How to setup a low budget grow room?

Looking to grow indoors but unsure where to begin? You don’t want to break the bank during this experiment but you’re beyond windowsill growing? Find out how you can start your indoor grow setup on a shoestring with this cheap indoor grow setup.

For many, the cost of equipment is the main reason why they do not grow marijuana. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be expensive. The most basic setup can cost you less than $100 like this shopping list:

• One CLF light (125 watts) for around ($60)
• Three-gallon containers ($4)
• Fox Farm organic potting mix ($7)
• One fan ($30)
• A cabinet lined with tin foil

However, if you spend a few hundred dollars, you could be yielding ounces at a time.

Cheap indoor marijuana grow rooms are indeed possible, and I’ll show you how. This article covers grow room requirements and cheap setups, as well as cheap grow lights, cheap grow tents and other cheap grow gear.

And share your knowledge with us… If you’ve built a cheap grow room or have some tips, please tell us about it in the comments below.

Grow room requirements

Growing marijuana indoors is not an inexpensive hobby. However, lots of requirements are necessary to have even the most basic grow room setup, and all of those requirements cost some money.

Download my free Grow Bible to learn more about grow room spaces.

That being said, growing indoors can be extremely effective, with very high yields. This is due in part to the fact that you, as the grower, get to control every single aspect of the growing environment.

Whether it’s the lighting, the humidity, the ventilation, the temperature, or the nutrients, you can decide exactly how much and how often your marijuana plants can get what they need.

There are no external environmental factors that might cause a roadblock to your plants’ success. In other words, while it is a more expensive way to go than growing outdoors, it is also a very effective one.

Feeling inspired to set up your own grow room? Grab the best marijuana seeds to grow indoors here.

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Let’s look at what every grow room needs to be the most effective grow room possible. And after that let’s look how we can setup a low budget grow room. Please note that a grow tent meets all the requirements!

Lightproof

Every grow room absolutely needs to be lightproof. This is because, while the number of hours of light is quite important, equally important are the hours of darkness.

During the vegetative phase of a marijuana plant, it should be getting 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness. During the flowering phase, this should be 12 and 12. During the 12 hours of darkness, the plant must not be exposed to any amount of light at all, or else it could revert back to the vegetative phase.

Airtight

The grow room must also be airtight because you don’t want the strong stench of marijuana to be getting out of your grow room.

It could easily reach your neighbors, regardless of what your living situation is. The only air escaping should be going through a carbon filter.

Air extraction

Along the same strain, an air extractor is a great idea for any grow room. Most grow lamps create lots of heat, and this heat needs to be removed somehow.

An air extractor with a filter will take away this hot air along with its smell, allowing for better climate control (without exposing the outside air to the strong marijuana smell).

Fresh air

Marijuana plants take carbon dioxide and change it into oxygen and sugars. Generally, there are 350 ppm of carbon dioxide in any room, but this can get used up very quickly if your plant is growing in a closed environment.

Not having enough access to carbon dioxide can really slow down growth, so it’s important to keep some sort of incoming fresh air (through a hole, for example) to allow your plants to have access to plenty of CO2.

Heating

If you have the lights on, your grow room will likely be hot enough.

At night, however, heat may be necessary to maintain a warm enough environment. This is especially the case if you have an extractor running through the night.

Air distribution

Because you’re taking the outside air and putting it into your grow room, you need to also make sure it is distributed around the room and to all of your plants properly.

Keep a fan going so that the air from the outside and from the lamp all get distributed across your grow room, allowing for a consistent temperature and carbon dioxide distribution.

Waterproof flooring

It is inevitable that some water from the water that you pour into the pots will leak onto the floor.

Spraying the floor with water is also a good way to increase the humidity of your room. For that reason, make sure the flooring in your grow room is waterproof.

Reflective walls

Walls that reflect lots of light are extremely helpful in maximizing your energy use and the lamps that you have. This will, in turn, increase your marijuana plants’ yield.

White walls often do well with reflecting, while black walls absorb light.

Grow tents

Grow tents can make all of the difficulty in forming a grow room far simpler. They are designed specifically for people who want to grow plants indoors, which means that they already have many of the above elements taken into account.

