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Growing in unfinished basement feasible


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Old 01-31-2010, 02:19 PM
stuartambient stuartambient is offline
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Default Growing in unfinished basement feasible

Actually, I have a few questions and apologies as I have populated this forum with some recent newbie questions

Anyway, while I only have a 1 18gallon res , I built out a pvc frame for the lights and possible future growth. Now I'm walking the halls here at the house trying to find a good place for the setup. Closet space is out , due to need of.
One possibility is the basement , it's unfinished and I'm concerned about the amount of dust down there. It's not moldy though so there's a feather in it's cap. There are also more spider webs around though I could vacuum them away. My feeling is for whatever reason spiders seem to be more drawn to the basement possibly. Not that I typically see them walking around. And I am aware that not all spiders are bad for my plants.

So, one I'm wondering if more challenges will arise from keeping my garden in that area ?

Also, another possibility I'm considering is finishing off my PVC frame and light stand with perhaps some covering. I hear Panda Film makes a good covering ? I'm concerned about fire safety but I'm running to start 2 55w cfl's (480w total equivs). Also light leaking , but a total seal of light would make it more feasible in some available areas of my living space.

TIA
Stuart

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Old 01-31-2010, 05:57 PM
GpsFrontier GpsFrontier is offline
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One possibility is the basement , it's unfinished and I'm concerned about the amount of dust down there.
Basements are commonly used for hydroponics, and a very good choice also. Easy to control climates and don't get as hot during summer months because they are already underground. If the room is empty it's easy to clean all the dust out. If there is a drain just hose it down. If not sweep and vacuum what you can then wipe down the rest with a wet towel.

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My feeling is for whatever reason spiders seem to be more drawn to the basement possibly. Not that I typically see them walking around. And I am aware that not all spiders are bad for my plants.
Spiders like basements because they are not occupied by people walking around a lot wiping there webs away. Just like a old barn, without people to wipe there webs away, they settle right in. Also spiders eat the insects that harm your plants, and I don't know of any actual spiders that harm plants.
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So, one I'm wondering if more challenges will arise from keeping my garden in that area ?
Not more, lighting, heating and cooling, air circulation, pollination, keeping proper nutrient temperatures, humidity, all the usual's.
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Also, another possibility I'm considering is finishing off my PVC frame and light stand with perhaps some covering.
I gather this is to make the lighting more efficient by reflecting it back to the plants?
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I'm concerned about fire safety but I'm running to start 2 55w cfl's (480w total equivs)
You will need to keep an eye on it, and adjust it as you build it. If there is any doubt at all, take it off until you can fix it. The plants will need air circulation as in any system. Be sure it wont get too hot even without air circulation because nothing is foolproof, if the ventilation fails you don't want to burn the house down.
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Also light leaking , but a total seal of light would make it more feasible in some available areas of my living space.
I'm not sure the concerns about leaking light in a basement. Although in the living spaces, you can defiantly build it to be a light proof system. Build it big enough for the full grown plants and the system it's in, and plenty of ventilation. Keeping the lights far enough away from anything that can burn. Ventilation holes at the top will allow the heat to rise out the top. Ventilation holes at the bottom will allow cooler air to replace the hot air escaping from the top. you can cover these ventilation holes to block light but don't restrict the airflow.
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Old 02-01-2010, 10:45 AM
stuartambient stuartambient is offline
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Yes, the covering was a possible way to keep things in an open living space. Actually the reflector works quite well and it's more of focused light in the a room then actually radiating it all over the place. Just an aside.

I think in the future a nice grow tent would be very cool. For the short term I'll take your word and do the basement area. Plenty of open area down there.

You mentioned wiping down with water ? It's a cement floor - but perhaps it's best to stay away from any cleaning solutions, particularly cleaning on a regular schedule ?

Otherwise thank you for your answers.

Stuart
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Old 02-01-2010, 04:20 PM
GpsFrontier GpsFrontier is offline
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Ya, if possible hosing it down would be the easiest. Just keep it away from any drywall or electrical. In Calif our garage had no drywall and I warped plastic bags around the wall outlets and sealing lights. Then took the hose and systematically hosed everything down starting with the sealing and rafters. But inside the house I find the easiest way to dust is simply with a bucket of warm water and a towel. The water keeps the dust from becoming airborne and getting all over everything. For the cement floor vacuuming and mopping would work the best, If you cant hose it down.

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Last edited by GpsFrontier; 02-01-2010 at 04:30 PM.
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