How To - Rubbermaid Tub Growbox

[Bodom Children Of]

I already have built one for myself with exellent results.
These pictures show what one looks like after it is finished being built.
:pimp:

[kdspecial]

Definitly A Cool setup, not very Stealth but if you don't have to worrie about that then its perfect. How far are you from Harvesting Now? Any new pictures? Im using simllar Cfls thats why I so curious. First time trying Cfls I needed Stealth so I kinda had too use em, Im interested to see If i get some decent Nugs.

kd_special

[Bodom Children Of]

First, is to purchase the tubs. I use 22gallon rubbermaid tubs. One may choose to use bigger tubs or smaller tubs depending on preference and use. I can flower one decent plant per growbox. Any brand will work, but I chose Rubbermaid because they lay the flattest and sturdiest when topped on one another. My first growbox is made of blue colored tubs spray painted. These tubs are brown. The darker color the better to keep the growbox dark during the 12/12 flowering cycle.
Each tub cost $7.45 from Wal-Mart for a total of $14.90 before tax.


While at Wal-Mart I also bought my CFLs; each is 26 actual watts (1700lumens). I will need 6 CFLs (156watts/10,200lumens) and these are the biggest you can fit in 22gallon tubs.
A 3 pack costs $7.58. I purchased two for $15.16 before tax.


The next step will be posted very soon...stay tuned!

[Bodom Children Of]

kdspecial Definitly A Cool setup, not very Stealth but if you don't have to worrie about that then its perfect. How far are you from Harvesting Now? Any new pictures? Im using simllar Cfls thats why I so curious. First time trying Cfls I needed Stealth so I kinda had too use em, Im interested to see If i get some decent Nugs.

kd_special

This can be fully light proof. Easily could be put in a closet. Left out like a regular dresser or cabinet, no...lol. I sleep with it in my room during veg and it's not too bright. I would have to say I am within 3-4 weeks maybe sooner of harvesting. This is my first grow, but I am checking trichomes daily. Getting cloudy with some clear but still hard to tell. Updated pictures of my grow can be found on my grow thread http://boards.cannabis.com/showthread.php?t=77007, I will use this thread strictly for how to build the growbox. I needed stealth too, which is why I chose CFLs. I was really suprised how big the buds are growing from one plant. There are alot of variables when growing, but just keep reading and reading and reading threads like me and we will grow our own magnificent buds.

[Bodom Children Of]

Next, you need the light fixtures. For the 22gal tubs the 18in, 3light fixture from Lowe's is ideal. You need two fixtures one for each side of the box.
Both fixtures cost me $19.74 before tax.

The second picture is how the fixture should look before being mounted in the tub. Take off all the white pieces (have to unscrew the 'ground screw' to get the main body off). This will keep every ince of space maximized.

[Bodom Children Of]

Now you need to mount the light fixtures in the tub. I used the supplied bolts and grabbed a couple of nuts lying the around the garage to mount the fixture. I used a soldering iron to put holes for the screws to go through. You also need to make a slighty larger hole for the wires to come out of the tub. Feel free to plug the screw and wire holes with caulk or the like to stop any possible smell or light leak.

[Bodom Children Of]

You will only need one spare extension cord to wire this box. I used a segment of cord to go from one fixture to the other and then wired the plug in end of the cord from both fixtures but only on one side to make movement of the box easier. I matched white and black together and then the green from extension cord to the ground cable.

[Bodom Children Of]

I used the soldering iron again to make a hole on top of the box (where the heat is from the lights..duh) for my fan to blow through. A cd was the perfect thing to trace as it was exactly the diameter of the computer fan i will be using.
Next I used the soldering iron to make a hole for the passive intake.

The active outtake must be larger than the passive intake or you wil lnot have any 'negative pressure' (airflow) through the box.

my ratio is about 2 or 3 to 1.

4 inch fan with 2 inch passive intake

[Bodom Children Of]

The grow box has light!

Now all i need is the fan for on top and caulk to secure the passive intakes.

When putting in the passive intake be sure to get 90 degree angled PVC elbows then can fit into each other. This is so that the passive intake can be angled in such a way as to not let light escape when it is on.

I will post more pics when i get this badboy finished and some plants growing inside. I will also post a negative pressure test with a lighter picture.

I will also give a total cost at the end..i have been saving reciepts (i know, i know...its a paper trail, but its to give people a rough estimate)

hope everyone enjoys and find something useful from this!:thumbsup:

[Bodom Children Of]

I forgot to show everyone what happens when a nice round edge looks appealing to run your finger around!
a plastic 'paper cut'

[Racerx]

Slick stuff! I love DIY grow operations and this is a great way to grow some covert pot! Keep it coming!

[Bodom Children Of]

Now, it's time line the bottom half of the grow box with foil tape.
This takes a while but it makes it lightproof and reflective.:upsidedow

Then I caulked in the passive intake on both sides to ensure no airleaks.

I also caulked the holes the came with the rubbermaid tub just to be sure.:stoned:

[Bodom Children Of]

Here is the finished product, with no bought active outtake fan on top but a little regular one.:dance:
One picture is of the growbox in light and another is of it in the dark, it does leak light/air but this can all be easily amended if you apply yourself. For me this is good enough, I can sleep with it in my room at night. :thumbsup:
The third picture shows air being sucked into the passive intake. With a better fan mounted on top their is more air pressure.:pimp:
The last picture is of a fly i caught and put into an air tight container i was propping the passive intake on while the caulk dried.:stoned:

[Bodom Children Of]

I forgot to mention the total cost of this project!:dance:

I will post the total cost of everything without tax, that way you can just find out your own personal total by adding in your sales tax.:stoned:

Entire cost is, in three trips to three different stores: $16.34
$30.06
+ $32.28

=$78.68:smokin:

...for a portable growroom capable of going from seedling to end of flower...:thumbsup:

[2ndtyme]

hey bodom

I noticed in those last pics you are using a little table fan for your exhaust fan...I want to do something like this too since I'm not nearly handy enough to go messing with connecting wires and shit. How are you keeping light from disturbing the dark period during flowering with that fan like that?
I'm about to srat my second setup and I'm trying to figure out how to do everyhting without having to mess with electrical...everything I use hopefully will have a simple plug-into-the-wall plug already on it :)
thanks for any advice....

