Questions about my first grow plans

Ngozer

Ngozer

Active Member
Hi,

I am brand new to growing and currently trying to build a grow box. I have no experience whatsoever with any type of gardening and I am feeling overwhelmed by all the information I've read here. Any help with my questions would be greatly appreciated!

I am planning a 2x2x7 box with a 430W Son Agro light. This brings me to my first question:

1. Is a 2x2 grow box too small? I want it to be a bit discreet and I am only planning on 2 - 3 plants so I didn't think size would be a concern. However, after researching light reflectors I started worrying about size constraints. Will the size result in heat issues?

I was thinking about making it 3x2, but again I'm not sure how that impacts things. Another concern is about the 430W light. I visited a local hydroponics shop to get some info and the guy recommended I ditch the Son Agro light and stick with a 600W HPS. I have been reading about the differences in vegging and flowering the plants, which is why I choose the Son Agro.

2. Does using a different light for veg and flowering make a big difference?

3. On eBay, a lot of the HPS light bulbs will say that they are "enhanced" with added blue spectrum light. Does that mean that they are HPS+MH lights or is that just marketing bs?

4. Is 400w recommended for a 2x2 cabinet?

I don't have any experience with the amount of heat these lights produce so I don't know if it'll be a problem. The guy @ the hydro shop recommended a 600W. He said that I could double my yields.

5. Can I really double my yields by going from a 400W to a 600W HPS? Is a 600W light even feasible in that sized cabinet? Would 3x2 make a difference?

For my plans, I wanted to run venting ducts through the light/light reflector and out the other side.

6. Is this a good idea to run a separate line of air for just the light?
In addition, I would have an intake hole somewhere near the bottom and a carbon scrubber outtake somewhere near the top.

7. Is this a reasonable setup?

Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Many Thanks,
Ngozer
 
Last edited:
stoned16

stoned16

Active Member
im no pro but for the size of the grow space a 600w hps would produce massive amounts of heat!!you could do it but you'd need some ventilation system
 
TomThom1987

TomThom1987

Well-Known Member
HOLEY SHIT BRO, a 600w HPS in a 3x2 box, you will F*%$@! fry your plants! yeah dude, i have a 600w hps system right now and im in like a 5x8 size space and it gets so fucking hot, i have like 3 fans on them just to keep it from frying my babies.
 
NewGrowth

NewGrowth

Well-Known Member
Ngozer said:
Hi,

I am brand new to growing and currently trying to build a grow box. I have no experience whatsoever with any type of gardening and I am feeling overwhelmed by all the information I've read here. Any help with my questions would be greatly appreciated!

I am planning a 2x2x7 box with a 430W Son Agro light. This brings me to my first question:

1. Is a 2x2 grow box too small? I want it to be a bit discreet and I am only planning on 2 - 3 plants so I didn't think size would be a concern. However, after researching light reflectors I started worrying about size constraints. Will the size result in heat issues?

I was thinking about making it 3x2, but again I'm not sure how that impacts things. Another concern is about the 430W light. I visited a local hydroponics shop to get some info and the guy recommended I ditch the Son Agro light and stick with a 600W HPS. I have been reading about the differences in vegging and flowering the plants, which is why I choose the Son Agro.

2. Does using a different light for veg and flowering make a big difference?

3. On eBay, a lot of the HPS light bulbs will say that they are "enhanced" with added blue spectrum light. Does that mean that they are HPS+MH lights or is that just marketing bs?

4. Is 400w recommended for a 2x2 cabinet?

I don't have any experience with the amount of heat these lights produce so I don't know if it'll be a problem. The guy @ the hydro shop recommended a 600W. He said that I could double my yields.

5. Can I really double my yields by going from a 400W to a 600W HPS? Is a 600W light even feasible in that sized cabinet? Would 3x2 make a difference?

For my plans, I wanted to run venting ducts through the light/light reflector and out the other side.

6. Is this a good idea to run a separate line of air for just the light?
In addition, I would have an intake hole somewhere near the bottom and a carbon scrubber outtake somewhere near the top.

7. Is this a reasonable setup?

Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Many Thanks,
Ngozer
Click to expand...
1. 2x2 is not too small just don't plan much yield go with a strain like lowryder. A 600w it such a small space is overkill and will create a fire hazard at best.
2. Using different lights does make a difference but you can get by just fine with a HPS the whole way.
3.It's not marketing BS they have a higher lumen output and a coating on the bulb to improve the blue spectrum for vegging.
4. A 400w is also overkill for a 2x2 space.
5.The hydro guy is right 600w lights are more efficient than 400 watters the trade off is heat.
6,. Yes this is a very good idea HID lights put off a lot of heat air cooling them will allow you to better control temps and put the light closer to the tops of your plants. Yes intake from the bottom for cooler air if you have a good exhaust fan passive intake ohole will be jsut fine for a small grow space.
7. You are on the right track but you space is way too small for the type of lighting you want to use.
 
Ngozer

Ngozer

Active Member
Hi,

Thanks for your help. So I tried a test setup with 6 42w CFL and wow! What a reality check. With just those CFLs it was already 90+ degrees. At least now I have a better idea of what I can and can't do. I've decided to stick with just CFLs until I get more experience. I am planning on using 2 200w CFLs and was wondering if I should get one 2700K and one 5000K or two 5000K bulbs and maybe a small 26w 6500K bulb. Thanks in adbance!
 
hotrodharley

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
legionxxii said:
Have you thought about getting a HPS system with cool tube and running exhaust fan to suck out heat?
Click to expand...
Dude . . . . .did you expect a reply besides one like this on a dead 2008 thread? He's probably considered everything by now. If he's even alive still.
 
cheapgrower2014

cheapgrower2014

Well-Known Member
legionxxii said:
Have you thought about getting a HPS system with cool tube and running exhaust fan to suck out heat?
Click to expand...
made this mistake myself :), when u see a post look at the bottom of it and u will see when it was posted. i can clearly see u are a new member so your allowed mistakes :)
 
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