MA Dream Grow - Lighting Suggestions

Moving to Massachusetts by the end of the year with a friend of mine. Allowed 6 plants a piece for total of 12 in the household. Limited to 6 flowering plants on a time. Here's the current setup:

2x 10'x5'x7.5' tents $400
2x Current Culture - UC6XL13 (picture below) $3100
2x Bluelab Guardian Monitors (One for each epicenter on both the systems below) $500
2x 1/4 hp Active Aqua Chiller $750
Lighting : Looking to dedicate one light per plant, roughly 600w to get between 1-2 lbs per plant. Considering 6 of these: http://www.pacificlightconcepts.com/product/plc-6/ but open to any suggestions. $4800
4x 8" 720 CFM fan (2 per tent for intake and exhaust) $175
2x 12" oscillating fans (one per tent) $50
2x RO units & 2x float valves to constantly top off each epicenter $400
1x 10" carbon filter in flower tent exhaust $150
AC:12,000 BTU mini split $650
Nutrients : Advanced Nutrients $100
Likely going to be running CO2 off a controller $350
Total Cost: $11,425
Hopefully going to have a 8-week strain, and after harvest bringing in 2 month vegged plants from the other tent. Looking for 5-6 harvest per year pulling at least a lb. from each of the 6 plants in each harvest.
Any thoughts/concerns/ recommendations?

Not only do you need light for high yield plants but you also need space. You are saying you are going to put x6 of those 600w leds in a 5x10 tent and expect 1lb off each plant? A good grower with correct lighting could pull around 4-5lbs out of that space. I wouldn't expect a ceartain yield per plant but yield per square foot, for instance a 5x10 space can yield x amount weather there is 2 plants or 100 plants in there.

drgreentm said:

Not only do you need light for high yield plants but you also need space. You are saying you are going to put x6 of those 600w leds in a 5x10 tent and expect 1lb off each plant? A good grower with correct lighting could pull around 4-5lbs out of that space. I wouldn't expect a ceartain yield per plant but yield per square foot, for instance a 5x10 space can yield x amount weather there is 2 plants or 100 plants in there.

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Thanks for the reply,
You certainly bring in a good point. The system shown above is only 30" between the center of each module. I can upgrade to a XXL system and get 40" between each module but that system would be rough 11'x5' which means there's no way I could fit it in any tent, and would have to build the room. I'm not 100% against that idea, but would prefer to do this with tents if possible.

Also should mention that i plan on mainlining the vegging plants over their 2 month veg, and then will scrog in flower so that should help increase my yield/sq. ft
Here's a blueprint of the system:

The PLC6's are 24.5" x 25.5" and have a recommended spacing on center of 40". Which means that there should be about 26" of dead space between each light in all direction. With this system, the space would be kind of tight. Here's a picture with the lights represented.

I don't know man, for a 5x10 it's just to much. I would use x2 1000w in that size tent. A 1k watt typically can cover a 5x5 so I'm not sure why you want to cram 3600 watts into a 5x10.

drgreentm said:

I don't know man, for a 5x10 it's just to much. I would use x2 1000w in that size tent. A 1k watt typically can cover a 5x5 so I'm not sure why you want to cram 3600 watts into a 5x10.

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Fair point. I'll look into building a flowering room for the 40" system and just sticking with one 5'x10' for the veg tent. The reason I'm so big on 6x600 is 2x 1000w hps just isn't going to give me yield I want.

Decided to change my approach for the flowering room. Going with the larger system below within a 8'x16' tent. Allows lights to be 40" away which is much closer to the 48" manufacturer recommendation. Would result in a 10'x6' scrog net giving me 60 square feet to try to produce 6+ lbs. Just a little weary of the 1700$ price tag. Would nearly rather just build a room at this point.

Where did you hear you can only have 6 plants in flower in MA? That isn't in the law anywhere.

If I were you, I would ditch the expensive dwc system and start sensibly in dirt. Get second hand hoods and new bulbs, used mag ballasts, and use some of the savings for contingency expenses.

When you dial that in, you can look to change it up. You are spending a buttload of money and you don't even know the space yet.

This is going to have to be a stealth grow. Without licenses, you will be very illegal and it will be obvious to anyone who sees your grow room. You might as well ignore plant limits while you are at it, because mfg and distribution charges will make the fines for extra plants seem like chump change.

There will be expenses you never expected. Save the money, scale back, and feel your way larger.

Just saying.

Note: Most of that was just for impact. Just to make you think. Sorry if it seems harsh.

4- 2'x4' 8 Bulb T5 Fixtures for VEG
2- 1000w HPS for FLOWER

Lighting is a no brainer here...

Sound advice above. All of them.

BBbubblegum said:

View attachment 3970654 Decided to change my approach for the flowering room. Going with the larger system below within a 8'x16' tent. Allows lights to be 40" away which is much closer to the 48" manufacturer recommendation. Would result in a 10'x6' scrog net giving me 60 square feet to try to produce 6+ lbs. Just a little weary of the 1700$ price tag. Would nearly rather just build a room at this point.

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You don't need 3600 watts of COBs for 60 sq ft. That's why you need to keep them so high. Those lights are overkill imo.

I bet I could get the same results or better for under $2500 total invested using COBs. Much, much less using other lighting.

greg nr said:

Where did you hear you can only have 6 plants in flower in MA? That isn't in the law anywhere.

If I were you, I would ditch the expensive dwc system and start sensibly in dirt. Get second hand hoods and new bulbs, used mag ballasts, and use some of the savings for contingency expenses.

When you dial that in, you can look to change it up. You are spending a buttload of money and you don't even know the space yet.

This is going to have to be a stealth grow. Without licenses, you will be very illegal and it will be obvious to anyone who sees your grow room. You might as well ignore plant limits while you are at it, because mfg and distribution charges will make the fines for extra plants seem like chump change.

There will be expenses you never expected. Save the money, scale back, and feel your way larger.

Just saying.

Note: Most of that was just for impact. Just to make you think. Sorry if it seems harsh.

Click to expand...

In regard to plant count, was quoting from this: http://www.ilovegrowingmarijuana.com/growing-marijuana-massachusetts/ Not saying it is the most reliable but that's where i got the information from. But I hope you're right because i would much rather have 1 room with 12 plants rather than split them between a veg and flower room.
I hear you on the dwc system but keep in mind I've used a smaller scale version and had great results as well as I have much of the equipment already left over and money isn't the biggest concern in this scheme. (kinda over soil tbh )
As for the stealth grow... we're trying to be in complete compliance with MA laws and get the best potential yield while still doing so. I don't know of any permits but from my understanding any MA residents over the age of 21 are eligible.
No offense taken from your post at all. Just glad I am getting the proper feedback to consider, hence why I posted this thread in the first place.

DocktaGreenThumb said:

4- 2'x4' 8 Bulb T5 Fixtures for VEG
2- 1000w HPS for FLOWER

Lighting is a no brainer here...

Click to expand...

Not sure if 2x 1000w's is gonna give the yield we're looking for. That would be around 4-5 lbs tops. we're looking for 6-10 per run.

Creature1969 said:

Sound advice above. All of them.



You don't need 3600 watts of COBs for 60 sq ft. That's why you need to keep them so high. Those lights are overkill imo.

I bet I could get the same results or better for under $2500 total invested using COBs. Much, much less using other lighting.

Click to expand...

Might be overkill, but we're looking for the best yield with efficient lighting in 60sqft. How many watts would you put in an area like that to achieve 6lb.+

BBbubblegum said:

In regard to plant count, was quoting from this: http://www.ilovegrowingmarijuana.com/growing-marijuana-massachusetts/ Not saying it is the most reliable but that's where i got the information from. But I hope you're right because i would much rather have 1 room with 12 plants rather than split them between a veg and flower room.
I hear you on the dwc system but keep in mind I've used a smaller scale version and had great results as well as I have much of the equipment already left over and money isn't the biggest concern in this scheme. (kinda over soil tbh )
As for the stealth grow... we're trying to be in complete compliance with MA laws and get the best potential yield while still doing so. I don't know of any permits but from my understanding any MA residents over the age of 21 are eligible.
No offense taken from your post at all. Just glad I am getting the proper feedback to consider, hence why I posted this thread in the first place.

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The current MA Law does not contain any reference to plants in flower vs veg. Most of the law deals with the coming production and sale of rec weed. The section covering personal use, which includes home cultivation, is only one paragraph. It is very simple.

But it doesn't matter because seedlings and clones are considered plants. So the moment you put 12 into flower, you have nothing coming up to replace them when you harvest. So what do you put in veg?

If you shooting for a 3 light rotation, that only let's you have 3 in flower in each tent (you will need 6 in veg). And where is the plant slot for the mother?

You will be hard pressed to get that amount of product with a 12 plant count.

Second, there is no way you are going to convince anyone that you are using 30 pounds a year for personal use. That's why you need a stealth grow. You will be considered commercial at that level, if you can get there that is.

So if you are selling, you aren't legal. It doesn't matter if you stay under plant count at that point. They will take everything and charge you with manufacturing and distribution.

Mass does have a medical provider permit, but you can only give a patient a 60 day supply at a time. Don't know how many patients you can have though.

greg nr said:

The current MA Law does not contain any reference to plants in flower vs veg. Most of the law deals with the coming production and sale of rec weed. The section covering personal use, which includes home cultivation, is only one paragraph. It is very simple.

But it doesn't matter because seedlings and clones are considered plants. So the moment you put 12 into flower, you have nothing coming up to replace them when you harvest. So what do you put in veg?

If you shooting for a 3 light rotation, that only let's you have 3 in flower in each tent (you will need 6 in veg). And where is the plant slot for the mother?

You will be hard pressed to get that amount of product with a 12 plant count.

Second, there is no way you are going to convince anyone that you are using 30 pounds a year for personal use. That's why you need a stealth grow. You will be considered commercial at that level, if you can get there that is.

So if you are selling, you aren't legal. It doesn't matter if you stay under plant count at that point. They will take everything and charge you with manufacturing and distribution.

Mass does have a medical provider permit, but you can only give a patient a 60 day supply at a time. Don't know how many patients you can have though.

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Interesting...I don't know why that website said otherwise, but I trust what you're saying, and that is actually better news for me. If I could flower 12 at a time I would just veg them for 1-2 months then flower them for 8 weeks leading to 3-4 harvest a year depending on veg time. No need for a mother. Would even consider doing some heavy yielding autos at that point.

As for the other issue...I see the concern but at what point am I going to be convincing anyone? I don't plan on not having much contact, and even if I do, I can possess whatever the plants produce, even if it is 30+/year. The selling part is definitely a no-no, but outside of that, everything would be in compliance?

6lb harvests are far from compliance. You're plan is exactly why they're trying to cut everything in half. Plant count, weight you can have at home AND what you can carry on your person. One group is pushing to eliminate rec home grows entirely and they have a lot of support.

BTW, 10oz of cannabis "product" at home. No matter how many adults, unlike plant count.

As far as your lights, they're going to burn your plants if you can't keep them at the recommended 48". The light is too concentrated. I know ALL about too much light with COBs. You'd be better off with half the wattage per plant with the COBs spaced 16-18" apart. You would still have more than enough light for about 1/3 the cost.

Don't get your info from a random weed website ( yes, ILGM counts). They're not doing the same research on the laws that we residents are.

BBbubblegum said:

Interesting...I don't know why that website said otherwise, but I trust what you're saying, and that is actually better news for me. If I could flower 12 at a time I would just veg them for 1-2 months then flower them for 8 weeks leading to 3-4 harvest a year depending on veg time. No need for a mother. Would even consider doing some heavy yielding autos at that point.

