new closet grow

[kwaaluudekid]

I've started a new grow in a 2' deep x 3' wide x 6' tall cabinet. I've done it kind of as an instructional for the new members out there, and to get some advice and critiques from more seasoned growers. So far the plants in the cabinet are 1 Shipwreck (good medicinal stuff - the bushiest of the bunch - received as a clone) and 4 bagseed (what I call regs from here on out). 1 of the regs (the tallest in pictures to be posted later) is grown from seed. So far it's looking female, but we still gotta hope it's not male. One of the clones really didn't do much and is only 3" high so far (it's same age as 2 clones from regs that are about 8"-9". Tall regs and Shipwreck are about 12"-14" or so.

kwaaluudekid Reviewed by kwaaluudekid on 09-11-2010. new closet grow I've started a new grow in a 2' deep x 3' wide x 6' tall cabinet. I've done it kind of as an instructional for the new members out there, and to get some advice and critiques from more seasoned growers. So far the plants in the cabinet are 1 Shipwreck (good medicinal stuff - the bushiest of the bunch - received as a clone) and 4 bagseed (what I call regs from here on out). 1 of the regs (the tallest in pictures to be posted later) is grown from seed. So far it's looking female, but we still Rating: 5

[kwaaluudekid]

now on to the cabinet...


parts list for 2'x3'x6' grow cabinet with light shelf:

4 - 1'9" 2"x2"
4 - 2'8" 2"x2"
4 - 6' 2"x2"
3 - 2'x3'x1/2" plywood
2 - 2'x6'x1/2" plywood
2 - 3'x6'x1/2" plywood

=

6 - 2"x2"x8' (WeatherShield 2X2-8 PT #1 WeatherShield - Model # 2010153 - Store SKU # 302477 - $2.97/EA)
4 - 4'x8'x1/2" plywood (Trubord 7/16 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. OSB Sheathing Board - Model # 386081 - Store SKU # 386081
- $6.34/EA)


2 - (3 in. Double-Hinge Fixed Safety Hasp, Zinc Plated - Model # 15128.0 - Store SKU # 240109 - $3.39/EA)
4 - (Shepherd 2 In. Polypropylene Wheel Swivel Plate Caster, Load Rating 125 Lbs. - Model # 9392 - Store SKU # 168440
- $2.98/EA)
2 - (3 in. Hinge, 5/8 in. Radius, Satin Brass - Model # 15524.0 - Store SKU # 237074 - $1.78/EA-Each)
1 - (Grip Rite 2 In.1-lb Box of 159 Drywall Screw,coarse,grip-rite Fastener - Model # 2CDWS1 - Store SKU # 479697
- $5.94/EA)
1 - (Grip Rite 1 In.1-lb,box of 365 Drywall Screw Coarse Grip-rite Fastener - Model # 1CDWS1 - Store SKU # 517139
- $5.94/EA)
2 - (7/8 In. x 17 Ft. White Self-Adhesive V-Seal Weatherstrip - Model # M13WH - Store SKU # 518506 - $3.97/EA)


These parts are JUSt for the box. The info in ()'s, is info at time of writing from home depot web site (prices may vary), but approximate to : $90

ventilation:

low end fan - (NuTone ValueTest Wall 50CFM/Ceiling Fan - Model # 696N - Internet # 100081599 - Store SKU # 126313
- $13.97/EA)
better fan - (NuTone Basic 70CFM Fan - Model # 695 - Internet # 100001378 - Store SKU # 127767 - $29.93/EA)
dryer venting tube - 8'-10' (Deflect-o® Supurr-Vent Dryer Vent Kit - Model # SK8WF/12 - Store SKU # 417629 - $12.77/EA)
4 - 4" dryer tube clamps
1 - 4" flange carbon filter (**EBAY** around $50 with shipping **EBAY**) (can DIY, but easier to buy)
2 - 7" small personal fans for intake and plant motion (**WALMART**Optimus 7" Convertible Personal Clip-On /
Table Fan **WALMART**) $16.00 ea (get a clip-on and a table fan - will explain later why)


lighting:

you should already have these items, or at least know what you want. I plan on adding a cooltube and adding that to the exhaust fan to help keep cabinet cool. I am using 8 - 20 cmh bulbs for veg right now. have to get 150w hps bulb and will use that as well (plan on using both for veg and flower until I can get either 1 - 400w hps or 2 - 150w hps. then I will used the 8 cmh for vegging in a 2'x2'x4' cabinet (thats another thread)

