I'm not sure what "breaking the bank" means to you.
For about $120 you can get a kit with 4 5-gallon buckets, the lid inserts, a pump, tubing, etc.
You'll probably also want some nutrients and a pH tester kit, maybe $30 more.
If you want cheaper than that, you're going to go truly DIY with some buckets and can go without the pump. It's inferior but can still work. And sorry I don't know how to edit the links to make them pretty.
I always get a second opinion from a solution sample and the pH test drops. Like you, I often second guess the meter.
These are the drops that came with the pH Up/Down solutions:
I was going to buy these nutrients and ph balancers
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BNKWZY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_3Q9KBPFJR2ZKWTTQB3PJ
These Ph Balancers
And the FloraGrow, FloraBloom, and FloraMicro combinations
You've got to check the pH and adjust accordingly. Without proper pH, plants can't absorb nutrients. MaxiGrow is acidic and you're using quite a bit of it, so your water is almost certainly too acidic for the plants to grow.
You can get away with the old-school color method of pH if you can't afford a decent pH meter yet. I started with GH all-in-one kit:
I'm experimenting with that right now, actually and it's going very well. :)
Principles should be the same as hydroponics so I'm using hydroponic-specific nutrient and adding small dosages to my water propagated pothos vase and topping with distilled water as it runs low. Hydroponic-specific nutrient is great since it also includes the other micro-nutrients (outside of NPK).
In my research, I've found the General Hydroponics system to be widely used. It's a system that includes the correct ratios for the different stages your plant is in (cutting/seed vs. leafy growth vs. flowering). The manufacturer suggests a 1:1:1 of all of them if you're unsure. I'm currently doing 1/16 tsp per gallon of each for my cutting and steadily increasing it. My pothos is doing really well and so are my newer cuttings.
Just remember to use distilled water for your nutrient mix since the trace chlorine and fluoride in tap/filter water is not good for plants. And also balance your pH to somewhere between 5.5 to 6.5 for houseplants. Still-water exposed to the air (namely carbon dioxide) can naturally get acidic over time too -- so just be aware of that. General Hydroponics also sells a pH kit for adjusting your water which works great.
Nutrient System: (this stuff is gonna to last forever, they sell by the quart) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017H73708/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_yEzwEbFFAM1W6
pH kit: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BNKWZY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_dQzwEb9X81QS0
That light is awful. Go with something using quality LEDs. You are going to hate life the first time you have to work under that light. Look up the real wattage for that light. They literally lie in the title. You want 240-320w of LEDs in that space. Add a kilowatt to your shopping list. Spiderfarmer, HLG or DIY are the way to go. DIY you can build lights for under $1 a watt.
Before you buy the synthetic nutes you should read up on r/notill and r/naturalcannabis . This will be more cost effective in the long run. Notill allows you to preload your work and you get to sit back and watch the magic happen. There is also way less chance of catastrophic human error. Building a system that allows for week long vacations is pretty easy and not very expensive. You need to figure on 5-7 gallons per plant for these systems and bigger is better.
The 6 inch fan is safer, just make sure you get a dimmer on the fan or aftermarket.
Take a look at this setup that is about the same size that you are looking at: https://www.reddit.com/r/NoTillGrowery/comments/etjqck/notill_perpetual_sogmotherclone_tent_13_different/
These are the items that I would not buy:
Light – Fauna 1000W LED full spectrum with auto on/off timer
Fabric pots - 5 gallon - Are 2 in 5 Gallon to large for my tent? - Go bigger
Soil – Happy Frog 2 pk 2 Cu. Ft. I would buy this locally
Nutes – General Hydroponics Flora Grow, Bloom, Micro Combo set
pH – up/down kit and tester
eyewear because you have a quality led with a dimmer, so it is a joy to sit and watch your plants.
Here's the major pieces of my setup. Seeds by Northatlanticseed.com using mephisto and Dutch passion genetics.