They come already lightproof, waterproof, and airtight, and they can be zipped shut to preserve the environment on the inside. There should already be a hole in the tent for air exhaust and fresh air to come in, and the inside is already reflective.

Even the framework of a grow tent is specially designed so that you can hang your lamps or air extractor from it. This is highly recommended for anyone planning to grow indoors. They are easy and quick to set up, but they cost approximately the same amount as you would spend to make your grow room adequate. You may as well save yourself all the time and research and simply buy a grow tent.

Explore cheap grow tents from Growershouse or Amazon.

If you buy a tent that goes with a 600-Watt lamp, you can expect it to cost $60 to $100, and you can be confident that it is going to meet all the requirements to get the highest yield possible. These tents can be placed in any room you want — even your living room! If you hide it well, someone in your home wouldn’t even be able to notice the smell.

Cheap grow room examples

Check out this complete 4 plant grow tent with 300watt LED light that lasts for years

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Cheap grow gear

Now that you have made your grow room (or grow tent) itself, you need the equipment to set up your room perfectly. The equipment is what is going to make or break the environment inside of your grow room.

The equipment lets you have complete control. The measurement and control tools cost money, sure, but they allow you to do everything yourself. You don’t need everything on this list but the more gear the more control you have over your grow operation.

Tell me in the comments below what your favorite grow gear is so we can update this article every now and then.

Lamp

Your plants will do better the more light they get. HPS lamps generally work the best, especially if you get a 600-Watt lamp per every 13 square feet during the flowering phase. For the vegetative stage, use a 400-Watt lamp for every 13 square feet.

Fluorescent lights work well if you would like to save money on lighting. LED are a large investment but they last for years and years. The next chapter in this article is about the best and cheapest grow lights

Reflector

This is important because a lamp emits light in all directions, not just at your marijuana plants.

Reflectors help direct the light so that anything that hits the ceiling or walls will be redirected at your plants. To save money you can buy a complete set with bulb, reflector and ballast.

Ballast

A ballast helps limit the energy used by a lamp. You can even get ballasts that are able to be dimmed, and they work either with 400-Watt or 600-Watt light bulbs.

Sometimes a ballast comes with a light system already (which would include the reflector, bulb, and ballast). A complete light system is a great way to save some money

Time switch

This is a useful tool for the light cycle that works best with your marijuana plants, no matter what stage in their life they are in.

This automatically turns your lights on and off, so you don’t have to do it manually.

Air extractor

This helps rid your grow room of the heat from your lamps. Buying an extractor that comes in an insulated box is your best option, specifically because they can get pretty loud.

They also help create underpressure, which prevents the smell of marijuana from getting out — that air would always go through the extractor instead (which you should attach a carbon filter to). It’s a good idea to have about 17600 cubic feet of extraction per every 600-Watt lamp.

Carbon filter

This is an important aspect of a grow room because it neutralizes the smell of marijuana. You can attach a carbon filter to the air extractor, so the warm air going out won’t smell like marijuana

. You only have to change your carbon filter every six harvests. Keep in mind that a higher humidity (80% or higher) could lower the carbon filter’s life span.

Air intake

This is an important aspect of your grow room (or tent) because it helps your plants get the fresh air they need. Your marijuana plants need fresh air because they require an ongoing supply of carbon dioxide.

Make sure the fan you attach to a hole to the outside is half the capacity of the extractor. For example, a 52,800 cubic-foot extractor needs to have a fan with 26400 cubic feet. Otherwise, air will flood outwards.

Controller with thermostat

An air extractor can have its settings controlled by a controller. If your lamps are on, greater amounts of air are going to have to be extracted than when the lamps are off. The controller with a thermostat helps run the extractor exactly how much it needs to be run.

For example, it will only run for 25% until the temperature is greater than 77 degrees Fahrenheit, at which point it will go up to 75%. When the temperature drops back down, it will go back to 25% again.

Rotating fan

A fan is an important part of the grow tent — keep it aimed between the plant and the lamp, and turn it on, so it rotates.

