Attic Grow Room

swpk

Member
Recently whilst exploring my attic, I've found a hidden area that I think would be perfect for growing.

My house, as well as my attic, has been added onto many times, giving my house a sort of horseshoe type design, as in theres 2 halfs that are only connected at 1 point. We only utilize a small portion of our attic, maybe a 5th of the entire thing has boards laid so you can walk. With some clever rafter walking I found an area that was once a flat gravel roof for a garage. It has since had a roof built over it. It's about 4ft high and maybe 20x8 sq ft.

I was wondering if this would be a suitable environment for an aeroponics setup.

I have a video from my phone to give you some visual aid. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSy00ZXlkmY


 

GreatwhiteNorth

Global Moderator
Staff member
Heat is an issue for attic grows as is water. If you have a method to control temps & don't mind packing water I would give it a shot.
 

swpk

Member
Well, it is cooling down, but you're right heat is an issue. its only around 94 degrees Fahrenheit here. I was thinking i could cut into my bathroom's air vent to partially divert some of the cool air. I could contain things in a tent to keep the air in.
 

swpk

Member
Alrighty, I've got just about everything for a bubbleponics setup. I plan on doing 2 8 gallon tubs, but I've got some issues to address:

The grow is going to be in an open attic, I'm pretty worried about the smell. How do you propose I fix this problem, I was thinking some kind of tent or small grow room setup (something cheap and durable that i could build in my attic to contain the smell. Since i'm doing this on the DL, mother in law lives below, I need some kind of building material that can be assembled without powertools or hammering (much). Any suggestions?

Another thing - HEAT. It has to be almost 90 degrees currently up there. I figure if i can build a good enclosure, i'm going to tap into an some ductwork and feed some cool 72-76 degree air in.

I know this isn't the correct area to ask this, but i figure I should include it. I'm still not entirely sure what seeds i should go for. I'm looking for something that has a decent yeild, autoflowering, feminized, and doesn't grow too tall (4ft highest). Also needs to be able to be shipped to the US.

I greatly appreciate all help that can be given.
 

GreatwhiteNorth

Global Moderator
Staff member
Alrighty, I've got just about everything for a bubbleponics setup. I plan on doing 2 8 gallon tubs, but I've got some issues to address:

The grow is going to be in an open attic, I'm pretty worried about the smell. How do you propose I fix this problem, I was thinking some kind of tent or small grow room setup (something cheap and durable that i could build in my attic to contain the smell. Since i'm doing this on the DL, mother in law lives below, I need some kind of building material that can be assembled without powertools or hammering (much). Any suggestions?

Another thing - HEAT. It has to be almost 90 degrees currently up there. I figure if i can build a good enclosure, i'm going to tap into an some ductwork and feed some cool 72-76 degree air in.

I know this isn't the correct area to ask this, but i figure I should include it. I'm still not entirely sure what seeds i should go for. I'm looking for something that has a decent yeild, autoflowering, feminized, and doesn't grow too tall (4ft highest). Also needs to be able to be shipped to the US.

I greatly appreciate all help that can be given.
Smell and temp control are closely related as one must control the air flow to keep a handle on both - how about a double visqueen barrier, say, staple one side of your rafters with a visqueen "wall", and then put another one up on the opposite side of the rafter creating a dead air space that will greatly assist in insulation. Another plus is that you don't have to carry heavy plywood sheets up there & assembly is just a stapler away. I've not tried this, but it sounds feasible.
For the odor control you will need a carbon filter connected to your exhaust system.

Lighting is personal preference, lots of people do great things with CFL's, personally I like MH/HPS for Veg/Flower & if you choose that route I would highly suggest a cool tube system that is connected to your ventilation.

I was going to suggest AC for keeping temps down, but if you can access ventilation from your existing system (I'm guessing that's what you meant) that might work.

A strain like you're asking for might be one of the "Lowryder's" out there, however if you're not stuck on the auto part I would definitely look into a strain that has a higher Indica % and learn how to LST, Scrog, Sog etc. what ever tickles your fancy.

I hope this helps some.
GWN
 

akdillon

Member
first of all dont rack yourself doing all that rafter walking haha but im looking to grow in a tight space too and i think im going with low rider 2 x auto ak 47 also know as easy rider its dwarfted and from what ive read it has a nice yeild its about three feet tall but im still working on my grow setup but good luck and i hope it works out
 

AquafinaOrbit

Well-Known Member
It'd work very well but because of the temperature issue I personally would attempt to build a box up there and insulate it with something with a good R value.
 

MagicA

Well-Known Member
I'm using a tent in a warm area. Nice thing is that the fan attached to a carbon filter that is venting outside solves it all. Worth pondering anyway?

My problem now is I need to build a baffle box for the fan as it is a 6" Vortex that can handle almost double my tent size and while quieter than any other fan I have seen on the market is highly rated and does the job very well.

Anyway, I would toss a carbon filter inside the tent and "suck" the air out using the fan and vent the clean air straight outside. You sill have no odor leaving the exhaust and none inside either courtesy of the negative pressure created.
 

swpk

Member
I'm going to go with GreatwhiteNorth's "visqueen wall" idea. I just got all the funding I need and when I get a day off I'm taking a trip to Lowe's Home Improvement and Wal-Mart for pumps, filters, fans, etc.

Thanks for all the feedback. Would you guys be interested in a grow journal? Im thinking of setting up a webcam and running cable to my room and being able to view the grow at any time. Also, ill be able to do a time lapse video!
 
I'd be very interested in a grow journal mate. One thing to be concerned with though, with an aeroponic setup, which is what I'd want too, you'll have to worry about the pump noise coming in through the roof if your MIL really does live just under there. Also, be extra careful about preventing leaks ;)
 

swpk

Member
Decided on doing a bubbleponics system. Got pretty much all my supplies besides seeds, nutes, and growing medium.

What kind of nutes should I use?
 

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AquafinaOrbit

Well-Known Member
Anything Hydroponics. Blue Mountian Organics/BMO is the cheapest I can think of and its all natural but theres a lot out there.
 

swpk

Member
Anyone know of a good product for creating some walls. Something in the USA at Lowes or Homedepot or Walmart. I need something that is airtight, not too heavy. and can be stapled to form a wall. Somekind of tarp or tent material?
 

GreatwhiteNorth

Global Moderator
Staff member
Anyone know of a good product for creating some walls. Something in the USA at Lowes or Homedepot or Walmart. I need something that is airtight, not too heavy. and can be stapled to form a wall. Somekind of tarp or tent material?
Visqueen, it comes in rolls & is easy to work with. As far as air tite, it is used as a vapor barrior in home construction.
 

swpk

Member
Visqueen, it comes in rolls & is easy to work with. As far as air tite, it is used as a vapor barrior in home construction.
might be a tad bit hard to obtain seeing as internet ordering is not an option for me. I saw someone posting about how cheap shower curtains work well. What do you think?
 
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