[Dazed4now]

i love it, cant wait to see how another plant does in it

btw Children of Bodom kicks ass :thumbsup:

[Bodom Children Of]

hey bodom

I noticed in those last pics you are using a little table fan for your exhaust fan...I want to do something like this too since I'm not nearly handy enough to go messing with connecting wires and shit. How are you keeping light from disturbing the dark period during flowering with that fan like that?
I'm about to srat my second setup and I'm trying to figure out how to do everyhting without having to mess with electrical...everything I use hopefully will have a simple plug-into-the-wall plug already on it :)
thanks for any advice....

I'm not using that table fan anymore...ut uh...I'm using the inline duct fan from the bud dryer box:eek:
All you do is splice the wires....you match colors mostly:thumbsup:
Depending on where your growing at just have your 12 hours of darkness during 12/12 be at night like from 9pm-9am or somewhere close:dance:
I do that with this grow box and it works fine:pimp:

[Bodom Children Of]

i love it, cant wait to see how another plant does in it

btw Children of Bodom kicks ass :thumbsup:

Yes me too. I will have at least two females at once this time:thumbsup:
I need to stock up my personal supply:pimp:

Bodom does rule.:clap:
I saw them with Amon Amarth in Detroit. Got an Amon Amarth signature on my ticket....ill post it tomarrow:smokin:

[bud breath420]

thats a fairly kick ass grow box youve made.. i think im going to make one now your a champ..

[Dazed4now]

Yes me too. I will have at least two females at once this time:thumbsup:
I need to stock up my personal supply:pimp:

Bodom does rule.:clap:
I saw them with Amon Amarth in Detroit. Got an Amon Amarth signature on my ticket....ill post it tomarrow:smokin:

hell yea, thats badass i missed them when they came thru dallas but theyrs always next year:stoned:

[2ndtyme]

Ahhh I knew you must have done something else.....what exactly do you splice the wires to? I know zip about electrical work....crap i need a tutorial on hooking up a fan and doing all that basic construction type stuff :)

[Bodom Children Of]

hell yea, thats badass i missed them when they came thru dallas but theyrs always next year:stoned:

Here it is!:smokin:
I keep it in my wallet at all times...lol:thumbsup:
Can't wait to see Dark Funeral when they come through...thats gunna be BAD ASS!:dance:


Notice how they(ticketmaster) spelled bodom wrong!:rasta:

[Bodom Children Of]

Ahhh I knew you must have done something else.....what exactly do you splice the wires to? I know zip about electrical work....crap i need a tutorial on hooking up a fan and doing all that basic construction type stuff :)

Just take an old extension cord and cut it up!:pimp:
The ground wire on the light fixture is the bare(exposed) wire!:thumbsup:
Just think Positive, Negative, and Ground
:D
Overgrow FAQ (http://www.drugs-forum.com/growfaq/GrowFAQ%20Basic%20Topics.htm)
They have a page on wiring computer fans and just general wiring!:thumbsup:

[Kwali]

Question...When you rigged the two light fixtures to a extension cord, did you rig both the fixtures to the same extension cord, or use two cords?

[Bodom Children Of]

Question...When you rigged the two light fixtures to a extension cord, did you rig both the fixtures to the same extension cord, or use two cords?

I rigged both light fixtures to one extension cord.:thumbsup:

[ILL_budz24]

yeah im a noob and i was hoping for a little help. i saw this thread and its a perfect start for me. but for this grow box...what strain do you think i should use the first time?

[colorockman]

hey sounds like a great set up. I plan to make my own. just need to find out if my plant is a mother or father....
word to the wise though people concerning electrical work...
spend a few extra pennies and make sure you use wire nuts then wrap that beotch up with electrical tape....
and make sure all connections are outside the box. and put the connections in a separate box, called a J-box.
remember, you want to burn it when YOUR ready....:pimp:

[Dazed4now]

Here it is!:smokin:
I keep it in my wallet at all times...lol:thumbsup:
Can't wait to see Dark Funeral when they come through...thats gunna be BAD ASS!:dance:


Notice how they(ticketmaster) spelled bodom wrong!:rasta:
hell yea, thats badass
ticketmaster sucks at life lol
Hatebreed and The Black Dahlia Murder are comin, cant wait its gonna be a bloodbath

also whats the temp stay at in that box?

[harris7]

how much did the inline duct fan and carbon filter put you back,did you get them online?

and how much did you yeild off that plant

[Bodom Children Of]

yeah im a noob and i was hoping for a little help. i saw this thread and its a perfect start for me. but for this grow box...what strain do you think i should use the first time?

I'd say just grow some bagseed. :thumbsup:
Their free so who cares if you mess up!:smokin:
I'm gunna get a few bagseed grows under my belt before I switch to a known strain.:stoned:

[dookieface]

i was wondering, what kind of cfl lights were you using? and how many of each? during the veg state and the flowering state?

i was thinking of using 3cfl 6500k and 1cfl 2500k(warm white) for veg. and for flowering i would do 2clf 6500k (cool white) and 2 cfl 2500k (warm white)

[CrunkChooch]

This is incredible... im going to get my supplies soon, and put one of these in my closet :)...:thumbsup:

[oturbojoeo4o]

thats a good tutor. man!

pretty easy 2 get rid of the leaky light with weatherstripping if you have some patience to do it :)

[loser90]

Wow this is great im gonna use one of these for a lowryder grow and a tote for cloning thanks for the ideas!

[Bodom Children Of]

can you tell me every item you used including all the ones you had around the home?

It's all in the thread...what exactly were you referring to?

[WinstoNDuBz]

how did u make the carbon filter

[HighSeekerz]

I see lots of people have questions! Sorry for asking another! Or two!

I see the "CFLs". The swirly flouro bulbs... I have looked at them at Walmart, etc... Which actual bulb is it you are using? Is it soft white? or is it a plant bulb??? And are you using the same bulbs for flowering?

Good luck on the grow! Chow~

[Bodom Children Of]

I see lots of people have questions! Sorry for asking another! Or two!

I see the "CFLs". The swirly flouro bulbs... I have looked at them at Walmart, etc... Which actual bulb is it you are using? Is it soft white? or is it a plant bulb??? And are you using the same bulbs for flowering?

