Noob on the Cheap

[Cede2Weed]

Thanks, Hudson.

Prior to reading this post I made a few changes, pix to follow.

I am leaning towards going hydro, but I really am on a $50/week budget as per the wife. This is due to other ill fated projects and just happens to be my alloted medicine budget....

With hydro and eventual cloning in mind, I created a small box approx 12"w x 18"l x 24"h with 2 cfl's and 2 opening, one for intake the other for a small pc fan outtake. My third cfl is idle right now.

I also germed another 18 bag seeds although I placed them in regular potting soil in a recycled egg carton.

My room is approx 4' x 8' x 8' and I have no problem using all of the space, except of course my budget.

[Cede2Weed]

Cannot figure out how to attach pictures...

[Cede2Weed]

Temps:

Do not have the proper thermometer. But... it was 82c after 8 hours under the box. I haven't installed the fan yet but hope to do so tonight or tomorrow night.

[Cede2Weed]

Finally read the rules..........

here are links to pix

The Room
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...0080407066.jpg

The small box
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...0080407067.jpg

Side View for intake/outtake
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...0080407070.jpg

Germed seeds waiting
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...0080407069.jpg

Sprouts of some bag seeds in regular potting soil
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...0080407068.jpg

[Cede2Weed]

Made a few changes and temps have gone way up.

I re-connected the third CFL and went about light-proofing the closet with black plastic (like is used in gardening).

This took about 20 minutes. By chance I had left the thermometer out and noticed the temperature in the closet had risen to 78c. It had been in the high 60's a few hours earlier. The outside temp had dropped to the low 60s. I then took a reading in the box and it was 96c.

I still do not have fan connected to the box and do not want to cut the third cfl off so I cut 2 holes in the top of the box to allow heat to rise out. 15 minutes later this had lowered the temp inside to 91c.

Because I am in 24 hr light now, and I have the entire closet light proof I desiced to raise the entire box 3 inches to allow for additional airflow/circulation or heat exhaust, whatever...

After 10 minutes this brought the temp down to 87c in the box.

Will these 3 day old seedlings survive this? I saturated the soil a bit, but do not want to get them too wet and they are going to have to go about 7 hrs max between waterings.

I guess my question is what is the better short term plan, allow them to sit in this heat, or cut back to 2 CFLs?

I am now thinking I am going to need more than a little pc fan if I am going to run 3 lights in this little box, or have to move to a larger box sooner than later.

All advice is greatly appreciated

[bijnas]

Since you already have the rubbermaids, I would go ahead and start building one. Check out my grow in my sig. I just started like 2 and a 1/2 weeks ago with rubbermaids and germinating in soil and all. You can look through the pics and see how it all progressed. I'm just using 1 of the tubs right now for the seedlings.

[hudson88]

IMO you want to keep your temps no higher than 80F, they will survive short periods of around 90F, but if you keep your temps to 80F you've got a bit of room for normal temp fluctuations, like when there's a really hot week. You need to sort out your fan and see what the temps are like then, you might be surprised at how effective your fan will be at cooling your box, until then just use the two lights. You need to start thinking about the next phase of your grow now tho and ideally get it set up and tested before the plants need to go in. Soon you're gonna have to move your plants to bigger pots, they're not all gonna fit in that tiny box and you're gonna need more lights.

Good luck!

[Cede2Weed]

Thanks Bijnas and Hudson.

I placed a box fan next to it and it has brought the temps down. I will get the exhaust fan in today and hope to pick up a couple of thermometers that will log temp ranges.


I hope to have rubbermaid ready in the next 2 days. I just have to find a light vanity that will handle 80wx3 that is within my budget. so I may use y-connectors to expand to 6 cfls.

My current set up has a max of 40wx3.

[Cede2Weed]

Day 3 pix

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...0080409008.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...0080409007.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...0080409006.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...0080409005.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...0080409004.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...0080409003.jpg

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/n...0080409002.jpg

[Cede2Weed]

installed fan last night and temps are way down. This morning i got a reading of 69 after a fairly cool night outside. This afternoon temp was a nice 74 with a nice 77 outside. This will be but to the test when summer temps arise.

I am concerned about over/underwatering. I am fighting the urge to water every time I check on them, which my wife says is way too often.
The top layer of soil gets dry fairly quickly but I can see the discoloration in the bottom of the peat pots and know there is moisture there. I am also handling pots in order to get a good feel for the weight which has been noticeable the one time I think they were overly dry.

I moved the lights back up to about 4" away from tallest seedlings. Half of them are 2 days older and about three times taller. Will post new pix tonight.