MJisBadMmkay
09-18-2010, 07:45 PM
Hello all-
New member, long time grower.
I recently moved from a cooler northern climate to a hotter southern climate. My cab that I keep outside, is getting too hot and I am looking to go in a different direction.
I've read lots of threads on people using an old refrigerator or freezer for a cabinet, but I haven't seen anyone using a working one. All you need is a cooling thermostat, like this:Discount Hydroponics - C.A.P. Cooling Thermostat (http://www.discount-hydro.com/productdisp.php?pid=571&navid=29) , plug the freezer into the therm, and your in business for total climate control.
My feeling is, this is a great environment for a cabinet, because:
1. It's a sealed environment- none to very little pest problems
2. Climate controlled- no heat issues
3. Light tight
4. Usually already white on the inside.
5. Perfect for CO2 enrichment because of the seal.
I use T5 fluros, have for many years, and I think in a small cab like this, it's the best way to grow with little concern for heat. You could use a smaller 400 or so HPS, but personally, I like the T5 route. You can practically put the lights right above the plants with no burn, no stretch. A perfect way to do scrog or sog in my opinion. I do scrog. Not to mention the fluros use less energy, and the freezer will use less energy because of less on time (vs. using an HPS). If you remotely locate the ballast, practically no heat at all from a T5. Sorry, didn't mean to get on T5 tangent lol.
The only thing I see as a slight down fall (if you are on a budget) is the fact you will pretty much have to enrich with CO2 (which is a good thing lol), because of the sealed nature. I'm thinking if you don't want to go the full blown tank method, for smaller area like this, a home brew of CO2 would work in conjunction with a small fan.
Can anyone tell me of a down side to this, or why it won't work?
Thanks in advance.
Mmkay?
New member, long time grower.
I recently moved from a cooler northern climate to a hotter southern climate. My cab that I keep outside, is getting too hot and I am looking to go in a different direction.
I've read lots of threads on people using an old refrigerator or freezer for a cabinet, but I haven't seen anyone using a working one. All you need is a cooling thermostat, like this:Discount Hydroponics - C.A.P. Cooling Thermostat (http://www.discount-hydro.com/productdisp.php?pid=571&navid=29) , plug the freezer into the therm, and your in business for total climate control.
My feeling is, this is a great environment for a cabinet, because:
1. It's a sealed environment- none to very little pest problems
2. Climate controlled- no heat issues
3. Light tight
4. Usually already white on the inside.
5. Perfect for CO2 enrichment because of the seal.
I use T5 fluros, have for many years, and I think in a small cab like this, it's the best way to grow with little concern for heat. You could use a smaller 400 or so HPS, but personally, I like the T5 route. You can practically put the lights right above the plants with no burn, no stretch. A perfect way to do scrog or sog in my opinion. I do scrog. Not to mention the fluros use less energy, and the freezer will use less energy because of less on time (vs. using an HPS). If you remotely locate the ballast, practically no heat at all from a T5. Sorry, didn't mean to get on T5 tangent lol.
The only thing I see as a slight down fall (if you are on a budget) is the fact you will pretty much have to enrich with CO2 (which is a good thing lol), because of the sealed nature. I'm thinking if you don't want to go the full blown tank method, for smaller area like this, a home brew of CO2 would work in conjunction with a small fan.
Can anyone tell me of a down side to this, or why it won't work?
Thanks in advance.
Mmkay?