Cheap Growroom Concept - wat u think?

I've got some ideas for an easy setup growroom. It's easy to build, easy to disassemble and move or clean, easy to modify. Cheap too. This is basically what I'm using now, plus some ideas I have for future modifications.

Here's what you need:

1. 3/4" or larger PVC along with assorted elbows and tees - and glue
2. Razor knife
3. Hacksaw or chop saw and/or circular saw
4. Tape Measure
5. Roll of Panda Plastic and/or mylar
6. Tape - I prefer the aluminized heater tape (not affected by high temps like duct tape is)
7. Some 1/2" or thicker plywood
8. Options: 50-100CFM bathroom exhaust fan. 10-12" oscillating fans. Whatever else you want

Basically I build a frame from 3/4" PVC (I'm thinking of going larger -- will explain why in a bit. PVC is cheap (like $1.20 for a 10' stick). Don't glue it right away cause you will probably want to make some modifications or run wiring.

The top and bottom are cross-braced, with a 1/2" particle board floor on the bottom (this was to provide some clearance between the bottom of the cage and my new carpet. If in a garage, also gets the plants off the cold floor -- room for insulation. The top cross-bracing allows the room to be easily split with a light hanging on eiter side.

The cage is wrapped with "panda" plastic (3mm plastic - black on the outside, bright white on the inside. Make sure to run a good size flap over your entrance to make sure light can be eliminated. Use a good tape to hold in place. Flapping the plastic over the top helps hold it in place and pretty much seals the top.

You can actually get a pretty good seal, especially if you take the time to cut, fold, and fasten the bottom. Once that's done I take some heavy plastic and make a liner to cover the wood floor

I hang two 5ft pieces of dog chain from the top cross-bracing to hang my light (using "s" hooks). A regular bathroom fan (I use a 100 CFM) is hung from a wooden slat on a wire harness I made and exhaust to a 4" flex line, out of the closet and up to a roof vent. If you've sealed your growroom, you will need to add some intake vents. I find that enough o2 comes in thru the front flap that you may not have a problem.

I keep my ballast outside the room to decrease heat buildup -- though in unheated areas you will probably leave it inside.

NOW -- here's the ideas I have for improvements.

1. With a little pre-planning and perhaps some larger diameter PVC you could actually run all your wiring, and perhaps even hydroponic lines for an ultra clean, no tripping-over-everything look.

2. Since the frame is PVC, it could be used as a water delivery system itself

3. Heavier PVC -- stronger cage. Mine is in the corner of a room, so has two walls supporting it. Still, it's fairly stable on it's own. Heavier PVC also creates more stable mounting areas for fans, shelves, or whatever.

4. With more room, I'd probably create a peaked roof and cover it with mylar.

Anyone out there have any more ideas, cause I'm getting near harvest and once I do, some of these changesd are going in.

Actually a teacher at my school uses PVC for growing plants but he uses like 3 foot Floros that don't get any heat whatsoever. There are hooks and chains connected to some wood that houses the lights. IMO the idea of using it as water delivery, althought being a good concept, would not be very productive seeing as the tubing is real big and you would need a stronger water pump to keep up (could be wrong). The panda skin I like. It kinda allows you to create a lightweight temporary room. Although I've never heard of it, and I'm not sure if it's something common. Also if anyone could try and give me info on how hot an HPS bulb gets if the ballast is kept away from it? Me never having have had one I can't really estimate how small of a grow space I can put one in without it getting too hot. Please correct me if I'm wrong anywhere and Goodluck!

I can't say how hot it really gets. My room is inside the house which is fairly climate controlled. I've seen lots of people mention that the ballast goes outside in smaller rooms as it adds to the ambient heat. Now if it's winter and your growing in the garage, you might want that sucker inside your room/box/whatever. I think size and ventilation are the two determining factors.

I like mine outside the room becuase I'm a sloppy waterer. Less chance of splashover and shorting out my ballast. Plus, more room for plants.

I got the panda plastic at a local hydroponic store. It's like 3mil plastic, black on one side and white on the other.

My room is quite portable and easy to disassemble for cleaning/moving. Still working in new ideas to come up with a final plan.

Just stick a thermometer in there to get some basic readings before you put your plants in, then you can test. My room varies between like 75-90, depending on what i have running.