I am going to be building my first grow cabinet soon but will be needing some advice. I am planning to grow 5 white widow plants if possible, i know thats a bit challenging for a first grow but the people i live with already have a garden, many plants indoors and outdoors, and some orchids, so i have confidence we are up to the challenge.

I am going to build a wooden frame thats 42" long, 20" wide, and 60" tall with a plywood board at the top and bottom with wheels (need to move it to a closet when folks visit). I am then going to wrap the entire thing in panda film with a zipper/velcro door. I will mount a 400w 2way lamp with cooltube at the top using hooks and chains for easy adjustment. I will also mount a carbon filter with a fan pulling through, then into a duct, then through the cooltube, and then into another duct to exit the cabinet. The wires i will trail through the top then probably set the ballast up there too so its not heating the inside. Here is a picture i made to show the layout;

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...ton/layout.jpg

Okay so now here are my questions, most importantly i need to know if im buying the right stuff.

1) I plan to use the following lighting system and reflector;

High Tech Garden Supply
Hi-Tech Garden Supply

Is this a reliable setup? I will be getting the growbright bulbs with it, are those alright too? Is there something better out there for under $300?


2) I am thinking of buying the following carbon filter with a 240cfm fan;

8 X 14 ACTIVATED CARBON ODOR SCRUBBER WITH 240 CFM

Is this overkill or should i get the one with a 130cfm fan?

6 X 14 ACTIVATED CARBON ODOR SCRUBBER WITH 130 CFM FAN

I am considering making one myself, but im concerned about long term durability/functionality and i would really rather not have to wire a fan for fire hazard concerns. Are there any better or more affordable systems out there?


3) Will i need another fan at the exit point? (again I'd rather not have to wire fans unless i must) Should the exit point be on the side in the panda film or the top through the plywood?


4) Is the following Sunleaves B&W Poly just as good as panda film or is there a better/cheaper place to buy it and the zipper for the door?

Sunleaves B&W Poly - 10'x25' - View All - Cheap Hydroponics - Indoor Gardening and Hydroponic Supplies - (Powered by CubeCart)


5) Would i benefit much from an extra 6" in hieght? Id rather not make it taller, but if it will make a big difference i can.


6) How many and what size holes should i place at the bottom for the intake?


7) I'd like the carbon filter exhaust system to be a part of the lamp cooling duct as i laid out above because of space, should this work okay or must they be seperate? How many feet should the lamps ducts so i can lower it, 3' on each side?


8) Is there any major/expensive part I am forgeting? Any further advice you can give me before i start ordering and building?
Zompton Reviewed by Zompton on . First grow cabinet blueprints, could use some advice please. I am going to be building my first grow cabinet soon but will be needing some advice. I am planning to grow 5 white widow plants if possible, i know thats a bit challenging for a first grow but the people i live with already have a garden, many plants indoors and outdoors, and some orchids, so i have confidence we are up to the challenge. I am going to build a wooden frame thats 42" long, 20" wide, and 60" tall with a plywood board at the top and bottom with wheels (need to move it to a Rating: 5