New Grower Help please. First time grow questions

[dudeibeensmokin]

If I had a 36x60x20 inch tent, three 2 gallon pots with 2 vertigo and 1 trans siberian. Both autos.. I would have one t5 multiple bulb w/ 10k lumen output at 6500. Is this sufficient for veg cycle? Or should I add cfls? I'll flower with 250w hps, again should I add red spectrum cfls? I know more light better but will the 250 be fine? And I'd use 4in inline fan 170cm with flow reg. And carbon filter and just open flap on tent for intake.. Would this work?

 

[Carl Poot]

yeah, it would work. But more light is better like you said..so id use the cfls during veg, too.

 

[namvet25]

Try and use 2700k cfls if you can for vegging.

 

[Muddy]

Welcome to AFN. I agree, you could use more light for veg. The key to high yields with autos is getting them as big as possible in the first 5-6 weeks, their veg period. Adding a few 6500k CFLs would certainly help. If your ballast is switchable between MH and HPS you could run your HPS fixture for both veg and flowering and eliminate the need to add either T5s or CFLs by switching bulbs. If it's not switchable there are also MH conversion bulbs available. MH bulbs that can be run with a HPS ballast. If you decide to add some CFLs, then yes, I would switch them to 2700ks when it's time to flower. You'll already have the fixtures in place so why not use them.

 

[dudeibeensmokin]

Awesome.. I had no idea about the conversion bulbs!! Brilliant!! I think that might be my best option... Although I had already purchased t5 :/ . Guess I'll eat that cost and save her for a rainy day. So using 250 w mh for veg. And 250 w hps for flowering! 170 cfm inline fan carbon filter combo for exhaust.. Intake will be passive..leave bottom flap of tent open for allowed suction. Fox farm ocean Forrest in 3 two gallon containers. I have heard mixed things regarding nutes in veg... Some say they skip go straight to flower nutes? Thoughts or advise on this? Is there any other advise or suggestions to offer please let me know.. I have made many grow attempts in past.. All were half ass and unplaned, with an exception of one outdoor grow. I waited a long time for it to feel like the "right" time.. And that time is now! I'm truly excited about this and wanting to do the best job possible using the space and equipment I am permited to use. Thanks again!

 

[Muddy]

Good choice, a conversion bulb is probably the route I would take. Regarding the OF soil, I would not recommend using it for seedlings. It contains a lot of worm castings and guano and can to too hot for seedlings. Best to start them in some Light Warrior or something similar and move them to the OF once they are a bit bigger. You can use what is called the Tiered Method. Get some 32 oz. plastic or styrofoam cups. Take one and cut the bottom out of it and a second one with some holes in the bottom for drainage. Place the one with the cut out bottom inside the one with the holes, fill it with the LW and start your seeds in those. When it's time to transplant, fill your 3 gallon pots with OF, remove the outer cup and "plant" the one with the cut out bottom about half way deep in the 3 gallon pot. The roots will grow out the bottom and fill the bigger pot. Avoids the need to physically handle the plants during transplant.

OF, with the castings and guano, has enough nutrients for about 3 weeks of growing, which is why some don't feed in veg when using it. If you do the tiered method and transplant around 3 weeks, then the nutrients in the OF should last till the end of veg. If you start right in the OF then the nutes will be exhausted before veg is finished and you would need to feed them veg nutes.

Do you have a good pH meter? If not, you will need one. pH issues are the most common we see with new growers so having a good meter is an absolute must.

When you're ready to get started start a grow journal here in New Growers and we'll gladly help you along.

 

[waveguide]

i like to run blue cfls with hps for flowering.. had good results doing this with long flowering strains.

 

[dudeibeensmokin]

Thanks fellas for advise! It's cool connecting with peeps that have such passion and knowledge about growing! As far as starting my own grow journal... Lol might be on the paranoid side in that reguard.

 

[dudeibeensmokin]

It seems... That Ive seen tons of grow logs.. That look great and then right around the time flowering bud pics make it up.. The user never post anything more lol. Like I said a bit paranoid... It took me forever to work up courage to even order my seeds lol I swear one bad trip on shrooms.. And I've been cursed with anxiety ever since!

 

[Muddy]

No worries here. If you notice the connection is secure and encrypted, https instead of http. Also the servers are located off shore, out of reach of US LEO. Little to fear.