Good luck on the grow! Chow~

Look at the picture in post 3. They bulbs are a 3pack of 23watt soft white bulbs. I use them all the way through. Some say to use different lumen bulbs for different stages in the plant's life but I'm too cheap.:thumbsup:
Hope this helps.
Check out my first grow from the box....it is harvested now....almost all smoked up:smokin:


This answers this post as well:

i was wondering, what kind of cfl lights were you using? and how many of each? during the veg state and the flowering state?

i was thinking of using 3cfl 6500k and 1cfl 2500k(warm white) for veg. and for flowering i would do 2clf 6500k (cool white) and 2 cfl 2500k (warm white)

[Bodom Children Of]

how did u make the carbon filter

With stuff from lowe's and home depot. Along with some activated carbon from Pet's mart. Oh, and some Pannyhose from Wal-Mart!:D

[Sunnyvale420]

Bodom, You have been inspiring to me and others on this forum I'm sure. I've been lurking for a while... getting ideas, formulating plans, growing eyes in the back of my head...

My Question(s):
I bought a similar bathroom fixture but promptly returned it because of the safety warning of MAX 60W Globe Light per socket. #1 Do I disregard the bulb type they call for on the packaging (Globe PAR whatever)? #2 Do you think it would be safe to exceed the MAX Wattage warning if only by a bit? I wanted to run two 43W cfl's from each socket on the fixture. #3 Do Ijust bite the bullet and grab two fixtures? I also picked up from the Depot a "Tool Replacement Cord" rated 16 gauge - 13 Amp - 125V. #4 Are standard light sockets wired with 16 guage?

Thanks for any help Bodom... OR anyone else that might chime in. Cheers!

[Bodom Children Of]

Bodom, You have been inspiring to me and others on this forum I'm sure. I've been lurking for a while... getting ideas, formulating plans, growing eyes in the back of my head...

My Question(s):
I bought a similar bathroom fixture but promptly returned it because of the safety warning of MAX 60W Globe Light per socket. #1 Do I disregard the bulb type they call for on the packaging (Globe PAR whatever)? #2 Do you think it would be safe to exceed the MAX Wattage warning if only by a bit? I wanted to run two 43W cfl's from each socket on the fixture. #3 Do Ijust bite the bullet and grab two fixtures? I also picked up from the Depot a "Tool Replacement Cord" rated 16 gauge - 13 Amp - 125V. #4 Are standard light sockets wired with 16 guage?

Thanks for any help Bodom... OR anyone else that might chime in. Cheers!

Well i would have just tried it...sat around for a while see if anything bad happened. I don't know if it would do anything but i think i've seen others in the forum do it.
For the cord....i just used an extension cord, just splice it.
I'm no handy man I just mess around with stuff, hoping for the best:thumbsup:

[Bodom Children Of]

Man this looks good to try for a first time grow... how was the potency on your weed?

I harvest when most were cloudy with a few amber so it was a more heady stone. Does get you ripped. Everyone seemed to like it who tried it and wanted more...lol


Check out this thread for pics of my first successful grow with it http://boards.cannabis.com/showthread.php?t=77007.....round two is going on right now, about week 4-5 of flowering, buds starting to get fat! http://boards.cannabis.com/showthread.php?t=81530

[Gasper02]

Hey Bodom of children, preparing to be a first time grower, i just bought the exact growing materials as you, but i just had a few questions...

what size pot did you use?
approx. how many days did it take from seed to harvest?

thanks and awesome grow!:stoned:

[Zandor]

Thanks for the thread I hope you don't mind I made it into an FAQ for others to find easer as well. :jointsmile:

[shovelcpl]

quote-While at Wal-Mart I also bought my CFLs; each is 26 actual watts (1700lumens). I will need 6 CFLs (156watts/10,200lumens) and these are the biggest you can fit in 22gallon tubs.
A 3 pack costs $7.58. I purchased two for $15.16 before tax.-Bodom Children Of, I went to walmart today and they had two different types of cfl's on the side of the ceramic base it read this

120vac60 hz390 FLE 26HT3/2/sw in which case the sw at the end means soft white and the other cfl's they had said the same thing except at the end instead of sw was D which stood for daylight which was confirmed by the description on the packaging lol damn im high, so my question is which ones did you use in your build Bodom Children Of? thanks for all the great info guys

[smrtgy2000]

after days of research i saw you tupper tub love made it save hundreds of dollers used larger tubs will post picture soon thenkyou cheaper than a photoron
or expensive lights way to go

[JBud]

thats pimpin man

[Sugarblaster]

How exactly do you make the carbon filter? Im a noob, so what is the carbon filter necessary for? and why not stick with the PVC pipe intake, or do you use both?

also how hot does it get in there?

[hazetwostep]

how much will a single plant smell in there? are you talking the room will stink, the house will stink, the neighborhood will stink, etc. (i know that is extreme but you get the point).

also, those lights wont cause an electrical spike that would be suspicious, right? i am assuming NO logically considering the size and watts, but i have never done this and don't want to take chances... i already used my one "get out of jail free" card for herb..

[Prunedale]

Guys do a search for Bodoms Carbon Filter DIY

Don't buy that crap on ebay. lol
Go to your hardware store after reading the thread, start thinking what you could use to manu your own. Design it write it according to your set up so you don't run into mcguyver problems.

On a twist. I went with Bodoms Idea, great concept. Made it larger. much larger. and a duracraft fan from kaz.com or walmart for 5 bucks =D
Trying to hook up my bodom large 6" scrubber its gonna take space though, I might need to rethink it. But for now the pad on the top is doin great. Next box I make will be better though I wanna make some spring hinges or something. And light protecting is great with weather stripping like someone said, makes a nice cushion and your box wont slide too much. I made holes in the side of the handles down vertically through and I use insense to make sure there is no slide. Plus it smells nice hehe. I don't burn the insense... Fire is always on the brain. Paranoid got too much to lose being careless.

Works perfect. the next thing is the smell.

Yea its gonna smell guys, think about getting that carbon filter.. If you go with the top cut out like he shows you, it will take the heat out well and keep your inside temp cool. The closed box must be ventilated well guys.. You can go pick up one of those fresh scent carbon filter replacemetns at the store and lay it over the top of the cutout and place your fan on top of it sucking air out. It works well. In addition I have another for now running in the closet next to the box and a fan working the air in the closet because air being pulled out of the box is hotter and heats up the closet quick. Heating your box as well. I long for fresh air intake.

