commercial mini-stealth grow chamber

[danlboy]

i most folks here are very creative with making their own grow cabinets. I dont have much free time but do have the cash and want a stealthy way to grow in my home. I am seriously considering the mini-stealth grow cab

http://homegrown-hydroponics.com/mistgrcaw17h.html

I have experience with outdoor growing in the past and a chemistry background. I just would like to produce a few ounces every 3 months or so of quality bud.
Any comments on this selection?? I plan on trying the SCROG method with some high quality seeds although am a little nervous about ordering seeds online. Would eventually like to start up some clones
I plan on 2 200 watt HPS bulbs along with the flouresents and not the single 600 watt HPS pictured in the ad.
Also was wondering how many plants to start with, the cab comes shipped set up for 9 starts but can customize to less if that seems like too many
Thanks for all the valuable info ive read so far.

[danlboy]

part 2.. the more i read im getting a little worried, is this big enough to grow a few good plants in?????

[BlueBear]

You can grow a few plants in there, but it will be a little tricky.
I have looked into that box before and it is a cool enough set up. One of the trricky things is finding a good strain that you can keep short and not too bushy. You see clones would be ideal, but seeds strech more than clones but you could still do it from seed. You would have to do some tying down of the plants when they get a little older. If you started from seed I would start off with 4 to 6 and hope for at least 3 females. If you can find some clones and get them in RockW to put into the hydro system you could try 6 at first and test the strain so to make sure it doesn't get too crowded. Look for a mostly indica strain and go to 12-12 light cycle once you get at about 7 to 8 inches. You could pull off about 4 to 5 ounces a harvest easy IMO once you got things diled in right and got over the learning curve.
Adieu

[KillerDemo]

i've been wondering about that same box. looks like it could pull decent yield.

[invision]

those are cool and all but a grow tent is the way to go they are cheaper(200.00) and 100% light proof with all duct work done to it you simply add your lights,fans,and plants and your on your way.

http://www.bghydro.com/BGH/Itemdesc.asp?ic=GRHH1&eq=&Tp=

[BlueBear]

I think the one with the 400w is better in some ways. If you notice, when it talks about cab temps it states that it runs about 3 d above room temps in our test units. That may be a play on marketing words, they may test in a room that is 70d or 65d. I think that the 400 might run a little cooler and save a person some headaches down the rode. I have herd of people getting simular units, the Cool Cab and the Caddie and even though they talk about all of the CFM with their fans, people have over heating problems and need to find an AC'd room to put them in. Another thing, on these cabs the thing they don't mintion and I found this to be the case with the BC Producer, Caddie, Cool cab and I can't remember with the SUNCell, you need to leav approx 2FT behind the box for optamle air flow and some even recomend that you point a house fan towards the back of the unit, so you need to take that into account when thinking about shoving one of these in your closet, probably would be way too hot.
Adieu

[danlboy]

Blue Bear you have been sooo helpful. I think im gonna go ahead with this unit. I was going to get 2 200 watt HPS instead of the single 600 watt thinking this would spread the lighting better and didnt think i need 600watts.
Thanks again blue bear, this forum is a great way to learn. As far as placement I dont need to put it in a closet and have a spot that will provide the space needed. I like the cabinet design over the grow tent as it seems there should be better odor control with the cabinet

[BlueBear]

Not a problem, just passing along that chain of knowledge , don't break the chain. I think that it will be a good idea to go with the lesser lighting, just let us know how it go's if you pick it up.
Adieu

[danlboy]

I ordered it tonight! hoping for delivery on 19th or 23rd, my next challenge will be seeds (which i am a little nervous about ordering) any ideas on specific hybrids? I saw some called lowrider that looked cool but seemed to be out of stock everywhere

[BlueBear]

Hmm, seeds? I would think about something short and squat, the problem is that most strains still strech when planted from seed. I would maybe try out some Northern Lights. They are fairly indastructable and can give a nice yield.
Adieu

[orange_cloud]

