[HELP] Newbie Indoor Stealth Grow

Okay, so this will be my first grow. I've been researching, preparing, and anticipating the start of my project. Let me tell you what I'm working with.

I have my grow room/area. It's 4' in length, 2.5' in width, and 6' in height. I am using 3x 42w CFL's (200 watt equivalent, 6500k). Two of the bulbs are set up horizontally in a ghetto light fixture that I made with a 2' aluminum dryer vent. The third I am not sure what to do with, i was planning on hanging it vertically and putting it somewhat centered, either in front or behind the plants. With the lights completely raised to the top, the height from the floor to the lights is about 5'.

Because of my limited space, I assume that I will need to stop the vegetative stage early, at about 1' - 1.5' plant height and start the flowering stage. In which case I will then use, with the same light set-up, 3x 42w (150 watt equivalent, 2700k) bulbs. Was also thinking about a mixture of the two for the flowering stage. I read somewhere that using 2700k lights in veg is bad because then you get "stalky" plants. I'm wondering if using both would decrease the amount the plant will grow in its flowering stage. Please correct me, if I am confusing anything.

The strain I am using is predominantly indica.

I will be growing maximum of 2 plants in a hydroponic system (bubbleponics). I chose this setup because I need something that will be "ninja", something that wont raise too many eyebrows on the electric bill as I am not the one paying it.

Here's an issue I came across. If I raise my plants, that will severely reduce the amount of grow space they have, height-wise. I think 1' foot is a substantial amount of space to lose, considering i already lost 1' from the lights, leaving me with a total of 4' of space. When you include the hydro system as well, that leaves me with about 3' of actual grow space for the plants, height-wise and assuming the reservoir is about 1' tall.

Is that enough space? How much buds would that produce from 2 plants (theoretically)? Are their any alternatives to draining my reservoir without lifting it from the ground?

And the super-noob question of the day: Do I have to germinate my seeds before I place them into the system? I saw somewhere that I can just put the seeds individually into the rockwool cubes. What is better?

I am also asking you experienced, veteran, and other first-timers, what advice can you give me to help ensure success in my project.

Thanks in advance.

Firstly, in relation to cfl's, don't worry about the equivalent rating. Go by actual watts. You need more than 126 watt. And cfl only have minimal penetration ability (somewhat like me), so you will have to think about some training or strategic positioning. Nobody is capable of predicting a yield for a first time grower before it starts, dwc will outperform many other methods, but with these lights I wouldn't expect very much.

if your a first timer and need to be stealthy, don't do hydro, stick a box over the plant in a closet with the lights in there, just a suggestion, plus you wouldn't need to worry about the space. but on your question, a 3 foot tall plant wont yield much, especially just on those 2 bulbs, its possible. just impractical . im a first timer as well but I have a plant that has grown to be 5 and 1/2 ft tall in 4 months of veg, they get pretty big pretty quick, and germinating your seeds will let you know what seeds will work and what ones wont I always germ first, ve had better results that way as well, make sure you use pure water (not hard water out of your tap)

You didn't mention ventilation, oscillating and inline fans and carbon filter. Also the germination question is far from 'super newb' status https://www.rollitup.org/general-marijuana-growing/505847-germinating-rock-wool-cubes.html edit : probably not that far come to think of it

remember, all we try to do, is to make prefect grow conditions indoor as we for one or another reason cant grow em out doors, in the ground, under the Sun as they have done for 1000ish of years, so try to keep it simple, and use logic and common sense, and most important of all, think nature/plant`s after all it is still only a weed plant, not some magic been`s you pop in to a grow machine and 3 months later they come out as Bud`s

as cridical just mention, remember ventilation, both to keep the temperatures under control in a small room, and the RH (dont want mold in there) and to exchanges air (that also keep a good amount of Co2 100-400ppm) for your plant`s, remember they are living plant`s need air/co2 to breath and thrive

best of luck

Slip

Okay, so ill use 4 lights, that should be enough right? 4x 42w? I was planning on just using a fan to rotate the air. This is going to be done in my closet, whats the best way to ventilate?

