First grow cabinet blueprints, could use some advice please.

[Zompton]

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 10-07-2009. 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

[Zompton]

I am thinking maybey getting a 6" duct fan and creating my own custom filter that will be set up like this;

>>>(filter)(cooltube)(fan)(exit duct)>>>

Using the following fan;

Amazon.com: Diversitech 625-AF6 6" Round Duct Fan - 240 CFM: Home Improvement

What do you guys think? I know I am asking many questions, but i need to make sure this gets done right so please look it over and let me know what you all think.

[Zompton]

Well it's kind of dissapointing that so many people are reading this but no advice at all, guess ill just have to rely on my research and hope for the best, thanks anyhow...