Some Advice Appreciated

Beginner
#1

I have been growing auto flowers outside and plan to move inside asap. I have a couple questions before I make the jump.
I am new to indoor gardening and relatively new to the new science.

  1. I found a Vivosun 8’ X 4’ X 7’ tent for under $200. I am thinking bigger is better no matter how many plants I intend to grow?
    VIVOSUN Standard 8x4 Grow Tent, Hydroponic Indoor Grow Tent 96" x 48" x 80"

  2. Lighting. I see mostly square fixtures. I see few rectangles that seem to fit a 8x4x7. I see bar/rail fixtures. It would seem 2-3 rectangle fixtures at the correct wattage would be the best? Lighting is going to be my biggest issue. I am hoping to get by with 2 fixtures. So I am open to any suggestions.
    So to keep initial cost down, can I use one or two light fixtures for a couple three plants? Or do I need to fill the tent completely with light fixtures?
    I will most likely only have 6 plants at a time. Will I need full spectrum or dedicated for each stage of growth?

  3. How important is connectivity? Controller?

I have so many more questions but do not want to clutter up these first questions.

Lastly. In regard to my AF’s outside. I think I have waited to long to harvest as I had no real good way to see the Trikes. I took one a week ago and my said it was better than what we have been buying, so I hope this last one is not to far gone.
I have ordered this microscope and plan to take pics of this remaining plant under microscope and a full shot for opinions.

Thanks In Advance
John

#2

Hi…here is my opinion on your questions

  1. Vivoson tents suck and the zippers are event worse. Spend the extra cash and get the AC Infiniity or Gorilla. My preference would be the gorilla with the height extender if you have the ceiling space. I also like to add the high cfm poles. Gorilla probably has a 50% off all the time and is the best and most adjustable tent. Ac is also good quality.

Yes bigger is better just for stability of environment but for a tent that size you will probably want intake and exhaust fans.

  1. Lighting - any bar style light will produce less heat and allow you to get closer to the plant if height or climate is an issue.

Personally I love bar style lights for veg and some hotter lights for flower.

Unless you are going top end with the best diodes and drivers then they are all about the same other than their proprietary spectrum designs.

For cheapos I’ve used many spider farmers with great success. For a 4x8 I would go equivalent of two se5000s in a 4x8. If heat was not an issue I would go fully programmable with the cali light works 550s as nothing is going to flower your girls better. The other nice thing about the 550s is RWB are all programmable or adjustable manually. Most light you have to dim together…and only red and white. Most light don’t even have blue.

  1. Yes…. Full control is great. I would use something like the AC infinity to run your fans and just use timers for your lights.

If you went with something like the California light works 550s, you would certainly want the controller… my lights change intesity/ spectrum 20 times through the day…. Simulating sunrise to sunset.

As far as microscopes go… mine all collect dust. But I’m pretty familiar with most strains I grow and know what they look like when they’re done. Really, pretty much everyone I know that uses a loop or a microscope chop their plants early….ass soon as they see a piece of amber on the top bud… it’s really just more of a noob thing to be honest.

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#3

Thanks Robert. I will check out all your suggestions. And yes I have only been going with pistil color for harvest time. I think I waited to late on my last ones. But it still is/was very good smoke according to my wife. I cannot smoke anymore. This is all for her.
I’m going to do the 6 I have now (seedlings) outside. I hope it’s not going to be an issue with enough sunlight as our days are now getting shorter?
But this will allow time to build a good setup for inside. I really don’t want to cut any corners and want the very best I can afford. Since our vacation got canceled I will have some ready cash to invest.
I almost bought the AC Infinity 4X4 tent complete package. I was impressed with the product.
Discussing this here I was told I could build one piece by piece for less money. I’m not sure whether that’s the case. I broke down the AC Infinity package piece by piece and the cost was almost exactly the same.
I will check tents from them today. And research the lights you recommend. Thanks bro.

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#4

Robert. I know you must be busy, but what do you think of this AC Infinity complete system? The only 2 questionable options are:

  1. It does not have fan speed control (PWM). I like that option.
  2. Size. I was thinking the 8x8x7 tent was important. I have the space for it and even bigger.
    Thanks in Advance.
    Advance Grow Tent System PRO 5x5, 6-Plant Kit, WiFi-Integrated Controls to Automate Ventilation, Circulation, Full Spectrum LM301H EVO LED Grow Light - AC Infinity
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#5

I think it is a good kit with a decent light.

I would definitely go 4x8 since you have the space. For a high quality set up, you will pay that much just for the lights in a 4x8.

If I was doing indoor set up this would be my shopping list.

  1. gg 8x8 or 8x4 with height extender and high cfm poles. (can be used as 1 or 2 ft extender). Or AC 8x4x7

  2. Two 6in centrifugal fans with carbon filter… one for intake, one for exhaust. With controller.

  3. Five to eight 6” oscillating clip fans.

  4. Lights - in a 4x8 I would go three 550s daisy chained with controller ( which is what I have in the flower section of my 8x8). You can set your programs for seedling, veg, flower.
    Or go bar style if you’re worried about the heat… you will just not get the same intensity pushing through the plant down to the lowers.

