Diy Cabinet - Rubbermaid, Step by Step w/ Pics!

solarguy

Active Member
This was my first grow and a few months ago i remember searching all over and still asking questions when i knew nothing so this is me returning the favor to the boards...Growing weed is easy, its a weed good luck.


Here is the little grow cab easy to make with LED, t-5 and this works with cfls as well...

DSC00594.jpg

1. 2 x 45 gallon rubbermaid tubs 15.00 each = 30.00
2. black and white spray paint for plastic = 10.00
3. extension cord 3 prong, everyday use 16 gauge wire = 6.00
4. 5/16" hook screws, bolts, washers...
-4 hooks @ 1.00 each = 4.00
-8 bolts @ .25 each = 2.00
-8 washers @ .25 each = 2.00
5. 6" inline duct fan = 22.00
6. 2 x 2" pvc 90 degree elbows AND 2 x 2" pvc short pipes, 4" long. = 4.00 total
7. *Mylar = had some left over, if not a new roll is 20 bucks but will last a long time with a grow like this! UPDATE I SAID FUCK THE MYLAR, that shits garbage white walls are fine. spray paint them white.
8. wire connectors, duct tape, foil tape = had them laying around! (i do electrical work)

80.00 total for cab without light and plant material.

Step 1: spray paint bottoms of rubbermaids. first black and than white. This is so light doesn't get out the top and reflects off of the bottom. Why not spray the sides? because the Mylar will block light out/in. If you are not using Mylar i recommend spray painting the entire rubbermaid or else you will be glowing. remember first black and than white. You will not need the tops of the containers, see photo to understand.

Step 2: Inside the rubbermaids cover the sides with Mylar. If you dont have Mylar than spray paint it black and than white. The entire inside except the bottoms and than tape it with foil tape. Keep as little foil tape out of the inside of the rubbermaids, this will prevent hot spots. Turn on your lights in a dark room and put them in the tub, make sure no light leaks...

Step 3: use a drill or screw driver to put the hooks inside. You will have a bolt and washer on both sides on the rubbermaid, outside and inside...These hooks will be used to hold your lights....you can use any lights with this grow design! 037.jpg050.jpg008.jpg

Step 4: This is for your fan/exhaust...with an exacto knife or sharp knife, cut a 6" hole in the bottom of the rubber bin (this will actually be your top of the grow cabinet) trace your fan for an even cut!
037.jpg011.jpg036.jpg035.jpg

Step 5: At opposite bottom corners cut two inch holes on the rubbermaid that doesn't have the fan hole in it! This is for your passive intake!
003.jpg

Step 6: grab your extension cord, cut the female end off. This is the end where you would plug devices into, NOT the side you plug into the wall, that's the male. strip the coating around the wires. There will be three wires. Green, black, white....most extension cords have green wires and the other two are usually black, that's fine.

Step 7: take fan wires, green black and white, and connect them to the extension cord wires. You will need to strip the wires of the extension cord. Its a good idea to have the same amount of wire showing on both the fan and extension cord. You will see the middle cord is usually the ground, or green. Typically the two other wires besides the ground will not be marked. If your extension cord is not marked its ok to connect the wires from your extension cord to any of them. So to conclude: your green fan wire should be connected to the green extension cord wire, this is your ground. the others can connect to either.
011.jpg051.jpg010.jpg019.jpg

Step 8: Use wire connectors/caps/ to connect wires together. Make sure no wires are exposed and they are all inside the wire caps. Its a good idea to secure your wires with electrical tape after...this stops the wires from pulling apart.
019.jpg

Step 9: place your fan in the hole! the air should be blowing straight up! I wrapped a shirt around the outside of my fan and taped it with duck tape so it sits on top of the grow box and i can remove it and look inside, adjust lights....etc! To prevent light from getting in you can add duct work so the light doesn't get inside! I will be doing this once i am off 24/7 veg cycle.
DSC00594.jpg037.jpg011.jpg

Step 10: put PVC pipes together and secure them with duck tape or glue...
There is another on the other side! 2 x 2" intakes!
003.jpg

Step 11: figure out your lights and get some plants in this bitch!

You can do many different variations and what i have learned is that there is NO right way!

FYI:

I use a 6 inch exhaust fan and 2 x 2inch holes for passive intakes. 4 inches total of intake. There is negative pressure created since my exhaust is bigger than the intake. The fan pushes more air out than it is pulling in so there is constant air flow being brought in and out quickly. If my intake holes were greater than the 6 inches of exhaust, i would have a hard time keeping the air moving out! This also prevents air/odor from leaking out the bottom. You can see in the pic below the lighter flame is being sucked in!
DSC00594.jpg059.jpg

ENJOY!
 
  • Like
Reactions: i<3

i<3

Active Member
plus rep for sharing..

"there is no right way" that is absolutely true, as long as there is light, air, and soil/nutes....

one more thing, try to make it as clean as possible....(wiring,holes for fans,and all of the other stuff....)especially with electricity...... you dont want your landlord finding you on the ground dead, with your face in your plants.......

peace out !

i<3
 

jokubas

Member
whell, what kind of "thing" you use to make your fan work? 12v adapter or what?
P.S. srry for so stupid question...
 
Top