New (aspiring) grower - A few stealth questions

Couch_Lock

Couch_Lock

Well-Known Member
olegren said:
New grower here and putting together my room. This site and its members have provided all kinds of great info. I apologize in advance if the questions I'm posting here are answered elsewhere -- I just couldn't find them.

I'm doing a small scale stealth grow in a closet - something for personal use only. Probably only 1-2 plants. Originally I was looking at doing a space bucket, but I like the idea of being able to expand later if the hobby sticks. So I'm looking at a tent that would fit nicely in my closet. Have about 74"W x 34" D x 74" H to work with.

1. Is a tent overkill? Sounds like a space bucket would be a quick and easy operation to get off the ground, and I probably won't be expanding any time soon. My perception is that a tent is a little less DIY which is a lot of my rationale.

2. Conceptually, I think I understand the components. Need an intake fan and an exhaust fan. Carbon filter helps to get rid of the smell. Need lights mounted inside the tent. I see a lot of people talking about ventilation beyond the tent, though. I could do something like this reasonably easy, as I'm adjacent to an unfinished basement room with ductwork. Can someone help me understand the rationale? Is this primarily to mitigate the noise of the fan?

3. Can anyone recommend any strains for a newbie? Northern Lights is appealing based on what I have read so far. Again, my primary concern is stealth, but I'd also like something that is reasonably easy for a newbie to grow. My thumb is not very green yet.

4. I see many measures of lighting requirements based on square footage. Is this square footage of the growing area -- or just the area covered by flowers?

5. When it comes time to dry, can I use the same tent I used for the grow?

Thanks in advance for your insights.
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I recommend a tent over a closet. Better ventilation, more ports and more possible configurations without drilling your house all apart. And yeah, hang buds in there to dry, also.

Why not use the basement, if u own the house? If u can use it, keep it not far from the house heat source so in winter u will be good. You can vent thru a basement window, or board under a window. Lots of possibilities without ruining walls and closets upstairs.

This is perfect for 1-2 plants, gives off virtually no heat. Just a tiny bit. https://www.amazon.com/Horticulture-Lighting-Group-High-Efficiency-Upgraded/dp/B07C59J8L2


Northern Lights is a great choice, NL#5 in particular. Most strains I've come across are easy to grow, almost all. Most new growers tend to overwater and overfeed nutrients.
 
olegren

olegren

Well-Known Member
Couch_Lock said:
I recommend a tent over a closet. Better ventilation, more ports and more possible configurations without drilling your house all apart. And yeah, hang buds in there to dry, also.

Why not use the basement, if u own the house? If u can use it, keep it not far from the house heat source so in winter u will be good. You can vent thru a basement window, or board under a window. Lots of possibilities without ruining walls and closets upstairs.

This is perfect for 1-2 plants, gives off virtually no heat. Just a tiny bit. https://www.amazon.com/Horticulture-Lighting-Group-High-Efficiency-Upgraded/dp/B07C59J8L2


Northern Lights is a great choice, NL#5 in particular. Most strains I've come across are easy to grow, almost all. Most new growers tend to overwater and overfeed nutrients.
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Fantastic info -- Thank you. I do own the house. As I'm going for stealth, I was hoping to utilize a tent inside a closet -- which is in my hobby room in the basement. It would be feasible to vent to another room out the back of this closet with minimal effort. Maybe a 10 foot run of some ventilation but only one hole to cut through some drywall which I could patch easily later. This was the part I wasn't clear on, though -- if it was necessary. I'd have a carbon filter feeding exhaust in tent; at which point I wasn't sure what the need for additional vendilation beyond the closet was. However, I can see how intake would probably need something more -- since the closet is fairly isolated and doesn't get much fresh air.
 
Sfrigon 1

Sfrigon 1

Well-Known Member
olegren said:
Fantastic info -- Thank you. I do own the house. As I'm going for stealth, I was hoping to utilize a tent inside a closet -- which is in my hobby room in the basement. It would be feasible to vent to another room out the back of this closet with minimal effort. Maybe a 10 foot run of some ventilation but only one hole to cut through some drywall which I could patch easily later.
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What are ur temps now? Down there, I'm 60 in mine right now
 
olegren

olegren

Well-Known Member
Sfrigon 1 said:
What are ur temps now? Down there, I'm 60 in mine right now
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I've had a heater going all afternoon in mine, so it's about 73 right now. If that wasn't the case (and it's usually not -- at least not when I'm working or away), it would be around 55 right now.
 
Sfrigon 1

Sfrigon 1

Well-Known Member
olegren said:
I've had a heater going all afternoon in mine, so it's about 73 right now. If that wasn't the case (and it's usually not -- at least not when I'm working or away), it would be around 55 right now.
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Ok so u will need a heater regardless. Thx
 
Boatguy

Boatguy

Well-Known Member
olegren said:
Thinking a lot about this. A lot would have to change for me to go much bigger, but I sure would hate to buy everything again. I was looking at some 2x2x4 tents which would shrink everything down a lot. I see you mentioned a 2x2. Are you able to fit 2 plants in there - or is it just right for 1?



