Basement Grow Build-Advice Please!

[CaptainCAVEMAN]

I've been growing for 2 years in 2 upper bedrooms. Now we are moving and I wil be able to construct my basement grow however I like. I have an electrician coming to wire it up however I want. I also have unlimited 6mil black and or white visqueen to work with. I plan to build a framed sheetrocked wall with a door to isolate the grow from the furnace/water heater side. The dimensions are about 20' x 30'. I'm currently running 2 1000watt dual arc hps bulbs in flower and 2 400watt super blue mh in veg, all air cooled. I have humidifiers, dehumidifiers, a/c, heaters, and co2 generator. Also have a medical caregivers license and the wifes ok with it too.

So I guess what I'm asking is if anyone who has already done this has any advice? Advice on construction techniques or materials that worked better than others as well as advice on how basement growing differs from upper level growing. Any would be appreciated!

 

[jondamon]

THe only advice i would give you is TEST TEST TEST.

TEST the ambient basement before you setup for a few days to get a good judge of how temps and RH are down there.

Make sure you have a way to get water to where you plan on growing.

Make sure you have a way to get water away from where you are growing. I hate having to carry water back and too to my grow area, a water tap somewhere near will be good.

Make sure if you decide to grow in the basement that you have places for your exhausts to go to.

And FINALLY test everything once setup.

Other than the above you are the only who can answer this. You will see the basement in place and you will see where you can fit everything into etc.


let us know how you get on or if you need any more setup advice once you have had a chance to plan it.

REMEMBER
TEST EVERYTHING FIRST
DESIGN AND PLAN IT
IMPLEMENT IT
TEST IT AGAIN BEFORE INTRODUCING PLANTS


J

 

[CaptainCAVEMAN]

Thanks for the advice J. Forgot to mention that I have to move a 24 plant perpetual grow where 12 of them are 3-5 feet high. Any advice for that one? lol We're gonna rent a cargo van without windows, load and unload in garage, run 4' tall carbon filters, and hope we don't get pulled over. sounds good so far....

 

[jondamon]

Thanks for the advice J. Forgot to mention that I have to move a 24 plant perpetual grow where 12 of them are 3-5 feet high. Any advice for that one? lol We're gonna rent a cargo van without windows, load and unload in garage, run 4' tall carbon filters, and hope we don't get pulled over. sounds good so far....

Man thats come at a bad time lol.

Have you ever thought about reducing your plant height and creating a wider canopy on them? The general idea behind using artificial lighting is to create smaller wider plants with more flowering sites sitting in the sweet spot of your lights.

I try not to let any of my plants get above 3ft.

Currently got 2x2ft 2x1ft and 5x9inch plants under a single 600w. Trying Topping and LST on one just topping on another, no topping on one, and just LST on another and the small clones are just seeing what i can yield from a relatively small plant to see whether or not i increase my small plant numbers rather than larger plants.

See pics below.


J

 

[devero420]

lol, wow, i dont envy that task. How far of a drive?

 

[CaptainCAVEMAN]

The drive isn't far about 15 minutes.

 

[CaptainCAVEMAN]

Hey J! I try to keep em short. The light movers work very well I think but they can tend to cause stretching, which isn't problematic unless you're moving.lol am also only 2 years into this so I am still dialing in a system/method and experimenting with new strains.

 

[jondamon]

Hey J! I try to keep em short. The light movers work very well I think but they can tend to cause stretching, which isn't problematic unless you're moving.lol am also only 2 years into this so I am still dialing in a system/method and experimenting with new strains.

LOL I'm only 1 year this month into growing lol


J

 

[*BUDS]

if your running over 3000w in there dont forget u must exhaust outside the basement. exhaust fan ,ducting and hole in wall somewhere to dump that hot air outside.

 

[*BUDS]

Thanks for the advice J. Forgot to mention that I have to move a 24 plant perpetual grow where 12 of them are 3-5 feet high. Any advice for that one? lol We're gonna rent a cargo van without windows, load and unload in garage, run 4' tall carbon filters, and hope we don't get pulled over. sounds good so far....

try to have them finish atharvest about 3' ,closer together. this way higher bud/stem ration ,less time, faster more productive harvests.

 

[robert 14617]

how safe is co2 in a basement ,cant that build up and take you out if it gets out of control?

 

[devero420]

co2 is heavier than air and if there is enough of it it will displace the air in your basement, but you would need allot more than you could produce for your plants. You will be fine. I would be more worried about an electrical fire.

There are stories of large releases of co2 in Siberia from lakes, following the valleys for miles killing everything (except the plants that is).

Good luck on the move, 15 minutes is manageable, you should be ok, no speeding! and check your tail lights (and registration/inspection) for that matter.

 

[Tyrannabudz]

Basements are awesome. Cool dense air, my plants love it. Draw yourself a plan. Google Sketchup is awesome for this. If you don't already have it download it.

If you are familiar with framing techniques then you will be fine. Just build the rooms like you would any other. Drywall works good. Another option that is a little more expensive is to use plywood sheeting instead of drywall. It allows you to mount anything on the wall anywhere you like. Unlike drywall that requires backing, not to mention a precise layout of all equip. so backing could be properly placed. It is very tedious. You could also use one sheet of plywood in the areas where you want to mount equip. and hang drywall everywhere else. You will want to install doors that are at least 30" wide. Makes it easier to move in & out with large plants. Use screws for construction they are easier and stronger than nails. Good Luck.

 

[ink the world]

Saw the post title and had to respond....I had a basement grow, got flooded. I guess that would be my first advice, make sure the basement stays dry. That flood set my perpetual grow back a ton.

 

[LVTDY]

Use screws for construction they are easier and stronger than nails.

...Seconded!

 

[CaptainCAVEMAN]

try to have them finish atharvest about 3' ,closer together. this way higher bud/stem ration ,less time, faster more productive harvests.

Thanks *BUDS! Keep it coming! I've got a large window that opens to a large sunken window well I plan to vent out of. Am also considering a 2 part ac system and if i go that way then I'll put the outsde part out there too. I'll be journaling the whole thing when I move in Jan. Peace!

 

[CaptainCAVEMAN]

Basements are awesome. Cool dense air, my plants love it. Draw yourself a plan. Google Sketchup is awesome for this. If you don't already have it download it.

If you are familiar with framing techniques then you will be fine. Just build the rooms like you would any other. Drywall works good. Another option that is a little more expensive is to use plywood sheeting instead of drywall. It allows you to mount anything on the wall anywhere you like. Unlike drywall that requires backing, not to mention a precise layout of all equip. so backing could be properly placed. It is very tedious. You could also use one sheet of plywood in the areas where you want to mount equip. and hang drywall everywhere else. You will want to install doors that are at least 30" wide. Makes it easier to move in & out with large plants. Use screws for construction they are easier and stronger than nails. Good Luck.

Thanks Tyrannabudz, especially on the plywood instead of drywall!