150W HPS mini-fridge experiment

Hi,

After reading about 500+ posts, I decided to start one of my own. This is my first time growing, and I'm trying a 2.5' x 1.5' x 1.5' mini-fridge with a 150W hps light and 2 6500k 23w cfls. The heat duty is already an issue, and I'm certainly gunna have to design a cooltube...but for now i just have to leave the door hanging open (not ideal). To help, i gutted out all of the insulation. So far I have 7 plants (5 --> 3 weeks old, 2 -->1 week old), and I'd like to trying flowering with 4 separate scrogs in each corner (4 plants total), separated by plexiglass. Or I could do the SOG technique by taking lots of clones and flowering them right away. Ultimately, my goal is to yield 2 oz for each harvest in order to meet my personal desire. I chose the mini-fridge because it locks, its mostly light proof, and it doesn't attract attention due to slight humming (the fans). But, i'm gunna need another cab (mini-fridge or something more clever) to achieve a perpetual grow.

My main question though is.....does anyone think the 150W hps light is sufficient? I recently read that you need at least 250W in order to produce quality buds, but I was hoping that since my set-up is so small, 150W would provide enough lumens. 250W might be possible but the heat duty will be tough to deal with.

I'm growing in fox farm ocean forest and about to start feeding with the ff trio (might be delivered today!). I might want to design a hydroponic system later. I'm going to put a lot of effort into this project because I'm tired of having to wait on lazy SOB's to take my money. Thanks to anyone that reads this! I'm looking for any/all advice....will post pictures if anyone wants to take a look.

Oh yeah, I was also considering a 100W (or 90W i forget) UFO LED / the 150 HPS combo since the led produces much less heat

I am using a 150w hps light in a 3'x24"x16" cab top mounted. Heat is not to bad but I do keep the door cracked with a small high speed fan on low blowing in gently. I have a large house air purifier parked behind it in a well ventilated area. I am in the process of putting my 3 clones into a bigger cab of 5.5'x3'x2.5' dimensions. I vegged them to long but it will work out in the end. In the new cab I will use the hps light on hangers and keep it inside. I am going to mount 2 120mm pc fans one intake one exhaust with aquarium carbon filters for smell control.

As far as sufficient yes it should work fine just move the plants closer to the light till they get bigger. Supplement with cfl's if you feel you need more light. Sun systems is the brand I got and I believe there are three competing brands who make a 150w hps grow light complete system. Amazon saved me ten bucks but my local hydro store carries two different ones.

Thanks noneed4me2....i like the aquarium filter idea, and im definately going to check that out. I bought my 150W hps bulb, ballast, and socket seperately for a total of $55 which was pretty sweet. After upgrading my fans and running the system from 5pm-10am the heat is now under control, but naturally a new problem has come up. My humidity level is down to 16%, and I can see that the leaves are looking a little dry. I think its a combination of the HPS light, the small space, and possibly the foam board backing is absorbing moisture (?). I'm gunna try replacing the back with something a little more breathable but still light proof (maybe ceiling tile). Considering my cab is only 18" W x 19" deep...do you support my 4 seperate scrogs in each corner idea (with plexiglass separators) over the SOG technique? I'd never seen it done before, but i wanted to scrog multiple strains, so I'm going to give it a shot. I definately wish my cab was as big as urs...im on the prowl for a larger (preferably broken and dirt cheap) mini-fridge. I need something that can make noise without seeming weird. Thanks again for ur reply!

zmllr said:

Thanks noneed4me2....i like the aquarium filter idea, and im definitely going to check that out. I bought my 150W hps bulb, ballast, and socket separately for a total of $55 which was pretty sweet. After upgrading my fans and running the system from 5pm-10am the heat is now under control, but naturally a new problem has come up. My humidity level is down to 16%, and I can see that the leaves are looking a little dry. I think its a combination of the HPS light, the small space, and possibly the foam board backing is absorbing moisture (?). I'm gunna try replacing the back with something a little more breathable but still light proof (maybe ceiling tile). Considering my cab is only 18" W x 19" deep...do you support my 4 seperate scrogs in each corner idea (with plexiglass separators) over the SOG technique? I'd never seen it done before, but i wanted to scrog multiple strains, so I'm going to give it a shot. I definitely wish my cab was as big as urs...im on the prowl for a larger (preferably broken and dirt cheap) mini-fridge. I need something that can make noise without seeming weird. Thanks again for ur reply!

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Leave an open pot or container of water evaporating near your grow or add a humidifier. Like for 20 bucks at Walmart or Walgreens. I can buy Panda Film by the foot at my local hydro store you might want to check around your area to see if you can find a store that sells indoor growing equipment even if it isn't focused on pot growers. That's great about your light but you didn't mention if you have a hood. Get one or diy up one as you want to focus that light on your plants. Before I started I looked all around the net and youtube and saw some really well detailed videos of people making their own grow boxes. You'd be surprised at the amount of info available and that most of what you need may be lying around you and your people's homes. Grasscity's Bongsauce has a great help thread http://forum.grasscity.com/micro-grows/689881-bongsauces-micro-cabs-stuff-help-thread.html ; just check out the micro grow section.

I kinda overdid my grow and I don't think I am quite learned enough to truly master a micro grow yet and based on your dimension's YOu might consider one plant at a time but setup another small box to veg so as soon as one is done flowering you can move your next best vegged plant into your box. Another method is clones. It will cut back on time if the clone is developed enough and you will not have to worry about sexing (unless your seeds are feminized). This guy has done some sweet work in small spaces like yours' http://forum.grasscity.com/micro-grows/1031005-mrbears-pc-g-bombers.html look through his other grows and I think you will be amazed. Lst'ing is the way to go with one plant for your size imho.

Good luck in about to hook up ac150 as well I have a cab 27"x17"x38" sould be fun hope I can cool it fine