First Grow: Stealth Aeroponics, Auto AK-47/Easy Ryder #2

So this is my first grow. First order of business was to determine my grow space. Because I'm at home this has to be stealthy, luckily there's an old fireplace (no longer in use of course) in my bedroom. In front of it I have placed my pet snake's cage and stand, the stand part is perfect for what I'm doing because it has an opening in the back which allows ample space for me to check on my growth.

I'm using the Prepara Power Plant Pro- I've seen it used to grow with successful results and I'm hoping to do the same. Nutes I'm using for vegging are the ones that came with the Prepara (dyna gro generic) and so I got dyna bloom for flowering. The seeds are autoflowering AK-47 crossed with Lowryder Easy Ryder #2- estimated time from seed to harvest is about 10 weeks, each plant yielding 30-50g's (assuming optimal lighting and all that other stuff) As for lighting I'm using the cfl grow light that is recommended for the Prepara- not sure if that was the best decision yet, but it has adjustable reflectors for increased intensity. I've got 2 low-noise 4'' fans (planning on hooking one up for exhaust soon) Gonna use one of those homemade carbon filters for odor control...

I'll post some pictures, gonna germinate soon. Any/all comments and suggestions are welcome, totally new to this, hope I'm not getting in over my head.

wow that is an amazing idea for a grow space. + rep for the stealth

how many watts and what spectrum is your light?

Thanks Larry! Well, the bulb I think is like 25 watts, but it's pretty damn bright- and it's cool light, I'll get a warmer bulb if/when my plants flower. I'm planning on growing 3 plants- might get another bulb if need be.

your going to need more than 25 watts of light. The standard rule is about 100 watts of light per plant you will fully grow.

I recently grew one small plant inside of a PC case and I only used 70 watts of CFL light and it really could have used more.

hope this helps
-Larry

Thanks for the input, I think I'll probably use the grow lamp for the early stages, then replace it. The plants I'm growing are only supposed to be 6-8'' in height max, will that be more suited to a low-wattage cfl?

EDIT: The bulb used is actually full-spectrum

http://www.us-appliance.com/ppl1pg100.html <- info on the light

sounds good just one thing you may want to make a note of

Switching lighting mid grow:

When you make the decision to switch lights after you have begun growing plants you run the risk of stressing the plant. Im not sure what your ventilation looks like but since your in a chimney I will assume you have some kind of fan going straight up. Your current temps are stable because the light your using works, when you decide to change your lighting your more than likely going to add more wattage which in turn adds more heat to your grow area. If your current ventilation is not set up or capable of handling your new light you will end up with a grow area with high temps and you may have just wasted money on your lighting cuz now you cant use it or you may have to buy a new fan. Either way switching lighting mid-grow is a bad idea. Its a much better idea to get your set up constructed and dialed before your beans ever crack. Trust me this is the one of the most commonly made mistakes by novice growers including myself.

You look like you got a good start to your project and Im sure you will be successful. I love growing autos im going to try easy rider soon.

happy growing
-Larry

ps

post some more pics of your set up im really interested in your grow. also what are you doing about ventilation?

feel free to ask me anything or tell me to go away

Alright, so I got a 42 watt cfl which puts out 2600 lumens on its own- hopefully adding that in conjunction with the grow lamp should be sufficient for now...




As for ventilation, I have 2 fans, one of which I'll be hooking up to a small duct I bought and will vent out through the base of the cage (with carbon filter of course)

I'm gonna be away for about a week, so I'm going to postpone germination for just a little while I think. But soon, very soon.