First Grow Experiment: Building a $120 grow box

Here I will be updating info and pictures from my first indoor grow. Last year I planted some seeds outdoor but failed probably because of the lack of sun. As of now I am setting up an indoor stealth operation in my room made of Rubber Maid boxes. Stealth and cost are my priorities but I will try to grow the best plant given the conditions.

My friend who is doing this project with me provided a bag seed which I germinated. It germinated in about 24 hours.

I went to Lowes where I asked about florescent lights and instantly the guy said "I thought you kids gave up growing pot years ago." He then directed me to some lights designed exactly for the purpose of indoor growing. Between Lowes, Fred Meyer and a local hardware store a I purchased the following supplies.

Supplies:

15 ft. extension cord
6" Inline fan
2 about 25 watt florescent grow lights(might upgrade)
a bag of organic potting soil
a bag of perlite
a power strip
2 Rubbermaid 18" Tubs (might upgrade bigger)
a can of flat white spray paint
an elbow of PVC pipe
a small pack of wire caps
some screws and bolts.

All this ran me about $110

Here is what I have setup so far, it is temporary until my white box is done drying:

I spray painted one of my tubs white for reflection.
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/3065/03170914392.jpg

Set up the lights and planted the seed root down in some soil with a little perlite.
http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/7829/0317091423.jpg

Cut the female end off of the extension cord and stripped it down.
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/1175/0317091553.jpg

Then hooked the wires of the extension cord to the wires of the inline fan and put on wire screws afterward.
http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/8996/0317091621.jpg

I then temporarily have set the fan in the box. Eventually I will make a carbon filter and so fourth.
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/4029/0317091717.jpg


I set it up beside my bed using the power strip taped behind my bed.
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/9321/03170917092.jpg



So far so good. I hope this thing sprouts. Eventually I will be getting a few more seeds or some clones.

looking good keep us updated :thumbsup:

Today I got a chance to switch to the white box for reflection. I also set up a new fan system which pulls air out rather than pushing it around inside. I think it might have been too cold with the fan before because my lights put off very little heat.

The way I redesigned it was I created a passive intake with some PVC, scissors and duct tape. Now when the fan is running fresh C02 gets pulled through this.

[img][/img]

Next I cut a hole on top of the box to rest the fan and push air out of.

[img][/img]

and with everything in it
[img][/img]

Bam!
[img][/img]

Then rested the fan on top... facing so the air would blow outward from the box.
[img][/img]

Finally I put the other box halfway on top of the other so it is stealthy but still lets the air out.
[img][/img]


Nothing has broke the surface yet but then again it has only been about 36 hours since I planted. I am watering about 2 times every 24 hours very lightly.

Some questions I have. Also feel ffree to ask any questions of you own about the setup.
Do you think my 2 grow lights are enough?
Is there any way to quiet the noise from my incline fan?
About how long til it will break the surface? (I know I must be patient but I am just curious)

I hope some people are willing to follow along with this and perhaps contribute some feedback/pointers. Thanks

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BigLeagueJew

Do you think my 2 grow lights are enough?

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I'd say those lights are enough for the first week. After that, some cfl's, as many as you can pack in there. 6500K for vegging, and 2700K for flowering (or at least near those Kelvin ranges)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BigLeagueJew

Is there any way to quiet the noise from my incline fan?

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I put some ducting on the end of my fan, and it reduced the noise a lot. Some places sell mufflers, but if I remember someone said its a tube with pink fiberglass in it... http://boards.cannabis.com/growroom-...-proofing.html

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BigLeagueJew

About how long til it will break the surface? (I know I must be patient but I am just curious)

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I've heard up to two weeks... depends on many things...


It sounds and looks like you have things pretty much under control... I like the setup so far. Good luck:thumbsup:

Thanks a ton for the quick response and helpful info.

I will try to insulate the top bucket which contains my fan and also cut air holes so I can seal the bottom.

So do you think if I went ahead and installed three cfls under the top lid it would be fine for the stage i'm in? or do you think I should wait until further developing? I figure I could do that pretty soon since i'm going to have to buy them eventually.

Also I should probably get a thermometer right? or is that not necessary?


I will keep it posted:hippy:

I have one question, what happens when your plant turns out to be a male and you've just wasted 4-6 weeks?:stoned:

Oh yeah the thermometer is a must.

You should use cfls, Go to homedepot for like 8 dollares. Get these Cfls that are in a blue and white package, There Called Day light, Or sun light, They have a picture of the sun in the corner.

Thoes work very well, Then I would buy some Clamp shop lights,
Get about 4 of the sun bulbs.


A thermomiter you really should get, Just so you can watch the day and night time temps, Its vital to a plant.

Then go to your local hydro store, Pick up a bottle of Fox Farms - Grow Big
( 17 dollares a bottle)

Also try to get a Ph testing kit,


Thats all I can think of for rate now.




socialistpete - Stay on topic, Please don't thread jack.
Make your own.
=].

There is such thing as too much light, and this is especially true for young seedlings. However, you will probably be ok with just flouro's and cfl's. Even so, I use only a 21w flouro for the first week that the plants are above ground, after which I put them under my HID.

Yes a thermometer is very important... you will also need something to measure humidity. Something to measure ph and adjust ph is also a must.

Hoping you get some ladies:thumbsup:

First off thanks to everyone who has given the helpful insight. I think today I will go pick up some CFLs and a thermometer(anyone know of a good one that tests humidity as well?). I am not too sure about shop lights only because they probably wouldn't fit but maybe i can get a fixture or something.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by socialistpete

I have one question, what happens when your plant turns out to be a male and you've just wasted 4-6 weeks?:stoned:

Oh yeah the thermometer is a must.

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As far as it being male i'm not too worried because i will also hopefully be getting some female clones and this is more the learning process. I hope however that it is female.

Also beware people that I'm on a tight budget:mad:. If anyone knows cheap alternatives for things let me know.