First timer idea for micro

I am weighing all options for an indoor set up. I am thinking of constructing a wood box. I wanted to run this by you all. Here is what it would be:

24" x 24" x 30"H box lined with mylar, one 6" vent port at top, one 6" intake at bottom, center to blow directly up at the light. 2 small 6" fans (undecided) for ventilation
1 400w dimmed to 300w HPS, vertical, no reflector
3 Auto Flower fems in 2 gal pots, 1 per pot

This is the basic. I can tweak it and add things as I go. I keep going back and forth on all the different set ups and after reading about micro it seems like a good way.

A few questions. Would 300W be too much heat for this amount of space? Or would dimmed down to 200W work just as well? Would 1 gallon pots work better for the plants and space mentioned? I am going to need to lst them or will the smaller pots control the height of the plants? I plan on rotating them.

Advice? Suggestions?

300w is way too fucking much. I'd stick 150 max in that space, but I'm also a shit noob grower.

If I am able to get a cool tube 300 should be ok though right? Or even 200W without a cool tube.

That space is so small. You should be okay with a cool tube but you don't need a light that big for a space so small.

Wood boxes get extremely hot, trust me.

I am looking into a 250W setup. There is another post here and he is doing an even smaller space with that much. I also saw a really tiny tent that was 16"x16"x4'. Tiny. That seems like you would only be able to get one plant in it. Not sure how you would even fit a reflector in there if you ran it horizontal.

May I suggest hydroponic LED's? (red and blue standard if you don't want light leaks) With the reduction in heat, you should still be able to get the amount of light you're looking for.

Lack of heat is a BIG plus in a stealth grow. I tried using CFLs in a relatively large cab and the box temp just wouldn't go below 90 (with proper exhaust, elevation, and lots of circulation).

LED's fixed that right up. Throw in as many as you like and forget about replacing them forever.

Whatever you get your just going to want to make sure it will fit in your box, and that you can properly cool it. Just try out whatever light you get and work with it until you can get the proper temps going because it will be a little difficult to cool in a small place unless you have air conditioning blowing right into it.

notballin said:

May I suggest hydroponic LED's? (red and blue standard if you don't want light leaks) With the reduction in heat, you should still be able to get the amount of light you're looking for.

Lack of heat is a BIG plus in a stealth grow. I tried using CFLs in a relatively large cab and the box temp just wouldn't go below 90 (with proper exhaust, elevation, and lots of circulation).

LED's fixed that right up. Throw in as many as you like and forget about replacing them forever.

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I have looked into LED. They seem a little costly for quality ones. I looked at the Solar Flare at it was a little prohibitive for me right now. Also looked at Inda Grow and it is extremely costly. I am very interested in what amounts to alternative lighting until these techs come down in price. They just do not seem affordable. If I could afford them I would most likely try them for the reasons you mentioned. They are a future investment on my radar though. Right now I am going to stick with the tried and true.

Tillinah said:

Whatever you get your just going to want to make sure it will fit in your box, and that you can properly cool it. Just try out whatever light you get and work with it until you can get the proper temps going because it will be a little difficult to cool in a small place unless you have air conditioning blowing right into it.

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Tillinah. I love you,but geez, your avatar is a little scary man.... I guess that is why I like it lol

I agree a 300w in that amount of space is overkill and you would have mega heat issues. I am using a 150W hps in 36"tall x36" wide x24" deep cab with AC turned off in that room the temps get up there fast well over 100'. With the AC on I can keep it at 91' with the doors closed up, thats a bit to hot for me so I keep the doors open at night and it stays at 82-85'.This is of course all during lights on, lights off the cab cools to the rooms temp. GLWYG!