SCROG Cabinet log, beginning 9-23

To preface, let me thank the many knowledgable members of this forum, particularly Jamstigator, whose cabinet design I shamelessly aped. The information I've gained by lurking here has been invaluable.

My 'setup' is a standard Lowe's 46" wide, 20" deep cabinet containing a 400w HPS flowering light, four 85-watt 6500k CFL veg lights, a 4" in-line ventilation fan and an odor-scrubbing carbon filter. Below is an image of the cabinet closed, and one of it open. It sits in a cubby fronted by sliding doors, which I've removed for the photos. Both cabinet doors can be opened with the sliding doors in place, albeit one at a time.
[attachment=o89840]
[attachment=o89841]



Interior surface: Flat white, as it came. I'm waiting until after this first grow to apply 2-mil Mylar, because I don't yet know what might need to be added or adjusted. My equipment suspension system is a grid of evenly-spaced brass hooks, as seen below. My thinking was that they would allow me to adust height and position quickly and in small increments by wrapping cords, then provide a place to hang the result for drying after harvest. I have a roll of 1" chicken wire and lengths of 1x1 lumber that I intend to make into a SCRoG screen some time in the next two weeks.
[attachment=o89842]



Ballast: Lumatek 400-watt digital, latest revision with the detachable cord. Free product plug: This unit causes NO RF interference once the bulb has reached maximum brightness. None! My radio picked up no tone audible over background static/broadcast signal anywhere in the public band, even while standing 2 feet away.

Bulbs: One 400w Hortilux HPS and four 85w Sunlite CFLs. The cabinet is completely light-proof, and, if I leave the baseboard heat off in that room, does not rise above 83 degrees with all 5 lights running. The room stays warm, too. Heck, running the lights this winter may *save* me money.

Ventilation: A cooltube, Vortex 4" in-line fan and Can-9000 carbon filter linked with aluminized air ducting. The 'cab-open' picture was taken mid-adjustment, which is why the ducting looks loosely attached to the tube. The carbon filter is outside the cabinet, hidden behind the stacked computer boxes. A second suspendable fan provides added circulation inside the growing space. I plan to add a slimline intake fan to the darkroom vent when I find one that fits over it precisely. The noise put out by the closed cabinet is about equal to that of a well-ventilated PC, and should drop when I replace most of the ducting with smooth-sided flexible plastic. The Cooltube's design is based on Mellow Man's '1000-watt homemade cooltube' described on the FAQ page. I found that using straight glass allowed me to incorporate an internal reflector similar to that found on the professional unit.
[attachment=o89843]
[attachment=o89844]



Seeds, Soil and Nutrients: I'm attemping to grow 4 of the free Skunk #1 seeds included in my order from SeedsBoutique. The soil is Fox Farm Ocean Forest potting soil, and the nutrients are Fox Farm Grow Big, Big Bloom and Tiger Bloom, all of which I intend to use according to the dosage chart on the company's site. I have pH testing strips from a local nursery, a wall thermometer, and twin organic buffering solutions.


Status: The seeds are currently sitting on a plate between two soaked paper towels, which means I probably haven't killed them yet. Updates to come at irregular intervals.

Looks like you did a nice job, I like the homemade cool tube. I'll be looking forward to seeing your grow

I've heard that starting plants out in a Fox Farm Ocean Potting soil can be a little harsh for seedlings and young plants. It can give root/nute burn, you might have better luck with Fox Farm Light Warrior for starting plants in.

This is no longer the grow log thread. This is now solely the cabinet description post. The log updates can be found here: http://boards.cannabis.com/showthrea...484#post998484

nice job on the cool tube, where did you get the glass? if you don't mind me asking.

I found the straight glass at Michael's arts and crafts store. The chain also carries the curved glass featured in the original design.

Looks like a promising setup boss i`m tuned to this to see how the hard work goes.

Nice one!

Hi CCIE,

Nice size cabinet! Where did you find that? How deep is it? That looks close to what I was seeking before I finally settled for the office cabinet. As you pointed out in my thread - yours is probably quieter. I notice you have the same exhaust fan - how's the noise outside of that cabinet?

Good luck with the grow! :thumbsup: