Does this grow setup look decent

First time grower here. Below is what I think I'll be buying. Any changes or suggestions would be cool. Planning on growing autos at first, in hempy buckets hydro style. Would like 3 - 4 plants in 3gal pots. Also hoping to grow non-cannabis later too. Like veggies and stuff.
Live in the desert, low humidity, whole house AC/heat.

1. Tent - AC Infinity - 3'x3'x6'. Also thought about the 4x4, but can't afford more lighting for it. Can I use a 4x4 and just grow in a smaller area until I buy more lights? Or do I need the reflective walls to be closer to the plants? If I can find the space for a 4x4...

2. Lights - Viparspectra xs1500 - 2 of them for 300w total. They are 150w each and decently priced. Gives me more watts than buying something like the SF2000, plus I can move them around to help spread the light. Should be easy enough to add on later also. Especially if I get the 4x4 instead, and then add 2 or 3 more down the road. Saw the Mars Hydro FCE3000 but looks harder to add on more light later since it's a large footprint already. Other light suggestions welcome.

3. Exhaust fan - AC Infinity S4 or S6. Most likely going to get the S6 as more room to up-size to a larger tent later and it isn't much more money.

4. Fan Controller - AC Infinity 67. Looks like it has more features and is better than the one that comes with the Cloudline T series fans.

5. Carbon Filter - No idea yet. Maybe the AC Infinity 6", or iPower. Heard Can is good but way too expensive for me at like $200+. Smell reduction is extremely important to me. So may have to buy 2 and put one in the tent for the intake and then attach a 2nd filter at the exhaust if needed?

6. Intake Fan - No idea and not sure if I will need one or not...

7. Ducting - No idea either. Black AC Infinity ducting looks sharp, but has reviews saying it's the wrong size and doesn't fit. So may just go to Lowe's or Home Depot and buy some silver ducting there.

Any tips, comments, etc... welcomed!

LogicCRX said:

First time grower here. Below is what I think I'll be buying. Any changes or suggestions would be cool. Planning on growing autos at first, in hempy buckets hydro style. Would like 3 - 4 plants in 3gal pots. Also hoping to grow non-cannabis later too. Like veggies and stuff.
Live in the desert, low humidity, whole house AC/heat.

1. Tent - AC Infinity - 3'x3'x6'. Also thought about the 4x4, but can't afford more lighting for it. Can I use a 4x4 and just grow in a smaller area until I buy more lights? Or do I need the reflective walls to be closer to the plants? If I can find the space for a 4x4...

2. Lights - Viparspectra xs1500 - 2 of them for 300w total. They are 150w each and decently priced. Gives me more watts than buying something like the SF2000, plus I can move them around to help spread the light. Should be easy enough to add on later also. Especially if I get the 4x4 instead, and then add 2 or 3 more down the road. Saw the Mars Hydro FCE3000 but looks harder to add on more light later since it's a large footprint already. Other light suggestions welcome.

3. Exhaust fan - AC Infinity S4 or S6. Most likely going to get the S6 as more room to up-size to a larger tent later and it isn't much more money.

4. Fan Controller - AC Infinity 67. Looks like it has more features and is better than the one that comes with the Cloudline T series fans.

5. Carbon Filter - No idea yet. Maybe the AC Infinity 6", or iPower. Heard Can is good but way too expensive for me at like $200+. Smell reduction is extremely important to me. So may have to buy 2 and put one in the tent for the intake and then attach a 2nd filter at the exhaust if needed?

6. Intake Fan - No idea and not sure if I will need one or not...

7. Ducting - No idea either. Black AC Infinity ducting looks sharp, but has reviews saying it's the wrong size and doesn't fit. So may just go to Lowe's or Home Depot and buy some silver ducting there.

Any tips, comments, etc... welcomed!

Click to expand...

I like your approach. Sounds like a good first set up. I might get rebutted but I'd personally go with the bigger tent so you can upgrade easier like you are already planning for. I think you'll find more room to work with more convenient. Definitely the 6" fan and filter. As for autos and the hempy buckets I can't comment cause I'm bias to my preferences. Get it going and share with us. Lots of good advice here. Good luck

LogicCRX said:

First time grower here. Below is what I think I'll be buying. Any changes or suggestions would be cool. Planning on growing autos at first, in hempy buckets hydro style. Would like 3 - 4 plants in 3gal pots. Also hoping to grow non-cannabis later too. Like veggies and stuff.
Live in the desert, low humidity, whole house AC/heat.

