Ok,
Seedlings are very fragile, so don’t get too disappointed if it fails, practice with chilli peppers ( seeds are much cheaper ) and the plant grows in a similar way for its first month.
Autos can be transplanted , it’s just not recommended because you run the risk of killing your yield ( same reason you shouldn’t top autos ), I don’t transplant because i have a lot going on and I can’t risk ending up having to transplant 4-16 plants on the same day as a harvest.
if you are going soil less you now actually have a learning curve,
I recommend that you look up a proper nutrient schedule, also soil acts as a buffer ( I.e. changes in water parameters do not take effect immediately, so you have room for error )
You should be testing your runoff and input water in the long term, ( so you can calculate what your next but you shouldn’t be watering to the point of runoff at this stage since your seedlings need dry conditions to trigger root growth, roots cannot burrow in mud )
Now I’m not 100% sure what medium you run. I run soil at 6.5 and dwc at 5.8, but a quick google should tell you what ph your media needs to be.
At the very least you should have on hand for the grow:
Ph up / ph down
Ph water meter
Dechlorinator ( i use API aquarium water conditioner )
A 3 part nutrient mix ( I use this https://www.amazon.com/General-Hydroponics-Flora-Bloom-Fertilizer/dp/B017H73708/ref=sr_1_4?crid=9E44MPNUBJJK&dchild=1&keywords=general+hydroponics+nutrients&qid=1590197446&s=lawn-garden&sprefix=General+hydrop%2Clawngarden%2C206&sr=1-4 )
Black molasses
Flushing solution ( I use advanced nutrients flawless finish )
Spinosad ( natural pest control, you can mix it in with your nute mix )
Now something that ALL internet guides miss: Measuring tools ( I have a bunch of syringes, jugs, pippettes, and beakers. , you wanna be able to easily measure out the following “common” measurements, 1,2,3,5,20,25,38,40,45,50,60,75,80,100ml, 1/4,1/2,1,2,5 gallons )
Yes! I was in the same situation, trying to come up with a small but effective system in college, and in a small apartment.
My design was based halfway off of what I'd seen from Jeb Gardener on YouTube, and the other half just what I could throw together with what I had lying around. Jeb is a little... well... interesting, but very informative.
Basically, what I did was get a 10-gallon flat stacker tote from Walmart, drill holes in it, put net pots in, clay pebbles, and rock wool cubes, and now I have a garden! It's really tough to describe all of the little intricacies with it, but this community has helped me out tremendously. By no means is my system perfect, and in fact, it's super Jerry Rigged and super jank, but it works! This whole process has been a great learning experience. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask in this community, or if you want to hear more about my system, feel free to DM me! Here are some photos!
Here are the various things I bought off Amazon to get me started!
pH meter (not available on Amazon anymore)
air stones (these seem to do a fine job. Not the best certainly, but they work.)
net pots (these work fine. Nothing special.)
EDIT: Added links to Amazon
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
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.
I use Perlite in two gallon buckets, and these nutrients: General Hydropnics, CalMag both ordered from Amazon.
SImple setup, check out my post here: My setup.. I have most of the details of the setup in the thread.
Water with nutrients is pumped into the buckets 4 times a day, and it all drains right back to reservoir.
I have mine set up outisde, but i've had to put a tarp over the reservoir as it's been raining a fair bit lately.
Definitely agree with general hydroponics. They have three different main fertilizers that they recommend using in different ratios depending on what stage of growth the plant is in. They have tables and ratios on their website. Also keep in mind it’s a good idea to get a pH test kit since any fertilizers will change the pH
General Hydroponics Flora Grow, Bloom, Micro Combo Fertilizer set, 1 Quart (Pack of 3) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017H73708/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_EfIbGbVVKA5XH