New Grower - I really need some advice (is my set up okay?)

[Intadimensionaldisco]

If you are up for a bit of DIY wiring, standard LED bulbs can grow some very nice weed for something like 1/2 the price of commercial lights. The difference may even be bigger down there after duties and the like are factored in.

I would definitely go for a 2x4 tent rather than a 2x2, especially as you intend to help family and friends. You would be able to play around more for strains for different purposes with the extra space. Also, height is your friend. Don't buy a short tent. I would not go less than 6 feet myself, and the diy I built is over seven.

Re. stealth, you really need to be on top of the smell issue. I would go with 6" if I were you, and choose a carbon filter that has been well reviewed by experienced growers. Once you discover a smell problem, you may already be too late, and it will be a bugger to fix quickly. Don't even think of trying a grow outside on your property. Even strains with reputations for low smell are not no smell, and they regularly turn out to be different than reputation suggests (my current Northern Lights is high on the stealth list, but was way too smelly to not notice outdoors).

And one other thing given the consequences of your being found out. Tell no one, no one, that you are growing. If you can't keep your gob shut, do you really think others will be able to? If you supply some to friends, just tell them that you have some that a friend gave to you on promise of not saying anything. Even here in Canada where what I am growing is perfectly legal, I am very careful about who knows what I am up to. The issue for you is not just the local law however serious that risk is, it is also the local teenage stoners who will steal your stuff and be happily waiting for the next grow. Once the word is out in the wrong crowd, you could be buggered permanently, law or no.

Good luck with your grow mate.

I am obliged to go with the 6", as I simply cannot risk it. I was considering doing some jack herrer autos outside, but given what you said that has definitely put the nail in the coffin for that idea. I think I might start with a 2x2 and then upgrade if I really branch out and look to grow more. At the moment, I am really thinking 1 plant at a time to keep smell, upfront and overheads to a low. If that goes well, I can easily afford another $100 tent to upgrade.

Silence is golden. Thanks for much for your guidance and time, I really appreciate you helping me. Seriously, thank you.

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

Dang that is a real bummer to hear. I already looked into a Mars set up so that was already in the mix. I really appreciate the guidance and your time in replying to me.

In relation to nutes, I don't plan on using any until week 3 or so. But am I correct in assuming I should add my nutes to PH balanced water and then rebalance after adding nutes to come in at the right range of PH? Do I need to worry about run off or anything like that? I am using soil. I only decided to change to an indoor grow approx last week, so everything I have previous read was for outdoor grows so these items hadn't really come into it.

Thanks again mate, truly!

Yes, No, Maybe? If your water is less than 200PPM starting then aerate overnight. Mix the nutrients according to the vendor instructions - it is IMPORTANT the order mixed. Then PH. Read about nutrient balance here:

Tutorial - A word on Nutrients

The proper use of “salt” based fertilizer to grow Auto Flowering Cannabis. Salts: Natural and man made any chemical compound formed from the reaction of an acid with a base, with all or part of the hydrogen of the acid replaced by a metal or other cation. Learning how to use salt based...

www.autoflower.org

 

[LearningMore]

One mistake I made setting up as a newbie: not checking YouTube videos for discount codes (MrCanuck’s grow, for example). I missed out on savings on my ventilation fans. Just something to keep an eye out for.

 

[Intadimensionaldisco]

Here is what i would buy for a cheap grow tent that can perfectly handle 1-2 plants and give you decent space to maneuver:


Amazon product

$165

36"x20"x62" grow tent
Amazon product

$90 CAD

Amazon product

$165 CAD

total cost is $420 CAD or $436 AUS

Thanks mate, this gives me some guidance. I am a little bit sceptical about buying on Amazon, as some of the crew here say to steer clear, but I will definitely keep it in mind. Will look into a couple of options and go from there. Thanks so much for the help, good vibes being sent your way.

 

[Intadimensionaldisco]

Yes, No, Maybe? If your water is less than 200PPM starting then aerate overnight. Mix the nutrients according to the vendor instructions - it is IMPORTANT the order mixed. Then PH. Read about nutrient balance here:

Tutorial - A word on Nutrients

The proper use of “salt” based fertilizer to grow Auto Flowering Cannabis. Salts: Natural and man made any chemical compound formed from the reaction of an acid with a base, with all or part of the hydrogen of the acid replaced by a metal or other cation. Learning how to use salt based...

www.autoflower.org

Haha gotcha. Even if the net is saying do half/quarter to start with, still do the same proportions so the NPK etc balances are right. Is that what you mean? As always, I appreciate your wisdom. It will not go unused!

 

[MI_sterGreen]

This is 4 lemon pie autos in a 2 ft x 2.5ft. 2gallon rain science grow bags 180w Electric Sky light. Ended up getting right about 40 grams on each lady with varying densities.

 

[hecno]

Howdy mate . FN Queensland , Way up the top , For lights check this out - www.cutter.com.au - well worth you time , they even have kits . There are a lot of very good organic nutrients available here in Australia . Canna Terra I can't advise you there as I make my own soil . Room size if you can go a bit bigger it will help if you grow bigger auto strains . In the photo is 2 autos that I know will take up a lot more room [ 4 weeks old ]. The room is 1.2 x 1.3 x 1.8 - Up here a aircon a and dehumidifier are a most . For sourcing products here in Australia, just let me know

 

[Intadimensionaldisco]

This is 4 lemon pie autos in a 2 ft x 2.5ft. 2gallon rain science grow bags 180w Electric Sky light. Ended up getting right about 40 grams on each lady with varying densities.
View attachment 1302421

Shiiiiit. 40gm each is not bad at all. This is ideally the set up I am looking at. I was thinking 3 gallon (11L) pots so this seems similar to what I am looking at. Also looking to move to 70x70x160cm for a tent, so we are very similar there too. If you have any grow journals I would be stoked to have a look/read! Many thanks and happy growing!

 

[MI_sterGreen]

Shiiiiit. 40gm each is not bad at all. This is ideally the set up I am looking at. I was thinking 3 gallon (11L) pots so this seems similar to what I am looking at. Also looking to move to 70x70x160cm for a tent, so we are very similar there too. If you have any grow journals I would be stoked to have a look/read! Many thanks and happy growing!

I really haven't ever been able to keep a journal with regular updates. I have one currently, but its not in that grow space and all the ladies are photos not autos. I think the most important part of figuring out your setup is doing what YOU want to do. Take opinions, do research, ask questions. In the end it'syour garden, so do what makes you happy. .

Here's some pics of autos in 3 gallon Rain science bags for reference. Its a 2x4 space, but shows what you can have.

 

[Olderfart]

Haha gotcha. Even if the net is saying do half/quarter to start with, still do the same proportions so the NPK etc balances are right. Is that what you mean? As always, I appreciate your wisdom. It will not go unused!

Yes, do not screw with ratios, just dilute the final mix to the ppm/EC that you want, and once you have your ppm, do the final adjustment of pH. And always, as @Mañ'O'Green said, mix in the order suggested by the manufacturer. If you don't you could precipitate some of the ingredients and end up with an unbalanced nute mix.

I have had lockout pretty much every time I went much over ~500ppm/1000EC. There are far more locked out plants in the infirmary than there are hungry ones.

Good luck with it.