Lighting Total Noob, setting up first grow - Amazon only -----HELP!

[FreeinAK]

OK here's the deal:

I don't have a clue what I'm doing. I've picked up some knowledge here and a few threads have been VERY helpful. I'm setting up a grow in this closet:

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Stealth is not a huge issue, pot is legal here (YAY!) and I live alone (I can get rid of those clothes, they belong to a neighbor). I plan to remove the doors and line the whole closet with mylar emergency blankets. I'll line a couple of 4X8 panels with the blankets too and just lean them against the opening.

That will leave me with a 5'6" wide, 2' (flexible) deep space with a hanging rod 5'6" high. And a shelf above to store nutes and stuff, how cool is that?

I need to figure out how I am going to light this space, but here's the catch: everything has to be from Amazon. I have no money, but I have an Amazon credit account. I'd like to keep lighting comfortably under $300.

With all that in mind, one attractive option is to get 2 of these: http://www.amazon.com/OceanRevive®-...&qid=1426984942&sr=8-7&keywords=led+grow+300w. That appeals to my desire to keep it simple.

I'd feel a bit less like I was taking a risk If I bought two of these: http://www.amazon.com/Galaxyhydro-t...&qid=1426994669&sr=8-2&keywords=led+grow+300w or 2 of these: http://www.amazon.com/GalaxyhydroTM...&qid=1426995177&sr=8-1&keywords=led+grow+300w I can't tell the difference between those (except $10). They look so much lake the MarsHydro (and notice the spookily similar names) that I suspect that they are virtually identical and/or one is a knock-off of the other.

The third option I am considering is one of the above LEDs with two CFLs, one on either side. If I did that, I'd probably do 125s with red and blue bulbs that I would swap. The one disadvantage of that would be that I would like to grow different strains at the same time, with different growing cycles. I'd drive myself nuts trying to optimize the light for all of my babies.

One last thing...how many plants should I expect to be able to grow in that closet? (remember, I don't need to close the door)

Thanks

EDIT: They DO have Mars Hydro:

Now I really don't know what end is up.

 

[MrSour]

If heat is not a problem I personally would go with a MH/HPS setup, you can get some cheaper setups off Amazon. I think that would give you the best result in my opinion.

http://www.amazon.com/Yield-Lab-Ref...8&qid=1426998181&sr=8-2&keywords=hps+grow+kit
^this is a pretty cheap kit will do what you're looking for.

http://www.amazon.com/VenTech-IF4CF...425&sr=8-1&keywords=grow+room+ventilation+kit
^you could put another $150 into ventilation get that and go to a big box store and buy some flexible ducting for $20 that way your light will stay cool and you can push some of that air out of the grow room plus your plants can grow right up close to the bulb.
Might want to consider putting another $50 into getting and smaller fan and pushing some fresh air back in.
About you're question on how many plants I would stay under 10 in my opinion a 600watt HPS can probably support 8-10 plants but you'll want to probably keep a little room for your upcoming seedlings or clones too unless you're going to have a flower and veg room.
Best of Luck
MrSour

 

[The Muffin Man]

Hey there, I would say that we need some more info before we could give accurate info regarding the use of your space. Are you going to be growing in hydro, soil, or air? Are you set on those lights? I would agree with MrSour that a mh/hps is a good investment for yield. The best thing you can do is just pick the system you think you want to try and then curtail your space to that system. There is no right or wrong way of doing things, just different ways. Now, I will say that different ways will give very different results. You will get the same(good bud) in the end, its just a question of yield. Each system gives different yields.

I will give you an example of what I'm doing. In your space, I could pick the right 3-4 strains and fill your closet. I am using hydro(look up Octopot) and a 1000 watt hps in a 4x4 tent and my 5 girls are over running each other.

Strain matters
Lights matter
Pots used matter
Whether you train(lst) them or not matters

Here is an overall pic of my tent from 3 days ago. The Muffin Man

 

[Bilbo]

If you have good cooling capability the mh/hps might be cheaper initially but in the long run I'd say you would be much better off buying one genuine Mars Hydro light and a big bottle of calmag supplement.

Check out the MarsHydro live thread if you haven't already and ask Tina what the best light for your space would be.

 

[FreeinAK]

In response: My plan at this point is to grow in soil, pretty much exactly as laid out in WG's advice https://www.autoflower.org/f44/new-growers-guide-grow-@-lowes-[easy-dirt-guide-]-16495.html in 3 or (if somebody convinces me) 5 gallon buckets. I want 6 plants. The law is iffy on more than 6, or if more than three are in vegetative or flowering stages. That's one of the reasons that autoflowering appeals to me. If nothing else, confuse them.

So...I want maximum yield, potency and enjoyment for my buck, allowing 6 plants in soil. My plan is to start with at least three notoriously fast finishers like http://truenorthseedbank.com/60-day-wonder-auto-flowering-feminized-seeds-dna-genetics and three other varieties worth checking out. I want fast finishers to start because I have no weed until they give it up. After that, I'll try to pick a favorite.

I live in Alaska, so it's rarely hot, but when it is, I'm miserable. I have no air conditioning, but I will have a couple of fans. Frankly, I don't want to deal with heat issues.

I am now leaning towards Mars Hydro 2X300 even though it would bust my budget: http://www.amazon.com/MARSHYDRO-Ref...TF8&qid=1427020933&sr=8-13&keywords=marshydro.

I am not married to the closet, I've got the whole room if it would be better.

 

[medi]

Before any of the models you posted in your OP I'd go with something like this: http://www.amazon.com/MARSHYDRO-Reflector-Switches-Increase-Spectrum/dp/B00JUI6ARK It's a pretty well proven light on here, and it'll cover 4'4" X 2'2". In that space you could reasonably do 4 decent sized plants, several more in a sea of green, or probably 1 or 2 very large plants(SCROG). Just a thought, over the long term some flat white paint will serve you much better than the emergency blanket mylar. Over time that stuff wears off and loses its reflective capabilities and in fact absorbs light. Flat white paint provies 85-95% reflectivity so it's not a bad option at all, and it's pretty cheap and will require less maintenance. Anyway man best of luck however you go and you've come to the right place to get some good guidance!!

edit: I didn't see your response above, lol, I second your own opinion then

 

[MrSour]

I'd be careful with the True North Seed bank Ive thought about getting from them but seen a lot of bad reviews.

 

[FreeinAK]

Good to know. I'll be sure to get advice here before I choose what seeds to buy. Thanks.