(Part 2) Best products from r/Autoflowers

Your planned setup sounds pretty similar to mine, so hopefully this helps. Good luck!

Tent: 2x2 seems just right if you plan on growing one or two plants for personal use. 4' is quite short, though -- I have a 2x2x5.5, and the extra foot and a half makes a tremendous difference when you count vertical space for containers, carbon filters, keeping lights 18"-ish from the canopy, and so on. Even taller wouldn't hurt. (I have a Secret Jardin DR60 II tent, though I don't think it's anything special.)

For example, the Mephisto strain guide says Cosmic Queen can get 60-100cm under HPS/CMH. While plants can end up a bit shorter under LEDs, 2-3'-ish could get tight in a 4' tent. Doable, but you'd also have to stay on top of training. (I'd recommend doing LST even with a taller tent, because it can increase yield a lot. Also I find it really fun.)

Light: I have an HLG QB288v2 (3000k), which is essentially the same as the 125w from Kingbrite. It seems absolutely perfect for that size tent. (The 240w is wider than a 2x2 tent.)

Carbon filter: This was a sticking point for me initially, because my hydro shop screwed up and recommended a filter that was too long to fit in my tent (oops), followed by a replacement filter whose CFM wasn't high enough for my fan, so it was only like 80% effective in flower (double oops). This carbon filter is 210 CFM, isn't too long to fit, seems well made, and is still reasonably inexpensive. Phresh filters are great too, but cost a lot more.

Fan: I have a Can-Fan S-400, which seems solid and has a 5 year warranty, but you can probably find something quieter and less expensive. (I keep hearing people recommend an AC Infinity fan, but haven't used one.) Since it doesn't have a built-in speed controller, I use an analog voltage transformer to make it slower/quieter. The cheap external fan speed controllers work by flipping the AC power on and off very quickly (pulse width modulation), which can be really hard on some types of motors, and also tents to make them loudly buzz. Actually smoothly reducing the voltage works much better. That controller is more expensive, but it's the kind of electronics gear I could probably sell used years down the line.

Containers: I grow in coco, which tends to use slightly smaller volumes (I like 2-3 gallons for autos), but from what I've read 3-5 gallons of soil sounds like a good fit? Check out the Mephisto grow guide. Fabric pots work well, though mine have gotten grungy between the roots and salt buildup, and cleaning them is a pain. I started using airpots instead, and I like them a lot more.

Mephisto: Those sound like great choices. If you get order direct and get a couple more, you'll get several freebies, typically some great one-off crosses you can't get any other way. (They only do bitcoin payment at the moment, though.) Fugue State is my favorite strain so far, but there are many good options. You might want to also check out Daz Mephisto's Night Owl Seeds side project (which can take other forms of payment). I'm growing Zamaldelica Express right now.

I should think you'd have plenty of space to add another light in there to supplement the small qb. I've got 2 of these in a 30"x30" and they fit with plenty of room to spare. They're cheap, and easy enough to just hang along with the qb. Let your plant get the light intensity from both. You would then even have floorspace to put some smaller supplemental lights in the corners, to throw some light on the otherwise shaded lower growths.

Honestly, your experience and future plan sound strikingly similar to mine. I'm on the tail end of my first grow rn. 30x30x63 tent; 2 x vipar 300; 3 plants/3 strains; 5 gallon fabric pots with 'supersoil'/no nutes. I ended up doing pretty aggressive training to avoid it getting too unwieldy. Also to keep the leggier plant from growing way taller than the others, and fucking up my light spread. I'm very happy with my plants, but, like you, have decided that the next grow will be a single plant. It'll be easier to keep the conditions/environment consistenly dialed in to the needs of the plant. Much easier than shifting multiple things daily, to ensure the best compromise in conditions/environment to please 3 different plants.

So here's what I'm going to do differently next time, having learned the lessons I have.

1 plant in a 10 gallon pot. Well-amended soil from this grow. I'll be planting a cover crop of clover before the cannabis plant. Germinated in rapid rooter, then plopped into a clearing in the middle of the clovers in the 10 gallon fabric pot. No more layering the soil with FFOF to dilute it. These strains were more than happy to slam the stronger soil. I'm confident the next seedling will be perfectly fine planted directly into 'hot' soil [with the rapid rooter].