  5. Timers, power strips, ratchet hooks, zip ties, humidifier/ dehumidifier, water pump, etc.

  6. 5-10 earthboxes to make growing a breeze.

IMG_5425.HEIC
IMG_5425.HEIC4032×3024 2.04 MB

For a 4x8… I would light it like the back section of my 8x8. You can also see there are 3 auto flowers taking up an entire 4x8 space with a couple little girls stuffed in there… For those that say you can’t grow good yielding autos while maintaining quality. Power of the earth box and good lights.

Then when the plants are cut… let em dry while the worms and microbes munch on all the feeder roots. pull the main root ball. Reammend (lightly on the side you’ll be planting your next seed) and your ready to go. No more buying soil. The EBs in the picture have gone 5-6 cycles without new dirt.

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#6

That’s one hell of a set-up you got there Robert. How much money do you think you have invested in it?
Why 2 fans? Exhaust and intake? One 6" fan moves some serious air. Is there a CFM recommendation? My grow room will be cool year round. Is this for temperature control? I assume the oscillating fans are for stem strengthening?
The Cali Lightworks stuff looks top end. It may be a bit more than I plan to spend. Three 550 will cost $2000. You say these have built in capability to adjust spectrum for plant stage? Seems better than full spectrum without this capability. The one from AC only has dimming capability or am I confused as to how this works?
The bar style is for sure more in line monetarily.
What’s an earth box?
If I need to go with the bar style how many and what size should I be looking at? I will for sure look hard at both lights and try to make the best decision.

Size of tent. I am growing autos exclusively right now. But wonder about PPeroid. I would want a tent big enough to house a couple three PP.
I really appreciate you taking your time to help me. I can assure you your suggestions are being taken very seriously and I plan to implement those ideas and suggestions.
Look forward to hearing back from you.

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#7

Hey John…

  1. Exhaust:/ Intake…. Primarily this is for temp control but gives you flexibility to switch from positive to negative pressure depending on circumstances. When the lights are cranking mid day you may have to add some cool intake…. Or if you need to control odors for a period you can switch to negative… etc, etc. I always like to have two running incase one were to fail… it could destroy your whole tent by time you woke up.

Oscillating fans…. Yes, air movement strengthens stems. Also moves the leaves and allows the to transpire easier when it’s hot. It also prevents mold from growing on your plants and pests hate circulation. I have fans blowing every where but try not to blow to direct on a plant. It’s really breezy outside… I like to feel a vortex of airflow gently moving the stems no matter where you are in the tent.

  1. Lighting…. I have three 550s, a spectra max 1000, and another 450w not in use over an empty quad…. Obviously the biggest investment of a set up. I don’t recall what I paid as I picked em up on done sales. … but I have over 3k in lights in the 8x8. I have many other lights…most now being utilized for veggies.

The 550s run a little hot but they’re the best I’ve ran in flower. They will push down to the mid and lowers in ways bar lighting just cannot…. Plus the heat will resemble the sun more and you can run them higher for a better overall spectrum in your tent. Also, they make it super easy to adjust for uneven canopies which can be common place with a lot of autos.

The 550s are fully programmable with controller. You can set up to 20 settings per day. You can individually adjust Red, White, and Blue from 0-100%. So for example my day my start out 89r/40w/40b and gradually change into a blistering 80R/90w/90b and then fade back to red for sunset. And you can preset all your programs (seedling, veg, stretch/stack, finish) with the 20 settings each.

I use them exclusively to flower with and veg under the Soectramax1000. The SM1000 is only RW but is fully compatible and can be daisy chained and ran through same controller. It just ignores the blue commands, but white and red can be adjusted separately.

Most lights will have a prearranged spectrum and will be dimmed together so only the intensity can be adjusted for most budget lights. However you can always add far reds or UV if you see a need.

My recommendation is to buy the best lights you can afford. For a 4x8 you will want two of the AC infinity or equivelant (4-500w/each) I can tell you there is no comparison in the lushness of the plants and the density of the nugs way further down. Research the diodes and the components. The 550s are very reasonably priced. I would start with two or an equivalent premium light. Imo no bar light out there can do what this type of light can do in flower. There are other great lights as well… a lot is just preference and what works for your environment. Keep in mind the 550s use only about 3amps each when cranked which is super efficient and easy on your circuits.

  1. Earthbox - it’s a 10g rectangular box. Has a grate the soil sits on and leaches what’re from the bottom corners. Perfect for autos… plant on one side and Jam Pack the other side with goodies. Throw a gallon of water in every time the bottom is dry. Once your box is built, it’s pretty maintenance free the entire cycle other than some pruning/training. Pull the root ball, reamend and your ready for the next run.

  2. 4x8 is plenty to run 3-4 photos. Or 4-6 med-lg autos.

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