First time grow

Hello guys,

just a couple of questions I wanted to share before I kicked off my first grow, looking to get as much information as possible before I start, although I'm sure it will be a journey of trial and error. I appreciate any help.

. How close should I place a 300W CFL to the seedlings?

. How many plants does a 300W CFL cover?

. Should I have two 300W CFLs for 5 seedlings or would it likely overkill?

. How close should a 400W M/H/HPS be to the plant, in an Air Cooled reflector during the veg & flower stage?

. At what stage would you transplant a seedling to a bigger pot? [are there any tells?]

. Should you pay attention to Co2 in a grow tent this size 120x60x180 [centimetres]?

. Can you run a 300W CFL [dual spectrum] alongside a 400W M/H-H/P/S throughout the grow?

. For a budget grow, what type of water is recommended to use for watering?

. If a 4" inline Air extractor pulls air into a grow tent this size [120x60x180 centimetres], would you need a fan to push the air out?

. Can you run 2 400W MH/HPS lights through one ballast?

. Is a 600W MH/HPS too hot for a tent this size [120x60x180]? [What if it had an Air cooled reflector/4" inline Air extractor bringing air in and RVK fan with filter blowing out?


If theres anything you feel will also be of benefit for first time growers don't hesitate to share.

Love&Light

Wow, that is quite a bit.

CFLs can usually be within 1-2 inches of the plant as they don't generate much heat. Your 300w cfl is actually probably only a 65w so around 2-3 inches depending on heat id say.

It will cover 2 small plants, 1 small-medium size plant, you will need at least 3-4 per plant if you are planning on using them all the way.

The 2 for 5 seedlings should do alight, but it won't sustain 5 plants for long.

You want it as close as possible without burning the plants and sacrificing light coverage. Ideally around 1-2feet.

You can transplant it whenever you wish, if the plant is smaller then the pot, it most likely has room to grow.

Unless you are planning to use Co2 during flowing (probably not on a first grow) the Co2 levels aren't all that important.

Yes you can run the two light as the same time, no issues. Many people use CFLs to get light in corners or underneath.

Tap water? Usually tap water works fine depending on where you are.

Yes, you should have an exhaust fan, it's more important than an intake. Ideally you want both, but if you have an exhaust fan going, fresh air will be coming into your tent as well.

No you can't run 2 lights off 1 ballast, unless it's specifically made for you to do so, but most of the time no.

For that size tent, as long as you have the right cooling you should be fine.

. How close should I place a 300W CFL to the seedlings?

As close as you can get

. How many plants does a 300W CFL cover?

Not much.

. Should I have two 300W CFLs for 5 seedlings or would it likely overkill?

Overkill for seedlings

. How close should a 400W M/H/HPS be to the plant, in an Air Cooled reflector during the veg & flower stage?

As close as you can within the right temps.

. At what stage would you transplant a seedling to a bigger pot? [are there any tells?]

Take it out and look if its root bound

. Should you pay attention to Co2 in a grow tent this size 120x60x180 [centimetres]?

Don't waste your time. Your growing in a tent.

. Can you run a 300W CFL [dual spectrum] alongside a 400W M/H-H/P/S throughout the grow?

Yes

. For a budget grow, what type of water is recommended to use for watering?

Water - your not going to go buying water when you gave tap water?

. If a 4" inline Air extractor pulls air into a grow tent this size [120x60x180 centimetres], would you need a fan to push the air out?

You don't need an Intake at all. Just an exhaust.

. Can you run 2 400W MH/HPS lights through one ballast?

No

. Is a 600W MH/HPS too hot for a tent this size [120x60x180]? [What if it had an Air cooled reflector/4" inline Air extractor bringing air in and RVK fan with filter blowing out?

400 will work better

With an air cooled reflector I'd say 600w would be fine...

About the tap water... Be careful that you do not use the water if it has passed through a water softener. If it has, normally any outdoor taps bypass it.