[emar]

hey uhm can you tell me how you wired that computer fan... im wondering how i would wire it to an outlet, i get the basics of wiring as i can wire lights and what not.. but do i need like an adapter or what not to plug it into an outlet?

[Primus]

Hey Bodom, great grow! It's inspired me to build my own similar growbox.

I used two 18gal tubs, lined with aluminum tape. The two 3-light fixtures from lowes, and 6 23w CFLs. What I couldn't tell from your pictures is how bright the box actually is. I can't even look inside it when the lights are on, it's like the light of god.

Anyway, I was wondering what, if anything you used to keep the tubs held together well - I've been using heavy spring clips, to try to minimize the seam of light eminating from between the top and bottom. I'll probably try to weatherstrip the gap next, because I'll have to have the box fairly airtight (with the exception of a carbon scrubber exhaust) for odor control.

I was wondering if you had any of these issues.

[emar]

hey uhm can you tell me how you wired that computer fan... im wondering how i would wire it to an outlet, i get the basics of wiring as i can wire lights and what not.. but do i need like an adapter or what not to plug it into an outlet?

nvm figured it out

[Cyclonite]

So what was your final yield? About an O after dried?

[anthonyakadayday]

:rastasmoke:
im compleately new to this whole thing, are the cfl lights used in this thread good for growing weed or would an aquarium plant light be better

[Primus]

I'm doing the same style grow and I can tell you, CFLs work.

Other things may work better, and different people may have different opinions of what "should" be used, but in my opinion, and little experience, CFLs do a great job for the cost of purchasing, and powering them.

For BIG grows, they'll be beaten out of the ball park, i'm sure... but for this sized grow, they work great.

[anthonyakadayday]

what size pots should be used and what kind of poting soil:rastasmoke:

[Freak_Hehe]

I made a grow box of very similar design, then I came to this site and found this thread, glad to see that the idea actually works good :)

Mine has 5 - 60watt(2600lumin) CFLs and 1 - 59watt(2200lumin) CFL (one outlet is too close too fan for another 60watt) (15200 lumin), a kiddie fan in the top and slit vents (with shades) in the bottom. It also has a view window to check on the thermometer/RH% Meter inside. I taped a powerbar onto the side for the timer/etc... It's also set up so I can just use the top half when the plants are small and I butchered/glued a lid onto the top half so it locks onto the bottom half.

It started out as basically a hobby project and kinda exploded :p

http://www.imagehosting.com/out.php/i475328_GB1.jpg

http://www.imagehosting.com/out.php/i475329_GB2.jpg

http://www.imagehosting.com/out.php/i475330_GB3.jpg

I had it in my bedroom for a bit, but it was way too bright. The lights shine through the plastic in places, so i gotta tape over some places. It may look kinda ghetto, but it seems to work pretty good.

[mspofford032579]

Next, you need the light fixtures. For the 22gal tubs the 18in, 3light fixture from Lowe's is ideal. You need two fixtures one for each side of the box.
Both fixtures cost me $19.74 before tax.

First things first,

Bodom: I'm new here, and I've been reading lots of your posts. EVERYTHING you build kicks ASS. That said, I don't want you to think I'm stealing your thunder here.

Everyone else: If you're cheap like me, you're probably trying to hack this thing together with enough left over to buy a blunt while you wait for your shit to sprout. If you've got some spare materials laying around like a peanut butter jar full of machine screws etc, check out the light fixture I built myself. http://boards.cannabis.com/indoor-growing/111247-diy-compact-fluorescent-fixture.html If you have some of the smaller materials required, you can build this for about half the cost of ready made stuff at home depot. If you don't have some material lying around, you'll probably save less. I like my design because of the versatility...


Bodom, You have been inspiring to me and others on this forum I'm sure. I've been lurking for a while... getting ideas, formulating plans, growing eyes in the back of my head...

My Question(s):
I bought a similar bathroom fixture but promptly returned it because of the safety warning of MAX 60W Globe Light per socket. #1 Do I disregard the bulb type they call for on the packaging (Globe PAR whatever)? #2 Do you think it would be safe to exceed the MAX Wattage warning if only by a bit? I wanted to run two 43W cfl's from each socket on the fixture. #3 Do Ijust bite the bullet and grab two fixtures? I also picked up from the Depot a "Tool Replacement Cord" rated 16 gauge - 13 Amp - 125V. #4 Are standard light sockets wired with 16 guage?

Thanks for any help Bodom... OR anyone else that might chime in. Cheers!

Sunnyvale420: Remember, when you buy one of these compact fluorescent bulbs from walmart or wherever, the wattage is not the actual wattage. For example the "100 watt" compact fluorescent bulbs I bought from walmart (made by GE) only take 26 watts apiece. The "100 watts" is an incandescent equivalent. Or, in other words, they only use 26 watts of electricity apiece, but because they use fluorescent technology, and not a fillament, they put out the same ammount of light as a 100 watt (traditional, fillament, incandescent, hot ass burn your fingers) light bulb. They usually print the actual wattage in smaller print somewhere else on the box. They want you to see the equivalent wattage so that when you buy one, you have a reference to a technology you are familiar with to guess how bright it will be. That said, you SHOULD (I'm not an electrician) be safe using these bulbs in that fixture, because the maximum wattage per socket is 60, and you would be only using 26watts per socket.

[Bodom Children Of]

You are correct. My design is for the least amount of work. Before the tubs I had wired up a bunch of cfls manually but it just took too long. Plug and play.

you are correct about the wattage as well. the 42wt cfl he is talking about is probably the 150w-200w regular. those are too big for these size tubs, though.

[Thinx]

They have a page on wiring computer fans and just general wiring!:thumbsup:[/QUOTE]


That site is sooo usefull thanks

[boscom]

Slick stuff! I love DIY grow operations and this is a great way to grow some covert pot! Keep it coming!
yea this is perfect

[boscom]

hey sounds like a great set up. I plan to make my own. just need to find out if my plant is a mother or father....
word to the wise though people concerning electrical work...
spend a few extra pennies and make sure you use wire nuts then wrap that beotch up with electrical tape....
and make sure all connections are outside the box. and put the connections in a separate box, called a J-box.
remember, you want to burn it when YOUR ready....:pimp:

hey man thats a good idea really dont want that shit too burn up

[smokedoja]

hey bodom i noticed you started using the inline duct fan right after the pvc tube... what is the advantage and does the 3 to 1 ratio still apply?

