Lighting Grow Container Suggestions

[DreamClouds]

Hello to the AFN family. I’m hoping to finally start my auto grow within the next month or two. I’m looking for suggestions on the size of growing containers for my lights, space, etc.
Space: 8’x8’x6.5’ gorilla grow tent.
Medium: Biobizz Light Mix soil
Lights: 16 AutoCob 3500k from CobShop.net
I was settled on 5 gallon Smart Pots because i figured it would produce a potentially larger yield per plant. However, now I’m trying to get an idea if more plants, in smaller 3 gallons, might actually have the potential to produce a larger overall yield.

Any and all suggestions are much appreciated. Would also love to hear from @BigSm0 if possible.
Edit: Also interested in any strain suggestions for my setup.

 

[ryangrovebags]

I usually pick my pot size depending on the height restrictions. A larger pot will result in a larger plant that needs more containing to stay under control. Your height is 8' but that will get shorter with the light installed....I would go with a 5gal personally, if you are not confident in your training techniques I would go with the 3gal pots.

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

64 square feet (~6M²) will grow a finite amount of bud. The industry standard is about 500g per M². So you are looking at 3000g potential. Now look at the strains you want to grow and lets say the average is 450g M² 3000/450=~7 so you would want 7 pots 64/7=~9 ft² for each pot. I would go with the 5 gallon or 7 gallon pots since you can grow a fairly tall - large plant. All of this math tempered by actual growing experience says 8 - 5 gallon pots for the win!

I would look at @autobeast for a guide as he has a formula grow using Bio-bizz Light.

https://www.autoflower.org/threads/...a-perfect-healthy-auto-start-to-finish.67300/

 

[DreamClouds]

I usually pick my pot size depending on the height restrictions. A larger pot will result in a larger plant that needs more containing to stay under control. Your height is 8' but that will get shorter with the light installed....I would go with a 5gal personally, if you are not confident in your training techniques I would go with the 3gal pots.

My height is a little over 6.5’. But i hear what you’re saying. Was thinking i could possibly get more pots total with the 3gal. But, perhaps there’s no real difference in circumference of the 3 vs 5gal? I definitely will be fimming and applying LST.

 

[DreamClouds]

64 square feet (~6M²) will grow a finite amount of bud. The industry standard is about 500g per M². So you are looking at 3000g potential. Now look at the strains you want to grow and lets say the average is 450g M² 3000/450=~7 so you would want 7 pots 64/7=~9 ft² for each pot. I would go with the 5 gallon or 7 gallon pots since you can grow a fairly tall - large plant. All of this math tempered by actual growing experience says 8 - 5 gallon pots for the win!

I would look at @autobeast for a guide as he has a formula grow using Bio-bizz Light.

https://www.autoflower.org/threads/...a-perfect-healthy-auto-start-to-finish.67300/

Thank you for the reply! Definitely have read a ton of info supplied by @autobeast. That’s what sold me on the biobizz light mix for soil. And i will be using his nutrients and feeding schedule.
The clarification on the space is much appreciated, too. I was thinking i could get a minimum of 1 plant per light. A little disappointing that 8 would be the max in that space. Is it just the bushy nature of the plant from lst that will limit me? I realize they’re going to need adequate space for good airflow, etc. I will try to DM @BigSm0 to see if 2 autocobs per plant is going to be too much light. I bought 16 autocobs with the intent of using them all lol.

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

Thank you for the reply! Definitely have read a ton of info supplied by @autobeast. That’s what sold me on the biobizz light mix for soil. And i will be using his nutrients and feeding schedule.
The clarification on the space is much appreciated, too. I was thinking i could get a minimum of 1 plant per light. A little disappointing that 8 would be the max in that space. Is it just the bushy nature of the plant from lst that will limit me? I realize they’re going to need adequate space for good airflow, etc. I will try to DM @BigSm0 to see if 2 autocobs per plant is going to be too much light. I bought 16 autocobs with the intent of using them all lol.