Not going to do intensive tie-down training this time, though I probably will top again. This time between nodes 7-8, I think. I might even top the side branches as well.

I'm confident that this approach will greatly increase the simplicity of the process, and also give the genetics a good opportunity to shine.

Nah man they’re not that bad, they’ve gotten you this far! I just meant an upgrade would just help you get more yield! Everyone on here swears by Quantum Boards but honestly just stay away from blurple lights, Mars Hydro SP-250 is a great and cheap led with white light, having the white lights really really helps when trying to examine and diagnose your babies and that’s the one I’ll be trying out in a few weeks when I can afford it! Right now I’m using a knockoff Amazon light the Phlizon 2000w Cree Cob LED , it actually pulls around 450 watts but that’s just their model lingo. It has 4 bright white cob led’s along with some other led’s and it’s honestly worked great so far, I have it on full blast hanging at the top of the tent and it hasn’t burned any seedlings and the older ones are looking great at week 6 with no light burn and they’ve stretched about half way ! Hope I can help and good luck to you!

No worries, happy to help.

I've really no idea how many can grow in there tbh man. It is good for upgrading but you've mentioned keeping it warm. So consider this.

Bigger tent means a bigger environment to control, this means more more kit in winter to warm it - probably 2 heaters chewing through electric at a rate of knots. In summer, bigger extraction, either one giant fan or two medium ones. Making sure air current is good with more column fans moving air around etc and of course your air intake fan bringing in the fresh air. Do you see where i'm going wth this? Not so much about height, that is good. It's the floor space that was too much. I don't think a tent you can walk around in would be a good thing in such a cold room. In this case - more space isn't always better. Of course, this is just my opinion.

If you want 4 autos in a tent then go with a more normal sized tent. It's easier to control the environment and still able to handle your plant load. At least that would be my approach to this man.

I don't know any videos i'm afraid. I'm sure there are tons on Youtube - it's a fairly standard practise. Don't cut a hole in the lid though, do it in the side of the pot. Read that guide I sent I the last post - here and it'll tell you it all. I know there are no pictures of it, but it explains the steps. Tons of other tutorials around though man.

Yeah man, you'll be needed a Hygrometer and a Thermometer. I bought one like this.

I've never grown HPS so don't have a light to recommend i'm afraid. Although /u/IdStillHitIt recommended one which looked good.

Thanks for the replies, man, super appreciative.
I haven't dropped anything into lights yet, trying to complete my research before getting anything, so I don't slap myself in the head later.

With the light you posted:

1. Does it move up and down easily? Or should I not be doing that?
   
2. Do I need to get a different bulb for the flowering stage?
   
   Also, in terms of cooling and keeping temps low, Would I need a separate exhaust fan, as well?
   I'm sure it's easier to explain by me actually seeing it as opposed to trying to imagine, I just can't quite grasp it.
   
   Also, with that ventech fan, is it easy to attach some form of carbon scrubber? Has to be ~somewhat concealable, for the random inspection here and there.
   
   edit:: found this: what you're talking about?
   http://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Horticulture-GLK400CTAC-Digital-Dimmable/dp/B00547RGI8/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1452216208&sr=8-5&keywords=Apollo+Horticulture+400w+mh%2Fhps+dimmable
   
   I'm really hoping I'm allowed to link here. Will remove if I need tooo.

