Newbie setting up, with questions, advice needed

ILoveYouSweetLeaf

Well-Known Member
Hi All,[HR][/HR]
Total newbie here, Setting up a rather small room, I have done alot of reading and I want to do this right the first time,
this will only be for personal use and figure this will pay for itself easily within the first year. I pray it will since I
made a "fear factor" type bet with wife that it will, and I don't wanna lose that :wall: . I would appreciate any and all comments
about the equipment, if it's right type or make, and my methods or your methods. Well here goes.
the room is under basement stairs. walls already have rigid foam board on them. First thing I will do is vacuum area, and
stain all wood in area and any wood i use for walls i put up, in attempt to control mold issues ahead of time. BTW it is a
nice dry basement. Then run dedicated electrical line from 20amp circuit breaker at box, to the room using 12/2 wire.
After that I will put up new floor, ceiling, and 4 walls and door. All 1/2 inch thick. I will put up 1 inch rigid foam board
on the inside walls, ceiling and floor. Then attach 2 mil mylar to that, with silver duct tape at seams. After I have built
this enclosed box, my inside space should have dimensions, Height 6'1" Width 3'8" and Depth 1'11". Not very big...
Noise and Odor control are VERY important.
This is what I like so far.
Super Sun 2 - 6" Air-Cooled Reflector
http://www.sunlightsupply.com/p-12597-super-sun-2-6-air-cooled-reflector.aspx
one of the few that looked good and fits my space with •Dimensions: 27.5"l x 13.2"w x 8"h
Galaxy Select-A-Watt 400-600 Electronic 120/240 Volt Ballast
http://www.sunlightsupply.com/p-11884-galaxy-select-a-watt-electronic-ballasts.aspx
Hortilux Super HPS - High Pressure Sodium Lamp
http://www.sunlightsupply.com/p-13104-hortilux-super-hps-high-pressure-sodium-lamps.aspx
Hortilux LU400S/HTL/EN (12/Cs) or Hortilux LU430S/HTL/EN (12/Cs) I am not gonna use MH right away, gonna see how just HPS
works for whole grow first.
2 KG Flame Defender
http://www.sunlightsupply.com/p-13133-2-kg-flame-defender.aspx
automatically operates at 155 degs (I'm really suprised I don't see more people mention these, at only 50 bucks, seems like
the most important thing I can get for safety AND security)
Sentinel / Gps - Master Digital Timer
http://www.amazon.com/Sentinel-Gps-Master-Digital-Timer/dp/B0032JULZA/ref=pd_rhf_cr_p_t_3_WRX0
2 General Hydroponics Waterfarm complete set (not the modular ones)
http://www.sunlightsupply.com/p-11692-water-farm-complete-modular-systems.aspx
wondering if I can get ONE pump with 2 outputs to run both, instead of running the 2 pumps that come with these.
gonna use same companies pH Up and down, and the food that came with waterfarms. flora micro/gro/bloom.
Bluelab Guardian Monitor (pH, conductivity and temperature)
http://www.sunlightsupply.com/p-11805-bluelab-guardian-monitor.aspx
not sure what carbon filter to get since i'm not sure if I even trust this fan to not make Alot of noise, it seems like junk.
Its about the least amount of CFM I can find. Suggest away in odor control area.
In-Line Duct Fan, Sunleaves 4-inch
http://www.4hydroponics.com/growroom/items.asp?ItemNo=ductBooster4
2 Can-Fan Backdraft Dampers
http://www.4hydroponics.com/growroom/items.asp?ItemNo=CFbackdraftDampers
1 for intake, 1 for exhaust. do I need these ?

and misc. fisker titanum shears/ adjustable light hangers/ expandable foam for cord entry holes/ rockwool / temp humidity monitor /others.
have a heat mat for germination already for my vegetables.


