Cheapest Light Solution and Automation

Hi everbody,

I am planing to build my own grow room for one plant. It will be self-sufficient. But i have a very weak budget. Here is my questions;

1) Is there a way without HPS/Sodium lamb? And what is the cheapest way?

2) I think i will be build an automation for light, water and air(density of CO2/O2). Light and air look easy. But i didn't find a solution about watering the soil. Is there a elecronic curcuit part or something like that for detect the soil's moisture ratio? Cheapest solution of course

3) Last one; I am living in an apartment flat. The plant must be oderless. What can you recommend for the smell problem? I just saw a homemade carbon filter in the board. What's its performance?


Thanks for your helps.

1) HPS is the best *IMO* but a cheap way is 2700k and 6500k CFL bulbs close to the plant.
2) Get a moisture meter.
3) no help, sorry

Hmm....if you can afford to automate stuff, I think you should spend a little bit of that money on a real carbon filter. HTG Supply sells 4" models for like $70, which will be perfect for growing only one plant. CFLs are your best bet if you don't want to go with HPS/MH, just make sure you use lots of them and mount some all along the side of the plant(as close as possible) so the lower budsites develop too.

Go with a 250w or 300w dual spectrum CFL with reflector on eBay and go with Northern Lights for a odourless strain at most you will need to spray the occasional air freshner perhaps. Thats as odourless as they come.

Thanks for your helps.

CFLs look nice.