Need feedback on my White Widow Autoflower setup

Grow Cycle Preparations
1

Hi guys. Starting a new grow as someone who knows nothing at all and has never grown a thing. I’ve researched and this is what I’ve come up with so far. Please give me feedback on what I have. I have to grow in a bedroom and I have to be stealth. I use this stuff medicinally so I only need to make enough to cover my usage.

These are the seeds I’m looking at: White Widow Autoflower. Package of 5 unless I’m missing something.

This is the tent I’ve found. I have severe chemical sensitivity and I can’t leave my room, which runs strong air purifiers. I have to use a tent in this room. I’m aware of the offgassing and I’m going to have to buy the tent super early to let it offgass. If you guys know of one that doesn’t have the offgassing issue then by all means let me know. This is the best I can find for my spot, which isn’t big at all.

Gorilla Grow Tent (2’ x 2.5’ x 5’7") - I can purchase an extension kit to take it to 6’3" if I need more headroom.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L4NFAWA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?smid=A1Q5VQ8AK548GN&psc=1

Smell has to be completely contained so I have to use a in-line carbon filter and fan. This is the one I found.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DMG5RRA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

We don’t have the most stable electricity in the entire world and we can’t afford a huge spike in the bill so I’m guessing I should go LED. Also, the others require heat control and I’m not really scared of that but it’s more thing to factor in on a first grow and it’s also extra electrical load on the circuit as I run multiple fans to control the heat. These are the LEDS I found that hopefully work. Let me know what you think.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074K25WD2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?smid=AK8SWYT2R4AXW&psc=1

For my soil I found this and it looks amazing. It only fills up a third of the pot and you need a good soil to go over it. I have a question below on what soil that should be assuming this looks good to you guys.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BDNTH19/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1QHCLR8FCZ7EV&psc=1

First question:

WIth the autoflower White Widow, how large should my planting containers be? I’ve seen 5 gallon most frequently but I also see people saying three is fine for that one. I don’t want to limit my plant growth more than necessary so which is better?

Second question:

Depending on which size container, I’m not sure about how many to plant. I was going to do just one plant but I need this stuff and I’m scared of putting it all on the line with one plant that can fail. Can I fit two in this tent? I’m sure not more than that. That way I would have a little more safety cushion built in. If my thinking is off here please let me know.

Third question:

Is the 4" in-line fan kit enough to cover oders with that size tent and that strain. Can it handle only one plant? More? Should I buy the 6" one to guarantee better control?

Fourth Question:

Assuming I have a good light and assuming I can grow more than one plant in this tent, will this light cover everything or will I need to buy two if I plant two plants, three if I plant three plants… etc.

Fifth Question:

I need a potting soil and I’ve seen a lot of people saying that Fox Farm Ocean Forest is good but I’ve also seen a lot of people saying it’s entirely too hot for seeds and I’m new to this and don’t want to do any transplanting and jeopardize my plant. What is a good, orgnanic potting soil that will carry these autoflower seeds from seed in soil to full plant? I have severe chemical sensitivities, like my liver starts going into toxic overload so I need clean stuff.

Sixth Question:

What else would I need. I’m guessing a ph detector but I don’t have a clue what to do when I detect something so I have to learn up on it but what other small things will I need? Are there any connector poieces I’m missing, soil things I’m missing? Basically, what am I missing :slight_smile:

I know that is a lot. Thanks for anyone who helps. I am super excited about this. It will solve a lot of problems for me.

1 Like
2

I think you will really only have room for one plant in a room that size with lst but with all the help from the good people here I am sure you will be successful, have you considered doing hydro? I think the 4 in should do the job in that size tent but I have never used one smaller than the 6in

3

I didn’t even consider doing hydro because I figured it would be too expensive. We absolutely don’t have the money to do what I’m even proposing to do here but we are gonna have to make it swing somehow. I need to look into it though. I may have made a bad assumption on the cost. Thanks for the answer!

4

I saw someone on the forum recommend lights from this company. Would this be better?

2 Likes
5

You can get a single five gallon bucket with a basket lid from a hydroponics shop for probably 15 bucks a air pump for another 15 bucks you will and some clay pellets plus nutrients and pH meter (which you will need any way) I use general hydroponics Flora trio 45 bucks will do about 4 plants soil will add up in cost also

1 Like
6

I just looked at the safety data sheet on the General Hydroponics Flora Trio and it’s not really something I should be playing with. Is hydroponics more of a chemically driven medium or is that just that product? I know there are plenty of soils I can’t use due to added chemicals as well but there are organic options.

Also, is there a “good” ph meter or does it even matter?

1 Like
7

There are organic nutrients advance nutrients have a organic line they are a little bit more expensive I believe maybe look that up I have not used them but I was thinking of giving them a try. A 20 dollar pH meter will work I have been growing for a long time and have a lab grade pH meter which I prefer but I don’t think that would be cost effective for you right now

8

A 3 gallon pot is probably what you’d want in that size tent. Especially if you want to run multiple plants. Normally you’ll see people run 1 plant in that size tent. There are exceptions, but you should probably work up to that after a grow or two. If you absolutely want to start more than one plant, you could probably even consider something like a 2 gallon pot.

