First Grow, Half Pyramid Scheme, White Light Spiraling into the Cosmos

Excuse the fancy title.

Swim is wanting to grow for the first time.

Swim Hasn't decided what seeds to use yet, swim is thinking indica dom for sure..swim loves bubba kush and other kush's. Swim is open to recommendations on that from but is more interested in getting info on getting the most out of the space swim has. (see pics bellow, sorry about the quality)Swim is interested in growing as much as possible in this space as long as proper ventilation without cutting holes or changing the main vent system is possible.Swim wants to know everything swim needs to know about making the absolute most of this setup, perpetually cycling.Swim has a pretty tight budget, but is looking to invest in quality yet save as much money as possible. DIY freindly.

A few questions,

what are all the basic supplies swim will need? swim is looking to start ASAP in anyway swim can, swim wonders if it is possible to start with just a light and a seed until a certain stage where more is needed, such as a filter etc.

Swim wants to know all about soils as well, if compost is any good on its own or if it needs mixing?

most of all swim is interested in having an (some) experienced growers give swim specific advice for the space swim has, swim wants to know the best possible setup while keeping budget in mind.

thank you

Swim apologizes for the bad pic quality, also for the fact that you are not able to see the space empty. Swim does swims best to give you an idea of how things are setup. Swim is in a studio apt. swim says the section/hallway that is the bathroom, shower, kitchen and half pyramid room have poor ventilation, but as you can see there is a window above the bathroom, and the main room has many windows.

Here is Swims future setup:

Half Pyramid Room, as swim calls it:


immediate left, kitchent:


Immediate right, shower and bathroom leading to window:


Another Angle of Half Pyramid Room and some of kitchen which has no windows:



Swim says it basically feels like a cave back there ventilation wise...the AC does cool the space but it is cavernous in nature, if you will.

Swim wants to thank you guys in advance for the help. Swim very much likes the layout of this forum

Plant container (however many you need)
Fox Farms Ocean Forest soil (what you need to fill the containers)
Seeds (good genetics, order online if possible)
Lights (CFL's work if you have enough of them. Youtube how to make CFL light systems, have some nice 6-9 light setups)
Fan (small fan to put on your plant after it grows up a bit, helps strengthen it up)
Ventilation (make sure the room doesnt get too hot!)
Smell problems (eventually need to get an activated carbon filter, easy to make. youtube for setup ideas)
Nutrients (wont need these till a few weeks in, but you will need them. use same brand as your soil)

I think thats it! You can get a good start for pretty cheap, but im also pretty new so this is kind of like the blind leading the blind gl to you!

**edit** also, if I didnt specifically answer particular questions its because I dont want to give you bad advice xD I gave what I could, because its what I know - like I said, still pretty new to this myself.

many thanks rental dog for sharing. I am open to hearing others opinions advice, as well. Im doing alot of reading...

What I want from you guys most is advice for this specific area... say I grow like 5 plants..where I might eventually place the filters...how to setup the lights etc etc..

(oops I mean swim )

anyone else?

Does half pyramid room have a door? Or can one be put in? Is security/stealth an issue for you?

It is not a major issue. I am on the first floor and someone is above me, I just need proper ventilation. I need to filter the smell not just pump it out a window.

Hmm, if you're mainly worried about the smell try something similar to this -

You then just use some ducting like what you find on a dryer, and hook an inline fan to it if possible. You want the fan to suck in air through the filter, then pull it out through the ducting, this will remove the smell. Usually people exhaust the air from the ducting outside, but if you're just growing in an open apartment then I guess it wouldnt be an issue.

End result should be

FILTER<---DUCTING--->INLINE FAN<---DUCTING--->EXHAUST.

If you plan on just venting the scrubbed air back into your room you dont need that second ducting/exhaust combo. Just build yourself a filter, put it near your plants, and pull air through it using a fan. Be sure to pull through it though, I heard that blowing through it doesnt really help much? I could be wrong on that, maybe other members can chime in.

goodluck!

just the advice I was looking for. What about the floor....mylar there too? or plastic?

its really just the sides of the room that matter for mylar.

Ok