Thanks! Yeah I had 1x 300w Roleadro LED, but the plant got too big so I upgraded to those 2 COBs a couple months in haha

Now the Roleadro is over a couple cherry tomatoes and peppers that I planted cause why not? The other freebie photo I planted turned out to be a male so I had space

Excited to see how much I'll get from my first harvest! If it's ever ready -_-

I've gotten a fair amount of help from this sub over my grow, Henry has re-assured me quite a few times haha :D

since it's a clone it's not an autoflower so the right subreddit is /r/microgrowery which also has an informative sidebar

if you want to flower it you give it 12 hrs of light a day, otherwise you give it 18. if you flower now you will not get much. you could put off flowering and keep it in veg for as long as you want, trimming it back as it gets leggy.

you don't have enough light to do anything but keep it alive until you get a good light

this one would work
https://www.amazon.com/Roleadro-Plant-Light-Spectrum-Generation/dp/B01HI3AFYM

you can actually get a more efficient light for less money here http://www.ebay.ca/itm/100W-100Watt-High-Power-White-LED-Light-Heatsink-Cooler-100W-LED-Driver-LENS-/262253316319?var=&hash=item3d0f8408df:m:mwpcPILybO0GxGbdS-vIwjg

you could keep that plant alive and in veg until you've got your equipment together. maybe /r/spacebuckets is more your speed than a tent. the sidebar on /r/microgrowery and http://www.growweedeasy.com will help you do that

also you need to pot that thing up 3 weeks ago

Thanks! Im going to get some today.
The light im using is a Marshydro 600W LED (275W true output). I got it for $140 from the Marshydro store on ebay!

http://www.ebay.com/usr/marshydro?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2754

https://www.amazon.com/MarsHydro-Mars600-Spectrum-Hydroponic-Greenhouse/dp/B00XC3LBIW/ref=pd_sim_86_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=P6JXBRPZQ6WV5ANKFJA2

I really like the light because I feel it has good penetration, it does not produce a lot of heat, and it is easy of my electric bill haha. I have not experienced a single problem with it!

/u/henry_haberdasher gave some great advice so I'd say to follow what he said.

When reading yoru post I thought the same things:

• Your tent is bigger then you need (but might be good for expanding in the future).
  
  
• Don't buy that light, it's good for seedlings but not for the whole grow, I'd go with an HPS, or possibly LED but those are more money. I'd get something like this: https://www.amazon.com/HydroplanetTM-Digital-Ballast-Dimmable-reflector/dp/B01AU7QMMW (Personally I prefer Lumatek ballasts but you can shop around).
  
  
• I also have only done a DYI DWC - so you can get the bucket you were looking at and upgrade the airpump/airstone, or it would be really easy to build that yourself.
  
  
• For Training take a look here: http://www.growweedeasy.com/lst

Medium: Hydroton

Lights: Roleadro LED Grow Light, Galaxyhydro Series 1000W Indoor Plant Grow Lights Full Spectrum with UV&IR for Veg and Flower-1000w https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PH1MQV8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_VjHODbFEQCME4

Environment Details: Homemade grow box (height- 6 feet, width- 2 feet, depth- 18 inches). This was built specifically for an available space in my condo.

Strain: Blue Dream Auto

Age: 4 weeks from transplanting into dwc

Pot size: 5 gallon Lowe's dwc- Papi Chulo Edition

Nutrient line and schedule: Maxibloom, Lucas method. 3 gallons of water with 3 tsp of nutrients

Watering Volume: Once it drops below the spot I marked off on the bucket ::shrug::


First things first, this is my first time ever trying to grow anything, other than children and our recipe collection. I'm looking at this as a new hobby and looking for some guidance. I'm pretty sure based on the pics alone, I'm going to be flamed. Since I do not know what I'm doing, I called myself trying to LST it and broke 2 branches, but I think I have the concept down....now.

I know there's some sort of deficiency based on the leaves, however, me being a first time grower, I'm proud of all the other fresh green. My PH has been going up within the last 2 weeks and I have to keep adding oh down. The good thing is the ppm changes based on the plant absorbing the nutrients.

Apollo Horticulture makes great tents and products. I'm running a 6in premium carbon filter from them as well. Have both rents connected and it is doing its job just right.
IMO tent thickness isn't needed. Where I live it gets down to the mid 20s. My garage isn't heated and gets too around 50s, and with my lighting, A small space heater, and the tent, I'm keeping a nice 74(sleep time) 78(daylight) at 40% to 50% humidity constantly.