Now my specific questions I can't seem to find good answers for.
________________________________________________________________
*the galaxy ballast says, "Socket assembly (cordset) NOT included", does this mean the cord to the wall or to the bulb or
both are not included?
*I would not be against getting the 250-400 watt galaxy, since I dont plan on moving the grow to a bigger place, but this one
gives me option of using 600watt if I did move, and its only 20 bucks more, But 600watts is probably bad idea in little spot
like this. Would it be better to get 250-400 watt so I can use 250watts when I have new more fragile plants in there? do I
need the 600watt one to be able to run a 430 watt lamp?
*water heaters needed for waterfarms? would need 2 since this is not modular setup. hoping the answer is no.
*what should be the minimum distance from my reflector to the ceiling?
*should I bother with panda film on outside of room?
*can my air intake/outtake be into/from basement ? does it have to go outside? do I need carbon filter on the intake also?
*since my total cubic feet is less then 50, the smallest fan seems to move 65cfm. I've read that i'm supposed to move the
total cubic feet of my room every 5 minutes. So I only need to move 10cfm. will this hurt my plants or is it acceptable and
might make them stronger?
*will using a reducer from 6" to 4" piping cause humidity or other issues?
*The Sentinel / Gps - Master Digital Timer as I read it, cuts power to my HID if the temp in room reaches a level I set,
Since I will be putting the ABC fire extinguisher in the room, that will go off at a temp of 155 fahrenheit. I want something
in there that will shut off the light BEFORE the fire extinguisher is activated and ruins my equipment, I would rather lose
one grow cycle in case my fan fails then my equipment. Is this a timer you would suggest or is there a cheaper decent one?
 

ILoveYouSweetLeaf

Well-Known Member
Thank you anyone who replies. sorry about my spelling and spacing, I typed that in text editor before posting. and YES I do have OCD.
 

raven1290

Active Member
Ballast-cordset not included means the cord that runs from the socket in your reflector is not included. It will come with the reflector you buy.
You can buy the 400/600 and just raise the light higher to reduce the effect on your plants.
If your getting a 600w ballast, just buy a 600w bulb.
Your relector can be pretty much right against the ceiling, but if you hang it with rope ratchets, as high as they will go will be fine.
You can have your intake come in from the basement, it doesn't have to be from outside. Mine is in my basement as well.
You dont need a carbon filter on you intake, just you exaust for odors. It's better to pull through the filter than blow out.
A hepa filter on your intake would be good, but only if you basement is dusty.
Panda film is for reflection and only needs to be on the inside of your grow room. Not required, but helpful to reflect more light to your plants.
The minimum airflow is 1 once every 5 min., but best is once a min., more is not a bad thing.
Useing a 6-4 reducer will not do anything as far as temp. and humidity are concerned. I use them my self because I have a 4" inline fan and carbon filter, but I use 6" ducting
That timer looks nice, but it's not $50, it's $150 and thats more than most people want to spend. There are cheaper timers, but I don't know of ones that do what that once does.
The water heaters may not be nessacary. The ideal temperature for hydroponic water is 65-75 degrees f. If it's going to be colder than that, you could try putting a heating pad under it, it might be cheaper than a water heater.
I think that about covers your questions. Happy Growing.
 

ILoveYouSweetLeaf

Well-Known Member
Thank you so much raven, I was starting to worry if I would get any response at all. Thought maybe I put to much info into the post. The panda film question was because I was in hydro shop and some guys who were placing a huge order said something about panda blocking IR from the outside, I guess for IR cameras. I've decided I am not going to get that timer, I had read that normal timers running your lamp will melt without relay and contactor. Maybe that was old info, since most places seem to sell 10-20 dollar timers with the lamps. You said you have your intake in the basement, can you exhaust into it as well?
 

raven1290

Active Member
I use passive intake through the vents in my tent and yes I exaust into my basement as well. I'd recommend going with Phresh carbon filter. It's what I'm useing and works very well. Don't waist your money on cheap no-name Ebay filters, they don't work (been there). If you do buy a Phresh filter, connect your fan to it and run it full blast for a bit. Phresh filters use granular carbon and there will be a little carbon dust initially. Useing you fan to blow it out before hooking everything up will save you from getting carbon dust in your ducting and light. Also, that duct fan will not be enough. Their not powerful at all and loose a lot of airflow once connected to duct work and especially to a carbon filter. By a 4" inline fan. This is the one I use. http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-INCH-INLINE-FAN-HYDROPONICS-EXHAUST-DUCT-VENT-BLOWER-190CFM-F001-/280897495567?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4166cba20f#ht_4249wt_904
You can also use a fan speed controller with it.http://www.ebay.com/itm/Variable-Fan-Speed-Controller-Inline-Fan-Hydroponic-Speedster-Control-M034-/271162933570?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f22920142#ht_2849wt_906
This will allow you to dial in the perfect amount of airflow and lowering the speed of the fan makes it quieter.
 
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