400w light $199
Sonlipo 2022 New SPF4000 LED Grow Light 400W 5x5ft Coverage, Use 1323pcs Samsung Diodes Sunlike Full Spectrum Veg Bloom Switch Growing Lamps for Indoor Plants Seeding Flower Led Plant Light Fixture https://a.co/d/01YY4dU
60"x60"x80" Grow Tent $97
MELONFARM Grow Tent 60''x60''x80'' Reflective 600D Mylar Hydroponic with Observation Window, Floor Tray and Tool Bag for Indoor Plant Growing https://a.co/d/1Ytkr2U
RDWC Drip top $230
RDWC Top Feed Drip Hydroponics Systems, Recirculating Deep Water Culture Hydroponic Bucket System, 5 Gallon Hydroponics Growing System Kit with Water Pump, Air Pump(4 Bucket + Reservoir + Drip Kit) https://a.co/d/5CnVdsj
6" fan x 2 $50
AC Infinity CLOUDRAY S6, Grow... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B179135B?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Smart Controller $99
AC Infinity Controller 69 PRO,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNLWT292?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Ventilation fan kit $130
AC Infinity Air Filtration Kit 4”, CLOUDLINE LITE Inline Fan and Carbon Filter Combo, Cooling and Ventilation System for Grow Tents, Hydroponics, Indoor Gardening https://a.co/d/3VCvA07
PH kit $18
General Hydroponics pH Control... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BNKWZY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Nutrient Kit $37
General Hydroponics Flora Series:... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09M942WYB?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Hydroguard $32
Botanicare Hydroguard Bacillus... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IGFH25M?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Update:
Returned light *only* because i was able to upgrade to the 600w version for an extra $90.
8w air pump gets replaced with a 32w tomorrow. Upgraded air stones to large 4" diameter for each bucket.
Smart humidifier will also be added tomorrow. Having difficulty keeping humidity up with Temps under 80°f. https://a.co/d/d4qjcTB
I've done only 1 spacebucket grow as I loved experience so much so that I bought a tent right after XD. I grew mine in coco as well and based on my experience, your component looks better than mine, especially those fans as I got away with 2 cheap CPU fans for intake/exhaust.
I haven't experienced with the line of nute you provided but I had success using GH flora trio and calmag, which should be similar to those. I measured ph using droplets that change color based on ph level. These are not as accurate as some electronic ph testers but since these have to be frequently calibrated, it was too much hassle to me and using droplet works perfectly fine for me even today.
I think you might be over thinking a bit, but sounds like you have done a good amount of research and ready to grow a plant in space bucket. Below are quick answers (my personal opnions) to your questions. I could be wrong here and there but I do not think it would make any significant difference.
- Do I need an additional fan for my exhaust, or can I connect that filter directly to the top of my bucket?
If you are growing single plant, i think your fan setup is more than adequate.
- Do I need to purchase this 3 product bundle or can I get away with just one of these (or another product? - UK based if that helps for recommendations regarding nutrients) (If just one of these, which one is best all round for my grow?). I've also seen people talk about needing to add CalMag in with these products, how much and how often would one want to be doing that? Final nutrient question, when do I start giving nutrients?
You are growing in coco so you need to feed from the beginning, as coco is a hydroponic medium that does not have ability to store nutrient. Try looking up a good feed schedule and sticking to it to make it easier for your first try. ( i would add calmag to your nute list).
- Do I need to purchase a lux meter? I'm sort of getting to the end of my budget range (was hoping to keep things under £200 but I'm a little over that at the moment) and if I can get away without it I think I'd want to hold off buying one until my next plant
This sounds like an overkill, you probably won't need it.
- Do I need to purchase a water pH tester AND a soil pH tester? Are there combination tools you can buy so I don't have to purchase 2 separate ones?
I use cheap droplet like the link below. I dont measure soil ph, just ph the nute solution.
https://www.amazon.com/General-Hydroponics-pH-Control-Kit/dp/B000BNKWZY
- Do my fans need to be running 100% of the time or should they be on a timer with the lights?
Yup, i would never turn the fans off as girls always need ventilation.
- Will I need to use a humidifier?
I do not think it is necessary for spacebucket.
- Finally, will the filter I'm planning to use be enough for a high degree of stealth if I'm just growing one plant? I live on my own but I'm a bit paranoid about it all so wanting to get as close to 100% elimination of odour as possible. On that note, is there any likelihood of raising red flags with the electrical company running this UFO light and the filter for 16-24 hours per day?
If all exhausted air goes into carbon filter, it should provide a very effective stealth level. And don't worry about electricity bill. There are millions of people who would have small spike in electricity bill and utility probably cannot care less of your small spike :)