A Few Questions: HPS in Limited Space / Pot Size 12/12 From Seed

Hi everyone, I'm a first time grower with extremely limited space. I have thoroughly researched for literally months, and after a while it makes your head spin, especially when your stoned : )

I'm in desperate need of help since my 4 girls have started sprouting roots and are still in their germinating napkin/bag.

My grow space is this...
3' wide
2' high
1' deep

I was initially going to go for a CFL grow, but more and more contemplating a 150w HPS, but I'm not sure if it will get too hot in that small area. To boot it's right next to my radiator but the wood is about an inch thick, and I still have yet to fabricate a door. At this point, as I previously stated, my head is spinnin lol. I don't know the first thing as far as where to get a simple ballast, would Home Depot have them? I know they should have the bulbs. I also get confused because I see most 150w HPS are directed towards hydro growers, as I plan to grow in soil, which has already been purchased. Then theres different base sizes, what exactly should I be getting if I went HPS? More and more a 150w HPS sounds great, but all this time I was researching CFL's, can anyone tell me some reccomendations for a HPS setup in the described amount of space? Links help, but I'm hoping to get everything from a local store like home depot so I can pay cash and remain anonymous. Prices definitely help lol.

If I do go CFL, then I would use about 8 lights, probably 4 daylight and 4 soft white... Does that sound right?

An important note, this is going to be a 12/12 from seed grow, and from what I hear if there is any one bulb to use for 12/12 from seed, it's HPS. Is this correct?

I'm unsure of the strain, it was bag seed, this is my first grow and I just want to make sure I can produce SOMETHING before I go planting my good seeds or buying seeds. I'm concerned of the size of the plants since I dont know the strain, but since I am doing 12/12 from seed, won't that basically produce a less-than-2 foot plant?

Another concern that I just can't seem to find an exact answer to, this is specific to 12/12 from seed..... Pot/Container Size.
I know since it's veg and flowering time are combined the roots won't grow nearly the same as a 4 week vegged plant. Is a large plastic chinese food container ok, if I paint the exterior to prevent light from stunting the roots, holes in bottom, saucer, etc.? The 5.5" tall ones, not sure if thats a quart or what, I forget. If those are acceptibe then I can fit more into the small space possibly.



And finally, I've read so many different opinions, but still have no idea on whether I have to trim it or not, or if I need to go with a training method like SoG, SCRoG, or LST.

This is a personal grow, my very first grow, and as I said before I want to be sure I can produce something at all, 12/12 is the most effecient method for me and just seeing a 1g bud grow would bring a smile to my face. Of course I want to maximize what I can in the small amount of space I have, thats why I'm considering shelling out the few extra dollars for a 150w HPS, I doubt a 250w or 400w would fit in that space, besides heat, besides the cost factor. I'm tired of spending $20 for a 0.8g or 0.9g bud, please help a fellow grower who has a true passion for the plant. I have honestly been looking at tutorials and forums for months, now I'm ready to go to the next level, just gotta work out the kinks.

think about CFL's because of the space and heat issues roots don't do well when the light hits them clear containers are not a good idea read up in the grow FAQ for more info...good luck

Just like Robert said you dont want to use clear pots. Black is best and the HPS could cause heat issues. Check out some of the CFL grows they do very well if you use enough light.

I have a 2'x1'x3' box and I use 8 2700k and 4 6500k bulbs. Since you are budding, IMO, I think you would want more light in the red spectrum, but also having some light in the blue spectrum. Thus leads me to using one 6500k bulb per two 2700k bulbs to get the full spectrum.

GL with your grow!

Thanks for the responses so far, but unfortunately two of you apparently read over the part where I said "Is a large plastic chinese food container ok, if I paint the exterior to prevent light from stunting the roots, holes in bottom, saucer, etc.?", I have done my research for the most part... What would you say is a reccomended size area for a *150w* HPS? I can always go CFL but would be nice to use one super light instead. Anyone else able to help me out?

Edit: Wow, thats a whole lot of CFL's Purp! I suppose if I use enough light like suggested I could get away with CFL's... HPS looks so much prettier when I think of the size difference in buds... Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the fact that we can grow with CFL's, I think I may be aiming too high I guess, maybe I underestimate the heat of a 150w HPS...

look
https://www.rollitup.org/view.php?pg=faq

DoubleBubbler said:

Edit: Wow, thats a whole lot of CFL's Purp! I suppose if I use enough light like suggested I could get away with CFL's... HPS looks so much prettier when I think of the size difference in buds... Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the fact that we can grow with CFL's, I think I may be aiming too high I guess, maybe I underestimate the heat of a 150w HPS...

Click to expand...

Yes it is alot, but I got most of them for free Brand New. Also I built my own light reflector/box, and it doesn't produce too much heat. I would love to get an HPS too, but just the thought of burning down my house makes me think other wise.

how about enviroscheck my albums

I use cfl's but want to switch to 400W hps. check out my current grow with cfl's(on my signature) This is my 2nd grow ever and im already tired of the all the bulbs, wires ect.. hanging around. Just want the hps system fans and all misc tools i need, next time around. But yea start with cfl's and get to know how to grow efficently and have more space of chorse(lol) then move to the HPS like myself.