Grow Room Advice Needed

[Rishicash]

I have a large outdoor balcony that I want to build two grow rooms on - one on each end. The problem is the height restriction because of the management which is only 3' 6". The other dimensions are 5' x 4'. I want to use something like Mars Pro growing hydroponically (if possible). By my calculations, the hydroponic bin is about 12" tall, the plant about another 18" tall when matured which leave little room for the light. I might be able to get away with a bit more than 3' 6" but probably not by much. I would greatly appreciate any advice offered.

[MoreNurgzPlz]

Hello mate,

Lets figure it out:

3'6" = 42"

You say the hydro unit will be 12".

42 - 12 = 30

I assume by 'Mars Pro' you are referring to the LED light unit you intend to use?

If so you are going to need to leave 18" between the light and the canopy.

30 - 18 = 12

12" plants, that's not taking into account the light is probably 2" thick and you'll need about 2" to hang it.

12 - 2 - 2 = 8

That leaves you with only 8" of light side grow space.

Also if I'm right about the Mars Pro LED, I hear they kick out a fair whack of heat, the tent is gonna be an oven.

I'm not sure that's going to work with a Mars Pro.

You'd be better off going T5's, those would only need 1-2" from canopy. That brings you back up to 30 - 2 - 2 - 2 = 24" of light side grow space.

Obviously you aren't going to get huge colas without HID or LED but you solve the height and heat issues using T5's, if you SoG with one tent and have mother + clones in the other you could get a system going that can still provide a decent yield.

I forgot to mention air filtration, if you don't want to stink up the place you'll want a carbon filter, with the lack of tent height you could use an external in line unit like a Phresh in line unit.

[Wattze]

Nice breakdown!

[MoreNurgzPlz]

Thanks bud

[Tika]

Nicely done MNP.

[Pankace]

In simpler terms... if it's lower than 5' don't grow it lol

[Karlee]

I read the above and then saw you broke it down for me! LOL

[MoreNurgzPlz]

Nah man, some people are pulling 0.5-1oz out of a 16" tall PC Case or even more out of a 24" tall PC Server Tower case.

Even without the height 'Rishicash' does have 5' x 4' of space so with T5's they could SoG or SCRoG with 6 or 8 clones and pull 0.5-1oz per clone.

Obviously it's a more complex setup then doing one or two large mainlined grows but if the height restriction is absolute then a short grow is better than no grow.

One advantage with a short grow is you won't be spending much time in the vegetative state so you'll get quick turnarounds. That's why I'd use the second tent to manage a mother and clones, once the system is dialed in you could be pulling your 0.5-1oz per clone every couple of months.

[Royal Nugs]

Height restriction is a significant hindrance. It sounds like nurgz has the right of it, you'll need some low heat options when it comes to lighting. CFL or fluorescent is your best bet. Better have a game plan for your LST once you get your equipment.

Good luck, please post some photos

[MoreNurgzPlz]

Yeh I wouldn't recommend a restricted height grow but if you have no choice and you are prepared to put a lot of time and effort into managing the grow you can absolutely make it work.

You'll also be limited to lowryder strains only and short harvest cycles which means managing a mother plant + clones.

Defo want pics

[Royal Nugs]

Maybe a low scrog, would be tough though... I hope you have access to all sides, but you're on a balcony?? so I suspect not. Makes a difference.. need pics... lol

[PuravidaC]

My grow box is 4 feet tall and I use CFL lighting. I have had a couple of successful grows but in hindsight I would have made box a minimum of 5 feet, maybe more. Existing height of grow box does not allow enough clearance for any other type of light.

[Karlee]

Hi Rishicash

If you grow the right type of plant like the lowryder , you could grow more. And Green75 is doing great things with it now. Learn his way and you'll have a crop

https://www.leafly.com/hybrid/lowryder