[MaryLane]

I think I'm going to have to give this a try for my first grow.

In the pictures of your plant, were you training it around the pot in order to get so many bud sites?

Thanks for taking the time to post this so others like myself can learn from you!

[BobMarley5190]

Pretty bad ass. Wish I would have seen this thread earier! I just went with one of these grow boxes...

Grow Box Systems (http://www.homegrown-hydroponics.com/)

[5016169]

After 9 hours away from the house during the work week, the seedlings are dry as hell. What am I doing wrong? I have a fan on and have it vented since I'm only using the top half right now. Temp is 85-87 degrees average. I've been watering in the morning and late afternoon.

[mcstonedraider]

sound

[mcstonedraider]

wicked

[MaryLane]

If the temp is averaging 85-87F that means you have it going above 87F sometimes and under 85F sometimes. Averaging mid to high 80s is kinda high from what I've read. High 70s seems to be the best temp.

I could be wrong though...




After 9 hours away from the house during the work week, the seedlings are dry as hell. What am I doing wrong? I have a fan on and have it vented since I'm only using the top half right now. Temp is 85-87 degrees average. I've been watering in the morning and late afternoon.

[5016169]

I can't get it in the 70's. I've got the tub propped open with four (4) twelve packs of soda (two on each side) so the air comes out and a fan blowing down from the top. It's 82 average now.

[MaryLane]

You want a fan blowing UP from the top going out. Hot air rises. If you have it blowing down you're blowing the hot air off the bulbs onto your plants and basically making it much warmer in the box.

[MaryLane]

Anyone think a 400w or 600w HPS would work in this box if you put it in a cooltube, or had it mounted on the outside of the box, so that the reflector bottom is even with the top of the box? Sealed of course...

[TheRisen]

Instead of using mylar or foil tape or anything like that would simply painting the inside of the box white do just as good of a job?

[PhotogJames]

I am new here and just your thread on the grow box. I have a few questions. Can I use the inline duct fan and carbon filter together from seed to harvest? How do I connect them? How big of a pot can I put into a 22gal tub? Will a 3gal pot (I read that you should have 1gal for every foot) fit in a 22gal tub? Can this setup by used as a drying box as well?
This will be my first indoor grow (I used to outdoors, but now live in the city) and would like to know if I can use this as an all-in one set-up.
Thanks.:hippy:

[MaryLane]

Yep, a flat, matte or satin white finish on the inside would work perfectly. Make sure you sand down (rough up) the plastic and prime it well, and use a primer that will stick to plastic. If you don't, the paint won't adhere at all. It'll flake off just from you looking at it.


Instead of using mylar or foil tape or anything like that would simply painting the inside of the box white do just as good of a job?

[cannabis182]

what is the height on the grow box?

Much appreciated

cheers:thumbsup::jointsmile:

[5016169]

I am almost done with mine. I just have to add the foil tape to the bottom half (inside) as you can tell from photo two.

I'm not sure why I can't upload pics through the forum now, but here they are:

With the lights on (http://aycu02.webshots.com/image/30401/2004448622373936064_rs.jpg)

With the lights off (http://aycu40.webshots.com/image/29959/2004417173615301674_rs.jpg)

[PHATTY LUMPKINS]

wish me and the ole lady luck ;) maybe some baba cush for xmas..awe.. i wish us a merry x-mas and a happier new year.

Thank God for Bill 215.

[Flyers9715]

I have a couple questions.
What size pots are these in?
How many seeds would I want to use? I noticed the packs usually include about 10 seeds.

[5016169]

I only have 1 plant in mine. I hope to get lowryder 2 soon, and will grow 4-8 of them inside depending on how they fit.

[anthonyakadayday]

where can i find one of those ducted fans cant seem to find one at my local hardware store

[soobie05]

i went out today to set myself up for this box, and i got pretty much everything cept for the foil tape, and just curious when you hooked up the light fixtures you needed to run extra...(Buy some wiring) wiring to the fixtures then the end of that to the extention cord?

[4osiris]

Eureka!! Very ingenious yet efficient($)!! Guys like you make this forum a blast!!

[soobie05]

just finished tha growbox! probably spent around 90 bucks, ended up buying couple tools to help me with the project. Love this idea Thx B.C.O!!! still needa patch up couple spots in the box with the foil tape but here are some pics of the finished project.

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g88/kevinislandboy/DSC_0281.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g88/kevinislandboy/DSC_0284.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g88/kevinislandboy/DSC_0283.jpg

[Hydroponic Cabbage]

nice looking box

[bstheory]

that's what he said

[Cocoa0069]

Ok I'm going to do that same set up that you did but I'm going to add 1x150W HPS light and 1x150W MH Light. and 3 CFLs do you think what work any better? And with the whole fan thing are the fans sucking air out? Any thoghts tips anything would help.

[thecreator]

I love it and I'd love to get this system going with one plant being grown hydroponically. Hmm not that far fetched mate just one plant, it could happen.

[sorry_whaa]

Could you explain to me exactly how you wired the cfl's to the extension cord?

[Completely Stoned]

Where you get that Foil Tape? Home De Pot?

[Balkey]

The cfls are in a regular cheap, bathroom fixture. With the fixture comes 3 wires, usually, a red, black, and ground. Your extension cord, has 3 wires, usually, a red, and black, and a ground (ground is sometimes odd colors).

With my box, which is bigger than Bodoms but similar, you cut off the end of the extension (female end or in other words the end that you DON'T plug in) and cut the orange protective plastic back as far as you need to and strip the wires so the bare wires are showing. Now you eye ball it or measure or whatever you want to do, and find the amount of wire you need to stretch across the box and to the other wires for the other fixture.

For the other side/fixture, find where you need to cut it, give yourself some play in it, and cut the extension cord there. Then peel back the orange covering on BOTH sides of the cut you just made. Strip the wires on BOTH sides of the cut you made so that the wires are showing. With this cut, you should have 2 red wires OF the extension cord to connect to the 1 red wire of the light fixture. Same goes for the black. etc.