This is one tent I recommend , and my carbon filter

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00H9O6UJ0/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479327070&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=grow+tent

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00QB0UOXQ/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hello Henry, i use this USB Scope (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Veho-Magnification-interpolated-flexi-stand-measurement/dp/B002JCSCYI) and it works perfect on my mac book pro, you just download the drivers from their website for free. hope this helps

I have read that full spectrum wastes energy bc the plants can only utilize certain spectrums. Is that true? Here is another I was looking at that uses the more red spectrum. Is this one any good? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UORXUBA/ref=psdc_14252941_t2_B078P484HD

Thanks for the info, I'm not sure on the version, https://www.amazon.com/MarsHydro-Mars600-Spectrum-Certificate-Hydroponic/dp/B00XC3LBIW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486758106&sr=8-1&keywords=mars+hydro+600w
whatever that one is?

I thought aiming for around 50 watts per sq ft was best to aim for. Have you any idea how much difference there could be to the plants in the two different spaces (~71W per sq ft in the 2x2 to ~31W in the 3x3)?

No worries!

This is actually my first grow with it. It’s just a cheap one from amazon

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0743F4532?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_asin_title

It works great for what it is, but it won’t be my long term solution.

Thank you!

Ya the confusion is the picture in the Amazon add doesn't match the size you selected. The size you've selected is right but the tent pictured in the amazon post is like 4'x8'x8'

You've got the right size tent picked though you might want to consider a different seller on Amazon. Plus the one you've selected is overpriced.

check this out:

https://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Horticulture-Hydroponic-Indoor-Growing/dp/B00H9O6UJ0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1487184293&sr=8-3&keywords=grow+tent

The viparspectra's have a pretty good name as an alternative, for 600 you could get this or this
More bang for your dollar. You could definately do 4 plants with either of those I suspect. Others may chime in with suggestions as well if you're not in a hurry.

Oh good to know! I was looking at this as well but with it being a small space and all (about 27 inches high and 22 inches wide) I'm hoping I don't fry my plant.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H3WPVL6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2D3OVQZ1H4YHJ&psc=1

Do you suggest a DWC system that I can buy? I noticed the picture you linked and I was looking at this but I'm a little concerned about the (very) few complaints on the air pump and stone.
I just want to grow 2 plants so all of the multiple plant setups aren't for me, but two of these would be great. With that being said, I plan to buy the MarsHydro 300w since it's all anyone ever talks about, but is one enough? Should I get one for each? I plan on growing these in my unused second bathroom, right in the shower. No tent and wide open (though I may switch to a 3x3 tent eventually). Since most posts I've been reading seem to all be in tents I'm not sure how growing them in a more open space might affect the lighting set up.
Can't wait to get started, just waiting on Mephisto to get back to me!

Roleadro LED Grow Light, Galaxyhydro Series 300W Indoor Plant Grow Lights Full Spectrum with UV&IR for Veg and Flower https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PH1MQV8?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

So far it’s been working pretty good so far w my white widow autoflower. Recently battled gnats and over fertilized so they’ve got a little Nitrogen stress at the moment.. but the lights seem to work fine

I’m doing soil, was planning on 8 plants (I’m allowed 12), possibly 10. I know a heater/humidifier will be in the room-doesn’t need to be in the tent. Would the lights I have be good for 8 plants?

Would 2 of these fill the tent if with the lights I have if I wanted to do 10?
https://www.amazon.com/VIPARSPECTRA-V1200-Spectrum-Indoor-Plants/dp/B00UORXUBA/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1536785789&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=viparspectra+1200w&dpPl=1&dpID=41E5Hk6H7eL&ref=plSrch


Idt you’re being a dick I appreciate the response

-put links in the body of your post not title.

-You were also the guy who was asking about the miricle grow thingy right?

-----

Why dont you want to build a system? It takes about 30 minutes and a trip to home depot.

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If you really don't want to do that get something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Water-Culture-DWC-Hydroponic/dp/B00CHEIO6Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487695391&sr=8-1&keywords=dwc+hydroponic+system

You can get the full set on amazon for 39.99 plus shipping (not a prime item). But the pump it comes with is underpowered so plan on upgrading that.

​

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CHEIO6Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Someone a few weeks ago had a similar issue and used this thing and said it worked...