The climate should end up being a mixture of hot and cold air (which is ideal for a grow room). It will also help prevent mold from developing.

Thermometer

This is, of course, a crucial aspect of a grow room because you always need to keep track of the temperature in your grow room. These can be as cheap as you want them to be, as digital or analog makes basically no difference.

A digital one that comes with a memory feature helps you monitor the longer term trends. One that attaches to a wire is also helpful because it can be strung to the outside of the grow tent, allowing you to check the temperature at night, without disturbing the inside environment.

Hygrometer

This helps you know how humid your grow room is at all times. Analog or digital doesn’t make much difference, but again a memory feature can also be very useful.

Combimeters are also helpful because they measure both the humidity and the temperature — crucial aspects of any grow room.

Water tank

This is helpful for making a nutrient solution. You should plan on having approximately five gallons per every 600-Watt lamp in your grow room.

Make sure it remains at the proper temperature and plan on having the nutrient solution in the bucket for a few days.

EC meter

This is for measuring the level of nutrients and minerals inside the water.

Regardless of how you mix it up, it’s always a good idea to measure the nutrients (along with the pH and temperature) before feeding them to your plants.

pH meter

It is common that growers need to lower the pH level of the water once you’ve added in the nutrients, so have a pH meter to know exactly what the level is at.

A pH meter will cost just $20 or so at the lower end, but you can buy a more expensive one that will also measure the water temperature and the EC.

Watering can or pump

A watering can is fine for watering your plants, but so is a pump. The size of your growing operation makes a difference in terms of which one you should use. Growers doing hydroponics operations should use a pump that they connect to a time switch. Growers who are using soil should use a pump once they have three 600-Watt lamps or more. If you are just using a lamp or two, however, a watering can will do the trick just fine.

A watering can is fine for watering your plants, but so is a pump. The size of your growing operation makes a difference in terms of which one you should use. Growers doing hydroponics operations should use a pump that they connect to a time switch. Growers who are using soil should use a pump once they have three 600-Watt lamps or more. If you are just using a lamp or two, however, a watering can will do the trick just fine.

Cheap grow lights

One of the most important aspects of creating a marijuana grow room is the lighting setup. There are a variety of important decisions to be made, including the type of lighting as well as how many lights, how to hang them, and so on. Even the room in which you grow your marijuana plants interacts with the lights, so it’s important to think about that as well.

Three specific types of lighting are most commonly seen in marijuana grow rooms. These include Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs), High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) lights, and Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lights. While all three will work in a grow setup, it’s important to know the pros and cons of each one so that you can make an informed decision.

Check out our complete guide on buying the best LED grow lights for your indoor setup!

Fluorescent lights

The advantages of fluorescent lights are the fact that it emits very little heat and is quite energy efficient. It works particularly well during the vegetative phase of your marijuana plants. It isn’t as good for the flowering phase, however, because it doesn’t cover the entire UV spectrum. It also is not as strong as some other kinds of grow lights.

With fluorescent lights, you can expect your marijuana plants to produce about one ounce of weed per every 100 Watts. Not bad for this cheap type of lighting.

Let us know in the comments below how much you yielded per 100 watts of CFL light.

Want to know when you can reap your crop? My free mini-harvesting guide has the answers you need!

LED lights

LED lights don’t emit much heat at all, and the right colors of the spectrum (red and blue) can be combined to emit the right UV colors for all the grow phases of your marijuana plants. The bulbs last a long time and can be customized easily, and they are extremely energy efficient. Unfortunately, they aren’t quite as powerful as some other options, and they cost a lot of money up front — but they will save you money on energy costs in the long run.

For LED lights, you can expect your marijuana plants to produce about two ounces of weed for every 100 Watts. It’s Not the cheapest option to buy a LED light but they last very long.

Let us know in the comments below how much you yielded per 100 watts of LED light.

HPS Lights

These lights can be useful because they produce the full spectrum of UV rays and therefore work well for both the vegetative phase and the flowering phase. They are also very strong lights, which accelerate the growth of marijuana plants. On the more negative side, HPS light bulbs don’t last very long, and they require a lot of electricity to function. They also emit a lot of heat, so you would need to add in plenty of fans (which also increases your electricity bill).