On the side you cut the female end off, you will just twist the wires together red to red, black to black, ground to ground. (my ground on the light fixture was screwed down to the fixture itself, simply unscrew it and there ya go).

Make sure you used caps for all your wires and electrical tape to cover any bare wires.

Here's a link to a tub, I have better pics but can't post them right now.

Cannabis.com Forums Message Boards - Medical Marijuana, Cannabis Club, Dispensary, News (http://boards.cannabis.com/attachments/indoor-growing/170115d1197546672-new-cfl-growing-yeah-son-001.jpg)


P.S. Foil tape is at lowes and HD. Just search for it, its there.

[the image reaper]

you've been asked several times now, with no response, "how big are the pots you're using ?" .... is it a secret ? :D

[Balkey]

you talking to me!!!!!!!!


Seriously, you talking to me?

[Cyclonite]

Im sure 2 1 gal pots would be just fine with that setup.

[Balkey]

I use 8inchers. I can fit 8 8incher in my setup. My tub is a 50 gal. Growing LR2 so 8 is slightly a little much but only have 4 going at the moment. Obviously for regular marijuana plants, 8 pots would be wayyy too much. I think 2 2 galloners would fit nicely. The tub is about 34 inches across.

[marijuanavillebilly]

yo bodom.
did you think about takin the lids and tapin them together cuttin out the insides and using them as a lock to pop the top tub to the bottom tub?

[Balkey]

Bodom hasn't posted for like a year, so I doubt you'll get a response. Your idea is a good one, but not all tubs come with lids. I know mine didn't. Really, all you need to keep the top tub from moving or slipping off is to anchor anything onto the inside of the top tub, say, cardboard even. Your idea would probably be best but those lids would have to be connected to the tubs somehow, and it would be probably make it so no light came in at all.

[rawtunes]

hey im pretty much building this same setup
and when i went to lowes to get my supplies
they said that caulking would melt the plastic
so i got some epoxy super glue and it didnt work very well
what kind of caulking did you get?

[jklmnc3]

hey man u do have full spectrum right?

[shoblime]

Sunnyvale420: Remember, when you buy one of these compact fluorescent bulbs from walmart or wherever, the wattage is not the actual wattage. For example the "100 watt" compact fluorescent bulbs I bought from walmart (made by GE) only take 26 watts apiece. The "100 watts" is an incandescent equivalent. Or, in other words, they only use 26 watts of electricity apiece, but because they use fluorescent technology, and not a fillament, they put out the same ammount of light as a 100 watt (traditional, fillament, incandescent, hot ass burn your fingers) light bulb. They usually print the actual wattage in smaller print somewhere else on the box. They want you to see the equivalent wattage so that when you buy one, you have a reference to a technology you are familiar with to guess how bright it will be. That said, you SHOULD (I'm not an electrician) be safe using these bulbs in that fixture, because the maximum wattage per socket is 60, and you would be only using 26watts per socket.


This is a terrible first post, but I'm glad you're not an electrician. I am...although it wouldn't take an electrician to read his post and see that he was planning on using TWO 42 watt cfls per fixture. They sell 42 watt cool bulbs at Lowe's; I believe that is what he is referring to. The tiny 13 watt is what they call "equivalent" (complete bs) to a 40 watt so i believe the OP was referencing the actual watts on his bulb. 2 x 42 = 84. That exceeds the rating for the socket by more than 35%. Would you put honda civic wheels on an F150? Don't put 84 watts in a 60 watt fixture. Those ratings are there for a reason, there is a real fire hazard when overdrawing for 18 hours at a time in a confined space.

Sorry to resurrect this thread but it has been a great resource and I want people attempting to build this at home to have a safe experience.

Also:

full spectrum bulb guy: you want the 6500k "cool white" or "daylight" style bulb. Cool/daylight/natural etc are just marketing terms. Any reasonable bulb should have the kelvin marked on the ballast (base of the bulb) or on the back of the box. It's better to know because some are in the 3500 range (you want lower) or 6000 range (you want higher) Also good resources are the GE, Sylvania, and Bright Effects (Lowe's house brand) websites. Bright Effects has gotten some pretty negative reviews and is only $2 cheaper. Sylvania is around 3000k for the warm and 6000k for the cool. GE is 2700k warm and 6500 cool. Something like 8 or 9 bucks at Wal - Mart. The full spectrum I believe is the terrarium/aquarium/plant bulb stuff....more $$$ than standard bulbs and not much better.

Rawtunes - Duct tape is your friend. If you're like me, it might be your ONLY friend. Forget glues, they don't fill wide holes and provide support. Make a tighter collar with cardboard to give the glue something more to adhere to if you must go that way. I'm not totally convinced that silicone caulking would destroy plastic tubs, either. In fact I think you'd be okay using white silicone general purpose stuff. I wouldn't use one meant for say, cement or wood. Also in Lowe's or Home Depot they have rolls of weatherstripping caulk that is like clay rope. Fills in fairly large gaps and easy to work with. Also, it's cheap. I use it in subwoofer enclosures among other things. Non-reactive (won't melt ur plasticz dood) but does stain a bit.

Foil tape guy - Foil tape is with the other tapes at Home Dizzle or Lowe's, don't get the stuff with writing on it, get the blank kind obviously. Use the widest size you can (less rows) they had 2" and 3" near me. I chose to use white spray paint.


White spray paint - works well, doesn't bunch up like foil. Blindingly bright. I don't believe there is much of a difference between the two in practical applications. The foil tends to crinkle and cause valleys. Not sure how detrimental this actually is, but layering foil tape sucks and spray paint is a cheap buzz. Okay, ignore that last part...but if you do use spray, get Krylon or Rustoleum plastic - specific paint. Otherwise you need to sand the plastic with some 100 grit or so first (just rough it up, don't chunkify it with 60 grit or it'll take 4 coats of paint to get it smooth) Avoid the crap plastic paint they sell at Lowe's; it's fairly chip resistant but goes on poorly and is extremely thin which causes drips if you don't go super slow. No matter what you use, you'd better baby your walls, plastic paints kinda suck. Roughing it up might help as was mentioned earlier, I am lazy and didn't do that (paint directions don't call for it either, just a wipe which I did)

Ducted fan guy -- Home Depot carries inline ducting fans. They are with the household ducting/heating supplies. They are used to get more hot/cold air to a distant room in the house. Available in 6, 8, 10, 12 + inches. I'd go for 8 probably, the 6 is only 160cfm or so. Like a desk fan (but more expensive at 30$) The suncourt brand seems to be the low end. Poor reliability ratings, but the Fantech (mercedes benz of the inline duct fan world) models start at $100; so the suncourt is not without it's charms for someone on a budget. FYI lots of online hydro shops sell in line duct fans as well, for about the same prices. I don't bother with all that but it's an option if you don't have a local home store. I buy local so if my cheap plastic crap happens to break I can bring my receipt and get a free one.