4" fan is should be fine for that size tent. If it doesn’t come with a speed controller you’ll probably want to add one.

The hlg lights are much better, also more expensive. The typical recommendation there is to do a 135 kit for a 2x2 tent. Light density will be a lower in slightly larger tent, but that’s probably what I would go with, in 3000k or 3500k.

A more inert medium is easier to start seeds in, but will also require more nutrients be added over course of grow. I’m afraid I don’t have a great answer here. Perhaps @SilentHippie can swing by and run his method by you. I believe its layering a heavily amended soil at bottom of pot with a more inert medium at top. No guarantee that will do exactly what you need it to, but may be your best option.

You’ll want a ph pen to adjust ph to proper range, and to test runoff of plant if you need to troubleshoot any issues.

Off top of my head, you’ll need a fan to circulate air inside of the tent too. You’ll also want a tds tester if you end up getting nutrients to feed. Adjustable hangers for lights, some trimming shears for harvesting, a decent temp/humidity sensor, and I’m sure I’m missing other stuff…

2 Likes
9

Thanks for the tag @dbrn32. @OzWalt, I use a soil called Kind Soil. A 5lb. bag goes in the bottom of a 5 gallon pot with Promix, Coco Loco, or a similar medium on top. For autos, they recommend 3lbs in a 3 gallon pot. The theory is that roots will grow down to the hot soil and only uptake what it needs. I only use ph’d water as the soil has everything my plants need.

ac083092192f8ff7b6e1a5f703260d2eebe51b53_2_1332x1000
ac083092192f8ff7b6e1a5f703260d2eebe51b53_2_1332x10001154×866 852 KB

As for your Ph meter, you can get a decent one for $50.

https://www.amazon.com/Apera-Instruments-AI209-Waterproof-Accuracy/dp/B01ENFOHN8/?tag=greenrel-20

Ph is where you don’t want to guess. We see lots of issues on here that are mainly a result of poor ph management. Number 1 rule in the @SilentHippie garden is “PH EVERY watering!” Hope this helps. :v:

8 Likes
10

No problem, thanks for sharing the info. Was only thing that came to mind that may be ideal here.

4 Likes
11

Thanks guys!

  1. It seems like I definitely need to do one plant in this tent which is 2 x 2.5. What are the ways I can best ensure that a dud seed doesn’t stop me in my tracks? I know there are duds and it’s all part of the game but I’ve got a lot riding on this working the first time which is why I’m in hella research mode. Any tips or procedures would be great!

  2. If I am correct about using one plant then should I use a five gallon or three? I’m guessing five for more root grow room but I’m new and certainly don’t know all the factors. Also could you recommend a good container for this method in whichever size is best?

  3. Thanks for the potting soil procedure @SilentHippie. Couple of questions about the procedure…

    I will be purchasing the smart soil like you suggested. I see multiple recommendations for the soil used to top it. The one I see most often recommended is Fox Farm Ocean Forest. But I also consistently see that it is too hot for seeds and it is recommended to plant in Fox Farm Happy Frog and then transplant it later. I do not want to do this. It’s another step in the chain my inexperienced hands can screw up so I’ve come up with two possible alternatives. Let me know if either of them works or is silly…

Option 1: Just use Fox Farm Happy Frog the whole way through or use
something else recommended all the way through. I also found this as a possible option https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N6XC8US/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Option 2: The second option could well be me talking out my ass but if I take the logical extension of the smart soil planting idea then could I do the following:

  1. bottom layer of smart soil,
  2. majority of the top layer above that in Fox Farms Ocean Forest
  3. A thin layer of Fox Farms Happy Frog or another soil that is easier on seeds.

My thinking is that if I get the top layer the right thickness the seed will grow in a medium that fits it better. By the time the roots reach down they will be in the hotter soil they need and then it will finally reach the smart soil and boom!

Is that reasonable? If it is reasonable then how thick should I make each layer?

  1. Finally, I found a fan speed control as recommended. It’s cheap and simple but I’m guessing it will work but I might be missing something. Is this good?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0714FFG4F/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Sorry to be so anal guys and thanks a ton for the help! This place is stunningly helpful. I know that reading through other people’s grow journals where I’m picking up a lot.

I’m just being so nitpicky because I have to get this right the first time. I have to big of a need medicinally and we have no money financially so this is what is going to keep me medicated which has been a nightmare of up and down up till now.

I either can’t get it, it’s chock full of chemicals or pesticides that trigger my illness, we don’t have the money right then so I gotta just be sick, spending the only money we have on garbage product… I’m sure you get what I mean. Not to mention my wife is on board spending money we straight don’t have in a time we need to be spending it on other things that are also hella important. I also gotta make this work for her so this is something that helps our situation and down’t bleed it furthur. I want her to sleep peacefully for once in a long time.

I wish I could toy around with a few grows and learn from my mistakes but taking it down to one plant and the situation I’m in I gotta get it right.