I also plan on adding 3 - 2' fluoro fixtures (1 for each side) for when the plants get 4' or taller (prolly at 2.5' or 3' mark) to aide in lower growth and production when the main bulb(s) can't get through the canopy




-------- Making the cabinet ---------

start with the base first, then frame, then add walls, lighting, and ventilation

I used Stratlogic's plans from this link ( Grow Box Construction - 420 Magazine ). Reps go out to Stratlogic for the inspiration to build my own. Don't forget to add the casters to the base BEFORE you add the frame and sides (it's much easier that way).

Take a look at his for the beginning part of my box, as his and mine are the same except that mine has a moveable shelf that the light gets attached to. By beginning I mean ALL of his and then continue here. Once you've gotten the box built and are ready to start adding your shelf brackets. Get out your measuring tape and mark at the 2', 3', 4', 5' marks on the left AND right sides (if you want your plants taller than say 4'-4.5', you might want to build a taller cabinet.) That is the top of your shelf bracket. You should have some leftover plywood you can use for your bracket. I used a 3"x9" piece to make my bracket. You will need 8 of these pieces. Once these are cut, take a screw and screw it in the middle of the 2' side at each foot marker with the top of the board at your mark. once done, take 2 screws and screw them in from the outside to hold each shelf in place and take out the inside screw holding the shelf (does it stick out to the outside? if it does then remove it, don't need it snagging anything)

once your brackets are done, go ahead and paint the inside a flat white. It will help in reflection. Once the paint is dry, you can move on to the shelf.

you may have to cut down the 2'x3' piece to get it to fit as a shelf, so make any adjustments necessary. I had to cut out for frame, but instead of just cutting out frame area, I cut 2" off 3' section (front and back) to help in ventilation. Once you've gotten the shelf to fit, paint the light side of it white. Once the paint is dry, you can mount your lighting system. (Don't be afraid to cut holes in the shelf to run wiring through, it will only help in ventilation I used a hole saw) I also plan on upgrading to a 400w hps with a cooltube. with that setup, I'll have to cut a hole large enough for the 4" dryer hose to go through to connect to the cooltube. And at the other end, there's HVAC products that will help to hook the dryer vent to the bathroom exhaust fan I used. That way the light will cool first, and the fan will draw air from the cabinet, hopefully cooling it. If it doesn't cool it, I can always add another bath exhaust fan in the top and vent just the grow area to lower the temps.

Now before you go and keep the shelf in there and think about testing it out, don't forget to cut where you want the exhaust fan to go (pick either left or right half of top - use other half as shelf for ballast and whatever outside the cabinet). After hole (or square as my case was) is cut, install fan making sure it is high enough to be able to attach vent hose to (and adapter fitting if you used the same cheap fan I did). Also aim venting to side of cabinet where you will add your carbon canister with 4" flange. (dryer vent hose is 4") You will also need a way to mount carbon canister to side of cabinet. (I'll leave that up to you as it will depend on the carbon filter you choose)


Ok...I guess that's about it. My lighting system for now is 8 - 20 CMH and a 150w HPS (when I get the bulb - in veg now, so HPS would be beneficial, but not crucial). Will someday either upgrade to a cooltube with a 400w hps, or dual cooltube with 2 - 150w HPS. Will have to watch the temps when I upgrade lighting system as I may have to upgrade to a higher cfm exhaust fan.

I guess it's time for some picture now...

Please hold for the following commercial announcement...

