1st time grower, need your help/ideas.

Alright so i've been deciding to grow for some time now and am finally going to start

I've decided to purchase an Aeroflo60 as I want to eventually move up to that many plants (+ the sites basically tell me that the 36 is the same price as the 60 so why not)

I'm posting cause I have a few questions/Shopping list questions and figure this site is the most helpful. I will be buying an Ozone and Co2 Generator, Reflectors for my walls and an electric Ph meter. For my nutrients, from what i've read and seen, Ionic seems to work very well so I thought id try with that.

For my lights, I've decided to go with this.

http://www.hydrowholesale.com/Complete-MH-and-HPS-Lighting-Systems/ViaVolt-1000-Watt-Budget-Grow-Light-System.asp

^I'm going to add the Metal halide bulb as well for the vegetating phase.

Overall, my eventual goal is to obtain something like this:

https://www.rollitup.org/grow-journals/101347-critical-mass-tree-grow-x-6.html

My question to fellow smokers is, what are you recommendations from the things i've said in terms of what i need, what i dont need, what will work. (Light, seeds, attachments, more lights?, etc.)

I'm a very dedicated trial and error guy and my budget is around $1500-2000. With practice I feel I can obtain results like that after 8 months-1 year.

lol ur looking up to a really good, expensive and time consuming set up. But hey if u got the $$ and time u should be able to handle it.

K now lets talk YOUR set up

First u want to get a digital MH/HPS Ballast. y? because basic ballast dont convert to the flowering(hps) or veg(mh) light bulbs. U will need to get conversion bulbs and all that so its just better to get the more expensive yet better unit.

Now for bulb reflector or hosuing i'll go with a Cooltube, makes it so easy to vent the hot air out of ur grow room(U can find good complete packages on amazon with Digital Ballast and 6" Cooltube). Now talking bout venting you will need to get a 6" Inline fan with a Carbon Filter(for the odor once ur plants flower) and Ducting.

Now u want to run a hydro System which means you will need a Ppm/Ph meter(most important to hydro growers). The one i have is abit expensive but works great, i have the calibrations with it which are a must and really keep ur meter lasting long. Here's a link, http://www.amazon.com/Hanna-Instruments-Conductivity-Temperature-Tester/dp/B002ZG8L58/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318690411&sr=8-1

Make sure u keep ur water's ph at 5.5-6.5.

If u are going to get a Co2 unit then just make sure to get the complete unit to meassure your ppm and inline fan cfm outage to balance it out. I got a homade C02 not as good as the comerical units but still does the job.

Now u wanna talk Seeds? we need to talk grow space, how much do you have? Grow Room? or Grow tent?

The 36 is the same price becuase they use 5" poles instead of 4" ones and space them out more realistically over the same length of fencing. I would reccomend the 36 site over the 60 just because of your canopy. iether thaat or put some 3" plugs in every other site.

Alright so I've decided on the 36 (Seem easier to handle, space wise). My space is going to be in a room for the setup being approx. 6' by 6'. Also, thanks for the help so far.

So with the 36, I think I'll need one of each light, correct? 1000w Mh and HPS but question... Digital Ballast? O_O
Like this? http://www.amazon.com/Virtual-Sun-VS1000TRMS-000-Watt-System/dp/B004QDFPK2/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1318708483&sr=8-13

Ph reader and keep it between 5.5-6. Got it. What should my Ppm be at? (Using Ionic, if there's something better let me know)

Do I really need a vent set-up? Multiple friends told me if the odor isn't an issue, a small fan can keep the plants cool enough.

As for the seeds, I was just curious to what could grow the best in the Aeroflo for maximum results. Height shouldn't be an issue for me.

Thanks again so far guys! Just wanna do this right the first time, or at least the second time

To cool that 1kw light, you're going to need a powerful vent fan. The weaker your vent fan, the higher your temps will be. Check out the chart in the first post here... https://www.rollitup.org/grow-room-design-setup/419563-ventilation-chart-calculator.html

What kind of hydro setup are you going to use? An r/o filter is a good idea, and you'll need a PH/PPM/EC meter, both will run you $300.

Just FYI, my order from Hydro Wholesale took 10 weeks for delivery and I didn't exactly get what I ordered. Could be an isolated case though.

AnimalMachine said:

Alright so I've decided on the 36 (Seem easier to handle, space wise). My space is going to be in a room for the setup being approx. 6' by 6'. Also, thanks for the help so far.

So with the 36, I think I'll need one of each light, correct? 1000w Mh and HPS but question... Digital Ballast? Digital Ballast allows U to switch A MH Bulb and HPS bulb when ever U want and the most realiable out in the market right now. Here's a link of a good one.http://www.amazon.com/Virtual-Sun-VS1000DS-000-Watt-Digital/dp/B004DDX9B2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1318713237&sr=8-2

OR http://www.amazon.com/Earth-Worth-Gorilla-Grower-Hydroponics/dp/B005EFXMB0/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1318713237&sr=8-13


Ph reader and keep it between 5.5-6. Got it. What should my Ppm be at? (Using Ionic, if there's something better let me know) PPM all depends on the plants and grower, see right now my plants are about 2-3 weeks old and im going by 100's so first nute feed was 144, every other watering i water them with nutes and increase the feed strength. next Feed ill go up like 100-200 so it will be around 200ppm-300ppm ect. by flowering ill be around 1000-1200

Do I really need a vent set-up? Multiple friends told me if the odor isn't an issue, a small fan can keep the plants cool enough. Yes dude a 1000 watter is gonna get crazy HOT. trust me my 400 watter without the InlineFan or my A/c turns my room into a oven. Its a must just get a simple 6" Inline Fan Carbon Filter Combo(only hook up the carbon filter during flowering) Check this one out http://www.amazon.com/Hydroponic-Inline-Carbon-Filter-Control/dp/B0051HDECS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1318713974&sr=8-2

As for the seeds, I was just curious to what could grow the best in the Aeroflo for maximum results. Height shouldn't be an issue for me. Awesome then you should get sum Satvias...(oh oh sativa vs indica debate) lol i perfer a mix of sativa and indica like 60%-40%. that's where i think you should go. maybe g13 or barneys farm. maybe serious seeds. check em all out and come back to us with ur list.

