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SonicHaze
05-23-2009, 07:57 PM
I need help constructing a growbox, preferrably one that is pretty cheap lol. I've read tons of shit about it, and still confused on many things. Can anyone give me a list of things I will need, and how to set it up?

Any help is appreciated.

bigtopsfinn
05-23-2009, 08:31 PM
Welcome to the boards :jointsmile:
http://boards.cannabis.com/indoor-growing/132514-noobs-guide-growroom-set-up-work-progress.html <-- If you haven't read through that yet, you should. Then, if you still have questions, try to be more specific. A list of materials is different for everyone, depending on # plants, lighting, budget, ect... Maybe give us an idea of your plan, and what you already know, and you will get better advice.

Check out the Grow Log section, and people will often describe their grow rooms. It's a good place to get ideas from.

Almost all first time growers say "I'm gonna spend as little money as possible" when they start out. Some stick to that, see problems, slow growth, small yields. Some spend the money, and have great results. Couple hundred bucks minimum... If you are a smart shopper, you can buy most of the stuff you need second hand, and 1/4 of the price or less than new.

Good luck :thumbsup:

SonicHaze
05-23-2009, 08:41 PM
Well, throughout my reading I've pretty much come up with an idea. Using cardboard box, aluminum foil, and a small fan.

Would this work? The things I'm mostly confused about though are the specifics.

I'm looking to grow 1-2 plants at a time, nothing too incredible. So my questions would be, what type of lights do I need to purchase? And even furthermore, how would I go about installing the lights and the ventilation system(do I need one?)

bigtopsfinn
05-23-2009, 08:57 PM
I wouldn't recommend tinfoil. It's electrically conductive and a fire hazard, creates hot spots, tears and wrinkles easily, traps heat, etc. Flat white paint is the most reflective.

Get some CFL's for lighting. All the answers are here:
http://boards.cannabis.com/indoor-lighting/140735-answers-about-cfl-hps-how-much-light.html
http://boards.cannabis.com/indoor-lighting/121311-el-cheapo-guide-lighting.html

Yes, the plants need ventilation... as explained in my first post's link about grow rooms. With cfl's, you can probably get away with a bathroom/kitchen wall-mount fan for exhaust at the top, and a simple open hole at the bottom for a passive intake. Then an oscillating fan blowing air around the room and making the plants sway a little.

You can make a DIY carbon scrubber for smell control. More instructions online if you search for it.

Google : your topic site:boards.cannabis.com and you can find a lot of answers. But again, most of the info is already here in the stickies at the top of each section.

SonicHaze
05-24-2009, 12:03 AM
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/8226/boxt.jpg

So here's what I bought, tell me if this will suffice.

4 Compact Fluorescent Bulbs(light)
4" Fan(ventilation)
24x57.5" Car Sun Reflection Thingy(light reflection)
Lighting Timer(to manage light)

I couldn't find a "CFB" lightbulb, at least it didn't say it on the packaging. So, I went with a few other methods I've seen people use.

Let me know whats up before I tear this stuff open and won't be able to return it, lol.

camoxnhx
05-24-2009, 01:01 AM
Yo welcome man! Now those little 4 inch are the shit but invest in another one for your outake. Cardboard is the shit straight up. Now for a basic idea of a cardboard box check out my current grow cause u might get some good ideas. Now how much room you have to work with?

frostedwonder
05-24-2009, 02:00 AM
cfb means either no common sense or child... read forum rules.

SonicHaze
05-24-2009, 05:23 AM
Yo welcome man! Now those little 4 inch are the shit but invest in another one for your outake. Cardboard is the shit straight up. Now for a basic idea of a cardboard box check out my current grow cause u might get some good ideas. Now how much room you have to work with?

Thanks. What do you mean outtake? Lol. Having two fans on opposite sides, one blowing in, one blowing out?

Italiano715
05-24-2009, 05:27 AM
Thanks. What do you mean outtake? Lol. Having two fans on opposite sides, one blowing in, one blowing out?

Outtake...something to draw the hot air out of your grow box. You do also need an intake bringing fresh air in there also. Also, making some type of U duct will help so as you won't have light leaks from the ducting.

