Need Help Picking HID System

[Heather N]

Hi everyone!  I'm in the process of mentally setting up my first aquaponics system.  My husband finally let me have a goldfish tank if I put in in the basement (since I have multiple tank syndrome).  Then he said, "Hey wouldn't it be neat if we could grow food from it?"  He watched one those episodes of Doomsday Preppers and thought it was neat.  While we can't grow much off of a 29 gallon tank, as an engineer I couldn't pass up the though of dabbling in something new for fun.  I'm a bit stumped on lighting though...

It seems like HID is the best way to go from my research.  Can I run one safely in a basement?  Can anyone recommend what I should get for a 2.5 x 2 ft grow bed (I read I should need about 250 watts for this size grow bed if that accurate)?  I'd like it to be semi affordable if that's possible; I just have no idea what I am looking for!  Also, if I plan on doing a combination of fruits and vegetation, is one spectrum bulb better over another in this case?  

[Alex Veidel]

Yep, grilled beets. Cut 'em into slices and slap 'em on your grill. Thin slices get nice and crispy and they're absolutely delicious!

Bob Terrell said:

grilled beets?

[Bob Terrell]

Gonna try that, pulled my beets out of my AP three days ago.  Have been tryin g to decide what to do with them.  Off to light the grill now,   yum,yum.

[Alex Veidel]

Nice! Let me know how it goes :) You might have to cook them a while to get them to soften. You can also try marinading them in italian dressing.

Bob Terrell said:

Gonna try that, pulled my beets out of my AP three days ago.  Have been tryin g to decide what to do with them.  Off to light the grill now,   yum,yum.

[Jim Fisk]

Anybody try producing beet chips? We know the couple on Cape Cod that started the Cape Cod Potato Chip company in their kitchen. You never know BTW, I love beets. I will grow some in the AP this year.

[Bob Terrell]

Jim,  I started my beets in soil and then transfered them to the AP. Let me know how you grow yours.  Maybe you have a better way.

[Jim Fisk]

Will do Bob. Probably I'll try coconut plugs for starters. Hmmm, Shady Valley Beet Chips, Inc.

Am I starting to feel a hijacked thread chill in the air??

Bob Terrell said:

Jim,  I started my beets in soil and then transfered them to the AP. Let me know how you grow yours.  Maybe you have a better way.

[Jon Parr]

Properly hijacked, like D. B. Cooper with cash and parachute...welcome to the club.

[Vlad Jovanovic]

[Jon Parr]

Awesome. We need to make that the icon for the threadjackers group.

[bobby platt]

need help first timer need basics

[Bob Terrell]

1.  Take Sylvia's course.       2.   Read  Sylvia's book.        3.  Read all the blogs on this site.    4.  Watch all the video's on this site.   5.  Ask questions.

[Vlad Jovanovic]

hehe...here's one that might fit resolution wise and all...if you like...

Jon Parr said:

Awesome. We need to make that the icon for the threadjackers group.