For HPS lights, you can expect your marijuana plants to produce about three ounces of weed per every 100 Watts. Most weed for your money. HPS lights are not the cheapest but they can produce monster yields.

Let us know in the comments below how much you yielded per 100 watts of HPS light

Top 3 cheap fluorescent grow lights

Although they are everyone’s favorite, these are the cheapest grow lights on the market. Their strength is lower, so the yields they produce are also lower, but they work really well if it is your first time with an indoor grow setup.

They help a lot with up-front costs, and they are ideal for people who don’t need quite as much weed. You can expect about an ounce of weed per every 100 Watts of light.

1. EnviroGro 4-tube fixture, T5 bulbs included review

This is the perfect setup for making clones or starting up the vegetative phase with your marijuana plants. The four T5 bulbs that come with it are fluorescent bulbs that go into a reflective hood (which help with the light bulb’s efficiency). You can either buy the 2-foot set for $96 or the 4-foot set for $114.

Watch a video about the Envigro 4-Tube Fixture

Customization is also possible with the number of tubes. For example, two tubes could be bought for $74, four tubes for $96, or eight tubes for $135 with the 2-foot system. For the 4-foot system, you could buy four tubes for $114, six tubes for $157, or 8 tubes for $187.

Buy the EnviroGro 4-Tube Fixture here

Advantages: This system is rated up to 18,800 lumens, and it doesn’t generate too much heat. There are a variety of customization options that help you choose the perfect system for your grow setup.

Disadvantages: It doesn’t have the same strength as an HPS light bulb, and it doesn’t work as well for marijuana plants during their flowering phase. The bulbs have also been reported to have a relatively short lifespan.

2. Hydrofarm Fluorowing compact fluorescent system review

This system is nicely lightweight (just three pounds), which allows for easy hanging. The system comes with the entire fluorescent kit, which includes the bulb as well as a compact reflector to maximize the light. Its spectrum is full daylight, and the bulb is 125 Watts.

It includes a junction box, necessary hanging hardware, and of course a power cord. This system costs $58.92.

Buy the Hydrofarm Fluorowing Compact Fluorescent System here.

Advantages: It is lightweight, does not emit very much light (meaning no extra fan is necessary), and is energy efficient.

Disadvantages: It does not include the full spectrum, so it doesn’t work well for the flowering phase. The reflector is not that effective, according to the reviews of customers.

3.Apollo horticulture 125-watt compact fluorescent grow light bulb review

This is an excellent budget-friendly solution for any plant (except for those in their flowering phase). You can get it either in 2700K or 6400K light frequency, both of which cost $23.99. You can expect the light bulb included to emit somewhere between 6300 and 6450 lumens.

This system doesn’t include the full kit, but the bulbs fit into regular light sockets. You also have the option to purchase the Apollo Horticulture Compact Fluorescent Grow Light Fixture Hood for CFL Bulbs, which costs an additional $30.

Buy the Apollo Horticulture 125 Watt Compact Fluorescent Grow Light Bulb here.

Advantages: This emits very little heat, and is therefore quite energy efficient. It is also very cheap, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to save money or trying out growing marijuana for the first time.

Disadvantages: This system doesn’t include a hood, so you would need to own one or buy one on top of this system. It also isn’t full spectrum and does not have very much power or strength.

Top 3 cheap LED grow lights

Pretty much everyone agrees that LED lights are the future of indoor marijuana growing operations. That being said, it is still under development in terms of bringing the prices down and getting the full yield that is promised by manufacturers.

You can expect LED lights to go down in price and up in strength in the future, but if you already have the money and would like an energy-efficient, cool system of lighting for your indoor growing operation, LED lights are the way to go.

Not only can LED lights give you enormous energy savings, they also take up less space and are more durable than other grow lights. Find out if this is the ideal grow light for your needs and budget.

Also read Best LED grow lights for indoor growing

1. Spectrum King LED series 300 review

This is a top-notch LED grow light. It is 300 Watts and has an output of the full spectrum. Its housing is quite durable, can be easily adjusted, and is even waterproof — meaning washing is an option when necessary. It even comes with an extra-large heatsink, making it the literally coolest option on the market.