Hope this helps those of you still checking out this thread! It's an excellent resource! Just keep the temps down.....

Peace~~~:rastasmoke:

[bigdog1]

uppin this piffery

[soldiercoleone]

this is a noob so bear with me. say if u wanted to add a scrubber to the grow box where and how would u add one :)

[rainbowweed]

Now, it's time line the bottom half of the grow box with foil tape.
This takes a while but it makes it lightproof and reflective.:upsidedow

Then I caulked in the passive intake on both sides to ensure no airleaks.

I also caulked the holes the came with the rubbermaid tub just to be sure.:stoned:
about the lining on the inside.? well what is that shiny stuff, tin foil.?and how do you get it in there so perfect.?

[ctjccjc]

Bodom Children Of, just in case you check back on this thread, I want to thank you for the great how 2s. Thanks to this thread I'm getting a new hobby.

[winwintony]

im new to this hole thing i need a friend to help me out ,i live in chicago so i cant grow outside so im thinking about a rubbermaid box and yours sound easy ///////can you help me along the way

[winwintony]

is a 425watt sun lamp to hot for a rubbermaid box

[jebus2029]

I used this design and made 2 boxes. Slight modifications but essentially the same. I used white spray paint for one. It worked but the paint did start to chip in the corners from lifting the box. The other I used white duct tape. Took something like 4 rolls to complete. That box runs a little warmer too. Also instead of buying the 3 socket fixture I bought individual ceramic fixtures from walmart and used those. They have them with or without on/off chains, so you can turn off the lights individually if you don't want to have all 6 lights going. I also found an awesome fan at walmart but they don't carry it anymore. It looks like a small version of those industrial blower fans. I put a spy window in one of the boxes also. A few inches below the lights, so I could peak in without opening the box. I also put in 2 fixtures at the bottom of the plant to get more light to the lower branches (but this might have just been overkill).They both work great, but the temps are always on the high side. I only used each box once, although a friend of mine is using one of them now. The buds were airy and light but I did get a decent harvest. I think about 3 ounces the first time(was almost 2 years ago so I don't really remember). Not great but it was a bag seed and I really didn't know what I was doing back then. I also cut a large number of branches off of it a few weeks before flowering because I was worried it was too compact and might start molding. It was a sativa (i think from the look and high, plus it flowered for around 87??(if i remember correctly) days, although it was a major dwarf. nodes were about 1.5 inches apart from each other). Turned out better than what I can usually get my hands on though.

I am currently working on another box. This time I am using 2 of the round deep containers. Like the kind people keep beer in at parties. I am currently looking for a new fan for this one. Since the other ones I have are no longer made. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated :) Also I think I will only put 4 fixtures in this one. Less light but better temps. Although with this one the lights will be pointing down towards the plant instead of being on the side of the box. Is this as efficient? Would it be better to have lights on the side rather than the top of the box?

And what can I do about light shing through the box? Duct tape works but the more layers I put on the hotter it gets. In a closet it is pretty stealth but if the room is dark anyone can notice the light coming from it. Closing the closet just makes it too hot.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

[GoldenGraham84]

well, since this thread has been brought back, i must say that the OP's post regarding needing the exhaust to be bigger than the intake is totally wrong.

will it still work? yes.

will it kill your fan faster? yes.

can you still achieve negative pressure with a larger intake than exhaust? yes.

so what should i do, golden? intake 2x the size of exhaust. got a 4" fan? 8" intake, or two 4" intakes.

[Sidathin]

So i'm new to this forum and quite honestly i'm sick of messing with the erm, sales represntatives we all so comonly are forced to associate with.

My question might have already been asked, and even more so, perhaps answered, but i didnt see such when i skimmed through the thread.

Can i build this box, and cut out the bottom, sealing the top half to the bottom, making a taller rectangle like lid, that could then be placed on top of a stealth hydro box? this way its given 6 inches or so of more room fromt he lights, and given the oportunity to grow hydroponic in what seems ot be a good box.

My other concern comes from the exaust fan, is there a way to place a carbon filter on this design simply, efficiently, and still cleanly, so it won't break or be knocked around when removing the lid?




I figure if i make the box, i'll get ducting hose to run out of the closet(or bathroom) this thing'll sit in and get air from the other side of the room. Then duct all the exaust, after through the carbon filter, up into the attic, or to a dryingmachine as much as possible.

I also wanted to know if by chance you know what the average yeild you get out of this box is per harvest/per plant.


Thanks in advance,
Sid

[l8tnightskunk]

Looks like a pretty easy way to grow, i like the idea and design good job man cheap too at that lol by the way i liked the way your thread was because you explain how to build it step by step and it makes it alot easier for us bearly starting lol thanks man

[ridemoto657]

is this to big or will it work?

[Frickr]

would one be able to use the bottom box as a ebb and flow system also? put a few inches of expanded clay pelets and a plant in rockwoll, set it up like a normal tray but have the sides much higher, and use the top the same way.just have a third tub for a watertank with a small pump?

if it would work i might try this out, i found a hydro fert kit for 30 dollars that includes everything Harrys Hydroponic Garden Center - hydroponics nutrients indoor lighting (http://hydroharrys.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/8/products_id/2320) pumps are cheap and tubing is cheap so i dont see how this would be to much more expensive than this box setup.

[stuartambient]

Quick question , which I didn't get from this thread though I see it was asked before.
Provided you have a carbon filter in something about this size, will there still be some smell and if so , is it considerable ?

TIA
SA

[Balkey]

It's a misnomer to say a carbon filter gets rid of the smell. A more correct statement of a carbon filter is it diminishes the smell or masks it, so that it isn't as potent.