I would say Northern Lights (thats what I have right now), Blueberries, White Widow, Hindu Kush... all those are short plants and perfect for cabinet/closet growing... I did grow all of them, excluding Hindu Kush, but I think this is what I am going to grow in the near future :D
when u gonna be ordering seedz, be sure, that u do little research about plants info. THC levels, size of the plant, grow difficulty etc.
ciao

[danlboy]

blue bear I hate to bother you one more time but before I send my check for the ministealth I wondered if you could give me your opinion on comparing the ministealth
http://homegrown-hydroponics.com/mistgrcaw17h.html
to the mini cool cab
http://www.sunlightsheds.com/turn_key_units.htm?gclid=CNOQlJfL4YcCFQ9OWAodujVXB w
the pricing is very close. The mini cab looks like it has it comes with one 400watt MH and one 400 watt HPS which i assume would be changed for veggie and flowering phase. It also has an aircooled ballast and is taller instature although the air cooled ballast may make the height difference a wash. The carbon filter looks more substantial on the mini cool cab but the cabinet construction is less substantial. the mini cool cab also includes an ozone generator
thanks again to all who have responded

[invision]

overpriced just build your own

[danlboy]

invision. not enough time or talent to build my own but I can afford the $$ so.. if you get a minute would appreciate your opinion on which cab you recommend

[BlueBear]

If you go to the Sun Light Sheds where they carry that Cool Cab you will find that they have a message board. I have read almost every post about the boxes and I think that you should do the same. They sound alot better, but when I read the threads, I have found that almost everyone has had a problem with their unit. For instants, light leeks, bad construction, over heating, and a week ozone that can't really kill the smell. These are just a few things I remember. Now like I said, the Cool Cab seems to have alot of nice features, and the thing about the Stealth box is that you can't find any real personal input on them so it makes it hard to make an informed decision because for all you know they both have some of the same flaws, but it seems that most people just adjust and make it work. Good luck, and don't hesitate to ask any more questions, and if I can answer I will.
Adieu

[danlboy]

thanks blue bear. for some reason i cant find the msg boards but I will probably just go ahead with the ministealth and I will let you know what I think when i get it up and running

[invision]

if it were me id just get a grow tent a 600watt light and a two 465CFM fans and a carbon scrubber and spend at the most 700.00 and keep the rest for quaility seeds and supplies

[danlboy]

OK I ordered the ministealth hyrdoponic chamber from homegrown hydroponics. I customized it to include 2 200 watt HPS bulbs and added a 2nd exhaust fan. I should have it in a week. Im very excited and will keep everyone posted on my impressions of the product.

[BlueBear]

Let us know what you think as soon as it comes in.
Adieu

[danlboy]

Shipment was delayed, Im tracking it, should be here Nov 8th... Ill keep ya posted, cant wait to get it going

[jamstigator]

Yes, please let us know how it works...even if it doesn't work well. Heck, *especially* if it doesn't work well (although I hope it works great!), so future generations can learn from your experience. ;)

[KillerDemo]

ill be waitin for this one!

[blue_ox]

Hi,

that is way too small ... the grow tents sound good and I'm in the process of getting a hydrohut mini .. only bad things I've read are the zipper can
get horked ( only read one account of that ).

I'm using a 200w cfl 6400k for veg and then adding in a 430w hps
on a 12/12 for budding

for smell I use a can-fan can rs4ho ( 178 cfm .63amps 70w ) with a can9000 filter.

two small rotating fans

anymore watts ( EG: 2 600w hps's ) would need alot bigger fan and filter

If your handy you can get a locking metal cabinet ( like the c22 from homedepot ) and create a 2 or 3 chamber grow-cab ...


as for good short strians ... lowrider, Afghanihani / Skunk from Dutch Passion , White Widow from the Greenhouse, and reefermans hashplant
are good strains to try for small or SOG type grows



welp thats my 2c

|}

:stoned:

[danlboy]

arrggg. the ministealth hydroponic chamber finally arrived and it was damaged in shipment so it has to be sent back :( they were ok about taking it back for repair ..but another delay....