Also, check out that link below! Headshake makes his grow boxes out of cardboard. You could learn a thing or two from him! :thumbsup:

vote headshake king of cardboard! (http://boards.cannabis.com/grow-log/171501-vote-headshake-king-cardboard.html)

SonicHaze
05-24-2009, 09:03 PM
Thanks. I've looked through it all. I'm ready to start constructing the box now. The one real question I have is, for the outtake, should I just cut a hole for a fan? I'm thinking of having a hole or something, and putting a rotating fan inside the box.

Thanks.

SonicHaze
05-26-2009, 08:24 PM
Alright, so I've somewhat constructed it, lol.

I reckon I'm gonna have to buy another light reflector.

Here's pics:

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/7138/picpjp.jpg

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/964/pic1wxx.jpg

Might look like shit, but it's my first ever :(

Again, any help is appreciated. Thanks.

camoxnhx
05-26-2009, 09:13 PM
so the set up is good so far. A Few Things. Cut a 4 INCH hole at the bottom and get a dunking donuts styrofoam cup and cut the bottom of it off of it and place it in the hole and throw a screen over the bigger side to filter out hair and what not. Now as for the 5 gallon bucket id wait to flower cycle to use that and id start off with a small container of some sort during seedling (like a Dixie cup then transplant into a 2 liter soda bottle, then into the 5 gallon bucket). Also having the soil that low in the bucket (or any pot, keep soil at least/no more then a inch from the top) is no good will cause air to get stagnate in there.

SonicHaze
05-26-2009, 10:08 PM
Thanks for the feedback.

Yeah, I just bought a 20 oz fountain soda so it's all good :D

the image reaper
05-27-2009, 02:06 PM
pretty obvious you didn't do any reading at all ... there is all the growing info in the world, in these pages, but you came up with a cardboard box and tin foil ? :wtf:

SonicHaze
05-27-2009, 06:17 PM
Actually I did quite a bit of reading. Perhaps I'm just a slow learner or something lol.

Couple pics:

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/6215/picwpi.jpg

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/94/pic1amx.jpg

Is 3 bulbs of 1700 lumens each(5100 combined) enough for my one plant?

camoxnhx
05-27-2009, 06:45 PM
So it's coming together slowly but surely. Now I have some food for thought for you. Now those reflector u have are going to probly next to nothing so any type of white paint (or spray paint) and paint the inside white /or completely line the inside with Mylar. That will help with light reflection and also it puts something inbetween the cardboard and water which can cause mold. It will also help with absorbing the heat too so everyone wins! Also the lights are good but it's not just about lumes it's also about KILVEN(color spectrum) so for veg you want blubs that have 6500k and for flowering 2700k. The box should say what KILVEN the bulbs are. Your lumes is good but the K is were it's at. So for flower switch to 2700k blubs :)

fluid69
05-27-2009, 06:51 PM
So it's coming together slowly but surely. Now I have some food for thought for you. Now those reflector u have are going to probly next to nothing so any type of white paint (or spray paint) and paint the inside white /or completely line the inside with Mylar. That will help with light reflection and also it puts something inbetween the cardboard and water which can cause mold. It will also help with absorbing the heat too so everyone wins! Also the lights are good but it's not just about lumes it's also about KILVEN(color spectrum) so for veg you want blubs that have 6500k and for flowering 2700k. The box should say what KILVEN the bulbs are. Your lumes is good but the K is were it's at. So for flower switch to 2700k blubs :)
I agree with camo, check your bulbs, it looks like you're running the 2700k bulbs. they'll make your ladies stretch.

SonicHaze
05-27-2009, 07:01 PM
The lights I have on it right now are 6500k, and actually, the first set box of lights I bought were 2700k(flowering) haha. So it seems that I'm pretty set? :D

Thanks.

fluid69
05-27-2009, 07:06 PM
cool, sounds like you're on your way. keep us updated.

MRDiff
05-27-2009, 08:36 PM
Good luck on the grow. I just got my 2700k bulb in today but im not flowering for another 3 weeks

SonicHaze
05-27-2009, 08:46 PM
Thanks.

I'll try to keep yall updated.

Now when I switch to the flowering stage(12/12) should I use 3 of those 2700k bulbs as well?

I'm running the 20/4 cycle right now with 3 6500k bulbs.

SonicHaze
05-29-2009, 04:08 AM
How long until I transplant? Will it grow through the styrofoam cup, to where I wouldn't need to remove the cup?

camoxnhx
05-29-2009, 02:29 PM
What's up buddie. So I have a link below (noobs guide to growing dankness) and there will have sexing and transplanting. Stinky has pic by pic on how to do it

SonicHaze
05-29-2009, 03:36 PM
Thanks.

