If I were to buy a 400w hps light, and some basic chemicals, would I be able to grow some decent dank? I just want to try it out, without getting to far in depth and debt, lol. I'll worry about all the other stuff as I go along. I've been doing a little research these last few days. I have a good feel but I need a lot more knowledge on it before going out and blowing $1200. I have a small depth- 1'8'' w- 1'3'' h- up to 2'7''. If I build it, will it come is the question. Could I make a small shop off 300 bucks?
Cheap cheap cheap
- Thread starter Krazy 420
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homegrownboy
Well-Known Member
Won't work...your height is too short...your gonna need at least 6-8 feet using HPS's...or any HID for that matter. Youhave to keep the light at least 12" from the tops...usually more unless you have an aircooled unit.
During flowering a plant will grow from 1.5-3x it's size.
During flowering a plant will grow from 1.5-3x it's size.
Just use CFL's, for a grow like that, in a small room, yeah use CFL's they are cheap and they will veg. and flower all you have to do is change bulbs. Believe me Im new to this site, but not new to growing. Ive used plenty of flourescents and always finished with beautiful plants and buds..
So using CFL's will make my plant short and thick? I'm looking for plants under 2ft, maybe 3ft. I don't want some beast that towers me. I'm guessing the only way that can work is through hydroponics? That will cost me way to much money. Man, I have a lot of research to do
Little Tommy
Well-Known Member
There are many ways to restrict height through LST (Low Stress Training) and Topping. You can read up on these topics in the GroiwFAQ found at the top of each page. There are even strains like Lowrider that are predisposed to low height.
gimley
Well-Known Member
HID and flouros is an unending battle. I think that I will try some CFL's in the future but for now I still stick with HID lighting because of its ease of use and only having to deal with one light and one ballast. 1'3'' height is nothing to work with when you take into account the average height of any decent size pot or hydro base.
That being said, you do not need 6 to 8 feet to use HID lighting. Currently I operate a small cab that uses only 250 HPS for autoflowering strains. My height is 3 feet tall with a fixed cooltube at the top that is 7.5 inches tall. That gives me 27.5 inches of vertical height from my glass to the floor. My maximum pot height is 7 inches so some of my plants only have 20.5 maximum inches, then subtract the 4 inches I need to keep my plants away from my cool tube and you have 16.5 inch plants left. My first cycle was lowryder dwarf mix and I did not top or scrog or LST. I am looking at approx 1.3 ounces from a two month cycle with untrained and unregulated plants. After my second cycle produces good seeds I will begin a more rigid LST/SCROG application for this small space and I think I will be closer to 3 ounces once I custom fit my cabinet with the supplies to grow 6-8 small plants under that light. In the beginning with nutes/fans/scrubber/cabinet/suppplies I spent 560 to custom build my application. If I had done CFL's it would have been slightly cheaper but way more wiring and mounting on my side of the fence. You can get 250-400 W lights and ballasts for under 100/200 shipped.
My advice would be to really think about what you want out of this hobby and then tailor your application and space based upon those desires and also your situation. Best of luck and let us know what you come up with.
That being said, you do not need 6 to 8 feet to use HID lighting. Currently I operate a small cab that uses only 250 HPS for autoflowering strains. My height is 3 feet tall with a fixed cooltube at the top that is 7.5 inches tall. That gives me 27.5 inches of vertical height from my glass to the floor. My maximum pot height is 7 inches so some of my plants only have 20.5 maximum inches, then subtract the 4 inches I need to keep my plants away from my cool tube and you have 16.5 inch plants left. My first cycle was lowryder dwarf mix and I did not top or scrog or LST. I am looking at approx 1.3 ounces from a two month cycle with untrained and unregulated plants. After my second cycle produces good seeds I will begin a more rigid LST/SCROG application for this small space and I think I will be closer to 3 ounces once I custom fit my cabinet with the supplies to grow 6-8 small plants under that light. In the beginning with nutes/fans/scrubber/cabinet/suppplies I spent 560 to custom build my application. If I had done CFL's it would have been slightly cheaper but way more wiring and mounting on my side of the fence. You can get 250-400 W lights and ballasts for under 100/200 shipped.
My advice would be to really think about what you want out of this hobby and then tailor your application and space based upon those desires and also your situation. Best of luck and let us know what you come up with.
Well, I guess I will be going with my larger area. I was just wishing on a lucky star when I walked in my bathroom and seen that little ol' space, lol. I am on probation, so I won't be doing anything until these last two months are up! So I have a little bit to plan. I need to add you on my friends list (I think I seen this site having a friends list) because the way your set up is; it will end up similar to what I need. My other area is w- 3ft d- 2ft h- 3ft-7ft. Any ways, I'm off to take my last drug test!