Gathering supplies and planning for first grow, would like a second opinion please

This is very overwhelming! I've been reading everything I can and trying to learn, but would like to get some input from you guys to see if I'm on the right track. This will be a legal medical grow in Michigan(12 plant max) in a basement with a grow tent.

Light- I definitely want to go LED for heat and efficiency reasons. I've read a lot of good info about Timber Grow Lights. Not sure if the 600 Watt Vero29 V7 4x4 Framework or the 600 Watt Citizen CLU048 4'x4' Framework would be a better option. Planning to call and talk to them monday, but any input on that is greatly appreciated.

Tent- Apollo Horticulture 4x4 grow tent. gets good reviews, and the price is right. If it's crap, please let me know.

Medium- Been really struggling trying to decide on this, but I live very close to the people who make Kind Soil. So to keep things simple, I think might just do a soil grow with the Kind Soil. I may try to make my own super soil next time, but not the first time.

Pots/Plants (size and how many??)- I'd love some input on the type, size, and number of pots to use for a grow this size. I was thinking about trying maybe 6 plants the first time, just so i have room to move in the tent and don't have too much to deal with the first time. But If you have ANY suggestions about type, size or number, i'd love to hear it.

I will obviously also get a fan for in the tent, a gauge to monitor humidity and temp, and a charcoal filter and exhaust fan for the tent. Still researching trying to find a quiet exhaust fan, any suggestions for a quiet one would be great.

One of the only things that's really concerning me is humidity. Here in Michigan where i live (on the lake) it's HUMID! Like ring out your shirt humid. From my reading, it seems higher humidity is ok for veg, but not flower. I do have a 60 pint dehumidifier for the basement, but there is no way I can get down into the 30's, even right now without a grow going. And I can't just vent the air outside and pull outside air in, because outside is even higher humidity than the basement(about 70-75% in basement). In the winter, If i pull outside air in it will be freezing. I'm pretty confident I can keep the humidity to around 50%, +-5%, but that's about all. Is that going to be a problem?

Also, anything else you'd suggest I purchase, research, or try?

Thank you so much if you took the time to read or answer any of this, I know you all probably get a million people like me asking these things.

detroit_fan said:

This is very overwhelming! I've been reading everything I can and trying to learn, but would like to get some input from you guys to see if I'm on the right track. This will be a legal medical grow in Michigan(12 plant max) in a basement with a grow tent.

Light- I definitely want to go LED for heat and efficiency reasons. I've read a lot of good info about Timber Grow Lights. Not sure if the 600 Watt Vero29 V7 4x4 Framework or the 600 Watt Citizen CLU048 4'x4' Framework would be a better option. Planning to call and talk to them monday, but any input on that is greatly appreciated.

Tent- Apollo Horticulture 4x4 grow tent. gets good reviews, and the price is right. If it's crap, please let me know.

Medium- Been really struggling trying to decide on this, but I live very close to the people who make Kind Soil. So to keep things simple, I think might just do a soil grow with the Kind Soil. I may try to make my own super soil next time, but not the first time.

Pots/Plants (size and how many??)- I'd love some input on the type, size, and number of pots to use for a grow this size. I was thinking about trying maybe 6 plants the first time, just so i have room to move in the tent and don't have too much to deal with the first time. But If you have ANY suggestions about type, size or number, i'd love to hear it.

I will obviously also get a fan for in the tent, a gauge to monitor humidity and temp, and a charcoal filter and exhaust fan for the tent. Still researching trying to find a quiet exhaust fan, any suggestions for a quiet one would be great.

One of the only things that's really concerning me is humidity. Here in Michigan where i live (on the lake) it's HUMID! Like ring out your shirt humid. From my reading, it seems higher humidity is ok for veg, but not flower. I do have a 60 pint dehumidifier for the basement, but there is no way I can get down into the 30's, even right now without a grow going. And I can't just vent the air outside and pull outside air in, because outside is even higher humidity than the basement(about 70-75% in basement). In the winter, If i pull outside air in it will be freezing. I'm pretty confident I can keep the humidity to around 50%, +-5%, but that's about all. Is that going to be a problem?

Also, anything else you'd suggest I purchase, research, or try?

Thank you so much if you took the time to read or answer any of this, I know you all probably get a million people like me asking these things.

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I think a 450 watt led would suffice for a 4x4, and may be a bit cheaper. 50% humidity is fine, ideal even. Ive dealt with around 70 for some of my grows and let me tell you that is hell.

For a 4x4 space with a carbon filter youll definitely want a good high velocity fan. I use a 6" growbright high velocity fan in a square meter, 5' tall tent with a carbon filter. I wouldnt say its quiet but it doesnt draw attention from people outside the room

http://www.htgsupply.com/categories/ventilation-odor-control/fans/high-velocity-fans-blowers

Like these but you can probably find them cheaper somewhere else

As for things to research:
• Nitrogen deficiency symptoms
• Phosphorous deficiency symptoms
• Pottasium deficiency symptoms
• Nutrient burn symptoms
• Low stress training
• Pinching and supercropping
• Topping
• Magnesium deficiency symptoms
• Overwatering symptoms
• Calcium deficiency symptoms

I could go on forever i swear. The most important thing in soil is to not overwater, use a good airy soil with plenty of perlite, and dont water untill you can feel into the soil as deep as you can without disturbing the roots and find its dry, and keep an eye on ph. The ph of your water is good to adjust but the ph of the soil itself is more important. A good soil will buffer the ph to an appropriate level.