1. Tent - AC Infinity - 3'x3'x6'. Also thought about the 4x4, but can't afford more lighting for it. Can I use a 4x4 and just grow in a smaller area until I buy more lights? Or do I need the reflective walls to be closer to the plants? If I can find the space for a 4x4...

2. Lights - Viparspectra xs1500 - 2 of them for 300w total. They are 150w each and decently priced. Gives me more watts than buying something like the SF2000, plus I can move them around to help spread the light. Should be easy enough to add on later also. Especially if I get the 4x4 instead, and then add 2 or 3 more down the road. Saw the Mars Hydro FCE3000 but looks harder to add on more light later since it's a large footprint already. Other light suggestions welcome.

3. Exhaust fan - AC Infinity S4 or S6. Most likely going to get the S6 as more room to up-size to a larger tent later and it isn't much more money.

4. Fan Controller - AC Infinity 67. Looks like it has more features and is better than the one that comes with the Cloudline T series fans.

5. Carbon Filter - No idea yet. Maybe the AC Infinity 6", or iPower. Heard Can is good but way too expensive for me at like $200+. Smell reduction is extremely important to me. So may have to buy 2 and put one in the tent for the intake and then attach a 2nd filter at the exhaust if needed?

6. Intake Fan - No idea and not sure if I will need one or not...

7. Ducting - No idea either. Black AC Infinity ducting looks sharp, but has reviews saying it's the wrong size and doesn't fit. So may just go to Lowe's or Home Depot and buy some silver ducting there.

Any tips, comments, etc... welcomed!

Click to expand...

Advice Rule # 1 Don't ever ever Ever grow fucking auto's !!

LogicCRX said:

First time grower here. Below is what I think I'll be buying. Any changes or suggestions would be cool. Planning on growing autos at first, in hempy buckets hydro style. Would like 3 - 4 plants in 3gal pots. Also hoping to grow non-cannabis later too. Like veggies and stuff.
Live in the desert, low humidity, whole house AC/heat.

1. Tent - AC Infinity - 3'x3'x6'. Also thought about the 4x4, but can't afford more lighting for it. Can I use a 4x4 and just grow in a smaller area until I buy more lights? Or do I need the reflective walls to be closer to the plants? If I can find the space for a 4x4...

2. Lights - Viparspectra xs1500 - 2 of them for 300w total. They are 150w each and decently priced. Gives me more watts than buying something like the SF2000, plus I can move them around to help spread the light. Should be easy enough to add on later also. Especially if I get the 4x4 instead, and then add 2 or 3 more down the road. Saw the Mars Hydro FCE3000 but looks harder to add on more light later since it's a large footprint already. Other light suggestions welcome.

3. Exhaust fan - AC Infinity S4 or S6. Most likely going to get the S6 as more room to up-size to a larger tent later and it isn't much more money.

4. Fan Controller - AC Infinity 67. Looks like it has more features and is better than the one that comes with the Cloudline T series fans.

5. Carbon Filter - No idea yet. Maybe the AC Infinity 6", or iPower. Heard Can is good but way too expensive for me at like $200+. Smell reduction is extremely important to me. So may have to buy 2 and put one in the tent for the intake and then attach a 2nd filter at the exhaust if needed?

6. Intake Fan - No idea and not sure if I will need one or not...

7. Ducting - No idea either. Black AC Infinity ducting looks sharp, but has reviews saying it's the wrong size and doesn't fit. So may just go to Lowe's or Home Depot and buy some silver ducting there.

Any tips, comments, etc... welcomed!

Click to expand...

Great plan!!!

BigSco508 said:

Advice Rule # 1 Don't ever ever Ever grow fucking auto's !!

Click to expand...

GROW AUTOS!!!

LogicCRX said:

First time grower here. Below is what I think I'll be buying. Any changes or suggestions would be cool. Planning on growing autos at first, in hempy buckets hydro style. Would like 3 - 4 plants in 3gal pots. Also hoping to grow non-cannabis later too. Like veggies and stuff.
Live in the desert, low humidity, whole house AC/heat.

1. Tent - AC Infinity - 3'x3'x6'. Also thought about the 4x4, but can't afford more lighting for it. Can I use a 4x4 and just grow in a smaller area until I buy more lights? Or do I need the reflective walls to be closer to the plants? If I can find the space for a 4x4...

2. Lights - Viparspectra xs1500 - 2 of them for 300w total. They are 150w each and decently priced. Gives me more watts than buying something like the SF2000, plus I can move them around to help spread the light. Should be easy enough to add on later also. Especially if I get the 4x4 instead, and then add 2 or 3 more down the road. Saw the Mars Hydro FCE3000 but looks harder to add on more light later since it's a large footprint already. Other light suggestions welcome.

3. Exhaust fan - AC Infinity S4 or S6. Most likely going to get the S6 as more room to up-size to a larger tent later and it isn't much more money.

4. Fan Controller - AC Infinity 67. Looks like it has more features and is better than the one that comes with the Cloudline T series fans.

5. Carbon Filter - No idea yet. Maybe the AC Infinity 6", or iPower. Heard Can is good but way too expensive for me at like $200+. Smell reduction is extremely important to me. So may have to buy 2 and put one in the tent for the intake and then attach a 2nd filter at the exhaust if needed?

6. Intake Fan - No idea and not sure if I will need one or not...

7. Ducting - No idea either. Black AC Infinity ducting looks sharp, but has reviews saying it's the wrong size and doesn't fit. So may just go to Lowe's or Home Depot and buy some silver ducting there.

Any tips, comments, etc... welcomed!

Click to expand...

I have experience with all the ac stuff and it's actually a good value imo. You will definitely be able to grow some buds man good luck

You don't need an intake fan. A small tent like that will be fine with passive intake. Make sure to filter the inlets. The regular silver ducting you can get at Lowes is just fine.

Will it make your buds better or do any better job directing the air? No. But the ducting is about the same price but way better quality and if you're ordering the fan/filter there's literally no reason not to get the ducting. You can move it and squeeze it in places better than the cheap silver stuff. If all you're doing is a straight shot or two it's fine but if you're going between walls or anything I'm never using the silver shit ever again. The ac black stuff IS a quality product at a good price.

Some people who have never used it or who only have straight shots may tell you otherwise. I'm just providing a report as someone who's used a fair amount of both

Xtsho is right, the little things make a difference. Pantyhose on any intake ducting, and I like to either tape or velcro on some thin "cut to fit" furnace/vent filter material (lots on amazon.) over the screen intake vents on the bottom. You'll be amazed at how fast they clog up with hair and dust. Check for light leaks-turn on all your room lights then crawl inside your tent and seal it up as best you can. You can put little pieces of gorilla tape over any big pinholes. Get some decent stable genetics to start-I like Delicious Seeds for their quality, reliability and excellent germ rates at a low cost-if those don't pop for you, it's your fault lol. Go for the higher end genetics when you're all dialed in and confident. Consider Jack's a/b or Megacrop a/b for your nutes-you don't need anything else to grow killer bud. Soil or coco are both fine, soil is easier to start, less demanding, but I've never regretted switching to coco. Get a couple of reliable hygrometers and double check their accuracy. Also, look into a pair of quality TDS/PH meters-the cheapy ones aren't worth it-go with a ph test kit if you can't afford a decent one. Other optional tools that I like having are an infrared thermometer to check leaf temps and a cheap lux meter (they work better than phone apps and are way cheaper than a par meter). If you have any more specific questions, I'm happy to refer you to some links for more info, good luck!

Frank Nitty said:

GROW AUTOS!!! View attachment 5024582View attachment 5024583View attachment 5024584View attachment 5024585View attachment 5024586View attachment 5024588

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Those plants look terrible.

LogicCRX said:

7. Ducting - No idea either. Black AC Infinity ducting looks sharp, but has reviews saying it's the wrong size and doesn't fit. So may just go to Lowe's or Home Depot and buy some silver ducting there.

Any tips, comments, etc... welcomed!

Click to expand...

Don't believe the bit about the AC Infinity ducting not fitting 6" fans/fittings. I've used it for their S6 and T6 fans as well as another brand filter and a AC Infinity duct damper. They fit just fine. It's just a tight fit, which I would prefer... less leakage in any direction.

Note that this light is good for 2x2 in flower, which will leave two edges of your tent 3x3 or 4x4 lacking the brightness of the center. I'd personally look for something that matches the tent you choose a little better...something that does 3x3 or 4x4.

Just my personal choice.

xtsho said:

You don't need an intake fan. A small tent like that will be fine with passive intake. Make sure to filter the inlets. The regular silver ducting you can get at Lowes is just fine.

Click to expand...

To add to this, you don't need a carbon filter for the intake either. I actually use 6 inch automotive intake filters - 20ish bucks on Amazon, plus you just hose them off to clean them.

If you're that concerned about smell, buy a 4 inch carbon filter and fan. Outside of the tent, just put the filter on the ground with the fan on top. It scrubs the room that the tent is located in. This is what I run in my trim area.

One last thing - you're in the desert and I'm assuming it gets cold af this time of year. You might want to invest in a cheap 600 watt HID setup for winter months. I have a friend out in Vegas who does this. He runs a 600 watt HID for about 5 months out of the year, then switches to a 480 watt bar style LED that he runs at like 75% power.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys! I can't find a way to like your posts or I would.

@Rurumo Great info on the pantyhose and haven't heard of the vent filter material. I'll have to look it up. Do you use both pantyhose and the filter material on the same intake ducts, or just one of them?

I think I'll be getting the Apera AI311 or the cheaper AI209 for a PH meter. Not sure about EC/TDS yet. Was just going to go with a cheaper $15 one, but I'll take a look for a better one. And now that you mention it, I actually have a luminance meter built into my voltage multi-meter. I'll have to check that feature out now and see if it'll work. Will save some money.

Thanks for the seeds info. Wasn't sure where to buy them at really. Was looking at ILGM and North Atlantic Seed Company so far. ILGM was way too pricey for my first grow though.

Oh, and the reason for wanting to grow autos first, was because I'm doing this mainly to help a loved one out that has cancer and I'll be making RSO/FECO. So I wanted to start growing and producing as fast as possible and read that autos are the quickest way to do that. Just need to research what strain to buy.

@LeastExpectedGrower Thanks! Glad to hear the AC ducting is fine. I was worried about the reviews saying it was too small. Makes sense for it to be a tight fit though. Which carbon filter do you use?
As for lighting, I would be getting 2 of the XS1500 lights for 300w total, and the plan was adding up to 2 more or a different light as I get the funds.

If I get the 4x4, could I just use a smaller 2x3/3x3 area for my plants with the lights I have over them? See attached photo for what I mean. Maybe add some reflectors to help keep the light directed at the plants.


@Jimmy Slade Nice info about the automotive 6". If you have any links for the ones you like, that would be great. I hadn't thought about using something like that.

I basically live in the same temp environment as Vegas. We use indoor heat and AC, so the temperature in the house is usually 75 degrees year round. But I was actually debating putting the grow tent in the garage and that does get pretty cold in the winter. Like 50s-60s. I was wondering how I would go about heating the garage up. So that definitely sounds like a good idea if I decide to put the tent there. Plus that would give me extra wattage to use the entire 4x4 (if I go that big).

LogicCRX said:

Thanks for all the suggestions guys! I can't find a way to like your posts or I would.

@Rurumo Great info on the pantyhose and haven't heard of the vent filter material. I'll have to look it up. Do you use both pantyhose and the filter material on the same intake ducts, or just one of them?

I think I'll be getting the Apera AI311 or the cheaper AI209 for a PH meter. Not sure about EC/TDS yet. Was just going to go with a cheaper $15 one, but I'll take a look for a better one. And now that you mention it, I actually have a luminance meter built into my voltage multi-meter. I'll have to check that feature out now and see if it'll work. Will save some money.

Thanks for the seeds info. Wasn't sure where to buy them at really. Was looking at ILGM and North Atlantic Seed Company so far. ILGM was way too pricey for my first grow though.

Oh, and the reason for wanting to grow autos first, was because I'm doing this mainly to help a loved one out that has cancer and I'll be making RSO/FECO. So I wanted to start growing and producing as fast as possible and read that autos are the quickest way to do that. Just need to research what strain to buy.

@LeastExpectedGrower Thanks! Glad to hear the AC ducting is fine. I was worried about the reviews saying it was too small. Makes sense for it to be a tight fit though. Which carbon filter do you use?
As for lighting, I would be getting 2 of the XS1500 lights for 300w total, and the plan was adding up to 2 more or a different light as I get the funds.

If I get the 4x4, could I just use a smaller 2x3/3x3 area for my plants with the lights I have over them? See attached photo for what I mean. Maybe add some reflectors to help keep the light directed at the plants.
View attachment 5025007

@Jimmy Slade Nice info about the automotive 6". If you have any links for the ones you like, that would be great. I hadn't thought about using something like that.