Of course, it isn’t cheap, but if you use it for many years in a row, then the energy savings alone will make it worth it. Because of its durability and energy efficiency, you can keep using the same system for years. This one costs $985.50.

Buy the Spectrum King LED Series 300 here.

Advantages: The construction is durable and strong, built with quality to last for years and years. Its energy efficiency is just about as good as they come, and it emits almost no heat whatsoever. The lighting is the full spectrum, making it perfect for every stage in a marijuana plant’s life.

Disadvantages: The most obvious disadvantage of this lighting system is its upfront price. It is also quite large, making it require more space than other LED lighting setups. The cost of this lighting system alone would pay for a fully equipped grow tent!

2. GalaxyHydro 180W LED grow light review

This is a panel LED light that makes for an inexpensive alternative to a lot of other LED setups, especially the larger ones. That being said, this setup is also rather large, including its 165 red LEDs and 60 blue LEDs. In other words, it includes the entire spectrum for every stage of a marijuana plant’s life.

Galaxy 300watt grow journal

It is a compact system because it is 45 Watts, making it perfect for approximately three marijuana plants. It can work well for lots of other types of plants beyond marijuana as well, and it comes with a 2-year guarantee of quality. It should have a lifespan of 50,000 hours. This system costs $69.99.

Buy the GalaxyHydro 180W LED Grow Light here.

Advantages: The big advantage is you are getting a LED system for a much lower up-front price. It is still energy efficient and has the entire spectrum, so for smaller growing operations this can make an excellent choice.

Disadvantages: If you are growing more than three plants, you should probably go for a different system altogether. The yields won’t be quite as high with this product as with some others because it isn’t very powerful, but for the average grower, it is high enough.

3. TaoTronics LED plant grow light for marijuana Greenhouse garden review

This is the top-selling LED grow light on Amazon. It works particularly well for novices who are starting with just one or two marijuana plants. It includes 12 LEDs (three blue ones and nine red ones), which give off wavelengths of 660nm, 430nm, and 630nm, 460nm. In other words, it works very well for every part of the marijuana plant’s life cycle.

TaoTronics 12watt LED review video

The yield won’t be quite as large with this lighting as with a bigger LED system, but it makes for the perfect beginner’s light. Be sure to buy it from an authorized vendor so that you can have the one-year warranty. This light costs $19.99.

Buy the TaoTronics LED Plant Grow Light For Marijuana Greenhouse Garden here.

Advantages: It is very inexpensive and includes enough of the spectrum for every growing phase. This is the ideal beginners grow light since it has the advantages of a LED light while still being a cheaper option out there.

Disadvantages: It doesn’t include the full spectrum, and has a lower yield than other LED light setups. It works better for shorter plants.

Top 3 cheap HPS grow lights

Because many experienced growers will assert that HPS and MH grow lights are the best options on the market these days, you may want to consider buying them for your marijuana grow setup. They get the highest yields when it comes to harvesting, but they also aren’t necessarily the cheapest.

You should combine both MH lights and HPS lights by using your MH lights in the vegetative phase and your HPS lights during the flowering phase. Believe it or not, you could end up with a pound of weed per every 600-watt grow light.

Here are some of the cheaper options available:

1. Wing digital dimmable system

This is more than a typical lighting set, mainly because it comes with a hood for cooling the system — a very important aspect when it comes to using HPS lights. The inline fans will take out the extra heat right from where it emits (around the bulb). This kit comes with either one HPS bulb or else one HPS bulb and one MH bulb.

Watch a video about maximum yields with different types of grow lights

You can select between different sizes and prices. The 1000-Watt bulb is $159, not bad!. The ballast of the lighting system is dimmable and digital, allowing for full customization according to how you want to do it. A couple of ratchet hangers and a timer is included in the system.

Buy the Wing set here.

Advantages: The hood itself can be used with an energy-saving inline fan, making it a good choice if that’s the route you plan on going. The lighting itself includes the full spectrum because of the HPS and MH bulbs included, and the ballast is dimmable and customizable.

