PC Box Grow - 1st Grow - Newbie!

BGager

Member
Hey there guys,

Basically first post, first grow, looking for a hand from some of you experts in the field about the PC grow box.
Only looking to grow 1 plant with some LST. Looking to grow with CFL's.

First things first this is how we're currently sitting :

photo.jpg

- 2 Intake fans, 1 situated in the front, 1 in the panel that has been removed.
- 1 Exhaust, situated in the back (Green One)
- Mylar on back, front and bottom (Haven't got round to covering back and top yet!)
- Power for fans all sorted


After finishing the mylar covering, the thought on the next step would be lighting...

Done some research into this and there seems to be alot of contradictory arguments; guessing because of personal opinion & experience, what works well for some won't for others.

The first thing is how many bulbs would be necessary for 1 plant?

How would you set up the lights? (e.g. 2 - 6500k 1- 2700k for veg and then swap so 2 - 2700k 1 -6500k for flower? Or a Dual-Spectrum Bulb?)

Also what kind of wattage/lumens are needed for 1 plant?

Will a hood reflector be beneficial for 1 plant? Even though the the rest of the box will be covered with mylar therefore reflecting the light down?

Finally with lighting; best ways to wire in the lighting? Any tricks of the trade that make things simpler?

Now moving onto the fans.. Personally I think the current fans provide good airflow, but then adding bulbs/heat will change this a little.. Any thoughts?

The absolute final point now even though its not directly linked to this thread section :-P - What d'you guys think will be the best strains for this kind of space? Haven't got exact measurements atm but will update with them!

Thanks In Advance Guys! :-P
 

mr2shim

Well-Known Member
In a PC grow box, you don't need a reflector. What are you going to do about smell? I would run Low Ryder.
 

BGager

Member
Okay that's good.. With smell was either thinking carbon pads which I've seen people talking about on forums or potentially a carbon filter, what's your thoughts? Hopefully smell shouldn't be too much of an issue, will only be neighbours.. But plant will be placed pretty central inside house so dyou think this will still cause problems?
 

mr2shim

Well-Known Member
Smell WILL be an issue. Don't ever under estimate it. I can open my tent for 5 minutes and it'll stink up the entire house. To be honest, I have no idea. I've never grown in a PC before. I would assume something DIY because true carbon filters are rather large. Doesn't matter where the plant is placed, it'll smell up your entire house. Look into DIY carbon filters.

You probably will run into heat issues because PC fans are absolute shit for moving air, regardless of their claimed CFM that's with 0 resistance. You put a filter over it the cfm plummets to basically 0. CFL bulbs, despite what people tell you, do put off heat. The ballast does at least. So wherever you have the box, keep it near an a/c to keep heat down.
 

BGager

Member
1st newbie error! Yeah I've seen some DIY carbon filters knocked up before and obviously would be much more practical for size of grow and mounting etc. so will have to research into that..

Okay so dyou think an upgrade of fans? Or will they be sufficient enough? Yeah makes perfect sense, obviously would limit the air getting pulled in if any..

Sure so cool surroundings is a must,I guess it's also a case of trial and error to how well the case holds heat etc but obviously want to reduce risk of personal mistakes which could be avoided as much as possible!
 

TMAF

Active Member
Calculate the volume of your PC case then find the appropriate CF/m set up with your fans. I think circulating the volume of your case 5 times per minute is adequate.
 

daadank

Active Member
Anyone got any thoughts on the lighting setup?
Im also building my plan was, twin socket lamp adapter, to outlet to socket. Then into power strip, attached maybe glued or using some pulley system. Probably pulley so I can move lights around.
 

BGager

Member
Im also building my plan was, twin socket lamp adapter, to outlet to socket. Then into power strip, attached maybe glued or using some pulley system. Probably pulley so I can move lights around.
Won't using a twin socket lamp adapter affect how u can move the lights? Cos obvi will have to run more cable in to drop it down.. If you get me? Other than that sounds good bro.. Them little yoyo things u can buy look good for lowering lights, only seen them on lights with reflectors though! One thing I was thinking was having a static light and moving the plant up, by putting books or w.e underneath what dyou reckon?
 
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