[kwaaluudekid]

first pic is top of cabinet with exhaust fan mounted and working (notice the hole
for the cords for the lighting)
second pic is close up of fan
third pic is hole for lighting cords
fourth pic is plywood used for shelving (pic needs to be rotated)
fifth pic is lighting system (8 - 20w CMH - in veg for now) with clip-on fan for
plant movement (needs to be rotated)


any suggestions so far?

[kwaaluudekid]

first pic is small intake fan. Hole is in wall behind fan sucking air in from outside
second pic is look at both fans in grow area and regs plant from seed
third pic is pic of 2 reg clones (short ones in front) and shipwreck (bushy one in
back
fourth pic is little 2-3" regs clone that isn't doing so well, but trying
fifth pic is closeup of regs from seed

all pics need to be rotated and can't figure out how to do it yet

[kwaaluudekid]

first pic is closeup of regs clone
second pic is closeup of second regs clone
third pic is shipwreck clone

That's all the pics of the cabinet and plants I have for now. If you want any other pics of cab or plants, let me know. I'll prolly update thread weekly with new pics. These plants are in thier second week of veg using fox farm nutes. Any questions or suggestions are appreciated. This is my third grow and each time I get closer to getting it right.

[kwaaluudekid]

these are pics of my cloning/veg cabinet. It's just an old trunk (the kind used to use when you went on a trip) with 2 - 20w CMH added to it through holes drilled in the top. I use an old PC fan for air movement

first pic is whole cabinet
second pic is a new plant called Loud. It's grown from seed
third pic is 4 clones of shipwreck (a few of them have roots)
fourth pic is 4 newer shipwreck clones (little budding roots now)
pic five is 5 - reg clones

all were fed water and corn syrup mix until roots budded out of the rockwool, then it was switched to 1/2 dose of Fox Farm Grow Big. Both mixtures used as rockwool and foliar spray. I read somewhere that corn syrup aides in root production, and I've gotten good results with it, they seem to be REAL fat when coming out of the rockwool cube

[kwaaluudekid]

this pic is a closeup of the roots coming out of the rockwool cubes. They'll be ready for soil soon. I also want to try 1 DWC setup. Already have the setup, but haven't tried it yet. Maybe now is a good time. Any hints/suggestions/questions are welcome.

Hope you enjoyed the show

:rasta:

almost forgot...pics need to be rotated

[kwaaluudekid]

8/12/2010 transplanted 4 plants and placed with shipwreck clone on 18 hours

8/25/2010 back from week vacation...4 clones did not make it (ones taken before leaving)...2 older clones grew pretty good, 1 is not growing...bagseed is doing real good shipwreck is really good...took 4 clones from shipwreck and put in clone chamber started new cab yesterday...2x3x5...might finish today if motivated

8/27/2010 fed 1st dose of fox farms @ 1/2 strength...testing closet for heat issues

8/29/2010 took 5 more shipwreck clones...now shipwreck same height as bagseed...looks like gonna have 3 bagseed and 1 shipwreck plant this time...now to wait 10-14 days to see roots...fed 2nd dose of nutes

8/30/2010 trying to germ 5 chocolate habanero and 5 jolokia seeds

9/9/2010 roots on 3 shipwreck and 2 bs clones...nothing yet on pepper seeds

bagseed=regs

[kwaaluudekid]

any questions? critiques? hints for better box?

[kwaaluudekid]

the shipwreck (1) and regs (2) are now 25" - 28" tall, so I'll finally have to raise the light shelf again...the 5 shipwreck clones I took had a very nice root system, so they were planted in thier 1st set of pots...4 regs had pretty good root system, but they're not looking so hot after getting thier new homes...they are severely wilted so I gave em water and sprayed em with my water/corn syrup mix and we'll see what happens. That's about it for the plants.

I also have a question fluoro's and cfl's. since my top lights won't get too far below the canopy, I was going to add side lighting at like the 3' or 3.5' mark. I was going to use 18" fluoros, but am second guessing myself now. Which would be better, the 18" fluoro's or a power strip with like 2-3 y-spliiters with cfl's? (btw...lights would be going on 3 of the 4 sides). Thanks for any input