[danlboy]

i did see that this is the cabinet that they used..
http://www.stanleytools.com/default.asp?CATEGORY=METAL%5FPLASTIC%5FDEEP%5FDOOR&TYPE=PRODUCT&PARTNUMBER=722201&SDesc=20%26%2334%3B+Deep+Base+Cabinet

[BlueBear]

Well, that's not cool. Did you get to form an opinion in the short time that you saw the unit, good, bad?
Adieu

[danlboy]

Blue bear the unit never came off the truck..didnt get a real good look at it xcept was able to identify the cabinet. one of the exaust fans was broken on the top of the unit, didnt look like much of a scent filtration on it... should be a couple weeks until it gets returned to me :(

[BlueBear]

Well, thanks for keeping us posted.
Adieu

[smokybear]

yeah and keep us updated

[danlboy]

If anyone is still interested, my Homegrown hydroponics Ministealth has been a disaster. It arrived damaged during shipping. I could write this long post about how I am attempting to recover my loss from the shipper (homegrown hydroponics is not answering my calls or emails) so .. now I am going to file a claim with the shipping company. It seems like a decent unit, the fans and lights still work, but the cabinet was crushed in transit and I have had no luck in trying to deal with homegrown hydropoincs.

[BlueBear]

Man I am sorry to hear that.
Perhaps order the cabinet that they use and change everything over. Just a suggestion.
Adieu

[CCIE]

I'm sorry to hear of your shipping problems. I notice that Homegrown Hydroponics is a company with many regional distributors. Is the local outlet stonewalling, or has the main company gone incommunicado as well? What their stated shipping damage policy? H.H. was one of the companies I was thinking of suggesting to a relative in your situation, but now I'm leery.

[rollone]

Oh danlboy, oh Danlboy...
DAMN!!!
I wish I had caught this thread sooner then this! I'll be the first to tell you...(really wondering why nobody else had said anything sooner then this...really!)

I'll let you in on a little secret. Alot of these so called "Turn-Key" systems are a load of shit!
Wait a second! Forget that!...
It's better to say, in this hobby or profession(...ur call), it takes alot of hard work, time, and money in the end to have a harvest. Keep in mind though the money does come back...hobby or profession.

All the gear...(equipment), and top genetics arn't gonna do you shit though, unless you have the know-how! I'm guessing this forum isn't to old...i dunno.

Ok look...
TRying to stick a 600w, or even a 400w MH/HPS...(ur call again), through a house vacuumed sized fan, in this size of a box, .....will not be stealthy, unless you happen to re-arange the room that this box will be placed in.
Did I mention the fire hazard that these little cuties can cause if a fan dies out on ya!?
I am telling you from experiance...
i've built loads!!! of closet/cabinet/room size gardens over the years to suit my needs, and afew others, including helping them build rooms....( i was a manager for a hydrostore....ya meet alot people:rasta: ). I was also furtunite enough be able to use many diffrent type's of growing and equipment.
It will never come that easy...for the most part.
Some of those systems if powerd by smaller lights and a fade control for the ventilation system would be AWSOME!
However not the one you bought, IMO.
Hands down, would it work? Would you be able to pull an optimum harvest every, roughly 2.5 months with a 600w in their? I dunno...I have some HUGH conserne(sp?) about that.
Did I mention stealthy...lol.
If you can get your money back then do yourself a favor....

[smokybear]

16 Plant Aeroponic Aeromist Hydroponic System w/ Ultrasonic Fogger optional!
1000w High Pressure Sodium Light w/ Air Cooled Reflector
Powerful Mag Drive Submersible Pump & Pre-Filter
2-4' Dual Florescent High Output Tubes Mounted Vertically
1-4' Dual Florescent High Output Tubes Mounted Horizontally
High Quality Enclosed A\C Reflector, Socket and Ballast
Powerful Whisper Quiet In-Line Fan to Cool Light
Powerful 175 CFM exhaust fan & carbon filter for cooling
Co2 system with regulator and timer (no tank) for increased Yields.
Outside \ Inside Digital Thermometer\Humidity Gauge + Clock
Digital timer for lights and lcd screen
Aquatech Super Powerful Dual Air Pump
Heavy Gauge Wiring Used Throughout
Belkin All Weather Surge Protectors
Two 10" Air Stones
Net Baskets + Sterile Hydroton Rocks
Propagation Tray & Humidity Dome
Rockwool Cubes for Starting Seeds/Plants
Seeds for Growing Culinary Herbs or Flowers
General Hydroponics Flora Series 3 Part Nutrients FREE
Measures 30.5 In. wide x 23.12 In. deep x 74.12 In. high
what u guys think of this cab

