notballin
Member
Yeah, surprisingly. It exhausts more heat than using a single fan. It'd be more efficient to have two exhausts for this cab but this works just as well.
My First DIY Cab Grow: Using the K.I.S.S. Method
- Thread starter notballin
- Start date
Yeah, surprisingly. It exhausts more heat than using a single fan. It'd be more efficient to have two exhausts for this cab but this works just as well.
CrazyBrennie
Member
These micro grows are interesting. I like your building style, very clean.
Subbed
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notballin
Member
Thank you everyone for the positive words and encouragement.
I had a "Herp de derp Eureka" moment just now. Here's a picture of the Co2 system, now stealthed.
It's basically a hardened tub-a-ware container that's screwed into the support beam of the back of the cab. It's propped up with an l-shaped elbow that's screwed into the back as well. No risk of it falling over or tipping.
It might not be pretty... but *shrug.* No one will see it or move the cab anyway.
EDIT: So I've been thinking... I need to make a veg box soon. With this cab running under the guise of "Server Cabinet," I figured I'd go with a computer case and power supply to keep the CD Drive lit up and working, as well as the Power Button LED light running. Doing this while keeping the PC fans would pass it off as a normal PC. It's easy to find power supply to jumper converters and you can't get anymore stealth than that PC wise.
I'm considering placing the PC on top of the cabinet, and throwing a bunch of PC books next to it. I should find a way to include a network cable somehow... Was thinking of using a USB 2.0 to Gigabit Ethernet Network Adapter and rigging it somehow... could pass for a network connection and computer activity.
I had a "Herp de derp Eureka" moment just now. Here's a picture of the Co2 system, now stealthed.
It's basically a hardened tub-a-ware container that's screwed into the support beam of the back of the cab. It's propped up with an l-shaped elbow that's screwed into the back as well. No risk of it falling over or tipping.
It might not be pretty... but *shrug.* No one will see it or move the cab anyway.
EDIT: So I've been thinking... I need to make a veg box soon. With this cab running under the guise of "Server Cabinet," I figured I'd go with a computer case and power supply to keep the CD Drive lit up and working, as well as the Power Button LED light running. Doing this while keeping the PC fans would pass it off as a normal PC. It's easy to find power supply to jumper converters and you can't get anymore stealth than that PC wise.
I'm considering placing the PC on top of the cabinet, and throwing a bunch of PC books next to it. I should find a way to include a network cable somehow... Was thinking of using a USB 2.0 to Gigabit Ethernet Network Adapter and rigging it somehow... could pass for a network connection and computer activity.
notballin
Member
Small update: LED's are here.
This solved a load of problems for me. CFL's get hot... really hot... hotter than I'm comfortable with for the enclosed space that I'm using. Now I have a lower box temperature (82f so far), more light output (6 LED's instead of 4 CFL's), light spectrum of blue and red (meaning I can use them in veg and flower), and lots of reduced light leaks. Now these are wholesale LED's so we'll see what kind of quality it gets me, but it's looking good so far.
Now I just need to work on any buzzing coming from the box and seal off any remaining light leaks.
Here's a picture:
The lights on the sides at the very top should be angled down... but Casa Depote seems to have sold out somehow.
Anyways, there's a bit of bad news in all of this. The FIM cut didn't take on the Peppermint Kush. Ah oh well. I'm going to let her grow out a bit more and then top her for 8 colas (top the main, top the new, top the new again). I'll be sure to put a bit of gap space between when I top her, but for now I'm going to leave her the fuck alone.
This endeavor is beginning to take shape...
More updates to come.
This solved a load of problems for me. CFL's get hot... really hot... hotter than I'm comfortable with for the enclosed space that I'm using. Now I have a lower box temperature (82f so far), more light output (6 LED's instead of 4 CFL's), light spectrum of blue and red (meaning I can use them in veg and flower), and lots of reduced light leaks. Now these are wholesale LED's so we'll see what kind of quality it gets me, but it's looking good so far.
Now I just need to work on any buzzing coming from the box and seal off any remaining light leaks.
Here's a picture:
The lights on the sides at the very top should be angled down... but Casa Depote seems to have sold out somehow.
Anyways, there's a bit of bad news in all of this. The FIM cut didn't take on the Peppermint Kush. Ah oh well. I'm going to let her grow out a bit more and then top her for 8 colas (top the main, top the new, top the new again). I'll be sure to put a bit of gap space between when I top her, but for now I'm going to leave her the fuck alone.
This endeavor is beginning to take shape...
More updates to come.
Spicy8305
Active Member
are those the 4 led phillips lamps? I have a case of those leftover from my last project ... but never used them this way, I'll be subbed on your blog having just begun my first cab grow last week.Small update: LED's are here.
