Question Which setup do you prefer?

[Fckit712]

Yo, yo everyone........
I'm about to drop some money on some sort of automated system, budget style. I only want to procure 1-2 plants, with good odor control. Was looking at Silogro's, and heyabby auto systems, but still pricey being on the low end at $600. Being a beginner, Auto system seems the best route. Anyone have any advice, or know a lower cost system. I'm skeptical on Lowryders' system, but am interested for $300. Thank you guys for any help.
Cheers

 

[Tracker]

Those are interesting setups. The grow volume is very small. The Heyabby has a little more height room.

I would be inclined to DIY something. DWC type systems are just a reservoir tub and an airstone. Design a way to empty and refill the reservoir without having to move the plants. More thought and effort will have to go into the design/construction of the enclosure, especially if you want a clean/finished look on the outside. The Heyabby doesn't look out of place as a kitchen appliance.

The app control and access to environment data on your phone would take some messing around with arduino and/or raspberry pi. There are home assistant automation DIY's in the forums and on YouTube's.

I would want at least a 24"x24"x60" interior grow volume with a 200w LED fixture. I like to tinker. I'd make a DIY project out of it.

 

[Fckit712]

Ok..... Thank you for that. Was trying to score a free old wardrobe/storage cabinet in my ares, and go from there. There are a lot of full kit tents around my budget right now ($300). What are your thoughts on those?

 

[Tracker]

Ok..... Thank you for that. Was trying to score a free old wardrobe/storage cabinet in my ares, and go from there. There are a lot of full kit tents around my budget right now ($300). What are your thoughts on those?

I wouldn't get the full tent kit. The lights that come with those kits are usually underpowered. If using LEDs, 40w to 50w per sqft is a good number to look for. Bar style lights distribute the light on the canopy better than board style lights. If you want best outcomes, the light is critical.

 

[Fckit712]

Ok I'll take your word on that. I did find someone selling a 4x4x6 hydrocrunch tent, with 2 600w lights for $125. Might start there and add a ventilation system, and other stuff.

 

[Tracker]

Ok I'll take your word on that. I did find someone selling a 4x4x6 hydrocrunch tent, with 2 600w lights for $125. Might start there and add a ventilation system, and other stuff.

What's the make/model on the lights?

 

[Fckit712]

Same. Their Hydrocrunch, so great deal on the 2 lights

 

[Joheim]

I started in a diy DWC system, grew some nice girls too. I've gone to coco as I've moved inside from the garage. I haven't attempted DWC inside as it gets rather warm in my grow room and I can't afford a chiller, de-humi, and air conditioner, much less running all of them with the lights and fans. My wife would explode.

 

[Fckit712]

I started in a diy DWC system, grew some nice girls too. I've gone to coco as I've moved inside from the garage. I haven't attempted DWC inside as it gets rather warm in my grow room and I can't afford a chiller, de-humi, and air conditioner, much less running all of them with the lights and fans. My wife would explode.

Yeah, my wife wants the power bill to stay low........ I found a 2.5'×2.5'×5.25' tent for $65, and I am trying to score 2 HydroCrunch 600w LEDs for $75. Be nice to start with both at that price, and add vent system, and go from there.

 

[Joheim]

That tent would only house one of my girls. I've got a 5x5 with 4 girls in it and they're right up against/ growing through each other. I've got a whole story how my grow, grew. I started with a 4x3x5, and it has grown into a 4x3, a 4x4, and a 5x5.

 

[Fckit712]

Yeah I wanna stay around 1-2 max

 

[Varinaut]

Same. Their Hydrocrunch, so great deal on the 2 lights

2 things: First, those lights are NOT 300W. They list that as an "equivalence" to non-LEDs. Further down in the specs they show "true" power as 120W. Expect the same ratio for the "600W", which are probably ~240W actual output. Secondly, they are NOT full spectrum, but appear to be burples; i.e. they load the spectra with reds and blues giving everything a purple cast. No where near the quality of a true, full spectrum for plant growth.

 

[Ras Mountain]

I like the Mars Hydro ts1000 for my CoolGrows 24" x 24" x 48" tent. Like it so much I got two of them. It has a dial-a-watt for light control and I think it's just the right size for single player.

I'd match that light and tent with one TerraBloom 6" silent inline booster fan and a two-pack of Hurricane 6-in. clip fans. That's your light, tent, ventilation and air circulation setup for about $250.