The only way to have a completely smell free room is to get a strain that is low smell ( afghan has little to no smell) and/or to exhaust the room outside. Even still, you might have a lingering smell.

If smell is a problem, I'd rethink growing. :stoned:

[stuartambient]

i'm talking about maybe 4-6 plants but I'm sure you are right about the odor.
Then there is also the issue with harvesting. Does the curing bud also give off a strong smell ?

[Balkey]

I'm 100% sure about my claims. Activated carbon works, its in countless products that most people don't even know contains it. For mj though, it makes the smell not as potent and masks it. It does not completely get rid of it.

Depending on the strain, 4-6 plants, females, will put off a pungent smell, and will be hard to "hide" unless you don't mind the smell perfuming your place or exhausting it somewhere else.

When you say harvesting, do you mean drying or curing? When the plants are hanging trying to dry, the smell isn't as strong as it is while growing but there is a small amount of smell. Curing on the other hand means having it in a sealed container for a X amount of time. So, when the container is sealed, theres no smell. When you open the container to "breath" it, let fresh air back in and let the moisture escape, that doesssssss smell. While you 'breath' you jars for say 15-30 min's twice a day, the smell will perfume your place. It's pungent.

:stoned:

[stuartambient]

Maybe last question, what about air purifiers, ionizers, ozone generators. I've dug around a bit and know how to google, but anyone with a bottom line. Perhaps having both carbon scrubber and air filter nearby would bring it down to almost nothing.

[Balkey]

You need to do a lot of research on air purifiers/ionizers. You get what you pay for. The good air purifiers are normally the most expensive. Also, ionizers have been speculated (hell maybe proven) to be bad for your health and I have also heard, not for sure though, that having an ionizer close to your plants may affect the smell. Like I said, do a lot of research.

Your best bet, if you aren't going to vent outside, is to use a carbon scrubber and an air purifier in the living space. But most growers will tell you, it is VERY difficult to have NO smell at all. Those who do, vent outside.

There are strains that are very good shizz that have very little smell. I'd search for those. I know afghan, at least the afghan I had, had almost NO smell. I didn't even need to use a carbon scrubber.

[jebus2029]

I made a carbon air filter with the design used by this guy. It's in his signature I think. It worked great. Towards the middle of flowering though it definitely started to smell. Maybe multiple filters would work. Or The carbon might have been getting used up. The smell wasn't too bad but was noticeable. I wouldn't have wanted a cop knocking on my door. That's for sure.

[NailgunGirlie]

:cool: I love DIY projects. Thanks so much for sharing your project...it's great. Now what does the final product look, taste, and smell like?

Thanks again

[NailgunGirlie]

I should have said how much was your yield not what does it look like...Sorry.

[mgjscdhl]

I'm more or less modeling my own growbox on this one. It'll be my first, but there seems to be alot of information here to give it a go. I have a couple of questions;

first would I need to do lst (low stress training) of my plants because of that size growbox?

I've heard two things about exaust/intake. OP says one size, and someone said another. Does size matter as long as presure is maintained?

Are the lumens or amount of cfl dependant on how many plants? I would only grow 3-4 plants while OP seems to have half dozen or more. I happen to have 4x cflu lightbulbs (13w, 800 limens, 10,000 hr life).. Is that enough for that size grow?



I posted a thread in this forum and I hope to get something started soon and not rely on anybody else for my pot.

[blowin]

will that same method thos CFLs work for a open room job?

[jebus2029]

I just grew a single plant in my box, not multiple. I also lsted the hell out of it. When I chopped it it was like a banzai tree. The canopy took up the entire space. It was vegging for a very long time though. Multiple plants would cut down on the veg time. I also used 6 cfl's that were 26w each(equal to 100w). Really have to watch the heat with that many though. I was up close to 90 once the summer came around. Might be why it was so stunted now that I think about it. I also had 2 small fans inside, one was a little metal desk fan I kept under the plant. The other was a computer fan I kept up high on the roof of the canopy. Halfway through flowering I added another light underneath the plant to get light to the lower parts, but I think I ended up taking it back out due to temps. Not really sure if this helped or hurt though. Buds were light and fluffy but still a decent yield. 2.5-3oz.

[Hall420]

Quick question. When you switched to flowering did you change your cfl's to 2700k or did you continue to use the same 6500k lights?

[jebus2029]

When I did my first grow I used 2700K lights the entire time and it came out fine. This time I'm starting with 6500k and will switch to 2700k for flowering. I may keep 1 or 2 lights as 6500k. I hear having a little of the light at the blue spectrum helps.

[Ricshire7]

what exactly did you line the inside of the rubbermaid tubes with? is it mylar? but Great work man, im seriously considering trying a set up like this now!!

[Ricshire7]

nevermind, i saw that you used foil tape..

[gtoman210]

Hey guys I had a few questions can this box be used from seedling to harvest without adjusting the light height.

[Geek]

n00b grower here.

I was wandering through HD last weekend, and came up w/the same basic idea, using a 22gal tub, but didn't think about doubling them. Instead, mine is half the height of the OP's, and seems to be working quite well for sprouting/vegging.

For the lining, I used spray glue (about $5 for a 12oz can) and used generic aluminum foil w/the "shiny" side pointed inwards. You'll want to let the glue cure for a couple days after applying the foil, in order to allow the solvent fumes to bleed out. The spray glue makes foil application quite easy, and very forgiving if you misjudge your sheet size. It's also a lot cheaper than buying rolls of aluminum tape.

For my lights, I picked up a 24" dual-tube T5 setup, used a spare computer power cord w/the end cut off, and wire nuts. A 4" 90-degree elbow tube affixed to the lid that came w/the tub is used to route the power cable through, as well as provide passive ventilation. I also picked up a self-sticking thermometer (plastic, thermo-activated color style) and stuck it to the lid as well (8" away from the lights). Running 24/7 I'm finding my temps hold steady at 76F, and the half-dozen new Top44 sprouts seem to be loving it!

I may have to re-think adding another tub on top of this one in the future, but my intent was to use as a first-stage grow-box, moving the plants to my grow-tent when they start getting too big for it.

[gotmudatv]

I used 2 rubbermaids on top of each other it works for starting and clones but for a full grow area not working. Check out my thread called 1st cfl grow its details all I had to go through.