As for the other issue...I see the concern but at what point am I going to be convincing anyone? I don't plan on not having much contact, and even if I do, I can possess whatever the plants produce, even if it is 30+/year. The selling part is definitely a no-no, but outside of that, everything would be in compliance?

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The state gov is working on gutting the law. Last i heard the new legislation cuts personal grow limits and invalidates the law passed by vote. I wouldn't plan on moving here just m to grow. Probably no more legal than where you are. I don't even care about their limits, just the Feds.

Creature1969 said:

6lb harvests are far from compliance. You're plan is exactly why they're trying to cut everything in half. Plant count, weight you can have at home AND what you can carry on your person. One group is pushing to eliminate rec home grows entirely and they have a lot of support.

BTW, 10oz of cannabis "product" at home. No matter how many adults, unlike plant count.

As far as your lights, they're going to burn your plants if you can't keep them at the recommended 48". The light is too concentrated. I know ALL about too much light with COBs. You'd be better off with half the wattage per plant with the COBs spaced 16-18" apart. You would still have more than enough light for about 1/3 the cost.

Don't get your info from a random weed website ( yes, ILGM counts). They're not doing the same research on the laws that we residents are.

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These laws really need to be clarified because I don't see how 10oz of dry product is being thrown around with a 6 plant limit. AS for the laws being reworked, we'll see what happens. Heard they can't really come to an agreement.

BBbubblegum said:

These laws really need to be clarified because I don't see how 10oz of dry product is being thrown around with a 6 plant limit. AS for the laws being reworked, we'll see what happens. Heard they can't really come to an agreement.

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It isn't 10 oz. Read the actual Law and you will see what it is if you grow.

I'm not a lawyer and I'm not playing one here. But it sounds like you (op) are splitting legal hairs. Once you have a leo, likely with a warrant, in your grow room you are likely fuked anyway.

If you want to stay legal, don't sell. If you sell, it doesn't matter what your plant count is.

But it's only a matter of time before the new enforcement division starts making busts. Local Leo's may not be focused on it unless a bust leads to it, but they aren't looking at who is selling to dispensaries. The new enforcement division will be.

I've never tried, but I imagine selling that kind of volume comes with a lot of risk.

greg nr said:

But it sounds like you (op) are splitting legal hairs.

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Not gonna sit here and lie to you. You're right about spliting, and I'm not a lawyer either, but we're not super concerned about that side. Just legally producing as much as we could within limits, while living a quiet normal life. The other side is for a different discussion.

Well, read the law. That's a good place to start.

https://malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2016/Chapter334

The personal use section is Section 7. Home growing and home possession limits are covered under section 7a2 (pay careful attention to the use of the word "and").

There are changes proposed in a new house bill that will completely revoke chapter 334, but the verbage around homegrowing and possession is the same as chapter 334. No word on what the senate wants. I'm not sure if it has even passed the house yet.

It's interesting that the proposed house bill has specific (civil) penalties for going over the plant count (up to a point anyway) or for outdoor grows that aren't secure. It's something like $200/plant. The current bill doesn't outline penalties for going over plant count.

Which is why you should always consult a lawyer. It might just be a financial decision. Ok, if I get caught with 6 extra plants the fine will be $1200 and loss of my crop. Is it worth the risk?

That's a different calculation then "ok, for an extra plant I can 5 get years in prison".

Now a lawyer won't tell you how to run an illegal business, but they can tell you the penalties for certain actions relative to others. Good advice to have methinks.

I run a small grow. 3-4 plants in flower. I have a hard time staying under plant count. Since I run from photo regular seeds, I like to pop 8 so I know I will get 4 females. And since I found a pheno or two I want to keep moms around for, that's a couple of fewer beanz I can pop. A 3 light rotation would be impossible, the best I can do is 2. I really, really hate feeding healthy plants to the worms, but I have to some times.

Sure, autos cut down on time to harvest, but you still need to pop seeds and wait for them to grow out. But if you go auto's, at least you don't need a veg tent. You can run all the lights at 18/6.