New Grower Would like some setup critique please

[Nubbz]

Hey folks,

As I mentioned in my intro thread, my growing experience is limited to a few outdoor grows. I'm in the process of procuring an indoor setup and I've come across this "kit": http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/360461099942?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

It's based around a Secret Jardin DR90, which is the primary reason I went for it as Secret Jardin appear to be a quality brand and the dimensions of the DR90 fit my limited space provisions.

What do you guys think of the other bundled components? I can imagine none of it is that great, but I want to keep costs to a minimum on my first grow so as long as it's not going to fall apart I'm okay with it.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Nubbz

 

[A4]

The ballast and reflector would worry me more than anything. 400W is pretty low unless you are only growing one plant. Also, you can't move the light too close because of the open reflector. Heat may very well be an issue also. I would keep looking, but that is one persons opinion.

 

[eleventysix]

I would have to agree with a420er, I would look for something with a means of cooling the light down.. I ran into a big time heat issue with mine and had to go with a cool tube, yet again I am running a 600w but now with my cool tube I keep the light around 10" away from the plants and my tent stays anywhere between 70-74f at all times!

 

[Nubbz]

Thanks for the input guys. Apart from a CoolTube, what options am I looking at to keep Temps under control?

 

[A4]

Well, there are several enclosed hoods that are pretty reasonable along with the cool tube. About the only other option is to make sure the tent is located where you have access to cool temps and can move a lot of air through the tent or do like I did and purchase a portable AC unit to cool the tent. I run an enclosed hood as well we portable A/C and still have problems keeping my tent cool during the Summer. Mine is in the garage though and I am around 30th parallel so it gets pretty hot here. You really need to be around 76F and anything above 85F is really going to slow your growth down indoors.

 

[Nubbz]

I've had a look at a couple enclosed hoods and they seem to outprice the CoolTube somewhat. I've been reading up on the CoolTube and it seems to have problems with light distribution with areas above 1m2. With the DR90 tent, I'll have just under 1m2. What do you guys think with regards to its light distribution?

 

[A4]

I would look at something more like this, it has your hood, ballast(digital) better than the magnetic you were looking at, timer, hangers and both MH and HPS bulbs plus it is 600W instead of the 400. It will fill your tent just about perfectly. Enough light for 3-4 plants at a time.

http://www.amazon.com/iPower-GLSETX...F8&qid=1375301671&sr=8-2&keywords=ipower+600w

 

[UrbanFarmer]

I have a DR90II. Its a quality tent with plenty of ports that are all double sleeved. Nice thick material sturdy zippers. I have heat issues with 2 240w Blackstars if you can believe that, tried my Revolt 600w w/ enclosed hood in there and temps hit 100+ without A/C so im saving up for more ventilation and probably a bigger tent.

 

[Nubbz]

Thanks buddy. I think I need to up my budget, the more I look at what people are saying online about the stuff I have in mind, the more I think it'll be cost effective to shell out the extra bucks in the long run.

A couple of relatively specific questions if you guys don't mind:
1. What sort of fan size should I be aiming for with a 600 watt system? Is say, 6'' a minimum?
2. Digital vs. Magnetic Ballast. Is a digital worth the extra cash to a beginner?
3. Would a bigger fan (e.g. 6'') negate the need for an actively cooled reflector?

 

[A4]

To answer your questions,

1. If you are going to use that fan with a carbon filter then the fan has to be sized for the carbon filter and the sizing will be determined by CFM(Cubic feet per minute) not inches. So, if your fan pulling 500CFM and your filter is only rated for 350 then it won't work and you are gonna stink up where ever you are exhausting to. So you will either, 1) if you are only going to use 1 fan you are going to have to size one big enough to cool the tent + you are going to have to make sure your carbon filter is sized big enough for the fan. Or 2) you can run your carbon filter with one fan sized properly and use a second one on your hood to cool the tent. I have seen it done both ways but normally everyone runs one fan through the carbon filter and then through the hood.
2. A 600W mag ballast is probably ~ $75, a digi is ~ $100. Is the extra cost worth it? To me it is, to you probably not. I like them because they are quiet. Honestly, the mag ballast will probably last longer and be easier on your lamps than a digi.
3. Possibly, see my first answer. But depending on what your average temps are where your tent is located, probably not. One thing I didn't mention before is safety. When you are running a 600W HPS without an enclosed hood you have a high probability of explosion if that lamp get the slightest bit wet when it is on. That is a serious problem that isn't just slightly possible, it is highly possible.

If I were on a serious budget, like yourself. I would buy in order of importance.
1) A good hood.
2) A decent ballast and lamp.
3) A good carbon filter and fan.
4) A decent tent.

A good hood is going to save you money, time and hassle in the long run. You can keep it closer to the plants, you don't have to worry as much about heat, and you don't have to worry about the bulb blowing if you are misting the plants.

The Jardin tents are nice but if you are running low on your budget I would consider a Lighthouse Hydro tent and spend the extra money on the hood. If you are going to run autos, light leaks isn't important because they aren't photosensitive, if you are going to run photos you can tape the seems up inside pretty cheaply and still be money ahead.

That is just my 2 cents.

Best of luck.