You’re very welcome. You will not regret that light, it’s a great investment.
I was going to tell you to read…read…read. I think you got that covered. Spend lots of time on YouTube and pay attention to the different ways they’re doing things. I literally spent 3 months studying everything I could while I was building my grow rooms. I live in an illegal state as do most of us here in the US. If you think paranoia will be a problem for you, don’t grow. You’re going to be anxious all of the time. I’m very familiar with the Carolinas and their ridiculous prohibition on medical THC. If you’re not ready to pull the trigger yet, use the search function on this site and spend some time in all the categories that might help you @MT3
I totally agree that informed decisions are the best decisions, and reading is the best way of learning - at least for me. Additionally, many growers/members on this site have likely bought products they will suggest to purchase, while [conversely] they are likely to steer me (and others) away from gear and techniques that are failures. Lots and lots of the learning process involves becoming familiar with the vocabulary and vernacular associated with the growing hobby, so again, reading is a critical part of this process.
While the south in general is well behind the forward thinking of other states allowing medical marijuana, I feel SC may be positioned to pass the legislation to change state law sooner than later. If the conservative incumbent governor is defeated as projected, the bill to allow medical marijuana should be a no-brainer this legislative session. Even if he is re-elected, most feel the bill will pass the senate and public pressure will push him to sign off on it.
I totally understand the paranoia felt when you feel the need to constantly look over your shoulder. Since our state is likely very close to legislation, I can take my time and read, study and learn more about the growing process. I’ll be very prepared when I pull the trigger.
@raustin, I’ve bookmarked the 135W light with the 3000K Quantum board and the Grolab 60 tent. Looks like a reasonable starting point to see how this works out. Soil based system at least for now.
I have a question on the tent: I assume I’ll draw outside air and force into the bottom on the tent with a vent fan probably from Amazon. Do you suggest a certain CFM fan and should it be variable speed?
Also, will I need another fan at the top to draw air out, or will the volume displacement be enough to force the air out?
I know I’ll need a clip on fan for the interior to keep air moving, just unsure how many total fans I’ll end up needing for the 2x2x5.
You will need an exhaust fan for the top of the tent to create negative pressure. This is the one I use.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0085GTELM?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_pd_title
With a carbon filter to illuminate odor.
https://www.amazon.com/Amagabeli-Hydroponics-Australia-Activated-Pre-filter/dp/B01CJ5D4AG/ref=pd_aw_sim_86_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=W6WQ0ZPZ0DQ88CR77RQE
Then at the bottom of my tent I use a small inline fan for intake.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01F7Q1K3W?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_pd_title
I know it starts to add up on the cost, but it’s needed.
Yeah, I wasn’t sure about the draw but I readily see that top fan creates negative pressure. You have given me great ideas coupled with strong products, and while the prices add up, it is still somewhat less than I originally considered.
Oh, good, I certainly don’t want to scare you away with all the stuff you need to buy, but this is pretty much everything except for Ph and PPM meters.
Cool…and you are a good guide. Happens I have a nice Ph meter (Hach pocket Pro +) that I test for Ph levels when I home brew beers. Got that covered. No PPM meter yet.
I’ll likely go with good quality potting soil in fabric pots (at least for now) so I’ll have to study the nutrient needs and dilution rates for feeding plants at various stages of development.
There is a LOT to learn, and if anyone takes a casual attitude to this subject, I suspect their efforts will be less then stellar.
You’re right, there is a lot to learn, and a lot to screw up during a grow, especially a first grow. I recommend when you’re finally ready to grow that you get yourself a mentor to walk you through so you make it to a successful harvest.
I only wish I could find a discreet indoor grower to mentor me. I guess YouTube will have to do for now, then mistakes (hopefully successes too) will show me right and wrong ways to do things.
Someone on this forum will do as a mentor. I mentor lots of first timers and they all have great grows. I’d be happy to help you when you’re ready, just tag me. Or ask any of the veteran growers here, everyone is always happy to help.
Miyagi-san!
@raustin you are a very generous person and I appreciate your suggestions and advice. When an experienced grower serves as a mentor to a first time grower, do we discuss on a particular thread or separate area of the forum? I note there is no PM function on this forum.
BTW - I find the folks on ILGM to be very accommodating and kind to each other, especially supportive of noobs. I know these same beginner questions can get tiring, but I have gotten nothing but good vibes from the members here.
In contrast, some years ago I was learning the art of distilling which requires discretion as we all know. The folks on that forum seemed very argumentative and their answers often said…“look it up, its been discussed before”. I’m sure it has, and I’m sure the same questions come up time and time again…but I have never seen a seasoned ILGM member take this approach.
Thanks for the help and great support from all!
This is a great forum. There are other grow forums that are just awful and plain nasty, but we’re all nice and mellow here - I wonder why?
You should start a grow journal and we would discuss everything there - don’t forget to tag me. That way other people can read it and learn from it. We no longer have private messaging here cause someone abused the system, so we only have the forum.
I nominate @raustin! HAHAHA!
Outstanding advice, young lady! I was going to only add a general observation: spending the money on the correct lighting now is a wise move. Not only will they be less expensive to run but do a better job of it! The growers are moving into other metrics than “1,000 watt” etc and look at the efficacy of the led’s used over time. umol/joule is the measurement most quoted. What that means is the QB that @raustin pointed you toward is at least several generations ahead of the Amazon lights (much much more efficient) and in a better spectrum; further saving electricity cost. In my case I had 1,400 watts of led’s in my grow space and I replaced them with 720 watts (peak) of late generation high efficacy led’s. My electric bill went down $60 the first month. Plus; electrical demand is a way for the G to spot illicit grows. Although a small 2 X 2 tent is not going to require power levels that will draw attention.
A dehumidifier is something to consider around the time you flower unless you have a/c. High humidity is where cannabis plants go to die lol.
A mentor is a good idea and sounding off with the folks here can be a help too.
When you go for soil, choose one that does not say: “needs no fertilizer for 3 months!” or “moisture control”. These contain harsh chemical nutrients that can contribute to off tastes, as well as causing all kinds of PH issues later in the plant’s life.
You may be tempted to start with an autoflower. I think that this is a mistake IMO. Photoperiod plants will allow you to do some training and gain a feel for what you can get away with. That said; if you want to do autos they do exceptionally well but they are on a fixed clock. Anything that slows them down just ends up with a smaller harvest. With photos you just veg until they are the size you want.
A FELLOW DISTILLER!!! I used to run 1,000 pounds of corn per day.
I LOVE IT!!! I am getting stellar advice!
I didn’t know you distilled, @Myfriendis410.
You make some excellent points that I’ve forgotten, like how much savings on electricity there is, and the soil. Thanks for that.
I worked for a craft distillery for a few years, making corn whiskey, bourbon, rye, gin (rated number one in the World!), brandy, akvavit, several vodkas, etc. Intensely physical: muscling 50 pound sacks (20) through a “Man Way” of 500 gallons of boiling water, 8 feet in the air! Every day! Did I mention that I’m old?
And I really don’t drink spirits.
That sounds like hard, back breaking work.