So, I checked on the plant this morning, looking pretty good. It's maybe an inch tall, nice and green. I gave it just a tiny bit of water.

Directly after that my lights proceeded to fall from the top of the box, knocked the cup, soil, & plant all over the place. I had to put it all back in, hopefully this doesn't mess everything up :(

SonicHaze
05-29-2009, 03:50 PM
Here's a couple pics of the plant after I placed it back in.

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/5332/picspb.jpg

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/9836/pic1a.jpg

It looks like the seed was torn off the bottom when I was replacing it.

How bad is this? :(

camoxnhx
05-29-2009, 08:44 PM
dont worry everything looks good. the seed would have fallen off by the end of the day or so. just be careful and treat it with a little extra love then the others for a little bit. just keep a eye on it but it looks fine.

SonicHaze
05-29-2009, 10:38 PM
Lets hope that you're right *crosses fingers*

Which way do you plant a non-germinated seed? O.o

camoxnhx
05-29-2009, 11:06 PM
well for now i have seeds but once there sexed i plan on doing clones and saving the rest of my seeds. Now i germinate my seeds using the wet paper towel (dont forget to bring your towel lol) and a ziplock baggy untill the teproot comes out then i plant them taproot down. now if you invest in seeds try feminized seeds so its a guaranty female.

SonicHaze
06-01-2009, 06:34 AM
Yeah, I feel you.

I just got back from a weekend away, everything is looking pretty good. There seems to be another plant sprouting out of the same cup.. maybe the seed produced another plant hahaha.

I'll post some pics tomorrow.

SonicHaze
06-01-2009, 03:47 PM
Just watered.

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/6684/pictcu.jpg

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/37/pic1uex.jpg

I planted the seed now 6 days ago, should I still wait longer to transfer?

SonicHaze
06-02-2009, 08:27 PM
My two little girls(hopefully) :D

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/7499/plant.jpg

SonicHaze
06-03-2009, 04:06 PM
Hmm, my baby has a little yellow on her now.

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/5801/picp.jpg

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/7978/pic1n.jpg

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/3259/pic2l.jpg

I'm thinking that it's either 1. too close to the lights, 2. not enough water, 3. time to transplant. Maybe all of the above...

Suggestions?

fluid69
06-03-2009, 04:12 PM
I'd say it's too far down in the cup. you want to try to keep your dirt no more than an 1" from the top. how's drainage in the cups? did you poke several holes? other that, lookin good.:thumbsup:

SonicHaze
06-03-2009, 04:17 PM
There's no drainage at all lol. I'm guessing that's pretty noobish of me.

I had it at the top of the cup, but I went away for a weekend, came back and it was down like that. I'm guessing that since it did that since not water was given during that period.

Should I transplant anyways? I'm thinking about a 2 liter bottle

fluid69
06-03-2009, 04:24 PM
I'd wait to transplant until it had alot of roots. MJ likes to "step up" in pot sizes. def poke some holes, I poke 8, 4 in the bottom, 4 in the sides around the bottom. yeah the soil will settle a little bit, just trim off the top of the cups. you can move up to 2 liter bottles when you're ready, just paint them black or duct tape em' up to keep light out.:thumbsup:

SonicHaze
06-03-2009, 04:29 PM
Alright man thanks. Alot of help :D

Italiano715
06-03-2009, 04:42 PM
Plus if you have it to low in the cups the top will stagnate and start giving you all types of problems. Just do like mentioned above and only leave about 1" from the top with no soil. Also remember not to feed any nutes until at least the 4th to 5th nodes as a lot of n00bs believing you can give your plants 100-100-100 <~~~(exaggeration) NPK ratio and they will grow massive. :wtf: LoL you'll kill those suckers for sure. That was like my buddy asking me if he had to put the male and female together to make it bud! LoL I just snickered and thought to myself, "that was me at one time."

fluid69
06-03-2009, 04:48 PM
That was like my buddy asking me if he had to put the male and female together to make it bud!

