Learn me the beginnings of a successful indoor

Jah348

Active Member
I received my medical permit roughly a month ago, and I'm trying to get started on the ground works of my indoor grow op. I have a relatively good understanding of what I need, but I'm a very hesitant when it comes to making the initial purchases. What I'm hoping to get from this thread is a much better understanding of what is the best of the best.

I really want to be as prepared as possible for my farm, and would like to start with the best set up possible. My hesitance comes from wanting to make the smartest purchases possible. I won't start with set up 1 just to learn set up 2 is better, and then to learn that set up 3 is even better. in the end I would rather start with the more expensive set up 3, rather than buy 1 2 and 3. (hopefully that made sense)

So lets get started. I know there's some debate on this, but lets start with the big question. What set up should I focus on? Hydro or soil? I've generally kept my mind on soil, but I don't have an educated rational behind that mindset. In terms of quality (Quality > Quantity dammit!), efficiency, and perhaps initial cost.


  • I'd prefer to keep my budget under <$1,000
  • The most efficient initial costs (constantly upgrading because i made a poor decision first should be avoided)
&#8203;----:leaf: Quality>Quantity

  • I have free time and get obsessively focused on things, if you can't tell


thank you for dealing with my essay here and for the help. Lets see where this takes us
 

PersonalJesus

Active Member
Greetings bredren... Jah Rastafari?

About your questions... I always tell noobs to go to different companies websites and check out their package deals or sometimes they call them grow packages. I know for a fact that Greners dot com has a full line-up of already out-fitted grow tents... everything you need to start and you order by the size of space you need to fill.
Personally... have you though about growing in CoCo? I've seen some people have wonderful success. CoCo coir is the middle ground between soil and hydro IMO.
 

intenseneal

Well-Known Member
For lighting I say get a Raptor XXL hood with a 1000 watt dimmable Lumetec ballast. Go with a soil grow IMO it is easier and quality is better.
 

Doobius1

Well-Known Member
Those Raptor hoods are awesome but they are heavy and hard to hang and adjust if you live alone or are not strong. I would go with above poster who suggested a tent combo. As you add equipment and expand you will always find uses for the tent. Mine goes from vegging to drying room
 

Jah348

Active Member
I suppose it would have better to lay the foreground that I am a Maine resident patient that can have up to 6 plants. From what I have gathered at the dispensary a plant is defined as ready to harvest, and this is somewhat of a gray area. Would a tent this size be enough room to grown 6 flowering ready plants and have the next 6 ready to go? I want to have harvest times coming one after another in the most efficient system (in terms of time).


so just to recap: what's the most efficient way to grow when I'm allowed 6 plants, have a $1000ish budget, care about quality over quantity?
 

Doobius1

Well-Known Member
That wont work because of the different light cycles between vegging and flowering plants. Now you need 2 tents and your costs are going up. If you want to run a perpetual garden you will need separate areas, one on 18/6 for veg room and one on 12/12 for flower. Keep researching. There is lots of info here between all the drama
 

Jah348

Active Member
I understand the need for two different lighting cycles, the idea was to have a divider of some sort functioning between two areas of the tent. I wouldn't need a 4x8 if it weren't for that
 

PersonalJesus

Active Member
I suppose it would have better to lay the foreground that I am a Maine resident patient that can have up to 6 plants. From what I have gathered at the dispensary a plant is defined as ready to harvest, and this is somewhat of a gray area. Would a tent this size be enough room to grown 6 flowering ready plants and have the next 6 ready to go? I want to have harvest times coming one after another in the most efficient system (in terms of time).


so just to recap: what's the most efficient way to grow when I'm allowed 6 plants, have a $1000ish budget, care about quality over quantity?
They do have split tents... you can veg on one side and flower on the other... but I think they may be a little over yer budget.
 

ru4r34l

Well-Known Member
If you are looking to grow quality herbs and keep the construction down then I suggest grow tents. if you have the room available for two dedicated rooms then build the rooms.

Separate veg and flower rooms/areas is optimal, but requires a thoroughly thought out plan and maybe a little more $$ upfront. You WILL eventually advance to require the rooms and you're thing about A.B.C :D

Bi-weekly harvests in a perpetual grow will take up lots of your time, just ask if you're interested. ;-)

regards,
 

althor

Well-Known Member
You can start with building a good flowering box and use it for veg and flower. When you feel comfortable, build a veg box then you can start cycling.
You want a HPS/MH digital ballast. Be sure and get a digital ballast because they will burn both MH bulbs (for veg) and HPS bulbs (for flower). I would recommend HTG Supply for lights. You can find better deals on Amazon but I know HTG Supply is very reliable and I have never had any issues with them. If you are planning on a 4x8 split in half (4x4) then I would recommend 600 watt lights.

If you are growing for yourself/personal use, I would recommend soil. If you are growing to sell/donate I would recommend hydro. Soil tastes/smells much better and doesnt leave the "hydro" taste and smell. Hydro will improve your yields.
 

ski guy

Member
Perpetual grow w/autos is very simple.18-6 lighting,new batch of girls every 5 weeks or so.No need for separate rooms!! Keepin it simple!!
 

Jah348

Active Member
I'm definitely focused on using grow tents. I want the convenience of being able to move the entire set up if need be. As for bi-weekly harvest of 6 plants.... I don't think I need to pull that off. Maybe bi-monthly. I was thinking a 5x5 tent for flowering and something smaller for clones and the like.
 

rooky1985

Active Member
For sure, but no better light than the sun. With that sad indoor grows are so much easier to maintain and see through, never had a crop stole from my house.
 

Jah348

Active Member
I don't live in a climate for outdoors to be successful so it's not an option anyways. Especially not year round.

If I did have the climate I still wouldn't have any interest an outdoors anywho. I don't live in a secluded enough area.
 
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