Thanks again so far guys! Just wanna do this right the first time, or at least the second time

Ur Welcome

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Kk, thanks for the help. Gonna go with the Virtual sun light, 6" fan with duct set up.

Question about the nutes: You mentioned 'every other watering'. is that for every time you refill the water?

AnimalMachine said:

Kk, thanks for the help. Gonna go with the Virtual sun light, 6" fan with duct set up.

Question about the nutes: You mentioned 'every other watering'. is that for every time you refill the water?

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lol my bad man i grow in soil, but when it comes to hydro u should replace ur resevoir every week, rasing the ppm to what ever u want

lolol All good, was just checking. If i downgraded to an Aeroflo18, would the 1000w still be beneficial? Or should I downgrade to a 600w.

High AnimalMachine, i would forget that light and buy a x tra sun ballast, and hydro farm universal cord for about $220 with that reflector it will be an additional $20. Using the universal hydro farm 3 prong plug allows you to add cords and change to different ballasts while the Hydro wholesale, one shown is all one piece and is a piece! It will cause you a headache later. Lights are the single most important investment to grow Marijuana. The aeroflow 18 is a great investment and easy to work around. The Ozone generator is a waste of $$ and time but Co2 will increase the dried weight almost exponentially when done correct. For genetics I would recommend anything from Mr Nice, Reservoir seeds, or Reserva Privada. You will not be disappointed especially with Mr Nice genetics like Medicine Man Northern Lights #5 and the critical mass. Let us know if there is anything we can help you with.

PS; Definitely obtain the 1000wt light and if you can afford a digital ballast you can dial it down to a 400wt or 600wt and dial it up to 1100wts. This is the most important item

O_O Do you have a link for the light you're referring to? Now i'm getting mixed reviews...

Wingman420 said:

High AnimalMachine, i would forget that light and buy a x tra sun ballast, and hydro farm universal cord for about $220 with that reflector it will be an additional $20. Using the universal hydro farm 3 prong plug allows you to add cords and change to different ballasts while the Hydro wholesale, one shown is all one piece and is a piece! It will cause you a headache later. Lights are the single most important investment to grow Marijuana. The aeroflow 18 is a great investment and easy to work around. The Ozone generator is a waste of $$ and time but Co2 will increase the dried weight almost exponentially when done correct. For genetics I would recommend anything from Mr Nice, Reservoir seeds, or Reserva Privada. You will not be disappointed especially with Mr Nice genetics like Medicine Man Northern Lights #5 and the critical mass. Let us know if there is anything we can help you with.

PS; Definitely obtain the 1000wt light and if you can afford a digital ballast you can dial it down to a 400wt or 600wt and dial it up to 1100wts. This is the most important item

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dont get it y dont you just get a Digital ballst, so simple and works great.

Animal machine a 1000 watt with cooling reflector with inline fan and digital ballast would be a great start.

Alright, I'm gonna go with what you recommended Giovanni. Probs gonna sit out on the co2 generator until I can scratch some more $$$ together.

What should i do to regulate temperatures? Or will I not need to. lolol I feel so helpless.


EDIT: Using the 1000w light, Aeroflo 18, Ionic nutrients, 6" Incline fan + Ducts out the window, PH+PPM Reader.

What else do I need?

This thread is great for people looking to start up a indoor!
I wish some hydro stores would offer packages with everything Im looking for..

Hey Kaolinite, thanks for joining. The set-up I have there with taxes and shipping is probably gonna run me around 1200. Only thing extra thing i didn't add will be a de-humidifier during the flowering phase (So no moldy buds) and a thermometer to keep the room temp. regulated. Still looking up how to do that tho...

AnimalMachine said:

Alright, I'm gonna go with what you recommended Giovanni. Probs gonna sit out on the co2 generator until I can scratch some more $$$ together.

What should i do to regulate temperatures? Or will I not need to. lolol I feel so helpless.


EDIT: Using the 1000w light, Aeroflo 18, Ionic nutrients, 6" Incline fan + Ducts out the window, PH+PPM Reader.

What else do I need?

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When you connect your ducting to your grow light the air flow would take heat/odor(when carbon filter is connected) it outside so it shouldn't mess with ur temps.

Kk gotcha, this is all great help. Last thing I gotta find myself is the amount of light a 1000w will pull on my electricity bill O_O! Running at 22/2 during vege and 12/12 during flower.

Once I get everything up and running I'll post results back up in this thread. Take care and thanks for the help guys!

are you doing dwc?

if so good thread........https://www.rollitup.org/dwc-bubbleponics/473122-dwc-information-thread-beginners-problem.html
any questions ask off bed now tho

DWC? (Sorry, newbie.) Gonna use the Aeroflo18 or 36 (Haven't decided yet) which I would assume means im adding nutes, air stones and water into the reservoir provided. Correct me if I'm wrong or too high lol