12

Taking into account the feedback I’ve received already this is what I’m looking at. Please pick it apart at the seams if you can :slight_smile: I’d appreciate it.

Tent:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L4NFAWA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_9?smid=A1Q5VQ8AK548GN&psc=1

Light:

Inline fan - Carbon filter

Ducts for fan/carbon filter

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017S4JSAI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Fan control:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0714FFG4F/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Temp/Humidity monitors

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GNMKYCZ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_7?smid=AKX2DI4Z071IG&psc=1

PH Testing meter:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ENFOHN8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Kind Soil

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00S1HRLPQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?smid=AYGXP0823YX4D&psc=1

Not sure what other soil to use on top. Waiting on feedback on that. Maybe this one?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N6XC8US/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

White Widow Autoflower

I know I need a dehumidifier and a fan to blow air around the tent. What are good fans and dehumidifiers that will fit in a 2 x 2.5 tent.

Also, do I need an intake vent coming into the tent to control the pressure like you do in a desktop computer fan setup? is the external venting enough. I’m just not picturing how the air is turned over in the room really well at this point.

1 Like
13

I just went throug the literature for the Kind Soil and it was very helpful. They recommend these grow pots.

What do you guys think? Would you go for the 5 gallon or the 3 gallon considering I’m going to be planting one White Widow autoflower in the middle of a 2 x 2.5 tent.

They also strongly state that for the medium to use over Living Soil is the one I linked earlier. The Bush Doctor Coco Loco

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N6XC8US/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Should I abandon the idea of two stage with the Fox Farms Ocean Forest in the middle and Fox Farms Happy Frog in a layer on top and just go with the Bush Doctor Coco Loco over the Kind Soil?

Lastly, if I go with just Bush Doctor Coco Loco will it tolerate growing a seed or it will be too hot like the Fox Farms Ocean Forest is.

Basically I’m asking what the right combo is.

14

You might like to try what I do…
I start with a section of essentially nutrient-free Light Warrior soil, which is intended for new growth. Then, the roots grow into the Happy Frog area, a light nutrient mix. Lastly, the rest of the pot is filled with nutrient-rich Ocean Forest. This treats the plants very gently in their early stage and makes it so you don’t have to add any nutrients until they are in the flowering stage.

soil_in_pot
soil_in_pot800×600 10.1 KB

1 Like
15

That is what I was picturing except I was picturing level stages but I can see how blocking it off the way you did is better. That is awesome. Thanks! I’m glad to know that works. It made logical sense to me but that doesn’t always means it’s logical :slight_smile:

I still need the Smart Soil at the bottom so what product layers would you suggest over the smart soil. I’m guessing all three would be a bit much. Which two would you put?

16

That tent is pretty expensive for a 2x2.5 and the 10 inch vent holes are overkill, considering you will be using 4 inch tubing. I know you want to save money - I think you should be able to find something decent for under $100.

Not that you have to get this one, but it’s just a random 2x2x4 I found that has good ratings and price:
https://www.amazon.com/TopoLite-Reflective-Hydroponic-Planting-plastic/dp/B06Y462T4S/ref=sr_1_26_sspa?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1548544993&sr=1-26-spons&keywords=2%27%2Bx%2B2%27%2Bgrow%2Btent&smid=A202IRVDND9C8Z&th=1

If you really like the Gorilla tent though - stick with it.

Regarding your question about the inlet air, all you really need to do is connect some vent tubing to a vent in the bottom of the tent and kind of twist it around in a circle or an “S” shape so that any light entering can’t make it all the way into the tent. Another way to accomplish this is by purchasing some black PVC pipe and forming it into the shape of an “S”
Here’s an example. Black ducting is even better.
IMG_3698

17

I wouldn’t bother with the Super Soil at all.

18

I’m not committed to the tent. The reason it seemed better to me is that I worried that 4 is too low. I keep seeing that after lighting and filter/air you don’t have a lot of room down low. I don’t know how much to factor that in so I was trying to keep it safe. Same thing with the scent. It is absolutley imperitive that I keep this stealth and that no aroma leaks out. The Gorilla tent has thicker, more solid construction from what I understand. Let me know if my thinking is wrong on this. I’m not married to anything.

Speaking of imperitive stealth. The 4’’ fan will be sufficient to control odor in a tent this size right? I’ve seen yes a few times but I’m a little nervous about it and want to make sure. I initially was going to get the 6" to be safe but I’m trying to save money so I went to 4.

And thanks for the air input advice. I was able to picture the rest of the system pretty well but I was at a loss there.

19

Almost all good tents will have “600D” construction which refers to the material it is made out of.
As far as smell goes, the quality of zippers, vent seals - anything that can leak air (and light, which is a different but equally important topic) - is what matters. Read lots of reviews. If a tent has cheap zippers, someone will mention it.
The size of the fan isn’t going to affect the smell - that is really more about how much air exchange it can accomplish. A 4 inch 190CFM fan will be just right for that size tent.
When it comes to controlling smell, your number one factor is a charcoal filter, which I see you already have on your shopping list.

20

That helps a lot. I’m going to go back and re-examine tents knowing what to look for. Thanks.