Thank you so much cannn! I rally appreciate the reply and I will begin researching all the things you suggested. Thanks for taking the time to help

detroit_fan said:

Thank you so much cannn! I rally appreciate the reply and I will begin researching all the things you suggested. Thanks for taking the time to help

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No problem. You ever have an issue you can send me a message or reply to me here and ill try to help you out

Oh btw you should start a thread under indoor growing in leds and other lighting asking about the best 450 watt leds or asking approval on your choice because there are rip offs out there. Shouldve mentioned this earlier but i havent gotten into led much myself so it tends to be something i overlook

All i have is this little 18 watt led strip that i must say works like a charm for clones and seedlings, but i have no idea who made it, and a couple little led corn lamps

cannn said:

Oh btw you should start a thread under indoor growing in leds and other lighting asking about the best 450 watt leds or asking approval on your choice because there are rip offs out there. Shouldve mentioned this earlier but i havent gotten into led much myself so it tends to be something i overlook

All i have is this little 18 watt led strip that i must say works like a charm for clones and seedlings, but i have no idea who made it, and a couple little led corn lamps

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I actually ordered a Timber grow lights COB framework light for it, it's being built now, excited to try it out. Everything else came today, big delivery from ups. Thanks very much for the offer of help, I'm sure I'll need it

Also dont start in big pots. Like i said before overwatering is a big issue for those new to growing in soil. A pot too big for your plant will make overwatering easier. I start in solo cups, move to 1 gallon, then 3 then 5, only when my plants roots have nearly or totally filled up their current pot. Once in 5s i wait till i see theyre growing normally and then veg to the size i like before switching into flower. Theres many ways to do it though. If you choose to grow an auto which i dont recommend, you want to start in the pot you intend to finish in. Id use 2 gallons. No more than 3. Another guy around here started in 5 gallons with autos and hes seeing the effects now

detroit_fan said:

I actually ordered a Timber grow lights COB framework light for it, it's being built now, excited to try it out. Everything else came today, big delivery from ups. Thanks very much for the offer of help, I'm sure I'll need it

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Good luck! Any questions im always around. Dont know how reliable kind soil is but ive sure been hearing a lot about it lately

Lmk how it goes and thatll be more than enough in return

Some great soil tips by Cann especially in regard to watering. Its a good idea to use a diary and make a note of what you may have added to the water. Over watering and over feeding and not cooking the soil are the big killers for soil grows. Less is more.

Dont over react to a problem. What you see in the plant could of been from a week ago so dont over correct things.

Wouldnt you be better off with only 6 plants (or even 4) in a 4 x 4 tent?

Before purchasing anything at all know how much product you need and the time frame. Work backwards from there. You can stream line it all better when you know that.

Ive also found that I have had to always add ca/mag (so have that handy unless ur sure that soil has enough) and sea weed juice is fantastic.

Lucky Luke said:

Wouldnt you be better off with only 6 plants (or even 4) in a 4 x 4 tent?

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detroit_fan said:

I was thinking about trying maybe 6 plants the first time, just so i have room to move in the tent and don't have too much to deal with the first time. But If you have ANY suggestions about type, size or number, i'd love to hear it.

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Ive never had calcium issues but i do keep a bottle of cal mag around just in case. If your not using ro, softened, or distilled, then theres usually enough in the water. Softeners with exchange ca and mg for na. Still i used softened a long time and my soil had enough. Caused ph issues though. My water ph would rise drastically in the course of a day left to sit and over time impacted my soil ph due to being softened.

Caused many issues late flower

Epsom salts are best for supplementing mg. i try to remember to sprinkle 1 tsp per gallon of soil over my plants soil before a watering once a month. Never has hurt my girls and prevents magnesium and sulfer deficiencies. Although the frequency and amt can certainly be adjusted

cannn said:

Ive never had calcium issues but i do keep a bottle of cal mag around just in case. If your not using ro, softened, or distilled, then theres usually enough in the water. Softeners with exchange ca and mg for na. Still i used that a long time and my soil had enough. Caused ph issues though. My water ph would rise drastically in the course of a day left to sit and over time impacted my soil ph due to being softened.

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I cannot buy decent cannabis soil outa the bag here so i have to add stuff like that. Even in the ground outside ive had to add it. Im on rain water with a concrete water tank to..isnt it strange how it all changers from one area to another and grower to grower?

Lucky Luke said:

I cannot buy decent cannabis soil outa the bag here so i have to add stuff like that. Even in the ground outside ive had to add it. Im on rain water with a concrete water tank to..isnt it strange how it all changers from one area to another and grower to grower?

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Everyone finds what works for them. Theres a million ways to setup a grow. Rh, temperature, altitude, available rescources, strain, phenotype, water source, light type, medium, nutrients, light cycle, ventilation, plant count. So many things that impact the final outcome and so many working options for each and every one! This is why i love growing

@detroit_fan Check out this vid and look on their website or through their other vids to see comparison tests for sound levels, pressure and power consumption. You may find the exact brand name is not the same in your part of the world but almost identical fans (if not exactly the same) are available under different names.

It will give you an idea of what to go for. Theres no such thing as silent, but if noise is a big problem going bigger than needed and turning the speed down with the correct type of fan speed controller (variable transformer) will always be quieter than a small fan ran at full speed through small ductwork. If you go down that route then be sure you don't buy a fan with built in speed controller.

ill have to come back and watch that video later. Wife has Motley Crue on the loud setting at the moment.
I went that small fan route and ill need to get bigger more silent fan before summer