Grow Mediums Hydro-newb help

Less than 300 works for me. The room itself is 8x8 w\8 ft. ceilings, but to my understanding, I wont have enough lighting for the entire room. Which is why I was leaning towards 2-20 gallon tubs w\ 4 sites on each. That would leave 5 gallons for each plant, plus cut down on the lighting and space I would need. I wanted to frame in a 4x8 section so I could have enough lighting for the space.
 
Less than 300 works for me. The room itself is 8x8 w\8 ft. ceilings, but to my understanding, I wont have enough lighting for the entire room. Which is why I was leaning towards 2-20 gallon tubs w\ 4 sites on each. That would leave 5 gallons for each plant, plus cut down on the lighting and space I would need. I wanted to frame in a 4x8 section so I could have enough lighting for the space.

4 sites on a 20 gallon tub is too much, but only because of inadequate spacing, the plants would be too close together. Sounds to me like you need to fit your grow to your budgetYou might want to start with a 4 bucket system then upgrade next grow. What would work is 8-5 gallon buckets with one control res of 20gallonsor larger. If your framing off a 4x8 section, then you could keep a 20 gallon or larger control res outside the grow room away from the heat. That would allow you to keep the res temps down a little easier. With 2 1000 watt lights your REALLY going to need a good exhaust fan. My 4x8 space with a single 600 watt MH could over power my airconditioner temp wise!
 
Thanks really cool. I'm going to see how much the DIY version is to build. If i can afford it im going to build an 8 sight myself. You said that all they reccomend is 1000 watt for the set up?

No, they recommend two 1,000 watt HPS for 8 plants, 4 plants each. The UC8XL system I have has the plants on 25" centers for growing photos. With autos you can probably make them a little closer, maybe 18 or 20". When you lay the room out make sure to leave enough space to work around them.

Also, check eBay for some of the components like the uniseals. I've seen then cheaper on there than what Current Culture sells them for.
 
I totally agree with the 24"-25" spacing. I would not give in to the temptation to crowd them any closer. Auto's are consistently getting bigger and bigger.
Unless you are growing single cola sea of green style, your yield and quality will suffer putting them any closer.
I used to hate killing seeds, so I have given in to keeping more growing than I had space for a number of times.
I don't any more, I generally germ 3 seeds per space, the most vigorous seed/seedling gets the space, the other two are given away or go in the trash.
Trying to fit two plants in a space for one will most likely result in around a 40%-60% reduction in overall yield and the quality potential will not be reached.
Stain depending, I can consistently manage over 5oz with one plant in a 30"x 30" footprint vs, trying to fit 2 plants in the same area yielding 3oz with not nearly the same quality.
And anyone that has experienced it will tell you, being overcrowded sucks, you are just a sitting duck for mold, pests, and disease.

Good Luck!
 
Tons of great info guys. Your really helping me get the basics ready for my first hydro grow.
My budget is between 5 and 7 hundred dollars to set everything up. Right now its just a carpeted, one window room. My main concern is going over budget with lighting. Im considering the two 600 watt hps's. I also never thought about leaving the res out of the grow room. I'll be doing that for sure. Im also a bit confused about how im going to hook everything up. like pvc or hoses...what kind and how many pumps to buy..nutes ect...I've read alot of posts about scrogging so Im confident I can do that no problems. It's just mainly the rest of the grow I'm very nervous about.
 
Even the cheap 1000w hps's on ebay are 237 so I dont think I can afford to get 2, the 600 watts are only 140-ish. As far as exhaust, I was thinking of blacking out the window, taking a single pane of glass out and running it outside that way.
 
Two things just popped into my head...without buying a high yield auto what specifics can I do to increase the yield along with a scrog set up..and second...How do you guys feel about natural pest control. I read on a different site some people use live praying mantis' and such to naturally control pests
 
CO2 & as much light as you can afford (LED IMHO) - Natural Pest Control - Spiders, Lady Bugs, Mantis, Frogs.
 
I was curious about LEDs but the prices for me right now are to high for the wattage i need apparently.
 
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