficient HPS setup which will produce for you. I've had some very positive results when adding LED to HPS, plants really take off. Looking at their spectra, I think it's due to them being so complementary.

 

[messn'n'gommin']

As I said, I have little experience with LED's, but if you’re bound and determined to use them, I do know that they have a longer life than HID, can be configured for a more specific spectra (if DIY), and they don't run as hot as HID's. You might not get the penetration an HID does, but you can’t really go wrong with them.

A general rule to go by for HID, is 50w/sqft minimum and to shoot for 75, so a 250w HID is just about a perfect fit for a 2'x2'x5' tent. Some people can use a 400w’er, but you better know your ventilation techniques well! A 600w lamp is way too much for that size footprint!

Spectral comparisons reveal that Gavita lamps aren’t all that different from CMH technology anyway. Besides, after generic, off the shelf HPS, MH, or fluoro lamps, they are all specialty bulbs…including LED’s! Personally, I just don’t understand the animosity towards the CMH lamps.

 

[BatmanX]

Very techy drawing, can't wait to see some flowers

 

[messn'n'gommin']

Hi,

Thanks for reply.

I'm kind of torn between choosing the lightning even though I have my mind almost set on LED panels. CMH looks intresting also but I don't know anyone in real life that have grown with it. Traditional SPNA/HPS is the least favorable. So I quess it's between LED panel and CMH really.

CMH appeals to me in a way that it's "Sure to grow", also true with LEDs but you really never know what you're getting when you order from china, and the rates they go on webstores is way to high. How are the temperatures with CMH? Does the transformer heat up? Are you running your setup with cooltubes or some other vented hoods?

I don't know about a "Sure to grow" lamp. It mostly comes down to a grower's abilities. The temps are comparable to regular HID lamps and ballasts, meaning they get hot! Hotter than LED's, but even then, it isn't anything unmanageable.

CMH lamps require HPS or MH (lamp model dependent) magnetic core and coil ballasts! Electronic ballasts operate at way too high a frequency and will literally rattle the bulb to peices (read: ka-boom!)!

You can use cooltubes or vented hoods and a closed circuit, but I don't use them, just batwing reflectors. Not because one technique works better than another,...lol...am just a cheap bastard!

 

[merrblah]

400w CMH in a 60 x 60 x 120 Homebox XS


I haven't messed around with LEDs mainly because the buds all look scraggly. HID is the way to go. CMHs are low-heat, broad spectrum solution for small spaces. You will have to have your ventilation dialed in, but it is more than possible to get a 400w in there. It would be easy with a 250w CMH and the final product would be far superior IMHO.

I enjoy the challenge of getting the most out of small spaces and pushing the limits. I'd be glad to help if you have any more questions.

But yes, a 600w light for a 2' x 2' is absurd.

 

[BatmanX]

400w CMH in a 60 x 60 x 120 Homebox XS
https://www.icmag.com/ic/picture.php?albumid=2760&pictureid=41907View Image

I haven't messed around with LEDs mainly because the buds all look scraggly. HID is the way to go. CMHs are low-heat, broad spectrum solution for small spaces. You will have to have your ventilation dialed in, but it is more than possible to get a 400w in there. It would be easy with a 250w CMH and the final product would be far superior IMHO.

I enjoy the challenge of getting the most out of small spaces and pushing the limits. I'd be glad to help if you have any more questions.

But yes, a 600w light for a 2' x 2' is absurd.

Very nice setup.

 

[fuci]

Hi again,

Lots of input, appreciate it!

@merrblah - That's a nice looking cabinet! Has the height become problem? Also, I hear from lots of places that CMH produces leafy buds, but from the grows I've found here on ICMag, they all look pretty damn fine, and not so leafy. Whats your take on this "leafy buds" thing?

@BatmanX - Too much spare time, work is a bit slow at the moment. Will have to get back to providing results when the time is right.

-

Prehaps I will run a 400W CMH with vented hood or basic wing-reflectors (Takes&Thoughts on this matter are welcome) and also keep the 100W (50 x 3W LED 6 band) hanging in there.

Exhaustion will not be a problem, I also have a spare 170m3/h ductfan and the possibility for fresh air intake (This reguires a bit of work but manageable).

Should I just ditch the LED I had in mind (Link: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Gree...Free-Shipping-3-Year-Warranty/1249851361.html ) or keep the options open for more thinking and pondering, who knows, feeling confused.

I have time to think though. I think the launch will be late this month or early next, that remains to be seen.

-Yours truly

 

[merrblah]

The height was manageable, but life would have been much easier with a little extra ceiling space. In response to the "leafy" problem, all of those plants were clones that were previously flowered under both mixed spectrum HPS/CMH and pure HPS -- and the only difference I noted as I made the transition from HPS to HPS/CMH to CMH was slightly smaller buds (they get a little fatter under HPS), but noticably more resinous buds Increase quality for decrease in quantity is a trade-off I accept. Also I wouldn't say I noticed any increase in foliage.

Here's the Chemdog DD from that same grow, CMH all the way: