# Enter the noob - First time closet cfl grow **URL:** \ **Category:** Grow Cycle\ **Created:** [April 2, 2016, 3:47pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/enter-the-noob-first-time-closet-cfl-grow/5227 "2016-04-02T15:47:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Moose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee7513/32.png) [@Moose](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Moose)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2016, 3:47pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/enter-the-noob-first-time-closet-cfl-grow/5227/1 "2016-04-02T15:47:08Z")
Sup y’all. My name is Moose and I’m a noob ass grower lol. Actually I’ve been at this since Feb of this year, but my plants kept dying. Finally, I have one that’s looks healthy, no problems at all… yet. So here’s the details; -Strain unknown (bagseed) -Closet grow space (about 6 ft-ish) -2 gal pot I think (I dunno, I found it outside my apartment) -2 23w cfl bulbs (I have more, but I just can NOT find bulb adapters ANYWHERE) -Tin foil as a reflector -MG potting mix (not sure of nute ratio) -A fan for air flow -Watered from tap -No nutes added (I don’t own any cuz I’m poor as !@#$) -About 3 weeks old now -Can’t tell gender yet I believe that’s all the info, I hope I’m not forgetting anything. Um, yeah… pics ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/2X/1/1c8ea0010ccddd0dc9f97de18ef868dd1c264ece.jpeg) ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/2X/e/ea129872563bf6a185938e596d1d878a504229e5.jpeg) ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/2X/9/94184d8eb66bd36cb8c1b03cfb4c06b3a347b7bf.jpeg) ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/2X/9/98887f647e67493f12108083eae10e5532ab2fdb.jpeg) So yeah. Thoughts? Advice? Tips? ---
**Author:** ![dopekyza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@dopekyza](https://ilgmforum.com/u/dopekyza)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2016, 4:08pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/enter-the-noob-first-time-closet-cfl-grow/5227/2 "2016-04-02T16:08:57Z")
first of all the miracle grow has to go man . the reason is because it has time releasing nutrients that will eventually affect the plant . i would recommend going to your local hydro shop and get a bag of some ocean forest fox farms soil . trust me its one of the best investments you’ll make! . as for the lights since your are using cfl’s you are going to need 100 actual watts NOT 100 equivalent . remove the tin foil because it stores the heat and its going to effect your crop, try to go with something like Flat white walls or mylar. do you know whats the pH of your cities tap water? since your on a budget like you said… you can go to petsmart or walmart in the aquarium section they have some ph strips you can get for 5 or 8 dollars. because you are going to need to monitor the ph of the water and keep it a a steady 6.3 to 6.7 ---
**Author:** ![Moose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee7513/32.png) [@Moose](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Moose)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2016, 4:14pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/enter-the-noob-first-time-closet-cfl-grow/5227/3 "2016-04-02T16:14:39Z")
Thanks man, I appreciate the help. About how much does a bag of FF go for? Should I go ahead and try some stronger lights? My biggest concern with lighting, other than not being able to find adapters, is cost. Them bitches ain’t cheap and it could really rack up the light bill. Would you recommend MH or HPS? Also, I don’t know the city water pH, but I’ll do some digging and find out. ---
**Author:** ![Moose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee7513/32.png) [@Moose](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Moose)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2016, 4:21pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/enter-the-noob-first-time-closet-cfl-grow/5227/4 "2016-04-02T16:21:25Z")
Okay… pH of the water in my city is listed as 9.1 which I KNOW isn’t good. I’m not sure, I was a bit confused with some of the info, but TDS is looking to be around 150 ppm. Lol gotta get me some acid, drop dat pH down. Or distilled water. That’s safe, right? ---
**Author:** ![Paranorman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/paranorman/32/35387_2.png) [@Paranorman](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Paranorman)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2016, 4:51pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/enter-the-noob-first-time-closet-cfl-grow/5227/5 "2016-04-02T16:51:08Z")
Garden looks good! PH pen - ten bucks (adjust to 6.3) some kind of nutes are necessary, you don’t have to buy high-end. Fox Farm ocean Forest, the big bag is 20 bucks at my gro-store -good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Moose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee7513/32.png) [@Moose](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Moose)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2016, 4:56pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/enter-the-noob-first-time-closet-cfl-grow/5227/6 "2016-04-02T16:56:55Z")
Word. Shouldn’t be an issue at all procuring the goods. Thanks dude! By the by, I was JUST on your thread, you seem pretty knowledgeable. Gonna be watching your grow. ---
**Author:** ![Paranorman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/paranorman/32/35387_2.png) [@Paranorman](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Paranorman)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2016, 5:10pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/enter-the-noob-first-time-closet-cfl-grow/5227/7 "2016-04-02T17:10:59Z")
Thanks for looking…! Let me know if I can help you at all ---
**Author:** ![Moose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee7513/32.png) [@Moose](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Moose)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2016, 5:46pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/enter-the-noob-first-time-closet-cfl-grow/5227/8 "2016-04-02T17:46:56Z")
So you’re a seasoned grower? Excellent! I can use your grow as a reference, assuming all goes well. So I have a question; is hydroponics easier than soil or soilless grows? From what I’ve read, you get bigger yields in a shorter amount of time, but the equipment and setup are expensive as all hell. Is that your preferred method? ---
**Author:** ![dopekyza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@dopekyza](https://ilgmforum.com/u/dopekyza)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2016, 7:11pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/enter-the-noob-first-time-closet-cfl-grow/5227/9 "2016-04-02T19:11:37Z")
Check out my grow man I have 4 plants growing! ---
**Author:** ![Paranorman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/paranorman/32/35387_2.png) [@Paranorman](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Paranorman)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2016, 7:25pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/enter-the-noob-first-time-closet-cfl-grow/5227/10 "2016-04-02T19:25:39Z")
Well the thing is is I’m a little out of my element here, I’m not a soil grower, I chose soil to get back into it because of the buffer with any errors I make that soil gives, Hydroponics …not so much. So if you have any specifics I can help, this is a really cool forum and everybody is very kynd so welcome, and again any questions I can help I will do my best and I will not give you any information that I’m not sure of and haven’t verified ---
**Author:** ![Moose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee7513/32.png) [@Moose](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Moose)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 1:23pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/enter-the-noob-first-time-closet-cfl-grow/5227/11 "2016-04-08T13:23:42Z")
Sup y’all. Been about a week since I started this post, time for updates. Here it is ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/2X/2/27b10796a2838a4d276f73d7599f6fdf6cd66812.jpg) ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/2X/1/17f384ce17b9bd491c3c37b4459df9ad2baead7f.jpg) Lookin a bit strange with that… two way taco thing goin on there. Same setup (still broke) and another baby ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/2X/f/f9dd49c40e63fd8d04bdbed2ae5ea294d4cc509f.jpg) ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/2X/4/443310272e04241b87e29a91b3de8a9335f88427.jpg) Ya, that’s it for now. Going into week 4 for the behemoth, and the baby sprouted last week. Still searching for materials and taking advice cuz I’m still a noob. Patience is a virtue, and I’m still trying to figure out who is more patient; me or the plants? ---
**Author:** ![Moose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee7513/32.png) [@Moose](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Moose)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 12:19am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/enter-the-noob-first-time-closet-cfl-grow/5227/12 "2016-04-12T00:19:48Z")
Quick update : So I bought some fox farms ocean forest soil for my childrens, and proceeded to transplant the biggie… shoulda read a step by step. She’s in shock pretty bad and has some discoloration, some drooping leaves, dark green, all that bad shit. So MY question is; how long does it take to recover from shock? What can I do to help it along? ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/2X/2/2084fc50d6de65602a3c62aa1ae1f8dffb5a92ba.jpeg) ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/2X/1/17cc46e6daa0dcb6987e4b72e029feef079b1796.jpg) ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/2X/a/a7346c1df24f58bf7f6510a3ea4e61289ca86149.jpeg) I’m pretty bummed. I really don’t wanna lose her. Help? ---
**Author:** ![Paranorman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/paranorman/32/35387_2.png) [@Paranorman](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Paranorman)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 12:31am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/enter-the-noob-first-time-closet-cfl-grow/5227/13 "2016-04-12T00:31:57Z")
I planted mine straight in Fox Farm ocean forest with a 20 - 25% perlite cut and I’ve had nothing but good! ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/2X/9/9d7439e6623e7ebf83246ef6a2ef926738d13e31.jpg) I’m sorry to see that bro, I wouldn’t know what to do cuz I didn’t have the problem, (liked it so much I just bought another bag) …I hope everything works out for you ---
**Author:** ![Moose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee7513/32.png) [@Moose](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Moose)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 3:51am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/enter-the-noob-first-time-closet-cfl-grow/5227/14 "2016-04-12T03:51:11Z")
I appreciate that man, and she’s perking up now. Your girls there are really pretty though! So you have fox farms soil; do you plan to add nutes or leave as is? Also, would it be possible to run HID’s without the ventilation setup? I was thinking of getting a small MH (150~200w) for the remainder of her veg and then upgrading to a HPS when she starts flowering. ---
**Author:** ![Paranorman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/paranorman/32/35387_2.png) [@Paranorman](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Paranorman)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 3:53am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/enter-the-noob-first-time-closet-cfl-grow/5227/15 "2016-04-12T03:53:26Z")
I’ve just started adding 25% GH Flora nutes after 4/5 weeks (respective of the plants age) didn’t need any earlier, that’s a strong soil, damn good too! when you put the perlite in is so light you have to weigh it down to keep it from floating away! 🙂 -good luck bro ---
**Author:** ![Moose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee7513/32.png) [@Moose](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Moose)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2016, 12:18am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/enter-the-noob-first-time-closet-cfl-grow/5227/16 "2016-04-30T00:18:47Z")
Sup y’all, been a hot minute. Updates. This is the new baby. Bagseed 😒 pretty though. Well, except for that nasty brown spot on the bottom leaves ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/2X/b/b2a6f492b407826a4dc4365cfc29026a2f1fa155.jpeg) Here’s big sis. She looks a little beat, but she’s a goddamn trooper. Looks like nute burn on some of the newer growth, I dunno though ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/2X/e/e2e76a41e79c31bae3eed4813936b71b4edec5e4.jpeg) Okay, that’s all for now I guess. Waiting on my seeds to come through the mail so I can actually KNOW what it is I’m growing lol. “You growing reg or loud?” Uhh… ---
**Author:** ![Moose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee7513/32.png) [@Moose](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Moose)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2016, 4:54pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/enter-the-noob-first-time-closet-cfl-grow/5227/17 "2016-05-09T16:54:47Z")
Sup, so I saw something… new… last night before I cut the lights. So, this morning, ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/2X/d/d3f6bcaa7d2c84196ac65c56c7fafcd8c4e5b585.jpg) Close up ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/2X/4/45eae7e89575bdd52edc59addaef944eb7c1d492.jpeg) Closer… ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/2X/0/005064646c6b8b67fa3a278b4bca9b57c69bf193.jpg) ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/2X/f/f65bae719f47c1cf41fb115888ce6b9be884972e.jpg) What’s going on here? ---
**Author:** ![Moose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee7513/32.png) [@Moose](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Moose)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2016, 11:13pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/enter-the-noob-first-time-closet-cfl-grow/5227/18 "2016-05-09T23:13:09Z")
Oh man, The biggie might be male ☹ !! I’ll wait until the end of the week just to be absolutely certain. Anyway, I threw another bagseed in a red solo cup and put it under the lights. We’ll see, I guess 😒 … hoping the other one IS female MAN this is disappointing 😧 ---
**Author:** ![Paranorman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/paranorman/32/35387_2.png) [@Paranorman](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Paranorman)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2016, 11:50pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/enter-the-noob-first-time-closet-cfl-grow/5227/19 "2016-05-09T23:50:31Z")
Buy ILGM female seeds Mouse, you won’t be disappointed ! 👍 ---
**Author:** ![Moose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee7513/32.png) [@Moose](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Moose)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2016, 12:52am UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/enter-the-noob-first-time-closet-cfl-grow/5227/20 "2016-05-10T00:52:57Z")
Thing is, I did. About 3 weeks ago I think. Super skunk fem, 10 seeds. I don’t really know who to contact or what steps to take in case I never get the seeds, but I figure I’ll wait another week because overseas shipments take longer to get to wherever, customs trying to confiscate shit… but yeah. Til then, bagseed. One of these damn things’ll give me a lady eventually [Next page](https://ilgmforum.com/t/enter-the-noob-first-time-closet-cfl-grow/5227.md?page=2)