 

[Joheim]

I've had good success with the ts600. For an entry level light I like it, I still have one in my closet (not in use presently)

 

[Joheim]

Yeah I wanna stay around 1-2 max

So did I. My plan was proof of concept/ ability with one tent, then get a second for a dedicated flower tent. Well, i won a light(Medicgrow Ez8) in a giveaway on another site, and it was too big for the 4x3. So I talked my wife into a larger tent that it would fit in so I got the 4x4x6. It fit beautifully. I was just starting to get used to a much more powerful light when about 10 months later, I won another light, same site, different sponsor(spider farmer SE1000W) and since both of these lights can flower a 5x5 footprint I thought it most prudent to get the size it can handle, hence the 5x5. So if you're a member on sites that host giveaways, get in on them. Sometimes there is some work involved with winning, sometimes it's a random draw. But someone going to win and you guarantee a loss if you never try. I'm normally the guy that couldn't win a rigged raffle, and then I found my Leprechaun, twice!

I didn't even have to pay for shipping!

 

[Magu]

This is probably not the answer you are looking for. If you are a completely new grower it would be safer to start with soil in a flower pot. Things change slowly in a pot of dirt where as a malfunctioning hydroponics system can kill your plants in hours. If you want to spend money, invest in quality lights and good seed with the proper genetics to produce the exact kind of plant you are looking for. Anyway, thats just my way of thinking.

 

[Fckit712]

I like the Mars Hydro ts1000 for my CoolGrows 24" x 24" x 48" tent. Like it so much I got two of them. It has a dial-a-watt for light control and I think it's just the right size for single player.

I'd match that light and tent with one TerraBloom 6" silent inline booster fan and a two-pack of Hurricane 6-in. clip fans. That's your light, tent, ventilation and air circulation setup for about $250.

Thank you that what I was looking for. Thank you!

 

[Fckit712]

Those are interesting setups. The grow volume is very small. The Heyabby has a little more height room.

I would be inclined to DIY something. DWC type systems are just a reservoir tub and an airstone. Design a way to empty and refill the reservoir without having to move the plants. More thought and effort will have to go into the design/construction of the enclosure, especially if you want a clean/finished look on the outside. The Heyabby doesn't look out of place as a kitchen appliance.

The app control and access to environment data on your phone would take some messing around with arduino and/or raspberry pi. There are home assistant automation DIY's in the forums and on YouTube's.

I would want at least a 24"x24"x60" interior grow volume with a 200w LED fixture. I like to tinker. I'd make a DIY project out of it.

Took your advice, and was feeling creative........... Here's what 3 hours, and wood I already had made thus far. Gonna do some 1/4" ply on the sides and back to keep the weight down. Set of locking wheels will be added as well so I can move it, if need be. Also gonna make 2 doors with hinges for it, and handles so I can keep it locked when I'm away. And paint the inside a bright white, high gloss. Eventually it will be up and running.......... Eventually Got some work still.............. Thoughts/ideas are very welcomed!
Cheers

 

[Fckit712]

I like the Mars Hydro ts1000 for my CoolGrows 24" x 24" x 48" tent. Like it so much I got two of them. It has a dial-a-watt for light control and I think it's just the right size for single player.

I'd match that light and tent with one TerraBloom 6" silent inline booster fan and a two-pack of Hurricane 6-in. clip fans. That's your light, tent, ventilation and air circulation setup for about $250.

Let me know what you think on my build attached below. Decided just to build and get some self worth.

 

[Tracker]

Took your advice, and was feeling creative........... Here's what 3 hours, and wood I already had made thus far. Gonna do some 1/4" ply on the sides and back to keep the weight down. Set of locking wheels will be added as well so I can move it, if need be. Also gonna make 2 doors with hinges for it, and handles so I can keep it locked when I'm away. And paint the inside a bright white, high gloss. Eventually it will be up and running.......... Eventually Got some work still.............. Thoughts/ideas are very welcomed!
Cheers

Thats a good start. Before diving further into the buildout, I recommend you find the light first, then build the cabinet to the best size to support the light.

This SUNRAISE 240w LED is a good value for the price at 160usd....

Amazon.com

Here's a SUNRAISE 200w LED in a 3x3 tent. That's rather underpowered for a 3x3, but pulled 10oz. My friend had it dialed in well....


This 500w LED is on sale for 185usd right now using discount code ENQT3QWD plus the clickable coupon. I just finished a run with one of these, and it's a great deal at that price. Would be perfect for 3x3.

Amazon.com