It really does not matter how many plants you use to fill the space. If you want to grow 20 plants you can but they can still only occupy 64 ft² and the yield will remain approx 3000g if you do it well. I think 6.6 pounds would be a good number. You are not likely to hit numbers like this unless you have a

I have just been talking the hypothetical based on the physical space. If I were you I would start with four or six plants. There is so much to learn from the first grow in a new set-up and new grower. Don't worry you do not have to many lights.

Have fun, commune with nature.

 

[WildBill]

It really does not matter how many plants you use to fill the space. If you want to grow 20 plants you can but they can still only occupy 64 ft² and the yield will remain approx 3000g if you do it well. I think 6.6 pounds would be a good number. You are not likely to hit numbers like this unless you have a

I have just been talking the hypothetical based on the physical space. If I were you I would start with four or six plants. There is so much to learn from the first grow in a new set-up and new grower. Don't worry you do not have to many lights.

Have fun, commune with nature.

Yeah, I could have some fun in a 8X8!!


The way things are going in my 4X4, I would grow 8 plants in 7 gal pots, but that me and my style.

 

[DreamClouds]

@WildBill I appreciate your input. I’m definitely trying to maximize yield. If the height of the 7gal Smart Pot is not too much more than the 5gal i may use them. My space, coupled with fimming and lst, should give 8 plants plenty of room to spread out.
A question for you and @Mañ'O'Green.....Any thoughts on utilizing a net trellis vs lst by tying down the branches? Would the trellis potentially be a safer route for a new grower? I purchased a trellis to cover my space, initially thinking I would use it for a Scrog type grow. But, after discovering AFN, it seems most people here don’t really seem to utilize them.

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

@WildBill I appreciate your input. I’m definitely trying to maximize yield. If the height of the 7gal Smart Pot is not too much more than the 5gal i may use them. My space, coupled with fimming and lst, should give 8 plants plenty of room to spread out.
A question for you and @Mañ'O'Green.....Any thoughts on utilizing a net trellis vs lst by tying down the branches? Would the trellis potentially be a safer route for a new grower? I purchased a trellis to cover my space, initially thinking I would use it for a Scrog type grow. But, after discovering AFN, it seems most people here don’t really seem to utilize them.

A net does not make a SCROG unless the plants are trained correctly otherwise it is just a support system. You need to be able to reach all sides of every plant. A net means you cannot move the plants around but you will need a support system of some type. How will you deal with run-off? You cannot let plants sit in it. All of these operating procedures that you have not worked out are the reason I suggest starting small. Been there and done that.

 

[DreamClouds]

A net does not make a SCROG unless the plants are trained correctly otherwise it is just a support system. You need to be able to reach all sides of every plant. A net means you cannot move the plants around but you will need a support system of some type. How will you deal with run-off? You cannot let plants sit in it. All of these operating procedures that you have not worked out are the reason I suggest starting small. Been there and done that.

I will have the pots elevated on a short, metal rack ( to try and save as much usable height in the tent as i can) and then a tray under each rack. I also have a hard plastic liner to cover the entire bottom of the tent for any overflow or spills. I didn’t go into all the details of my setup (circulation fans, extrusion fan, charcoal filter, dehumidifier, etc) for the sake of being concise with my question about the pots tbh. But, I’ve been reading through AFN for many months now in an attempt to cover all the bases.
As far as structural support for the plants, I thought the trellis would offer enough support. And when I rethought my setup and decided maybe i would just lst with tying the branches down to the pot, i also assumed that would offer enough support for each plant. After your response the net is out of the picture now, though. I do want easy access to the plants for watering and other maintenance. Also, it sounds like it is possible that i would need to rearrange the configuration of the plants at some point. Having said that, I’m open to any suggestions that you think may be better support system or just more user friendly for a rookie.
Your input is greatly appreciated!