Slipon said:

remember, all we try to do, is to make prefect grow conditions indoor as we for one or another reason cant grow em out doors, in the ground, under the Sun as they have done for 1000ish of years, so try to keep it simple, and use logic and common sense, and most important of all, think nature/plant`s after all it is still only a weed plant, not some magic been`s you pop in to a grow machine and 3 months later they come out as Bud`s

as cridical just mention, remember ventilation, both to keep the temperatures under control in a small room, and the RH (dont want mold in there) and to exchanges air (that also keep a good amount of Co2 100-400ppm) for your plant`s, remember they are living plant`s need air/co2 to breath and thrive

best of luck

Slip

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What is the RH, and how can I effectively control and test the Co2 levels?

enough for what may I ask? If we are talking quite a small amount for personal use then maybe. But nowhere near enough in my opinion.

Well what do you consider a small amount? I'm only growing 1-2 plants. I assumed if everything goes well, id come off with atleast 2oz (1 per plant).

Decided that based on my limited space, I'm going to go with only 1 plant.

Changed my mind, gonna go with Coco Coir set up rather than bubbleponics. Im still confused about the nutrients though.

I read this :
http://www.growweedeasy.com/easiest-grow-method-cfl-coco-coir

Seems it would be flawless for my situation. However, I am still having trouble understanding proper ventilation and Co2 levels.

Since i've cut down to just 1 plant. Would simply putting 2 fans in the closet to rotate the air be sufficient? What could I do to make sure I am getting enough Co2, cheapest way possible please, if it is absolutely necessary.

I have:

Feminized Seeds
Coco coir
3.5 gal pot
perlite
FoxFarm FX14050 Big Bloom, Grow Big & Tiger Bloom Liquid Ferilizer Nutriet Trip Hydro Formula
3x 42w CFLs (most likely will get a couple more in the flowering stage)
2x small regular house fans, the clamp ones, don't know the specs.
24-hour timer
mylar for reflection.
thermometer + humidity monitor, ph testing kit
rockwool for my seedlings.

Do I really need anything else?

what exactly are you confused on when it comes to the nutrients? How and when to use them? Or what?

btw i think it was a smart move to switch to soil first. Its a bit more forgiving for a first timer which gives you some room to work with. what exactly are you needing to know?

in a small grow just using cfl's, you don't have to worry about co2 as it will be fine with whats in your environment. Just need good air circulation. A good breeze on the plants is all youll need.

HankDank said:

btw i think it was a smart move to switch to soil first. Its a bit more forgiving for a first timer which gives you some room to work with. what exactly are you needing to know?

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Well its coco coir, but yea I agree. I dont have the space for hydro =[ which is what i was really looking forward to. But I was confused for a minute about the nutrients because its based on a hydro system. But I guess its the same exchange? For example, on the feeding chart for the nutes it says give 1tsp per gallon.. id do the same amount per gallon of soil / coco coir.. So if i had a 3gal bucket.. id feed the nutes based off 3 gallons.

Flares said:

in a small grow just using cfl's, you don't have to worry about co2 as it will be fine with whats in your environment. Just need good air circulation. A good breeze on the plants is all youll need.

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Okay thanks I didn't think i needed to. When I first researched all this, I didnt really see anything for what I wanted to do that talked about having exhaust vents and co2 and all that. So it kind of intimidated me a little and I just wanted to make sure I got everything that is essential.

The amount of water used with nutrients is based on how much water they take, not the size of the container they are in. I'm doing a coco grow in gallon containers, three of my plants want half gallon per watering and the fourth only about a quart.

mdockz said:

Well what do you consider a small amount? I'm only growing 1-2 plants. I assumed if everything goes well, id come off with at least 2oz (1 per plant). Decided that based on my limited space, I'm going to go with only 1 plant.

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Yeah, that's not happening with that amount of light and it being your first grow. I blasted mine with 400 watts of MH and HPS HID lighting and barely yielded over 2 oz. a plant. You have about 25% of my lighting in your configuration, so plan on half oz. per plant if you can keep them green to harvest.

On the nute side, I just use water and Roots Organics potting soil. Has everything the plant needs. Add it only after seedling stage or you will burn them up. I have a lot of pics and info on my thread that can help guide you if interested.

https://www.rollitup.org/newbie-central/654674-im-ready-blue-og-white.html

Good luck bro and buy more lights.

I'm doing a small closet grow myself (my sig). I started using CFLs (23w) but realized that the temps flew sky high when I put 2 bulbs in cause I have a pretty crappy way of ventilating the room (leaving the door cracked w/ 2 fans).

I ended up changing it up to an LED/CFL grow as my temps were OK with 1 CFL and the LED ufo (90w) doesn't produce as much heat.