Finalizing my plan to start growing.

[MrStoker]

Have recently begun posting questions to folks on the forum either in general forum or thru PM. For the last couple of years, in earnest, have been reading and learning what I could about growing my own medicine. Much of what I've found credible has been here thru GWE. Want to shout out a big THANK YOU!!! to everybody who takes the time to share their experience and wisdom with the newbies of the world.

The general plan is going with a 4'x2'x7' tent, growing in soil (5gal smart pots), 1-3 photo period plants, using white light (3500K) led panels on adjustable hangers, 4" fan/filter combo, organic nutes, etc. Want to start with one photo plant to get my feet wet using the manifold technique and LST to maximize yield (seems most straight forward method). Going to germinate with peat pucks and transplant to soil. Want to veg until 18"-24" and then make the switch to 12/12. Tent height should allow for a 2x stretch and still keep panel at least 18" above top. Have decided on some stains which are mostly Sativa hybrids that supposedly fit my criteria. Criteria in order: energetic but not gittery, easy on beginners, good production, potent, can tolerate training, not too tall, flower relatively quick and low odor. Not really worried about odor but definitely not going with a Skunk either.

Now I'm down to the "mouse nuts" details and have a series of seemingly unrelated questions. My apologies ahead of time for my wordy posts. You should see me when I've the ability to toke-up before writing. Probably the engineer in me.

In preparation to getting started, I need to ask about your experiences with the cheaper LED panels on the market. Since I'm set on using white LED lighting, there are only a couple units available on Amazon that have some potential. One is made by Roleadro (Galaxy Hydro) and the other is Ygro. Cannot afford any of the high dollar units so was going to purchase a couple of the cheaper units and hope to get a year or so out of them. So far I'm leaning toward the Ygro unit. Rated at 600W with only 150W draw at the wall, so it's seriously under driven. This tells me the LEDs are prone to burn out, the company made their price point by using small/cheap LED drivers or both.

Please let me know if you've had experience with these or any other cheap panels (regardless of brand or spectrum). If I can't settle my mind on an adequate "cheap" unit then I'm going to have to bite the bullet and build my own for around $400.

Thanks

[NAKEDGARDENER]

Have you considered ceramic metal halide lamps as a alternative to LEDs? Just asking. I spent a long time considering LED lighting and eventually gave up and decided n cmh due to their full spectrum and low running costs. Also can use em all the way through the grow, I have three now each at 315 w, but currently just have two hung and in my 8 foot tent, with clearance from canopy should easily be three and a half feet when plants are fully grown. Just a thought.

[NAKEDGARDENER]

Btw my cmh lights cost 140 $ each.

[MrStoker]

My chief reason for staying away from any type of arc tube is heat. The room my tent will be in gets quite warm during the day in summer. It can be over 80F with A/C running constantly (westerly side of house). During summer, lights will be on at night to prevent overheating grow environment. So, wanted to add as little heat as possible and try to keep from having to have a window A/C. We live on very little money each month and don't want the added expense of another A/C unit.

[NAKEDGARDENER]

I understand that completely, I’m sure LED say around 1k get very hot, and need to be used at same distance as a hid system, tbh the cmh I use don’t give off as much heat as I expected but like you my portable ac unit is running night and day at the moment keeping temps steady during the day at 79.5 and rh at 60%. At night temps kept at 69f but humidity is a slight struggle with it spiking into early 70s and dropping to 64 rh, something I have to do there is buy a small dehumidifier for the tent I guess.. I wish you luck on your search, by the way are you aware that one of this forums members had a gardening review page being set up on you tube and he is going to be doing give aways in competition form? Worth checking out as he will be reviewing LEDs at some point and one lucky person will get it free...let me know if you have his link so to subscribe.

[MrStoker]

No I don't know who you speak of or have their link but, would really like it. Willing to explore any avenue that could get me growing sooner and for less money.

I've thought about the relative humidity problem some. Again, don't want run another appliance if I can avoid it. One of my thoughts is having several milk jugs with the top cutout and then filed with rice to absorb moisture. Could either set them around space or hang them on uprights. Of course there's the cost of replacing the rice every couple of weeks. Since I have to make my service dog's food (she has a very sensitive belly), the rice would be used for dual purposes. Rice is used sometimes on the cheap as a desicant substitute, just don't know if it'd be enough to really make a difference. Going to give it a shot though if humidity becomes an issue during flower. Since my first grow is planned for winter months, I don't expect issues. Running heater definitely dries things out. It's during the summer I'm expecting more issues.

[NAKEDGARDENER]

Yeh I never thought of using rice duh at me lol, I hope to see your development over the coming weeks. Keep us posted and good luck. Oh I will send you the link to honest gardening reviews via a private message.

[Potted]

Hay stoker, I had the same problem,to hot in the summer for my inside grow,and to costly to cool it. Iv resided to a 3 season grow room and a outside grow in the hottest time of the year, Works for me😎

[MrStoker]

Unfortunately outdoor is not an option. Conservative southern state; very aggressive but, attitudes are changing.