Hobo Grow Advice

GCandy

Active Member
Hi,

Its been a long time since I posted here last (12yrs) and Im at the stage where Im going to attempt a grow again but I could do with some advice as the whole scene has changed.

Its going to be a bit of a hobo build n Im hopefully going to be growing it in my cupboard .. Its approx 2x2x4ft ... If it fits I plan to use this frame inside to help with LST. I have a osculating fan and plan to use the slight gaps in the cupboard as an exit for the air. (idk care about the smell as I smoke weed indoors everyday + I can imagine its quite a nice aroma to sleep next too:sleep:)


I bought this LED bulb years back n only used it a few times for my cacti. They dont make it anymore, but as far as i can tell it dishes out approx 4500 lumens (seems to match up with a lot of other sites, but some say its only 2000 lumens?) Here`s a pic of the front and one when its turned on in the space I want to use. (Il be using a different fitting).

I dont think that 1 36w LED bulb will be enough tho, so I also plan to get one of these or these - as far as I can tell it should give out approx the same lumens as the other bulb I linked, the only difference is that it uses the smd 2835 LED`s, doesnt have UV or IR and has less LED`s on the board.

I also was planning on trying to find a 5000k spectrum LED bulb, but this is seeming harder than I thought to find one, these are the best I can find in E27 form :confused: - unless its a Sansi light which ive been advised away from? ... Ive come across these and am wondering if it will do the trick? (also if this is ok to use ... If I took the front panel off, would it be a quantum board underneath?)

I plan to use feminized seeds and most likely will grow a hybrid or indica strain like GSC, Orange Hill Special, Chemdawg/Chemdog OG/Stardawg or Alien cookies (if I can find a seed cheaper than £20 each :cuss:)

So my main questions are -

1 - If I buy 2 these 2 extra LED bulbs and add it to the one Ive got already, will I have enough lumens to grow the plant well within the space im using? - I plan to be able to move the lights closer on a cord if it would help.

Also .. Is this any use or do u think its a "way good to be true offer"??

2 - The room I will be growing it in is pretty dark (has a black out blind) and the only light that comes in is via the street lamps out side and a very small amount of daylight when the sun it up. Ive heard that when the plant is in a 12/12 cycle that it can get stressed from light pollution, but how much light would cause it stress? In nature you get moonlight and the plants seem to handle that ok? .. So how much is too much? .. Say I opened the door whislt it was sleeping n turned the light on for 1 min to check it out - would that cause it stress or is it more a continuess light coming in that would cause it issues?

3 - Airflow - I plan to have a oscciltating fan inside, but do not plan on having a exit fan and am hoping the air will just be pushed out of the gaps in the cupboard? .. I do plan to open it daily to water & check how its doing whilst the lights are on but am not sure if the plant will beable to handle this enviroment. Can I make do without a exit fan or do u think humidtity will be a issue?

As this will be my 1st grow for at least 10yrs n Im not expecting award winning cup results, but Id rather do it properly than waste 3-4 months of my time for a crap smoke, so any help will be great.

Thx for reading (:
 
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Fishmon

Well-Known Member
Some thoughts: temps and humidity will be troublesome without air exchange provisions. That space needs 16 cu ft of air replaced every 3-5 minutes. Lighting should be 100w full spectrum preferably dimmable. Perhaps consider cutting a passive intake opening in the lower rear and fashion some sort of filtration to catch dust and such from being drawn in with a small exhaust fan mounted up high in the door (the warmest air will be in the uppermost area). A cheap power supply and a couple 12v pc fans maybe. Some strategically placed eye hooks around the inner perimeter could serve for lst. Perhaps even self adhesive hanging hooks would suffice. I would try to avoid using the rack in there if possible. Space is already at a premium to begin with.
 
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GCandy

Active Member
Sorry for the late reply, but thx for the info.

I did have my worries about the humidity n I think a fan or 2 is a good idea, but I cant do any cutting the the front door, so Il have to figure something else out (Im not to sure if my cupboard is a great place now :-()

A few more questions if u dont mind.

1 - I have one full spectrum bulb already - I Just cant figure out the "true Lumens" that it chucks out - But why do I need another, surely just adding any light thats in the 3000k-6500k should cover the spectrum that daylight uses? Have I got that wrong?

Im aware that most people say that "grow lights" are the way to go, but "grow lights" cost x4 the amount of other lights that use the same "Smd 2835" LED`s that the grow lights use .. So imo your paying for marketing speel rather than what the true cost could be if you shop using different wording.

Ive seen a lot of other lighting options out there but are still unsure if they are suitable either (things like light stress from too many lumens) .. advice please.

9600 Lumens @ 6000k for £20 - as far as I can tell these are "not" dimmable, so my question is, will this burn the plants or stress them out cos its too bright? ... Could I use them if I placed a shade cloth in between the lights n the plant? Here is a simular setup but with more lighting angle choices

UFO light with14000 Lumens @ 6000k for £40 Again is this "too bright"?

10000 Lumen @ 3000K or 4500K or 6500K for £31.99 This is my current favorite ... It says its 100w, dim-able, does 3 different spectrum n seems to have enough lumens + it comes with a remote (cant forget that :D) The only weird thing is that its a security light.

And just in case you are facepalming, thinking this dude dont get it :rolleyes: ... an actual grow light

I assume the light leakage into my cupboard (if I turn my bedroom light on) shouldnt be a issue then?

Just in case ... does anyone know a place that sells grow tents for a cheaper price that we normally see on amazon/ebay etc??
 
I would be curious to know if regular store bought LED light bulbs could work as a cheap solution. Something like this for example. Perhaps someone with more experience can comment if these would be suitable if you used two or three of them?
 

conor c

Well-Known Member
You could use a lower wattage hps or a digital ballast/adjustable and get it pretty cheap if moneys tight with led it's the power draw you should be looking at rather than what they claim the output is
 

GCandy

Active Member
Ive been told that those LED`s light would be fine if they wernt covered with a diffuser, hence my questions above.


Atm Im getting more answers from Reddit forums which is a bit disappointing as I thought I`d get them here, but someone pointed out that stoners probably cba to read long posts, so Il give it one more crack with these :twisted:

Can stoners answer questions?
Can stoners answer questions(Oompah)
Can stoners answer questions(Trance)
Can stoners answer questions(Rock) << This version wins the "it didnt make my ears bleed" award imo :clap:
 
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