My first grow set up (little shop of horrors)

I finally got a good spot to grow and decided to start this shit up.
So... I bought 2 shop light ballasts and 2 100w CFL bulbs. Thats 80w + 80w + 200w. I plan on cutting down the crop to the 8-10 strongest plants during the next two weeks, and then waiting for them to show me their sex. Hopefully I end with about 4-5 females.

Take a look at my setup and see if this is going to work. Do I need more lights and if so, should I get more CFL's or another ballast? I've been looking through grow guides but it'd be nice to get some feedback. the plants are around 3 days out of soil in the pictures attached.

So what's the deal - more CFL or another ballast? And how much more? Thanks

some mylar or simler sides all the way round would help them get more light

For now it's enough light to grow your seedlings.

As they get bigger your plan is to thin them out so you may not need more light. When they flower you're going to need new bulbs AND new light. At that point if you're doin 4-5 plants look into a HPS system around $150. If heat and ventilation are a problem then stick with flourescewnt but switch to 2700k bulbs during flower...And more of them.

The ballasts work well for overhead lighting, cfls work well when used all over the plant. Also like previously stated, making some walls with mylar or just flat white paper etc would be a good help

Thanks- I cant afford a HPS system right now and I couldnt ventilate it properly anyway. I got some more bulbs.. check out my grow journal for pictures.

ballasts? they dont give light,,,, ballasts run bulbs... i

ownfive said:

Thanks- I cant afford a HPS system right now and I couldnt ventilate it properly anyway. I got some more bulbs.. check out my grow journal for pictures.

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I know how ya feel. I dont have the cash atm for a HID system but if you look at my journal you can see my CFLs are still doing the trick. For our next grow we're going to invest in a 250W HPS for 130. Or keep searching craigslist for one around 90-100. This is a 5-6 plant op for the next go around.

I just plan on a DIY setup for a aircooled light/reflector housing.

yeah i just got a used HTG 400W HPS cooltube on craigslist for 150. def saves, esp on shipping.

raeman1990 said:

ballasts? they dont give light,,,, ballasts run bulbs... i

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I know this but he was referring to the 4ft fixtures as ballasts (which they are essentially just a ballast with a reflector) so I stuck with it

Overdrive those flouros.

looks like u got a good setup man but i agree with a previous person mylar is a damn good thing to invest in u can get emergency blanckets from walmart they are mylar and are very cheap, and as far as the lighting u have enough for veg but when u switch to flower then yes you will need plenty of side lighting good luck bro

swirlctw said:

looks like u got a good setup man but i agree with a previous person mylar is a damn good thing to invest in u can get emergency blanckets from walmart they are mylar and are very cheap, and as far as the lighting u have enough for veg but when u switch to flower then yes you will need plenty of side lighting good luck bro

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i would not use those if you ever will use an HID or the grow area will get warm. they are designed to keep in heat, so your area will get ... hot.

ceestyle said:

i would not use those if you ever will use an HID or the grow area will get warm. they are designed to keep in heat, so your area will get ... hot.

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Yeah emergency blankets are very very specifically designed to be insulators.

The easiest and cheapest idea is to use cardboard covered with computer paper. Flat white is one of the best reflectors

daisy2687 said:

Yeah emergency blankets are very very specifically designed to be insulators.

The easiest and cheapest idea is to use cardboard covered with computer paper. Flat white is one of the best reflectors

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Buy this at your local hydro store:

Sunleaves Mylar 1-Mil, 10´ - Worm's Way

Or this for all you'll ever need ...

1 mil 50' Mylar | Mylar/Reflective Coverings

Although I would go for the 2 mil - it doesn't tear as easily.

I mean, there's cheap, and then there's cheap ....

ceestyle said:

I mean, there's cheap, and then there's cheap ....

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Hahaha yeah...I started my grow with coins I took to Coinstar

daisy2687 said:

Hahaha yeah...I started my grow with coins I took to Coinstar

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well, you do what you can with what you got.

I made some changes.. you can check em out in my grow log. Mylar sounds like a good idea..