LMAO!:jointsmile:

SonicHaze
06-03-2009, 04:55 PM
Plus if you have it to low in the cups the top will stagnate and start giving you all types of problems. Just do like mentioned above and only leave about 1" from the top with no soil. Also remember not to feed any nutes until at least the 4th to 5th nodes as a lot of n00bs believing you can give your plants 100-100-100 <~~~(exaggeration) NPK ratio and they will grow massive. :wtf: LoL you'll kill those suckers for sure. That was like my buddy asking me if he had to put the male and female together to make it bud! LoL I just snickered and thought to myself, "that was me at one time."

Oh yeah. I've read enough to know not to give it too much nutes or it'll fry it. Thing is also, I'ma noob and to this point I've only given it water. I was actually thinking I would be able to go through the whole grow with only water. I'm thinking now that I might wanna pick up some nutes, any suggestions there?

fluid69
06-03-2009, 04:59 PM
you might want to check this thread out.

http://boards.cannabis.com/grow-faqs/83846-nutrients.html

fluid69
06-03-2009, 05:00 PM
sorry, that's the wrong thread! disregard that.

Italiano715
06-03-2009, 05:01 PM
Your right, a lot of times it may be AWHILE before you need to feed them anything. I didn't start giving mine nutes until almost 2 months in on the last grow. They were nice and green up to then.


I'm thinking now that I might wanna pick up some nutes, any suggestions there?


They say that FoxFarmTrio is a popular one. I just got some fish emulsion and morbloom from Lowe's yesterday that I will be trying on my current blueberry plants. If all goes well I may be continuing with them. Says on the bottles they can be used organically and that's more along the lines I'm trying to go. Maybe not completely organic, but something is better than nothing I suppose. The soil I have is supposed to be organic also, but most of the time there is always something that ruins the organic name.

SonicHaze
06-03-2009, 05:03 PM
2 months? :O

This here is more of an experimental grow, just to see if I can be successful. I only plan on vegging for 30-40 days, and then switching to 12/12 lighting schedule to induce flowering. If I don't use nutes during vegging, do I use them during flowering?

Thanks.

SonicHaze
06-04-2009, 11:55 PM
Just bought this:

http://www.jamaligarden.com/images/detail/100052_DT.jpg

Total Nitrogen: 8%
1.2% Ammoniacal Nitrogen
1.2% Nitrate Nitrogen
5.6% Urea Nitrogen

Available Phosphate: 7%
Soluble Potash: 6%
Iron: 0.10%
0.10% Chelated Iron

SonicHaze
06-05-2009, 04:35 PM
DAY 10

Just watered :thumbsup:

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/4087/67096454.jpg

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/3223/27595962.jpg

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/7669/47607871.jpg

fluid69
06-05-2009, 04:41 PM
lookin good!

SonicHaze
06-05-2009, 04:53 PM
Thanks :jointsmile:

Any advice on the nutes or anything?

fluid69
06-05-2009, 05:10 PM
hold off on nutes till around 2 weeks or till the little ones have 5 nodes. as far as brands, there's a ton of stuff out there. the fox farms trio is highly recommended, but I've had trouble finding it around here (plus it's a little pricey for this poor white boy). I've been using some cheap stuff @ 1/4 strength, and my little lady's love it. I feed them twice then give ph'd water. so my schedule is feed feed water.

SonicHaze
06-05-2009, 05:25 PM
Yeah, so I've heard haha.

I bought some Miracle Gro stuff that I showed in a previous post. I'm just wondering if that would get the job done or not, I'm not sure what to look for in nutes. Nitrogen, Potassium, etc.

fluid69
06-05-2009, 05:37 PM
npk values are listed in ratios. for example: N:P:K. I was chatting with shake the other day, and he was saying the ideal ratio's for veg were 5:2:3 and for flower were 1:5:4. as far as MG nutes go, some people swear by 'em, and others curse them. you might want to check out italiano's first grow. I'm pretty sure he used MG nutes and his grow was flat out awesome. here's a link to it:

http://boards.cannabis.com/grow-log/166616-first-grow-log-silver-haze.html

SonicHaze
06-05-2009, 05:48 PM
Thanks.

Btw, the nutes I got are 8-7-6.

Could I just use lower doses?

fluid69
06-05-2009, 05:54 PM
I'd start out half strength with those, and try to work my way up to full strength.

SonicHaze
06-05-2009, 06:58 PM
Cool, thanks.

