$150 USD - Grow Help

This is what I'll be using for an enclosure,

this is my setup,

going to get square pots - cococoir, getting this locally might save on shipping.

Would deep water culturer be cheaper? I see on amazon they have a complete setup for like $30 USD, shown below, this way i wouldnt have to buy cococoir and pots and what not,


plan is to cut up the cabinet that I have and save the part outlined in blue.


Questions, - I'm not sure how I can cut the cabinet apart and cut a hole into it, I have no real tools. What tool could do both, rip the wood, and cut a hole? I was thinking of a jigsaw blade on a handle or something, I'm looking for something cheap, and something that will tackle both jobs.


Ventilation - IS there a better option versus a noisy inline fan? What about the xbox fans or the solder fume exhaust fan setup? These fans are quiet, and the latter has a carbon scrubber on it. NOTE* It must be connected to ducting, so I can route hot air out.




Lastly, but not least, does anyone have any idea of how much bud a 2' 4bulb t5 fluorescent light could yield please, and thankyou, for the advice!

I may need to go with a different light since I'm at about 22", any recommended light? 150w hps? Is there a better option? I'm thinking metal halide might be better for bushing things out to get them ready for outdoor, this space is mainly for propagation.

What's your plan when they go outside ?

? plant during spring?

Does someone have a light recommendation for around $70 USD that will work? I'm looking at either a 2' 4 bulb t5, or a 150w hps, -- mainly looking to veg plants,

am also looking for a small, non noisy fan,

also, looking for something that can rip the wood, and cut a circe, like a jigsaw blade on a handle,

are there recommendations?

Preferring to go with a 150watt hps grow light, this is something I plan to keep over the years, there are less moving parts, less to be replaced, and less that can break. Hell', -- a 150watt hps grow light may do better at propagation than the 2' 4bulb t5 anyway...


Advice?

just buy a smaller stand-alone cupboard. much easier, you wont need the tools. also, my Dremel does many things for me that most other tools cannot. always good to have one on hand..

Greggl102 said:

Preferring to go with a 150watt hps grow light, this is something I plan to keep over the years, there are less moving parts, less to be replaced, and less that can break. Hell', -- a 150watt hps grow light may do better at propagation than the 2' 4bulb t5 anyway...


Advice?

Click to expand...

Unless your goal is more heat and less light, a modern LED light is a much better choice than a 150w HPS. Decent 150w LEDs are available under $100

Greggl102 said:

? plant during spring?

Does someone have a light recommendation for around $70 USD that will work? I'm looking at either a 2' 4 bulb t5, or a 150w hps, -- mainly looking to veg plants,

am also looking for a small, non noisy fan,

also, looking for something that can rip the wood, and cut a circe, like a jigsaw blade on a handle,

are there recommendations?

Click to expand...

Are you south of the equator ?

Billy the Mountain said:

Unless your goal is more heat and less light, a modern LED light is a much better choice than a 150w HPS. Decent 150w LEDs are available under $100

Click to expand...

which led light is comparable to a 150watt hps for around its price of $70

Unga Bunga said:

Are you south of the equator ?

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no, why?

Greggl102 said:

which led light is comparable to a 150watt hps for around its price of $70

Click to expand...

Are you familiar with Google or Amazon? It's not hard.

Here's a no-name 150w LED for $50:

Greggl102 said:

no, why?

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Cause spring is 11 months away north of the equator ? June is a bit late for an indoor start but that's just my opinion . Unless you have no other option .

Greggl102 said:

Hell', -- a 150watt hps grow light may do better at propagation than the 2' 4bulb t5 anyway...

Click to expand...

It won't.

You do not have the room for any sort of hps and hps will give you longer internodes.

If your goal is just to veg plants then the t5 or a cheap blurple will give you shorter tighter plants.

so a few questions remain.


1) How can I ventillate the space? I'm hoping for an axial fan with a ducting shroud, that way it wont make too much noise.

2) How can I make the cuts in the wood with minimal tools (ideally only 1 tool?)

these axial fans are listed for a bit of money for some reason, but they are very quiet compared to inline fans and the turbines and everything else.

If I use the t5 I may have to have it in there at a bit of an angle..

If you’re going outdoor just stick with putting them in soil. Going dwc then to outdoor soil will mess them up their roots will be accustomed to hydro.

Just curious, it’s planting time now in the northern hemi, why not start them outdoors and leave them there, since they’re going outside anyway? Sounds like you’re making it more difficult than it needs to be.

Use screw in LED bulbs (SILs), and make a small but powerful DIY fixture for cheap! You could buy the base sockets and some wire and make it up yourself, or just screw them into free lamp fixtures you get, like the fancy bathroom vanity ones that are free on craigslist all day every day. Save money instead to buy a drill and a jigsaw, etc. MUlti max oscillating tools are cheap at harbor frieght too, but burn through the blades quick, but probably work for you for like $20-30. Jigsaw will work better through, but you need a drill to cut holes to drop the jig blade down in first. The multi tool can plunge right in, but its loud af, and hard to cut a radius. That wood is likely particle mdf/chip board btw, and actually tougher on blades than real wood.

Anytime someone is suggesting using their closet, I always suggest going to a building salvage store, and buying a matching closet door for like $10.. The places around here have entire warehouse full of old junk doors to pick through, some brand new hollow core closet doors too. . Then, you can cut it up, and or add the fans and vent holes right into the temporary door instead of the actual walls around the closet, etc.. Eventually you can replace the original door you stashed away (especially if your renting)when your done growing, or if someone comes to look at the house, etc.

Greggl102 said:

How can I make the cuts in the wood with minimal tools (ideally only 1 tool?)

Click to expand...

A cheap keyhole saw will do the trick but if the circle you want to cut is not near the edge you'll either have to drill a starter hole to get the point of the saw in to begin the cut or cut in from the side then put a bit of duct tape over the line you cut to get to the circle.

I can't imagine not having lots of tools and could build a house or rebuild a car with all the stuff I have. Must have 3 or 4 of almost everything except 3/4" drive sockets but I don't work on heavy equipment so don't need those. Have 1/2" drive up to 1-3/4" sockets and wrenches up to that as well.

If I don't fix things around here they remain broken.

OldMedUser said:

A cheap keyhole saw will do the trick but if the circle you want to cut is not near the edge you'll either have to drill a starter hole to get the point of the saw in to begin the cut or cut in from the side then put a bit of duct tape over the line you cut to get to the circle.

I can't imagine not having lots of tools and could build a house or rebuild a car with all the stuff I have. Must have 3 or 4 of almost everything except 3/4" drive sockets but I don't work on heavy equipment so don't need those. Have 1/2" drive up to 1-3/4" sockets and wrenches up to that as well.

If I don't fix things around here they remain broken.

Click to expand...

would this set be able to rip the boards and make a hole?