[danlboy]

ccie.. it appears that homegrown hydroponics may be 1 guy building the units in his garage, or it sure seems to be that way, somehow I am going to make this work though, the fans and lights seem to be of good quality so somehow i have to make this work

[danlboy]

roleone... i think i have the knowhow both scientificly and practically,,, its a weed and it isnt really that hard to grow. I have had indoor growing expierience back in the 70's and could get some pretty decent buds with a 4 foot VHO florescent in my basement. I think i can do something to make this system work for me but... the stealth issue isnt too big of a deal for me I am just looking for a small operation for a casual smoker who enjoys good quality

[rollone]

Hey danlboy,
well I'm glad you still have a positive outlook. I wasn't tryin to bash ya or anything like that. Just raving on about these guys out here selling these products at such a price. Not to mention some seem to be marketed at novice growers.
Like said before though....some seem pretty good, and others arn't worth your time.
i'm like-n the hydrohut myself if I had to go that route, but to each their own...no biggy.

Maybe I was looking at the wrong picture on the web site. I thought I saw a little plastic box, maybe 3 foot in height ...at best? The site took to long for this prehistoric connection to handle....overload!!! (when it hit places like that I don't wait).

In either case I hope all works well for ya. If ya feel comfortable perhaps you could do a grow along once you have everything dailed in... It would be interesting to watch this box in production.

[danlboy]

rollone
thanks I do appreciate your expertise and opinion. It is a small cab 30 inches tall... im gonna try and scrog, I was thinking just 2 final plants after starting 6. if that doesnt work Ill take out the components and build a cab I guess. I live alone so dont need a major stealth system but occasionally Ill have folks stay with me and would just rather have a unit that I could... conceal for a couple days. I had an extra exhaust fan installed so I have 2 and it seems to move a fair amount of air.. although the "carbon filteration" which is a 1/4 carbon filter pad over the fan seems like a bit of a joke
DO YOU think my plan is reasonable?? sugggestions?
thanks

[VOYAGER]

dude i re-read this thread and re-looked at the homegrown hydro site and i just can't help but to feel bad for ya. I mean thats a lot of money to drop on a pre-build sys, even if you didn't have all the trouble. Them guys are making a killing. Oh well, you live and learn. I've been anticipating seeing how a turn key cab would go. I seen on home depot's site the stanley cabs are around $100, even the big one is $190, as much trouble as you've been through i would probably get another cab and transfer the parts. You might come out cheaper in materials to build but those cabs do look nice, besides you said money wasn't a problem.

[rollone]

Danlboy,
I just hate to keep harpin on this, but I guess my assumption's were correct? about the picture on the web site....I take it that, this is the one you purchased?

I really just can't see a 600hps or even a 400hps burning away with the doors closed.
I went back and let the whole page load, so I could have a better view of whats going on. However I didn't get into reading the entire page so...

First impression's weren't good to me on the first go around.
Second impression after viewing the picture's is... run like hell:dance:
Not sure if thats an intake toward the bottom, but if it is then thats a bad idea for a light-trap. I could go on about this box.....but hell...If I can put the joint down long enough I'm sure I could re-design my box abit better too.
A couple points I'd like to make..
Again there's no harm towards you, or any other person that may purchase these design's. I like ya already just for doin the right thing by growin your own. And I can understand the attraction towards item's like these. They promise this and that, or maybe I should say they advertise while pulling on your strings...and afew other things;) wording things just right.
You said you have some time in indoors. However you also said this was back in the 70's w/floro's. Not to mention you called the buds desent. So with that in mind i'd say you have limited time in with indoors and hps bulbs.
These puppies can burn hot! A 600watter is gonna throw some heat out.
I run a 250hps, with a 350-450(..i forget) inline fan on a dimmer switch. I'm not comfortable running anythign more then a 250. The reason is simple...if my fan goes on me, or my timer(s) fail, I'll still have enough time to react. I'm also able to keep the plants right on the glass if I use my dimmer switch.

