GiantCentipede
Member
I'm about to start purchasing components, and wanted to get some input before I take the plunge.
I've done outdoor and room grows before, but due to space and floor plan a room grow isn't possible for me right now. Since I just moved to Colorado, an outdoor grow has too many unknowns for me still and also doesn't seem viable... Yet.
So, I've come to the conclusion to build my own brow cabinet using two methods I haven't used before: ScrOG and DWC (I have plenty of NFT experience in extremely large grows, though. I'm not new to hydro, at least.)
Here is a sketch of the build I'm putting together:
So let me explain.
Air (A) flows past the dimmable electronic ballast (B) and 45 lpm air pump (P) via two multi-filtering 4" intakes (I) that filter via screen, carbon filter, and micromesh. This should keep out dust bunnies, foul odors/tastes, and most (if not all) mite type insects. Of course, opening the front will allow all three of these things in. That should be minimized though, and only done for maintenance. The reservoir (T) is a 19 gallon tote, sporting two 5" net pots, filled with hydroton. The reservoir will be using 4 14" bubble wall air stones to provide high DO to the plant roots. The ScrOG screen will be a twine type adjustable screen, so the proportional distance from the reservoir is likely incorrect in this sketch. The air will flow past the screen toward the light (L), which is a 400 watt MH/HPS 18" with wing style reflector and pulley system for height adjustment. The box surrounding the 4" 97 cfm inline fan (F) and 8" x 12" (4" outlet) carbon filter (R) is a sealed box with a bottom-center 6" intake and 4" exterior top exhaust vent (V). This should prevent light leakage and provide a way to isolate fan heat from light/grow heat and pull both out simultaneously.
i get the feeling that 400 watts might be a bit high for the space but, seeing as it is dimmable, should be able to adjust to the needs of the grow nicely and provide a small boost if need be. The fan should, based on my calculations, be able to clear the cabinet roughly twice per minute at about 80% efficiency. Eventually, I'd like to automate much of the process using an Arduino and Raspberry Pi, but for now I will be manually monitoring the situation via a temperature compensating PPM meter and combo thermometer/hygrometer, and adjusting my ph and nutes accordingly. The entire interior will be covered with panda poly to provide efficient light reflection, which will be adhered using a water based contact cement.
I already have a 24" T8 ebb and flow clone/sprouting cab in the form of a PC server case, so I haven't made any provisions for that here.
The total cost, not including time, effort, and some basic hardware components such as lock, adhesive, etc., run up to about $800USD. Definitely a far cry from most tents that come with only a portion of the components here. Such tents are significantly more obvious, as this is an Ikea wardrobe.
I'm interested to hear opinions on the setup (constructive criticism is always nice, non-constructive is less welcome...) and any ideas you may have to improve efficiency, yield, power/nute consumption, etc.
if you're interested in the parts list, here ya go!
Looking forward to some awesome responses from the pros here!
I've done outdoor and room grows before, but due to space and floor plan a room grow isn't possible for me right now. Since I just moved to Colorado, an outdoor grow has too many unknowns for me still and also doesn't seem viable... Yet.
So, I've come to the conclusion to build my own brow cabinet using two methods I haven't used before: ScrOG and DWC (I have plenty of NFT experience in extremely large grows, though. I'm not new to hydro, at least.)
Here is a sketch of the build I'm putting together:
So let me explain.
Air (A) flows past the dimmable electronic ballast (B) and 45 lpm air pump (P) via two multi-filtering 4" intakes (I) that filter via screen, carbon filter, and micromesh. This should keep out dust bunnies, foul odors/tastes, and most (if not all) mite type insects. Of course, opening the front will allow all three of these things in. That should be minimized though, and only done for maintenance. The reservoir (T) is a 19 gallon tote, sporting two 5" net pots, filled with hydroton. The reservoir will be using 4 14" bubble wall air stones to provide high DO to the plant roots. The ScrOG screen will be a twine type adjustable screen, so the proportional distance from the reservoir is likely incorrect in this sketch. The air will flow past the screen toward the light (L), which is a 400 watt MH/HPS 18" with wing style reflector and pulley system for height adjustment. The box surrounding the 4" 97 cfm inline fan (F) and 8" x 12" (4" outlet) carbon filter (R) is a sealed box with a bottom-center 6" intake and 4" exterior top exhaust vent (V). This should prevent light leakage and provide a way to isolate fan heat from light/grow heat and pull both out simultaneously.
