by Nebula Haze
See Other Examples of Cannabis Growing Setups
600W HPS Grow Setup (For Hobbyist Growers)
- Average Yields: 10-21 ounces
- Recommended 2-8 plants
- Grow space is 4’x4’x6.5’ or larger
- See a grow journal using this setup
Estimated Setup Cost: $495+
- costs more for premium version of cannabis equipment and optional accessories (that are nice to have but not necessary)
About This Setup
The 600W HPS is one of the most powerful and efficient setups you can buy to grow your own cannabis at home. Although the technology behind it is archaic, there’s no denying the high-yielding, high-potency power of the might 600W HPS. Part of the true power of this light comes from the fact that it can be kept so close to plants (as close as 8-10″) while lights of similar wattage have to be kept much further away (18″+).
Pros: Excellent yields, high potency, high bud density, most electrically efficient HPS, relatively cheap to buy especially compared to LEDs.
Cons: Old technology, emits suspicious yellow light, poorly-made models may emit RFI, can get pretty hot
Complete Grow Supply List
This cannabis grow room setup list includes all the supplies you need to get to harvest.
Grow Light
- 600 Watt MH/HPS Grow Light
- Example 1: Cheap but effective: HydroCrunch 600W HPS with wing reflector – $130
- Example 2: Much better reflector: iPower 600 Watt HPS Digital Dimmable Grow Light – $175 (I’ve noticed the price fluctuates on Amazon listings, so shop around if it’s more expensive than $175)
* Alternative LED Grow Light: Get the HLG Blackbird (specifically designed for a 4’x4′ grow tent)
iPower 600W Dimmable HPS Grow Light
Grow Space
- Grow Tent Recommended Sizes
- 4’x4’x6.5′ – an example is the CoolGrows 48”x48”x80” Grow Tent
- Learn more about grow tents
- Cost: $80
- Exhaust Fan
- When you’re growing enough weed to fill a 4×4 tent, you need to make sure that smell isn’t escaping. A good fan and a reliable filter will take care of this problem.
- Learn more about choosing and setting up an exhaust fan.
- Example: VIVOSUN 6 Inch 390 CFM exhaust fan. If you plan to use a carbon filter to stop smells, it’s typically cheaper to get a kit that contains both the fan and filter than to buy them separately.
- Cost: $75
- Carbon Scrubber
- Must be used with an exhaust fan to effectively remove smells! Learn more about controlling odors.
- Note: it’s sometimes cheaper to get a kit that contains both the exhaust fan and filter than buy them separately.
- Recommended: 6-inch Carbon Filter, 6″ x 16″ version
- Cost: $80
Plant Pots
I prefer fabric pots or air pots because cannabis plants grow faster but need to be watered more often than standard hard-sided plant pots. Both types work great for growing cannabis indoors. Often the best plant pot is whatever is cheap and easy for you to get.
- Recommended: Fabric pots between 2-7 gallons (any fabric pots work great so I pick whatever is cheap or looks the best to me)
Cost: $25
These 5-gallon fabric pots work great for growing cannabis in this setup.
Grow Medium (Soil, Coco, Hydro)
Grow mediums can include coco coir or soil (hydroponics for more advanced growers) but if you’re not sure, a coco-based soil like Coco Loco is perfect for beginnners.
- Recommended Soil: One 2 cu ft bag bag of coco-based soil with perlite should be able to fill 15 gallons worth of pots. For example, it will fill 3 x 5-gallon fabric pots.
Cost: ~$40
Coco Loco is a coco-based rich airy soil that cannabis plants thrive in
Nutrients
Many nutrient systems have a nutrient schedule so you give your plants the right ratios for each stage of life. Basically, you use a “vegetative” or all-purpose plant nutrient for the first part of your plant’s life and a “bloom” or low-nitrogen nutrients when buds are forming. Tip: Always start at half-strength with a new base nutrient system since the recommended amount can be too high for cannabis plants.
Recommended Nutrients: Dyna-Gro Grow + Bloom nutrient combo is excellent, cheap, and easy to use for growing cannabis indoors.
- Dyna-Gro “Grow”: Give 1 tsp per gallon of water during the vegetative stage.
- Dyna-Gro “Bloom”: Give 1 tsp/gallon of water after buds start forming.
Learn about other cannabis nutrients we recommend
Cost: $25
Dyna-Gro Grow + Bloom is my recommended nutrient system for newbies. One bottle for veg, one bottle for after buds start forming. 1 tsp/gallon. Super simple!
Seeds
See a list of recommended seed sources here.
Other Supplementary Items
- Get your seeds – $5-12/seed (on average, can be more or less depending on the breeder)
- 24-Hour Timer (to put your grow lights on a timer so the plants get a day and night period on a schedule). Why do cannabis plants need to be on a day/night schedule? What about autoflowering light schedules? – $10
- Water containers (I personally use a 3-gallon or 5-gallon water jug to mix up nutrients, but anything can work) – Much cheaper at Wal-Mart ($5-15) than online!
- Extra 1/8″ Rope Ratchets (sooooo handy) – These can be used to hang your grow light or carbon filter from inside the tent, and still be able to easily move it up and down without needing any strength. Your grow light usually comes with a set of rope ratchets, but it’s a great idea to get an extra set to hang the carbon filter – $15
- Thermometer/Humidity Monitor with a probe so you can keep track of the temperature inside the tent – $15
- PH Test Kit – Prevent potential nutrient deficiencies by testing the water pH: https://www.growweedeasy.com/ph – $15
- Measuring spoons for measuring out your nutrients (many people already have these) – $10
- Learn about other cool growing tools
Estimated Cost: $495+ (costs more to get optional items)
A carbon scrubber prevents odors from leaking out of the tent in the flowering stage
On average this setup yields 10-21 ounces
Learn How to Grow 1 Pound of Weed Indoors (Proven Method) in this Setup