Hey all -

I'm starting my first REAL grow (I've had prior experience, but it was really just messing around).

I've sprouted 6 bagseeds - 2 from local herbs and 4 from some East coast schwag. I've been told the schwag was potent, so maybe they weren't growing it correctly.

Currently, I have them in 2" rockwool cubes in a PC box with a single 42w CFL. I'd like to upgrade that to a 300w 2700k light since those are easily obtainable and cheap ($15) at Home Depot - do you think that would be a bad solution, or shoudl I just order 2 300w (105w) CFLs from online? Any suggestions on inexpensive (but quality) PH (EC TDS) sensors?

In the next few weeks, I'd like to pick up a 4'-ishx4'-ishx7'-8'-ish tent to move these into. I would also like to add a Lumatek 600w 120v ballast and a 6" air cooled hood with a lens. I will be moving the plants into a homebrew DWC/Bubbleponics in 18 gallon Rubbermaid containers, 12 starts to a container.

In the 18 gallon tanks I have:

- 250gph submerged pump
- Feeding 1" manifold to 10 260& 4-25GPH heads, 5 heads on each half of the U shaped manifold (each leg covering 6 root systems)
- 18 gallon tote is serves as reservoir as well, any problems with it just being self contained?
- 2 14" horizontal airstones with a dual outlet quiet air pump (makes LOTS of bubbles)
- 3" netpots (12 total per lid)

Anyone see any giant hole sin this plan? I will be adding active charcoal filtering and an axial fan as well as inline fan and ducting to lights. I'd liket o add Co2 as well, but right now that's another $500 I don't want to add. maybe one of the DIY setups on the forum....

Pics attached!

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Hey all - what kind of growth can I expect from using a 600W HPS (Lumatek ballast 120v) during vegging? is it significantly less than a MH (I'd be forced to get a conversion bulb obviously, since there are no MH 600w bulbs...)... or just going back to a brazillion CFLs?

Your very first grow you're gonna go with hydro... Not particularly advisable. I would recommend growing in soil and getting a feel for the plants needs/nutrient intake abilities. Growing with a water medium is significantly more tricky because you'll have to make up for the water not having the micronutrients/decomposing matter that potting soil contains. Not to mention constantly monitoring/adjusting pH. I'm not saying it can't be done by a beginner, it's just you're more likely to run into many problems along the way with may or may not affect your yield or prevent it entirely. Anyhow, good luck.

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Any more naysayers... or perhaps anyone with some helpful advice in regards to the question I asked?

well i say gl.are you going to buy any venting because that pc case will heatup.and for the foil is bad it causes hot spots and burns the plant if i was u i would go to the store and buy those window reflecters would be alot better.