Grow Room Setup

[DonnieDanko]

Hey all!

Looking to set up a grow room in the attic, been reading on here like crazy last few days.

My prob is the attic height is only 4'5" and slopes down (roof) 30 degrees. So 2 feet in the height is 3'9". I will section off the grow space with Mylar.

Will that be good with HID lights given the height is so low or am I risking burning the plants when they grow?

Any input would be appreciated!

 

[jerm1nator]

You can do it, but your plants won't be big at all, you might probably wanna look into SCROG (Screen of Green)

http://forum.grasscity.com/plant-training/48363-scrog-method.html

May be a good option seeing as how little space you have to go up.

Of course, this is just my speculation, I have never grown in my life but I have been doing a fine amount of research.
I believe you will only ever really need the lights you use to be like furthest 2" from the canopy.

 

[jerm1nator]

Also, I think you can get some more ventilation perhaps to cool the air?
They do make air cooling lights also.

 

[Mr John]

With that little of overhead space a 250w HPS might be just be enough using scrog or other pruning methods. I have not grown yet myself but like others here have done alot of reading an lurking, I imagine a possible CFL light setup would work also. I would also worry about heat buildup and moisture in your attic. Have you taken any temp/humidity readings?

 

[zem]

yes you can grow in 4ft height. actually i do my box 4 ft height and use 400w.

 

[DonnieDanko]

yes you can grow in 4ft height. actually i do my box 4 ft height and use 400w.

I'm also planning on using a 400w, still trying to decide if I should do a DTF DWC or Aero DWC.. I think I'm going to section off the lower part of the attic for clones/early veg, and keep it perpetual. Still trying to wrap my head around everything before I jump the gun and make mistakes as far as equipment.

 

[zem]

whats dtf and aero dwc? in your area, i think dwc will be good you dont have enough heigh to place a main res below the plant level, so you should grow in the res itself. i think dwc will be good for you

 

[Dogenzengi]

I see a space like that setup one of two ways,
I'm a noob but I have a 20 year construction background.
so you can mount your light at the bottom of the vertical wall angled upward to light the angled portion of the space.
a a vert Screen following the pitch of the roof would be needed to control the plant so you can light it efficiently.
I would say a low wide container for DWC would be your best choice.
I would also suggest growing with 12/12 from start to end.
A plant will start to flower at its earliest ( shortest) that way.
You might be able to put a 400 watt in the space with proper ventilation and fresh air.

or

If you keep your plant close to the vertical part of your space you could do a vert SCROG.
Angle the light from the pitched side so you light up the vertical screen.
A 250HPS or CFLs or both to get good energy to throw at your plants.

 

[DonnieDanko]

whats dtf and aero dwc? in your area, i think dwc will be good you dont have enough heigh to place a main res below the plant level, so you should grow in the res itself. i think dwc will be good for you

Dtf is drip top feed & aero is having the misters/sprayers in the res. If I do grow in the res won't it be a pain to change the water especially if I do scrog? I know I can use a pump to drain but that won't get all the water out once it goes below the pumps intake will it?

 

[DonnieDanko]

I see a space like that setup one of two ways,
I'm a noob but I have a 20 year construction background.
so you can mount your light at the bottom of the vertical wall angled upward to light the angled portion of the space.
a a vert Screen following the pitch of the roof would be needed to control the plant so you can light it efficiently.
I would say a low wide container for DWC would be your best choice.
I would also suggest growing with 12/12 from start to end.
A plant will start to flower at its earliest ( shortest) that way.
You might be able to put a 400 watt in the space with proper ventilation and fresh air.

or

If you keep your plant close to the vertical part of your space you could do a vert SCROG.
Angle the light from the pitched side so you light up the vertical screen.
A 250HPS or CFLs or both to get good energy to throw at your plants.

That's interesting I haven't thought about setting it up like that to utilize max height, I wonder if that would work?

 

[zem]

Dtf is drip top feed & aero is having the misters/sprayers in the res. If I do grow in the res won't it be a pain to change the water especially if I do scrog? I know I can use a pump to drain but that won't get all the water out once it goes below the pumps intake will it?

you can make drains in the grow buckets or you can just use a manual suction pump. if you can find a place for a control res under your attic you can do flood and drain

 

[DonnieDanko]

you can make drains in the grow buckets or you can just use a manual suction pump. if you can find a place for a control res under your attic you can do flood and drain

I hear that.. I hope I can make a drain with no leaks! Flood and drain is another thing I've been looking into, there's a hydrofarm megagarden system that isn't high at all, pretty low profile. Is flood and drain as effective as say bubbleponics for rapid growth?