My basement runs pretty cool year-round. Probably just about right for flowering stage from what I have read. Do LED put out enough heat to provide substantial warmth, or do you think I should look into a heat source? FWIW, I am sold on LED and have been looking at a few options. Love the idea of quantum, but that pushes my budget pretty hard.
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Height is more important. 4 ft doesnt give you much room for a filter up top and a light. My 2x2 fits one untrained or two trained. Havent tried sog, but i think i could fit 6 2 gallon pots in there.

edit: My tent is actually a 2x2.5 gorilla.
 
coreywebster

coreywebster

Well-Known Member
Right it sounds like your not going to have an issue keeping the place cool no matter what lighting you choose.
You will have to add heat if you go LED though, I love mine but my place isn't 50f and I don't personally like the idea of saving electricity on one thing to end up paying to heat the space.
So I would suggest if you can fit a 3x3 in that closet you look at a 315 cmh. Plenty of space for a couple of plants.
I would advise against a 2x2x4 due to the height issue, it can be a pain in the ass with limited height since you also need at least the filter in there. Add your pot space to that and your limited to how much you can do.
Its not impossible though.

You asked about ventilation, the purpose is 4 fold. It removes heat, cleans the air and reduces build of humidity and keeps co2 levels from depleting
If you put a floor vent in the closet you could use that as passive intake while having active extraction into the other room, this stops the same air from been recycled over and over.

Northern lights is a great strain to start with, it doesn't stink too bad, its easy to grow and its very hardy and very stable, its also a lovely smoke IMO.
 
olegren

olegren

Well-Known Member
Boatguy said:
Height is more important. 4 ft doesnt give you much room for a filter up top and a light. My 2x2 fits one untrained or two trained. Havent tried sog, but i think i could fit 6 2 gallon pots in there.
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From the photo, you are working wonders with that space - very nice.

Thanks for the good guidance. Since I have 72" height to play with, seems like 2x4x6 is the way to go. Cheers.
 
olegren

olegren

Well-Known Member
coreywebster said:
Right it sounds like your not going to have an issue keeping the place cool no matter what lighting you choose.
You will have to add heat if you go LED though, I love mine but my place isn't 50f and I don't personally like the idea of saving electricity on one thing to end up paying to heat the space.
So I would suggest if you can fit a 3x3 in that closet you look at a 315 cmh. Plenty of space for a couple of plants.
I would advise against a 2x2x4 due to the height issue, it can be a pain in the ass with limited height since you also need at least the filter in there. Add your pot space to that and your limited to how much you can do.
Its not impossible though.

You asked about ventilation, the purpose is 4 fold. It removes heat, cleans the air and reduces build of humidity and keeps co2 levels from depleting
If you put a floor vent in the closet you could use that as passive intake while having active extraction into the other room, this stops the same air from been recycled over and over.

Northern lights is a great strain to start with, it doesn't stick too bad, its easy to grow and its very hard and very stable, its also a lovely smoke IMO.
Click to expand...
Inclined to agree. Would rather have a warmer light than deal with an additional piece of electronics. The idea of a heater running in there kind of makes me paranoid. I need to get a proper thermometer and check the actual temp, but I'd say that closet is more like 65 right now despite being joined to this warmer room.

Good point on ventilation, and I was reading about humidity issues per someone else's guidance. I was thinking of having intake from the other room and venting into closet just because the intake air would be fresher - but seems like maybe that's backwards?

I have heard about NL for years and more and more it seems like a winner for the first run. Can't wait to order some beans. Cheers!
 
Sfrigon 1

Sfrigon 1

Well-Known Member
Couch_Lock said:
White Widow is another easy peasy strain, nice high/
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2nd white widow,
olegren said:
Inclined to agree. Would rather have a warmer light than deal with an additional piece of electronics. The idea of a heater running in there kind of makes me paranoid. I need to get a proper thermometer and check the actual temp, but I'd say that closet is more like 65 right now despite being joined to this warmer room.

Good point on ventilation, and I was reading about humidity issues per someone else's guidance. I was thinking of having intake from the other room and venting into closet just because the intake air would be fresher - but seems like maybe that's backwards?

I have heard about NL for years and more and more it seems like a winner for the first run. Can't wait to order some beans. Cheers!
Click to expand...
I ventilate right out into my basement it puts clean warm air back into the basement which I need anyways
 
Couch_Lock

Couch_Lock

Well-Known Member
olegren said:
From the photo, you are working wonders with that space - very nice.

Thanks for the good guidance. Since I have 72" height to play with, seems like 2x4x6 is the way to go. Cheers.
Click to expand...
Useful is a great guy , breeder for 25 yrs, and an active member here at Roll It Up. He has great genetics, BEST PRICES AROUND, and hes around here a lot to help if ya need it. His seeds are $60 for TEN feminized seeds at DC Seed Exchange.

dcseedexchange.com

Home - DCSE

Welcome To D.C. Seed ExchangeThe Grower’s ChoiceShop NowWelcome To D.C. Seed ExchangeThe Grower’s ChoiceShop NowWelcome To D.C. Seed ExchangeThe Grower’s ChoiceShop Now Previous slide Next slide About Us Welcome to the D.C. Seed Exchange! Founded in 2015, we are one of the oldest independent...
dcseedexchange.com dcseedexchange.com
 
olegren

olegren

Well-Known Member
Couch_Lock said:
Useful is a great guy , breeder for 25 yrs, and an active member here at Roll It Up. He has great genetics, BEST PRICES AROUND, and hes around here a lot to help if ya need it. His seeds are $60 for TEN feminized seeds at DC Seed Exchange.

dcseedexchange.com

Home - DCSE

Welcome To D.C. Seed ExchangeThe Grower’s ChoiceShop NowWelcome To D.C. Seed ExchangeThe Grower’s ChoiceShop NowWelcome To D.C. Seed ExchangeThe Grower’s ChoiceShop Now Previous slide Next slide About Us Welcome to the D.C. Seed Exchange! Founded in 2015, we are one of the oldest independent...
dcseedexchange.com dcseedexchange.com
Click to expand...
Thank you very much for this. I was looking at DCSE last week. Didn't realize he was active on here as well.
 
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