i get the feeling that 400 watts might be a bit high for the space but, seeing as it is dimmable, should be able to adjust to the needs of the grow nicely and provide a small boost if need be. The fan should, based on my calculations, be able to clear the cabinet roughly twice per minute at about 80% efficiency. Eventually, I'd like to automate much of the process using an Arduino and Raspberry Pi, but for now I will be manually monitoring the situation via a temperature compensating PPM meter and combo thermometer/hygrometer, and adjusting my ph and nutes accordingly. The entire interior will be covered with panda poly to provide efficient light reflection, which will be adhered using a water based contact cement.
I already have a 24" T8 ebb and flow clone/sprouting cab in the form of a PC server case, so I haven't made any provisions for that here.
The total cost, not including time, effort, and some basic hardware components such as lock, adhesive, etc., run up to about $800USD. Definitely a far cry from most tents that come with only a portion of the components here. Such tents are significantly more obvious, as this is an Ikea wardrobe.
I'm interested to hear opinions on the setup (constructive criticism is always nice, non-constructive is less welcome...) and any ideas you may have to improve efficiency, yield, power/nute consumption, etc.
if you're interested in the parts list, here ya go!
| Component | Cost | Quantity | Final Cost |
| PAX Wardrobe with 2 doors, black-brown, Bergsbo black-brown | $219.00 | 1 | $219.00 |
| Apollo Horticulture GLK400CT24E 400 Watt Grow Light Digital Dimmable HPS MH System for Plants Cool Tube Hood Set | $137.30 | 1 | $137.30 |
| Vortex 6" 449 CFM, 1.2A, 136w | $159.93 | 1 | $159.93 |
| ActiveAir Fan Speed Controller | $21.00 | 1 | $21.00 |
| Deflecto A068/4 6-Inch Diameter by 8-Feet Semi-Rigid Flexible Aluminum Duct | $13.98 | 1 | $13.98 |
| iPower GLDUCT8C Ventilation Ducting with Pair of Clamps, 6-Inch | $17.82 | 1 | $17.82 |
| iPower 6"inch Air Carbon Filter Odor Control with Australia Virgin Charcoal for Inline Fan | $62.25 | 1 | $62.25 |
| Extech 445815 Humidity Meter with Alarm and Remote Probe | $49.99 | 1 | $49.99 |
| Hydrofarm AAPA45L 20-Watt 45-LPM Active Aqua Commercial Air Pump with 6 Outlets | $41.33 | 1 | $41.33 |
| Lee's Sleek Airline Tubing, 25-Foot, Black | $5.56 | 2 | $11.12 |
| Como Fish Tank Aquarium Blue 14" Bubble Wall Airstone w 3 Suction Cup | $6.09 | 6 | $36.54 |
| Net Pots 5 inch, Round, Heavy Duty, 1 Dozen | $18.10 | 1 | $18.10 |
| Hydroton Grow Rocks - 10 Liter | $10.06 | 1 | $10.06 |
| Panda Film Black & White Poly Film 5.5 Mil 10' x 25' | $28.09 | 1 | $28.09 |
| 120mm Aluminum Fan Filter Grills w/ Mounting Screws, Black (2-Pack) | $6.99 | 1 | $6.99 |
| Silverstone Tek 120mm Ultra Fine Fan Filter with Magnet Cooling FF123B (Black) | $6.96 | 1 | $6.96 |
| Imperial Manufacturing PA-4W 4-Inch Premium Intake Cap, White | $6.06 | 2 | $12.12 |
| Speedi-Products SM-RSV 6 6-Inch Diameter Plastic Round Soffit Vent | $10.51 | 1 | $10.51 |
| Sterilite 19 Gallon Storage Box | $8.95 | 1 | $8.95 |
| Total | $879.00 |
Looking forward to some awesome responses from the pros here!
