I am a complete noob PLEASE go easy on me

Long story short I have been researching for about 2 weeks now on the best set up to go with. Unfortunately I have come across alot more info than expected and its turned out to be a little overwhelming. I have previously built 2 grow computers and while it worked VERY nice my first batch turned out to be males and the second succumbed to pests.

I am building a 11' long x 7' height x 7' wide room which will be split into a veg/flower room. I also have a smaller 1.5' x 3' room that im going to use for cloning. I recently lost my job so I am on a budget of around $200 after the room is built for all stuff needed.

system:

Aeroponics? Hydroponics? Drip system? So many choices but whats the best? I want to start with 2-8 plants and gradually expand on that. I want to convert 5 gallon buckets into a hydro/aero systems so each plant can grow to its fullest potential. Is this the best or is there a better setup? Im leaning to aero at this point because I keep reading it produces the best yeild in the shortest time. Any guides to building my own? I am very capable with my hands, I just need some blueprints lol. Whats needed for each?

Lighting:

I read a couple times that CFL lights really arent that good. This is a total contradiction from my research a couple years ago when everyone was lusting over them. What type of lights should I use? Should I get a 1000 watt for both sides of the main room since its being split into a beg/flower room? Should I just do 400 watts per room?

Fans: What size fans should I get?

Thanks so much for your guys time and im really sorry in advance. I have a feeling these questions have been asked a million and 1 times, Im just getting overwhelmed by all the sites and different ways to grow.

If anyone knows of any guides or links that might help me I would greatly appreciate it.

You will need more money for what you are after.

regards,

how much more is the question though? I can always upgrade to better equipment as time goes on. I just need something to get me going. I know I can buy all the material I need to make the bucket system minus the pump for about $50. Like I said im a total noob so im probably missing something. If you can give me an idea on what ill need to get started so I can get a better idea of costs I would greatly appreciate it.

$500 just to get you started.

Hey bro,

Instead of telling you that you dont have enough money Im going to give you some advice! Regardless of the amount of money that you have or dont have you need to make sure you have the main elements right to actually grow anything, ie. Light, air, nutes. I would recommend growing in coco mate, that means you can spend less on the grow system and more on your lighting and nutes or on your general grow setup.

Read this just to wet your appetite and let me know what you think http://forum.grasscity.com/coco-coir/620656-askeds-coco-guide.html

Lighting wise I would recommend an HID bulb just to make the yield anything of note. With regards to fans, I have two small ones for my veg room and a large oscillating fan for my flower room.

Hope that helps a bit but this site is amazing and full of great help, hopefully more people will give their two cents.

G

First off all, CALM DOWN! Its really not that hard. In fact, its pretty easy.




The cheapest way is to do soil, and top it with leca. Even if you are on a budget, it will cost way more than $200.


HID lights. Use 1000 watt. You'll need a couple led lights to omit redness/purpleness while flowering too.


I have two big fans on each side of the room, and four small ones of the floor, pointing upwards.

down and dirty. soil water and nutes. the biggest cost may be the lights.

borntoshine is total wright & i would add that growing in soil is much easier and more forgiving specially for a beginner. you could convert latter after you have a few successful grow. Everything is a kinda pricey in term of hydro or aero equipment

You will need more money for that size. Start with the basics. Get your lights, fan and filter first. That's most of your money. Now once you got that out of the way think about how much more you want to invest. There are tons of DIY hydro systems listed on RIU and can be done cheep. Or you can go soil. Pick your nutes according to that. Test everything to make sure heat isn't a issue. Then start growing. Don't forget alot of hydro stores have a used section. This will help with startup cost and you can upgrade as you go. I can't give you a real amount needed sence there are many ways to go. Just don't start with a plant and then work on the room. It will only cost you more. Even if it takes longer just get your room dialed in as much as you think you can. And save a few bucks for things you didn't see happening. That always happens.

if I read that right, you will have 2 rooms that are around 7 ft. x 5.5 ft. that have a seven ft. ceiling. For your grow side you will only need to go with cfl lights, but in your flowe room you will have to have hps. 5.5 x 7 feet I would go with either 1) 1000 watt hps or 2) 600 watt lamps. Being your first grow, keep it simple with a good soil mix and 5 gal pots to flower in. Any way you look at it , it's going to cost more than 200 to make it happen.
Also needed will be exhaust fan(s) ducting for lamps and air, nutriants of some kind for grow and flower, and lots of little stuff that keep popping up as you progress.
You don't mention the electrical capacity of the wiring, so as to safely be able to handle the lights, fans, and any other electrical devices so you may also end up having to do a bit of electrfical work to bring it all online safely. To give you an idea of what I am talking about, I have 2 8 x 8 rooms, one for flower and one for grow. Total electrical capacity for the two rooms are 20 amps each, ( 10 gauge wire to the rooms, 2 curcuits at 20 amps each. ) I am maxed out with 6 400 watt lamps in flower, cfls in grow, 4 squirell cage moters for air venting, space heaters, cooling ( small swamp cooler) . I wish I could get another 20 amp curcuit in there but that would take a new line and power box to upgrade.
Its the unplanned things that bite you in the end. It all takes planning and money.
Some of that can be bought off of craigs list to keep expenses down. DO NOT buy used hps bulbs, as they have a fairly short usefull lifespan, and you may end up buying a used bulb, that still throws off light, but is still 'worn out'. I have seen fans, ballasts, etc. all for sale pretty cheap on craigslist, as well as other sites. Regular shop lights of the t5 or t8 would work just fine in the grow side, just be sure to get the ones with the proper light spectrum ( 4000 to 5000 on the scale) soft white I think. Home Depot or wallmart for them.
Without knowing more about the setup I cant reaslly give any more advice. Good luck on your grow.

if i were you on that budget i would go with CFL's for clones and veg and 6-9 smaller plants under a 600w HID light. you can find cheap combo deals online.

ScoobyDoobyDoo said:

if i were you on that budget i would go with CFL's for clones and veg and 6-9 smaller plants under a 600w HID light. you can find cheap combo deals online.

Click to expand...

I would agree with this, cfls will be nice and cheap for veg and will do the job, just make sure you get a good few. Then with the 600w that will make an awesome light for where the magic happens

a "complete noob" should always start from the bottom up...soil. Starting with hydro IMO will be a waste of money as you will realize that there is alot more too it than having the room and money to buy a hydro setup. You have to learn how to grow and have a successful grow under your belt before you try a hydro grow. Master the soil grow and work your way up. Its cheaper so if you mess up you can just start over and learn from your mistakes. Mess up with hydro and you have alot of cleaning, bleaching, resetting, wasted nutes, more wasted electricity than a soil grow etc.

I really dont want to go the soil route. I have done a sucessful grow in soil but have also had a very bad experience with gnat like bugs infesting the soil. I know hydro & aero growing can be easy to mess up but I also keep hearing how easy it is so im set on going one of those routes. I am a very quick learner and personally HATE making mistakes on anything so im the type to triple check everything to make sure its correct.

Thanks for all the responses. I guess if im going to have to spend $500 to get a decent grow set I will. Anyone got links to some good deals on aeroponics stuff to get me going? Im going to check out craigslist in the mean time. Just a couple quick questions.

The room will be divided in half making 2 5' x 7' rooms. What watt lights should I get for each room?

What is the better method? Bubbler, drip system, etc? I am going to have a 8-12 site system to start with.

i'm going to say go for a DIY bubble system where you buy everything yourself and follow someones guide or video or just straight up copy them. Then maybe go for some cfls as your light source for now and then later upgrade if you see fit or stick with the CFLS if your are satisfied.