I basically live in the same temp environment as Vegas. We use indoor heat and AC, so the temperature in the house is usually 75 degrees year round. But I was actually debating putting the grow tent in the garage and that does get pretty cold in the winter. Like 50s-60s. I was wondering how I would go about heating the garage up. So that definitely sounds like a good idea if I decide to put the tent there. Plus that would give me extra wattage to use the entire 4x4 (if I go that big).

Click to expand...

The filter I have is this one:
Terrabloom 6x16:

They also have a 6x24 that I almost bit on, but decided that it was verging on too big to comfortably install in my tent without causing hanging/space issues. I found the best way to handle the AC Infinity ducting in to install it and cinch it down on at least one piece of gear before you get it up in the tent, then if you're doing it fan/filter, its work but you can do it suspended. It's easier to put on if you can apply some direct pressure to work it on to the other equipment. It is definitely heftier and better constructed than most basic-bitch big-box ducting materials.

For lights, as long as you know that your two in flower will leave a few inches of 'cold strip' on the front and back of your setup in terms of light intensity, all is cool. When you go to expand, I'm one who likes matching lights across the tent, so I'd go with two more of the same. I started with one HLG225 in the center of my tent ( 2.75'x5'x6.5') and some weaker stuff to the sides, then as my grow continued, I added two more of them so I no longer had just optimum lighting in the middle but at the edges too. I found that it was forcing me to crunch the plants in the center to compete for the best light and I spend a lot of time metering and metering to get them all in as optimum position as possible. Once I got the other lights, I just spread them out.

LogicCRX said:

If I get the 4x4, could I just use a smaller 2x3/3x3 area for my plants with the lights I have over them? See attached photo for what I mean. Maybe add some reflectors to help keep the light directed at the plants.
View attachment 5025007

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Yes, that would be fine. I use a 10x10 room and have a 4x4 area defined with the plants under the lights appropriately as your design shows. Not so sure I'd even worry about the reflector material. My room is painted white for the reflective capabilities and I have always had good yields.

That would also leave you room for fans, filter (if inside), etc.

@LeastExpectedGrower I'll take a look at that filter, thanks. Was there a reason for not going with the AC Infinity filter? Reviews on all filters seem to be that they don't last longer than 2 months, or they are fine and lasted 2 years.
Appreciate the setup advice about how to get the ducting to fit also. That is definitely good to know.

@LeastExpectedGrower @mtnman2016 Great, perfect information about using a smaller space within a larger tent/area. Was hoping that was the case. Will be easier to grow into the space as needed, while still having room to put fans, humidifier, etc... if needed. Especially since I will probably be using the grow tent as a drying tent after harvest.

Most likely will get the 4x4 then, and just clean up more junk in the house to make room for it!

BigSco508 said:

Advice Rule # 1 Don't ever ever Ever grow fucking auto's !!

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The best weed I have ever grown came from Autos. I think Autos are fantastic.

speedwell68 said:

The best weed I have ever grown came from Autos. I think Autos are fantastic.

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LogicCRX said:

@LeastExpectedGrower I'll take a look at that filter, thanks. Was there a reason for not going with the AC Infinity filter? Reviews on all filters seem to be that they don't last longer than 2 months, or they are fine and lasted 2 years.
Appreciate the setup advice about how to get the ducting to fit also. That is definitely good to know.

@LeastExpectedGrower @mtnman2016 Great, perfect information about using a smaller space within a larger tent/area. Was hoping that was the case. Will be easier to grow into the space as needed, while still having room to put fans, humidifier, etc... if needed. Especially since I will probably be using the grow tent as a drying tent after harvest.

Most likely will get the 4x4 then, and just clean up more junk in the house to make room for it!

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I looked at all the filters that were easily available then looked at their reviews in a bunch of places and picked one that was well reviewed, looked well made and was in a price range I wanted to spend. I feel like this will be a once a year kind of purchase. The grow doesn't start to smell until about week 4 or 5, then you have a couple months of it having to work pretty hard. Then whatever downtime between grows, etc. When working and set up right (that's the part you need to work on) it scrubbed odor to the point where we had a work party and people were standing outside about 5' away from the exhaust exit and had no idea. Any odor issues I had in the house were due to fussing with the setup to get the balance between intake/exhaust and/or from opening the tent. I discovered though, that I could open the tent, stink up the joint, then set the fans on my rig to a high setting for an hour or so and it would suck out all the smell effectively on that floor of my house.