[gsxr1]

I have an nice attic with velux window.
I have seedling growing a month on the window sill. 3 plants

I would like to boost the size a little before the great outdoors.

What can I do on the cheap with B&Q materiels to build a space for them. I can open grow in the attic .

I am handy with DIY and wiring.


I have no idea what is required in terms of watts and bulbs.

I would use the forum but it very vast info overload.

can anyone help with a quick cheap temp set up

[distracted]

depends on your budget... tbh if you have good attic space, some cash and the inclination then doing an attic grow from start to finish has it's advantages anyway.... mold risk is lower, finishing as you want is a lot more certain, and you can flower when you want without the risk of kids ripping your grow before it's even remotely ready.... I can't really say what to do, in my epic failed second attempt at growing with no internet or books I tried to get my plants to come on crowded around a skylight in a hall, it was one of those relics from weird 70's attempts at making shit little houses seem more wow than they were, so there was a square trough for plants running all around the dome, but even then it was shit.... now looking back if there was some decent reflection in there they may have faired better but they like lots more direct light

[gsxr1]

im committed to the whole outdoor grow. Just to get me going.. done the miles of looking and site prep. Would just like to plant a bigger stronger plant out. They have been under a strip light in the kitchen at night, only 20w and it is having a very positive effect on them. Big glass window by day.

Say I had 70 quid to throw at a light for the attic . Maybe something I could use in the future in a tent. Power consumption would be an issue as I have ony 3 plants on the go. No point spending a fortune on electric for an little bag of weed.
As I say im just finding my feet. I love growing anything and everything so I would use the lights to bring on some Veg as well.

Would a couple of low energy 25w CFL bulbs be a waste of time? Suspended 12" above my little babies .

[Evil Pixie]

12 inches would be a waste of time. 1-2 inches would be much better! ( the closer you get the more intense the light is, the better the growth!

I reckon build a veg cab in the attic and fill it with cfls 20 watts 25watts 30 watss 45 watts 65 watts 105 125 200 250 300 (so many online)

You can get LOADS of varities online. However if you want to keep it cash purchases from tescos Id go for a nice mix of

6400k and 2700k 20 or 25 watts (The packet will usually tell you whether its 6400k (blue spec) or (2700 red spec)

You could have your timer set up so the plants use the sunlight from the window then when it goes down the lamps come on to give you a nice 18 hours of light a day.

Gd luck with your growin

This post has been edited by evilpixiea420: 23 April 2012 - 07:44 AM

[farmer boy]

if its for 3x plants i would just get a 90w/150w hps flood light and use that

peace out farmer boy

[Mr THC.]

farmer boy, on 23 April 2012 - 08:02 AM, said:

if its for 3x plants i would just get a 90w/150w hps flood light and use that

peace out farmer boy

+1 you can get hps flood lights for under £35 that leaves £35 more the a nuff to diy up a lil box cost less if ya can find some stuff

[gsxr1]

Mr THC., on 23 April 2012 - 08:20 AM, said:

farmer boy, on 23 April 2012 - 08:02 AM, said:

if its for 3x plants i would just get a 90w/150w hps flood light and use that

peace out farmer boy

+1 you can get hps flood lights for under £35 that leaves £35 more the a nuff to diy up a lil box cost less if ya can find some stuff

150watts would be to expensive to run. Timmers, Plus the heat ? Extraction required?

Thanks for the good advise, I will see how I go with the sunshine . Im much to cheap to spend money.

[farmer boy]

gsxr1, on 23 April 2012 - 03:34 PM, said:

150watts would be to expensive to run. Timmers, Plus the heat ? Extraction required?

Thanks for the good advise, I will see how I go with the sunshine . Im much to cheap to spend money.

you dont need a timer just leave them on 24/7 (i do) the heat from a 150w is not enoth to worry about .as long as your space is big enuf you wont need extraction . your not trying to grow a plant from start to finist your only trying to give it a boost for a week/month


peace out farmer boy

[MekongBlues]

gsxr1, on 23 April 2012 - 03:34 PM, said:

150watts would be to expensive to run.

150 watts is 150 watts, whether it's HPS or CFL. 150 watt on for 18 hours will cost you 2.7 units of leccy, so about 35 odd pence a day depending on your unit price.

Personally for just a week or two I'd just buy a few small CFL's. Start some more off under them too, that should more than cover your expenses with weed you get back anyway.

[gsxr1]

Say I made a open top box. 100cm x 100cm x 100cm high. mirror bace and tin foil linned .

2 bulbs over the top.

does that sound like a plan.

I have the ply wood, and tools. I recon 20 quid would cover the rest. Plus natural light, and a couple of 75w cfl bulbs.

Would just any CFL bulbs do. I see a mention of hue. Or is it frequency when you put a K behind the 2700k number.

Thanks so far. This is a real eye opener for me. Right to the point.

[gsxr1]

30 euro for 2X 25w cfl bulbs 2700k, 2 holders and a plug.

50cm x 50cm box 40cm high. Plywood. Bit of wire left over from the house build. roll of tin foil and a disposable over tray.


Happy days. Nice and warm. bright and happy. Only 50w of lecky .

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This post has been edited by gsxr1: 24 April 2012 - 01:06 PM

[JGP]

You don't sit around gsxr for best results get the bulbs as close as you can to the top of plants

[gsxr1]

JGP, on 24 April 2012 - 01:17 PM, said:

You don't sit around gsxr for best results get the bulbs as close as you can to the top of plants

I had the wifes car for the morning so I may as well stop talking about it, and do it.


I have thought about the height. And indeed it would be better .
But i am very afraid of over heat and fire risks.
My kids are below in bedrooms.
There is about 5" from bulb to plant. Could be closer . But I will see how I get on this week before I start moving the plants up. All the reading in the world wont give ye the feel for things. I need to get in there and try things out myself.
I have a feeling they will be moving up by themselves soon anyways . MAY is set to be bad weather, so I have plenty of time to veg these plants before going outside.

[compostverte]

Width of my thumb.

You won't find anyone more paranoid about fire and safety than me.

My lamps are mounted on plasterboard, but often in domestic situations they aren't, and getting them closer to the plants won't increase the risk.

[gsxr1]

Worked out cost per week with Electric Ireland. 1.33 euro/1 pound.

Cheap so I added another 15w CFL and holder that I had laying around.

Tis like a day at the beach in the wee box now. Unlike outside , where I may need a boat to cross the street if this rain does not stop.

I seen a 35w CFL 6500k daylight bulb in B&Q. Its very big. Would that be overkill? Its 13 euro. The price of 3 pints of the black stuff. You can see my dilemma.