Disadvantages: The inline fan isn’t included, unfortunately, and the ballast has been reported to be rather loud. A lot of heat also is emitted by this system.

2. Econo magnetic 600w package system review

This is another top selling HPS system on Growershouse. It is 600 Watts and includes a gull wing hood, two lightbulbs, a ballast with two rope hangers, and a timer. There is a dimmer on the ballast, and an electric cooling fan is included in this system (unlike the previous one). The HPS bulb has 140,000 lumens, while the MH bulb is 110,000. The system costs $148.

Advantages: It is strong enough to give you a pound of weed with one system. There isn’t as much heat being emitted from this system as other HPS lighting systems, and the rope hangers are easily adjustable.

Disadvantages: Sometimes the kit is missing pieces when it’s shipped to customers, and light consistency has also been a reported issue with this particular product. The bulbs themselves must be replaced once per year.

3. 600-Watt grow light kit Omega PRO-V ballast, HPS dual spectrum lamp, reflector shade review

This is the cheapest of the options we recommend, and it comes from the United Kingdom. It includes a magnetic ballast, a 600-Watt HPS light bulb, and a reflector hood. The ballast is not loud and is resistant to fire, and the reflectors work well for HPS and MH light bulbs both (there are fewer heat spots with hammered finish reflectors than with mirror finish reflectors).

Check this video of 1x600watt HPS week 7 flowering

Keep in mind that it comes with a UK plug, meaning you’ll need a converter as well — even with the extra converter, shipping costs, and the actual cost all put together, this is the cheapest system out there. It costs $70.

Buy the 600-Watt Grow Light Kit Omega PRO-V Ballast, HPS Dual Spectrum Lamp, Reflector Shade here

Advantages: It is the cheapest HPS kit you can get, and it will give you more than a pound of weed. Customer reviews rave about this product.

Disadvantages: Shipping takes a while, since it’s from the UK, and the extra converter is a bit of an inconvenience. There is also no warranty included with the kit.

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Some tips

Water

Just use regular tap water. If you can drink it so can your marijuana plants. Professional growers use corrected water with pH between 5.5 and 6.5 and EC between 1.8 and 2.2.

There are 3 common methods for testing these values, but it will also work fine with regular tap water. Use some nitrogen (N) during the growth phase and some N-P-K during flowering. You can find this at your local garden center or get them from this link.

Co2

All green plants, marijuana included, use light energy, water and carbon dioxide (Co2) to produce energy in the form of sugar for its growth (photosynthesis).

You can use a Co2 tank with a regulator but you can also install a simple ventilation system to refresh the air in your grow room. Place a fan in front of the air-inlet and create an opening (as high as possible, hot air rises) where the warm air can escape.

Climate

The temperature should not drop below 64 and not get higher than 86. Around 77 is perfect!

The HPS light will produce a lot of heat so if you install it in a 48″x48″x80″ closet without ventilation temperatures will rise up to 125F. Use a little more space and temperatures will be fine. All plants should move a little by the air flow in your grow room, just like the wind normally makes plants move.

Use aluminum foil instead of mylar or other reflective foil. Buy used equipment and be creative. See how you can set up a simple homemade hydroponics system. You don’t need a water pump, a bucket or watering can will also do. Also, you’ll need to read a lot about growing marijuana.

Practice and learning are all you need to grow marijuana like a pro! Let our blog be your ultimate guide.

FAQ about low-budget grow rooms

Which grow lights use the least electricity?

Using grow lights that use less electricity than the recommended grow lights will come at the expense of yield and quality, and even though fluorescent lighting uses much less electricity than both LED and HID grow lights, it is not recommended to use that at all.

Is a reflector needed in a low budget grow room?

The importance of it comes from the fact that lamps emit light in all directions, not just at your marijuana plants. Reflectors help direct the light so that anything that hits the ceiling or walls will be redirected at your plants, which in turn saves you extra electrical costs.

How much did your grow room cost and what gear did you use? Please feel free to leave comments or questions below.

Happy growing!

Robert