Noob first room build check-up

Hi everyone I have been lurking for months on here and a few other places absorbing everything. I am about to finally pull the trigger on my first setup and wanted to run it by everyone here in case I am missing something.

I will be growing for personal use for my wife and I in a legal state. Everything will be in a unfinished basement of the house we own. I plan on growing 2 plants and Ideally LST


3x3x6 Grow tent
4 x QB132 3500k
Driver **
18 AWG 300v solid core wire (I have the junction and the end for the DC power)
WAGO connectors
LED light hangers
7 gallon fabric pots
Solo Cups
Ac infinity cloudline T6
Phresh 6x12 filter
6-inch ducting
8 outlet power strip
Digital microscope
PH up and Down kit
Thermometer / Hygrometer
Digital timer
Fox farm trio nutrients
have a small 8 inch fan for inside air movement


I have already purchased seeds that will be delivered today and have already purchased a bag of FFOF and Happy frog as well as perlite. I feel like I have a decent setup to start I will need some obvious things like Pruning snips etc.

My two biggest concerns are the heat in the basement. It is unfinished and is never really Warm but also not freezing... the tent will be near a heat register but we usually do not run our heat very crazy in the winter. I am not sure if the light/driver and fan will add enough to keep it at a good temp. I assume the basement will get into the mid to low 50's during winter.

**Also I planned on getting the HLG-320h-c2100a driver after bugging a member here a bunch so I could make sure I used the lights to their full potential. However, I am not finding one in stock and have been looking at the HLG-240H-C1750A instead. I just dont want to regret this driver if I am unable to get the needed power from the lights for the space.

Appreciate any input so I have the best chance at success.
Thanks

You got way more stuff than me so I'm sayin looking pretty good. I'm jelous you're in a legal state. Only thing I can confirm is you'll need to get some heat in there. Well you can run lights at night when it's colder if you can keep the sunlight completely out during the daylight hours. That might help some. But I don't think LEDs are warm enough. Maybe have pots raised up off the cold concrete floor somehow. I don't use a tent but that's pretty small so you probably wont need that strong of a heater. You might get a programmable controller like inkbird makes and look for a heater that can safely feed to your intake if there is such a thing.

I could easily keep light out during the day since this will be in the back part of the basement. However I will need time to work on the plants as well.

Luckily the basement is a sub floor so it's a few feet off the dirt and is wood no concrete. I guess I won't really know about heat until I try, I was mainly trying to get an idea of how much higher most people's tents are then the room around.

exxige said:

I could easily keep light out during the day since this will be in the back part of the basement. However I will need time to work on the plants as well.

Luckily the basement is a sub floor so it's a few feet off the dirt and is wood no concrete. I guess I won't really know about heat until I try, I was mainly trying to get an idea of how much higher most people's tents are then the room around.

Click to expand...

I hear you. Sorry I can't help with the tent part because I haven't used one. I just don't see a tent staying warm even if the lights get it up enough if it gets down to 50 for the 12 hours of lights off. Maybe you should grow autos and keep lights on 24x7?

exxige said:

I could easily keep light out during the day since this will be in the back part of the basement. However I will need time to work on the plants as well.

Luckily the basement is a sub floor so it's a few feet off the dirt and is wood no concrete. I guess I won't really know about heat until I try, I was mainly trying to get an idea of how much higher most people's tents are then the room around.

Click to expand...

This will greatly depend on the amount of heat you are generating and the ventilation/air flow of both the tent and your basement and how well your basement is insulated. I use QBs as well. The inside of my tent only stays a few degrees above the temp of the rest of the basement because I have a large extraction fan in it. My basement is all concrete and its been fairly easy to control the temp of the whole thing year round. If you can get a good idea of the temperature swing in the basement, your tent wont be far off.
I live somewhere were its typically 20+ degrees cooler at night than it is during the day and plenty of ppl growing outdoors here. Thats nature, a temp drop into the 50s at night isnt going to destroy your plants.

fragileassassin said:

This will greatly depend on the amount of heat you are generating and the ventilation/air flow of both the tent and your basement and how well your basement is insulated. I use QBs as well. The inside of my tent only stays a few degrees above the temp of the rest of the basement because I have a large extraction fan in it. My basement is all concrete and its been fairly easy to control the temp of the whole thing year round. If you can get a good idea of the temperature swing in the basement, your tent wont be far off.
I live somewhere were its typically 20+ degrees cooler at night than it is during the day and plenty of ppl growing outdoors here. Thats nature, a temp drop into the 50s at night isnt going to destroy your plants. Itll ac

Click to expand...

Awesome thanks for the info I am in Colorado which swings like you said. My basement sounds like yours minus the floor being elevated wood which I think will help. Sadly sounds like I won't know much until I just try or get something down there to measure.

@coreywebster Can you throw down the ambient heat/watt chart, I really need to save that on this phone... rip.

Also, I'm going to be honest here and say just grab the 320h-2100b driver and either install a potentiometer (rapid led has decent ones for under $10) or run it open at max all grow without one.

With the A type you will get a bit more power, Normally I would suggest an 'a' type driver for that reason..., but the 320h-2100b maxes out those boards enough you'll need a fan or two blowing over them at that level. I know hlg underrates their stress tests. But the 10-12 extra watts wouldn't push me to go out of my way to wait for a restock on the a type. And I wouldn't underdrive them either.

fragileassassin said:

This will greatly depend on the amount of heat you are generating and the ventilation/air flow of both the tent and your basement and how well your basement is insulated. I use QBs as well. The inside of my tent only stays a few degrees above the temp of the rest of the basement because I have a large extraction fan in it. My basement is all concrete and its been fairly easy to control the temp of the whole thing year round. If you can get a good idea of the temperature swing in the basement, your tent wont be far off.
I live somewhere were its typically 20+ degrees cooler at night than it is during the day and plenty of ppl growing outdoors here. Thats nature, a temp drop into the 50s at night isnt going to destroy your plants.

Click to expand...

I guess 70's to 50's indoors might be ok for larger plants. I don't think it will be good for seedlings though, so another thing you might want is a seedling heating pad.

raggyb said:

I guess 70's to 50's indoors might be ok for larger plants. I don't think it will be good for seedlings though, so another thing you might want is a seedling heating pad.

Click to expand...

Oh for sure for really small plants.

PrometheanLeaf said:

@coreywebster Can you throw down the ambient heat/watt chart, I really need to save that on this phone... rip.

Also, I'm going to be honest here and say just grab the 320h-2100b driver and either install a potentiometer (rapid led has decent ones for under $10) or run it open at max all grow without one.

With the A type you will get a bit more power, Normally I would suggest an 'a' type driver for that reason..., but the 320h-2100b maxes out those boards enough you'll need a fan or two blowing over them at that level. I know hlg underrates their stress tests. But the 10-12 extra watts wouldn't push me to go out of my way to wait for a restock on the a type. And I wouldn't underdrive them either.

Click to expand...

I actually ended up finding one of the A's in stock once I realized there are search engines for these modules haha. I went ahead and got the thermometer ordered that records the high and low for the last 24 hours I'm gonna hang it in the location for this week and see what I get. We are getting down to about 35 outside this week. I did find a bunch of options for small ceramic heaters people are using as well. Of course I decide to start this hobby in winter! The basement will be perfect for summer haha

exxige said:

Hi everyone I have been lurking for months on here and a few other places absorbing everything. I am about to finally pull the trigger on my first setup and wanted to run it by everyone here in case I am missing something.

I will be growing for personal use for my wife and I in a legal state. Everything will be in a unfinished basement of the house we own. I plan on growing 2 plants and Ideally LST


3x3x6 Grow tent
4 x QB132 3500k
Driver **
18 AWG 300v solid core wire (I have the junction and the end for the DC power)
WAGO connectors
LED light hangers
7 gallon fabric pots
Solo Cups
Ac infinity cloudline T6
Phresh 6x12 filter
6-inch ducting
8 outlet power strip
Digital microscope
PH up and Down kit
Thermometer / Hygrometer
Digital timer
Fox farm trio nutrients
have a small 8 inch fan for inside air movement


I have already purchased seeds that will be delivered today and have already purchased a bag of FFOF and Happy frog as well as perlite. I feel like I have a decent setup to start I will need some obvious things like Pruning snips etc.

My two biggest concerns are the heat in the basement. It is unfinished and is never really Warm but also not freezing... the tent will be near a heat register but we usually do not run our heat very crazy in the winter. I am not sure if the light/driver and fan will add enough to keep it at a good temp. I assume the basement will get into the mid to low 50's during winter.

**Also I planned on getting the HLG-320h-c2100a driver after bugging a member here a bunch so I could make sure I used the lights to their full potential. However, I am not finding one in stock and have been looking at the HLG-240H-C1750A instead. I just dont want to regret this driver if I am unable to get the needed power from the lights for the space.

Appreciate any input so I have the best chance at success.
Thanks

Click to expand...

Setup seems fine. I run mine in my garage in a homemade 5x5x7 tent. I cut a window unit into the side for cool air as I’m running HID’s and run lights at night while temps are colder outside and lights off during the day. However we’re getting into colder weather and the tent struggled to stay warm during lights off so I bought a cheap $10 personal space heater from Walmart and then ran the hot leg through a temp controller in the room. Cranked it to the highest setting and it only comes on when needed and turns off when it doesn’t. Just set the temp and look away. If it starts getting too hot you can look up window unit builds and see people that built boxes for theirs and exhaust the hot air from the window unit.

CrudeDude said:

Setup seems fine. I run mine in my garage in a homemade 5x5x7 tent. I cut a window unit into the side for cool air as I’m running HID’s and run lights at night while temps are colder outside and lights off during the day. However we’re getting into colder weather and the tent struggled to stay warm during lights off so I bought a cheap $10 personal space heater from Walmart and then ran the hot leg through a temp controller in the room. Cranked it to the highest setting and it only comes on when needed and turns off when it doesn’t. Just set the temp and look away. If it starts getting too hot you can look up window unit builds and see people that built boxes for theirs and exhaust the hot air from the window unit.

Click to expand...

After some research yesterday that was what my plan was going to be once I determine if it even too cold. I am worried before I even know haha. The exhaust fan will have a thermostat set to run to keep ideal temps and I would do a heater like you mentioned that turned on only when needed. I assume you are using it in the tent correct?

exxige said:

After some research yesterday that was what my plan was going to be once I determine if it even too cold. I am worried before I even know haha. The exhaust fan will have a thermostat set to run to keep ideal temps and I would do a heater like you mentioned that turned on only when needed. I assume you are using it in the tent correct?

Click to expand...

no heater in tent u need to heat the air before it goes into the grow area .......cool is good u just need to keep the temp in the 60s 70s for faster growth

there is one other thing i have had alot of basement weed .......it is cuased by mold spores and other things that are in the air .......i would make a filtered intake box for your tent with a lvl 7 or 10 filter on it will keep out the spores/smell and your taste will be all weed (simple to make get a 12x12 filter and a 12x12x8or10 box put in a 6 inch booster fan in the back and put the filter in the front duct taped on) just run the ducting from the back of fan into the tent .......u can pick where to dump out the cool fresh co2 air plus u can keep the heater near it so the air that is going in is getting warmest possible to the temp u want

other thing please ditch the cups use a 1 or 3 gallon pot so u get atleast a oz or 2 off the plant

justugh said:

no heater in tent u need to heat the air before it goes into the grow area .......cool is good u just need to keep the temp in the 60s 70s for faster growth

there is one other thing i have had alot of basement weed .......it is cuased by mold spores and other things that are in the air .......i would make a filtered intake box for your tent with a lvl 7 or 10 filter on it will keep out the spores/smell and your taste will be all weed (simple to make get a 12x12 filter and a 12x12x8or10 box put in a 6 inch booster fan in the back and put the filter in the front duct taped on) just run the ducting from the back of fan into the tent .......u can pick where to dump out the cool fresh co2 air plus u can keep the heater near it so the air that is going in is getting warmest possible to the temp u want

other thing please ditch the cups use a 1 or 3 gallon pot so u get atleast a oz or 2 off the plant

Click to expand...

I am not really worried about mold I am in Colorado and I think getting correct humidity will be more of a problem then too much. my basement is dry as hell and we use it daily for working out and never have had an issue. The cups were simply for seedling phase I have the 7 gallon fabric pots listed in my list I planned to use for the actual plant. I am only planning on doing 2 in the tent and probably SCROG if things go well.

Heater right outside the intake of the tent makes sense I wonder if the thermostat to turn it off though would really work then.....

Like justugh said. Put heater outside by the fresh air intake. Run and extend a switch leg(2 - 14 or 12 awg wires) into the tent and set the tstat there. Easy peasy.

Also when using a tstat I’d choose one with a variable deadband you can adjust.

PrometheanLeaf said:

@coreywebster Can you throw down the ambient heat/watt chart, I really need to save that on this phone... rip.

Also, I'm going to be honest here and say just grab the 320h-2100b driver and either install a potentiometer (rapid led has decent ones for under $10) or run it open at max all grow without one.

With the A type you will get a bit more power, Normally I would suggest an 'a' type driver for that reason..., but the 320h-2100b maxes out those boards enough you'll need a fan or two blowing over them at that level. I know hlg underrates their stress tests. But the 10-12 extra watts wouldn't push me to go out of my way to wait for a restock on the a type. And I wouldn't underdrive them either.

Click to expand...

This one?


heres the link and the site its from originally with the math..

http://img.anonymiss.info/airflow-temperature.png

http://www.thctalk.com/cannabis-forum/archive/index.php/t-48463.html

exxige said:

I am not really worried about mold I am in Colorado and I think getting correct humidity will be more of a problem then too much. my basement is dry as hell and we use it daily for working out and never have had an issue. The cups were simply for seedling phase I have the 7 gallon fabric pots listed in my list I planned to use for the actual plant. I am only planning on doing 2 in the tent and probably SCROG if things go well.

Heater right outside the intake of the tent makes sense I wonder if the thermostat to turn it off though would really work then.....

Click to expand...

Once you get plants in there itll be more humid. my basement stays around 40% but the tent tends to stay closer to 60% im in CO too.
Is your furnace in your basement by chance?
Mine is and I use it for air circulation by leaving the blower on all the time. Theres an air intake in each floor of my house including the basement. I have the middle floor one blocked off so it pulls air in from just the basement and upstairs. I also use a smart thermostat thats connected to my home security system. I have extra zone sensors that I can switch between to control the temp of the room the sensor is in instead of running the temp up where the thermostat is. I have sensors in my basement and our downstairs living area and use the average of those two to control the temp of the whole house. Keeps everything right where it should be so far i just have to open the vent above the tent a little more when it gets really really cold.

fragileassassin said:

Once you get plants in there itll be more humid. my basement stays around 40% but the tent tends to stay closer to 60% im in CO too.
Is your furnace in your basement by chance?
Mine is and I use it for air circulation by leaving the blower on all the time. Theres an air intake in each floor of my house including the basement. I have the middle floor one blocked off so it pulls air in from just the basement and upstairs. I also use a smart thermostat thats connected to my home security system. I have extra zone sensors that I can switch between to control the temp of the room the sensor is in instead of running the temp up where the thermostat is. I have sensors in my basement and our downstairs living area and use the average of those two to control the temp of the whole house. Keeps everything right where it should be so far i just have to open the vent above the tent a little more when it gets really really cold.

Click to expand...

yeah my furnace is right near where we are putting the tent. There is also a heat register almost directly above the tent that is normally close but I will open it once we have the grow going. I will know more tomorrow when my sensors arrive and I can get some actual temps and humidity #'s. Thank you for the ideas seems like I might be able to work around the cold and worst case just a little heater for crazy cold days or nights.

Do you run lights at night? LED?

exxige said:

yeah my furnace is right near where we are putting the tent. There is also a heat register almost directly above the tent that is normally close but I will open it once we have the grow going. I will know more tomorrow when my sensors arrive and I can get some actual temps and humidity #'s. Thank you for the ideas seems like I might be able to work around the cold and worst case just a little heater for crazy cold days or nights.

Do you run lights at night? LED?

Click to expand...

When i was 18/6 they were off from 5am to 11am
in 12/12 theyre off 1045pm-1045am havent seen the 24hr low temp on my meter go below 60 yet.
I do have my drivers mounted on a joist above my tent and not inside it though.

Sounds very similar to my setup. The air intake is in the middle of the room. The register blows down just to the right side of my tent. With it being so close to the furnace i had to play with how much to open it but it wasnt difficult.
I have an older furnace and could take the bottom front panel off of the blower compartment and put a filter right over the opening so it would draw all of its air out of the basement instead of the house intakes. I did this to keep temps down during the summer since we dont have central air.