My fan is 15min. on/off I really don't have to turn it on till about every 30 min. or so, but I want to be safe, and allow fresh air in.
if that fan of yours goes south on ya then your reaction time better be asap.
I've witnessed an entire 120 delightfully sweet plants go down the drain just because of this! from then on it's always on my mind when looking at or designing a new cabinet.
What ever fan they have provided you with is gonna have to be something with major kick ass power, and reliabilty.
If you give yourself some time and confidence i'm sure you can build something that will blow the doors off of this thing.
IMO your just about there really. Better off then you think maybe...
I'd use this box for a clone chamber...just throw in afew cfl's and your gold!
Take the 600w and fan, and design a space/cabinet/closet ect. just for that stuff. A 600w and 30" is not considerd an optimal garden IMO. You could do soooo much better for yourself, and be able to harvest a pound of grass given the right diamentions/genetics. King of the mountain as they say:thumbsup:

[danlboy]

Thanks again rollone your expertise is appreciated. You are correct I dont have any experience with HPS and the heat does concern me, I had the cab customized a bit, have 2 200 watt HPS on either side of the cab. The intake fan is on the back of the unit in the center. The intake fan looks like its 60cfm. I had an additional exhause fan put in the cab too. There are 2 exhaust fans on the top of the unit, Im not sure how much air they push when I briefly had it on it seemed to move a lot of air. I guess I should at least let it run and see what the temp gets up to... i dont wanna set my house on fire!

[danlboy]

rollone yes the mini stealth is the one i purchased. I will get some pics of it and post em here

[BlueBear]

That is why I said to go under 400 with my first posts on here, and with evry thing said, I think that you should be able to pull off the 2 200W's, but we will know once you fire it up.
Adieu

[burnable]

hey dan, I don't know if you've resolved your seed acquisition issue or not, but I had success with seedboutique.com . My beans got to me (on the west coast) a little more than two weeks after I put the cash in the mail. It was quicker because I created an order on their website and they just opened the file when they got my payment and sent it off!. plus they give you free seeds

[danlboy]

The replacement parts for my cab were shipped yesterday should have them on friday so im hopin to start a grow this weekend.. yayyy

[JackdaWack]

I feel that the mid size cab is just way to small to grow in, even if using scrog method, its just cramped looking, now the larger one looks actually really nice, in photo. im sure it come with the doors falling off and what not. lol. not sure if its worth the money, could def. build something of your own cheaper + hey u fuckin built it, no one to bitch at but urself when something goes wrong... just MO The problem with these is that people want to make money, using cheap parts that may burn out, The best idea would be to "mimic" these cabs and build your own using quality parts.

[danlboy]

Jack, I am thinking about cutting a hole in the bottom of the cab and lowering the thing that holds the hydro water to give me more vertical space and help cool the nutrient solution. somehow I have to make this work

[crare]

that thing is awesome from the looks of it

[danlboy]

Crare, take my advice dont buy one not that its a bad unit but the customer service is bad, Im having to fix this unit myself, they sent me a replacement cabinet with the holes drilled but didnt send the other damaged items i requested, hiopefully i will be able to grow a bit of nice stuff soon

[JackdaWack]

yeah cut out the bottom off it. get a dremel or something of that nature it should come out easily if u use a good enough tool. Nice thinkin that should give u another couple inches

[danlboy]

I have replaced the damaged parts on the ministealth. I have some seeds germinating that were passed on by a friend, once I get this down I plan on growing lowryder exclusively due to the limited vertical grow space, have spots for 6 plants, plan on ending up with 3 females.Its a pretty small unit but Im gonna give it a try.

[twocamaros]

masterlow is ur friend