Need advice and tips on grow room plans

newgrower14

Member
I'm starting a new grow room from scratch, complete demo so I have total control of the area being built and I want to get it done right. I'm a beginner but want to set myself up for success. Plus I love construction projects, so that's fun.

The space will be approx 4' x 7' x 6'. I have a separate space for veg, but the only main difference in the set up of the room will be lighting, I believe.

Keep in mind that currently this room is stripped down to nothing but the frame and exterior walls.

Walls/floor
Walls will be well insulated, I'll paint them flat white and then put up Mylar on the walls. I was thinking of finding reflective white tile for the floors ($1-2/sq ft, nothing fancy) and putting two small drains on either side of the room since right now the floor is torn out, since I'd rather have them and not need them than vice versa. After that, if the tile isn't reflective enough, I can put Mylar over the floor.

Lighting
If I want to do a RDWC system with 5 plants in 5 gallon buckets, a control bucket, and a reservoir (I should have enough space I think) I should be fine with a 600w HPS for lighting? Should I try for two 600w? One 1000w HPS for flowering and one 600w MH for veg? I'm considering trying autoflower strains and just having one grow room, what would be the best lighting scenario for that? I'll need to hook up a cool tube with a reflector for each light, then set up an exhaust system for the heat, correct? Which'll be fan pulling air from outside -> exhaust -> tube -> exhaust -> outside?

Temperature/exhaust
I'm stuck on the best way to ventilate the room.

I can place a window unit AC in the top corner of the room for temperature control (it'd be well insulated, no leaks, all that good stuff), would that be a good idea? Would that be overkill?

I'd have 2-3 oscillating fans inside the room.

I could place an exhaust system on top of that, with a intake in a bottom corner and then exhaust with a carbon filter in one of the top corners of the room.

Smell isn't too much of a concern since I live in the country, I'm more concerned with using it get ride of any damp air that would cause humidity issues.

Any tips are appreciated. I'll throw up a diagram of how I want to lay the area out if that'd help. My big concerns are making sure the lighting is adequate for the space, and making sure I'm on the right track overall.

Thanks!
 
seems like you have it planned well and under control for now main. guessing thats ppl viewing but not responding :bigjoint: keep me posted i be glad to follow updates and offer any help i can provide along way
oh and i would personally just run a 1000w hps or even smaller one that can convert/run your mh bulbs if still want or need be
or even just run some t8 or t5 floursecents with cfls for veg. they are fairly cheap and work quite well. what i use for mine during veg can check out m journal and see if you like
 
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Thanks! I'm hoping to get everything up and running by Thanksgiving. I'll definitely start a journal here, the problem is getting to that point since I want to make sure everything is set up well. Tomorrow will be the final demolition day and we'll start building this week. I just want to get it right the first time. I posted about the actual set up I'll put in the room (https://www.rollitup.org/t/rdwc-plans-any-advice-plus-a-few-questions.889552/), if you want to check that out and offer any advice I'd appreciate it!

If I have separate rooms for veg and flowering, what do you think of a 600w MH or florescents for veg and then two 600w HPS for flowering? I'm definitely open to doing whatever is recommended.
 
I think the floor drain will be a god send and you will be very glad you installed it afterwards.
I would put a water supply in there too.
This way draining down, flushing and nutrient change will be a doddle.

I personally would try to squeeze 3 600hps if you are running ac in your flower room. As the cool tubes lower the light efficacy.
I think t5s or big cfl will suffice for veg.

Also I would ensure a really good air supply that is filtered to supply all the co2 and O2 requirements for your ladies.
 
CMH are real nice. I loved mine. I also tried LED's and loved those. Gave me the best buds I've grown, though I don't think it was the light as much as it was the lower temps, higher humidity (i lived in a desert with usually humidity in the grow space around 10%), and less air exchange (i had a 6" fan cooling the tiny closet I was in 24/7). :)

I don't think you need to veg under 600w to flower under 600w. You could just use flouros or LED shop lights are working good these days.

Whatever you do, good luck with it. :) I loved my RDWC or whatever my setup was called. Control Rez FTW.
 
Thanks for the responses, everyone! I'm still looking into which lights to use, and I'm getting the feeling that at some point it comes down to personal preference?

I've been leaning more and more towards using an autoflower strain the first go-around. I've heard good things about Dutch Passion's Think Different strain, so might try that out. What would be the best lighting scenario if I went that route? Would I be able to use the CMH light referenced above from seed to flower with an autoflower strain? If someone could point me in the right direction I'd appreciate it! Off to do some Googling in the mean time.
 
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