So start when it's like 2 weeks into veg? 10 days right now.

camoxnhx
06-06-2009, 04:21 AM
Sonic I'd wait till the fifth internode (were the leaf stem connects to the main stock) then apply half strenght like fluid said. But other wise your doing good.

SonicHaze
06-06-2009, 05:31 PM
I think it may be time to transplant.

Roots are barely starting to come out of the drainage holes on the bottom of the cup now.

SonicHaze
06-07-2009, 04:46 PM
DAY 12

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/3355/28941138.jpg

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/8670/21500992.jpg

Italiano715
06-07-2009, 04:59 PM
Starting to look good :thumbsup: Looks a LITTLE drooped, nothing to really worry about, but watch it just in case. May be overwatering a little. And one looks like the tip is either burned or heat stressed. Hard to see it.

SonicHaze
06-07-2009, 05:02 PM
Yeah, I believe that happened when my lights got unplugged for a whole night(while I was sleeping) O.O

The good thing is, it hasn't spread, only that & another spot I believe.

As for watering, I water every 3 days, until it starts draining out of the bottom. Is that too much?

Italiano715
06-07-2009, 05:11 PM
Yeah, I believe that happened when my lights got unplugged for a whole night(while I was sleeping) O.O

The good thing is, it hasn't spread, only that & another spot I believe.

As for watering, I water every 3 days, until it starts draining out of the bottom. Is that too much?

Every 3 days seems fine, I don't really go by days, I go by how the soil feels when I stick my finger in it about inch or two deep. Then I pick up the container and feel how light it is.

cmasfca
06-08-2009, 06:31 AM
Every 3 days seems fine, I don't really go by days, I go by how the soil feels when I stick my finger in it about inch or two deep. Then I pick up the container and feel how light it is.

I would say generally a plant loses 2/3 of its weight when it's thirsty if it's in veg status unless rootbound.

SonicHaze
06-08-2009, 06:12 PM
Just transplanted today :)

SonicHaze
06-10-2009, 12:29 AM
New pics :jointsmile:

Like previously stated, is looking a little droopy.

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/2581/89535458.jpg
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/7650/29935826.jpg
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/7532/50259015.jpg

Why don't IMG tags work on here?

headshake
06-10-2009, 12:49 AM
just hit, reply > go advanced > paper clip (manage attachments, i think) and then you can add up to 5 pics per post.


-shake

Italiano715
06-10-2009, 03:15 AM
Nitrogen deficiency possibly?

SonicHaze
06-10-2009, 03:17 AM
Perhaps.

I haven't given it any nutes yet.

Italiano715
06-10-2009, 03:29 AM
Yeah, not completely sure, but from the yellow discoloration makes it seem it's thirsty from some fresh N! :thumbsup: If you just transplanted give it about a week or so before trying to give nutes. If you have a soil that already has ferts in it, then it may recover themselves. Only time will tell.... :stoned:

MRDiff
06-10-2009, 03:36 AM
The transplant should definitely help. My plants kinda looked liked that before I put them into bigger pots and that solved it.

SonicHaze
06-10-2009, 11:48 PM
Yeah man lets hope that the transplant helps. I honestly don't know what kind of soil I used, I found it lol :P

SonicHaze
06-11-2009, 12:55 AM
Some new pics, it's starting to conern me a little :(

OVERHEAD SHOT
http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/614/cann.jpg
YELLOWING
http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/6977/cann1.jpg
STEM
http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/2567/cann2.jpg

Sorry about the links, for some reason it's not letting me post attachments.

SonicHaze
06-12-2009, 10:51 PM
My plant is 17 days old today. It seems to be growing out & not up, as you can see from the pics, it's rather bushy. It's probably about 4 inches tall, is that strange? Alot of the grows I've seen on here the plants are taller. Maybe it's the strain?

Thanks.

SonicHaze
06-14-2009, 06:09 AM
Those couple leaves that were YELLOW are now pretty much a YELLOW WHITE.

I'm giving it nutes tomorrow! Hopefully it'll help :(

SonicHaze
07-04-2009, 08:44 AM
UPDATE

10 days into 12/12 cycle.

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/7332/blk.jpg
http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/2125/blk1.jpg

headshake
07-05-2009, 03:56 AM
did you hit them with the any nutes sonic? definitely looks like they could use a dose. they look good overall though.

what is you lighting setup again? you had them under four CFLs right?

how long did you veg for?


-shake