Well, first off, this is a medical grow as I suffer from PTSD from a traumatic brain injury, and need MJ for insomnia, agrophobia, and depression. I grew under a 1000 MH for a bit but not since about '90, and back then I didn't know shit and wanted to go hydro, so I grew bagseed in plastic cups with perlite and lava rocks, in trays of water, with a bunch of airstones. I never got much, as you may well imagine, and it grew really slow, but I grew some good enough bud but not much of it. But I was young and was moving around a bit and left my MH somwhere and nerver tried again, mostly because of having kids. I have been thinking of an outdoor grow for the last couple years, but never got to the point of germing a single seed. I did not even think about an indoor grow because of renting and knowing how hot HIDs are to run, and knowing the odour problem with the landlords kids underneath me.
I really should redo this whole journal, I was serious fuked for most of it I can see why no one drops by...
So, I will post a bit more for a bit and then maybe start over.
First off RUI rules and has been a game changer for me. I don't remember how I stumbled across it but it gave me the tools to do a grow again, the power of a positive and supportive community.
I read threads for hours being insomniac, and found the answers to the heat and odor problem, reading the creative ways peeps rolled, real answers to complicated problems!
I knew it would take me a while to get equipment, but also spent hours planning and lucky for that because the plans changed in my mind all the time, evolving. At first I was gonna do cfl, but when I planned it I ended thinking I would waste time and the space I planned without enough light. so buy the time I figured out how much I would need the costs were getting close to an HID, so I evolved to that point before I bought anything. The key that opened the door was the explanation of correct ventilation! So I cut a hole into my closet hidden under the stairs to my loft for a passive intake, and one from the closet to the closet in my loft! Hidden and stealthy! I ordered equipment to DIY flood and drain and all the other shit, and a 400 HPS, over about 3 months.
I will update and post pics soon, I just flipped to 12/12 5 days ago, and shit is looking good!