This solved a load of problems for me. CFL's get hot... really hot... hotter than I'm comfortable with for the enclosed space that I'm using. Now I have a lower box temperature (82f so far), more light output (6 LED's instead of 4 CFL's), light spectrum of blue and red (meaning I can use them in veg and flower), and lots of reduced light leaks. Now these are wholesale LED's so we'll see what kind of quality it gets me, but it's looking good so far.
Now I just need to work on any buzzing coming from the box and seal off any remaining light leaks.
Here's a picture:
View attachment 2784473
The lights on the sides at the very top should be angled down... but Casa Depote seems to have sold out somehow.
Anyways, there's a bit of bad news in all of this. The FIM cut didn't take on the Peppermint Kush. Ah oh well. I'm going to let her grow out a bit more and then top her for 8 colas (top the main, top the new, top the new again). I'll be sure to put a bit of gap space between when I top her, but for now I'm going to leave her the fuck alone.
This endeavor is beginning to take shape...
More updates to come.
notballin
Member
They're actually whole-sale Hydroponic Grow Lights from china. They seem to be working pretty well so far. New growth still coming in.
notballin
Member
3 watts per LED, 18 watts total.
notballin
Member
Sup, folks! Sorry for not chiming in with this sooner. Everything's running smoothly and I recently made a few more modifications to the box!
TRANSPLANT: I had to transplant them. I made a soil mix of 3 parts Scotts Premium Top Soil, 1 part Perlite, 1 part Miracle Gro Sphagnum Peat Moss, 1 part Scotts Organic starting soil, and 1/8 part Miracle Gro Organic Blood Meal. I'm actually VERY happy with what I've seen so far. After the roots took and started growing, vertical growth began to explode. I'm using Fish Emulsion and Miracle Gro Organic Choice All Purpose Plant food and it seems to be working very well for veg growth (yes I know that these things aren't exactly 100% organic, but I don't really mind. I like to find a happy medium for everything... they ARE growing in an artificial environment after all). Soil drains quite nicely and retains the perfect amount of water. Very airy and moist to the touch.
MYLAR: I decided to use space blanket to line the box. It's cheap, I don't have to worry about heat pockets since I'm using LED's, it reflects more light than the white paint I was using, and even if it's not the most efficient, it's cheap and it works.
TOPPING: I decided to top the Peppermint Kush after the transplant. Risky move, but everything turned out quite nicely. There are two healthy tops that seem to speed their growth with each passing day. After those are developing another two nodes, I'll top those for clones and LST the plants to keep them low to the canopy.
Anyways, PICS.
Peppermint Kush, nicknamed Pepper (for everyone that's just tuning in). She's been through some bullshit because I'm still a newbie... lost a few leaves, newbie rushed gung-ho LST, had a bad FIM, and minor transplant shock, but she just keeps bouncing back and growing vigorously. This plant has taught me a LOT about growing and in the importance of not giving up on your girls. She's also taught me the importance of a stable environment for growing stealth and LISTENING TO THE PLANTS. The learning seems to be paying off.
One of the three bagseed experiments that I'm hoping is a female. Grows green, loves fertilizer, tolerates high heat, doesn't give a fuck about transplanting, and started killing one of her two starter one blade leaves because I wasn't feeding her enough... she eats like it's cool. If this one's a female, I'm going to clone it and try my hand at making feminized seeds.
I'll be posting two pictures of the next one...
This one I'm calling DuckFoot. It has some seriously awkward looking leaves and the new growth has a giant gap in the middle of it. It's healthy, but odd looking... I'd like to see where its growth goes or if it's just error on my part.
The side leaves turn in somehow. They don't look stressed, just... weird lol. Of the newest leaves, the top leaf has a gaping gap in the middle of it. I don't have any pests and the other plants are really healthy, so I'll just watch to see if the plant's just trolling me.
This one I've named lanky. Each plant tells a story, and as you can see, the growth from the bottom up gets healthier as it climbs. This one's very finicky and doesn't eat much. It also suffered from some severe transplant shock (hit shoulder against object, plant re-positioned, everyone had a very bad time). It seems to be recovering quite nicely though. New growth coming in and I've moved it up close to the LED which seems to be helping. The new growth (the top leaves) came in after only three days...
Everything -seems- to be stable at the moment and I will keep everyone posted!
To anyone that's new to growing like me: It's ok to make mistakes. Everything is a learning experience and mistakes are how we learn fastest. Don't give up on your girls, because they sure as fuck won't give up on you!
EDIT: Two more pics
All four, in relation to the one gallon pots they're in.
My camera NEVER does LED's justice.
Needless to say, I found a use for those extra blocks. I'm considering buying more of these LED's and leaving them at the very top of the box since they emit virtually no heat.
Happy growing.
TRANSPLANT: I had to transplant them. I made a soil mix of 3 parts Scotts Premium Top Soil, 1 part Perlite, 1 part Miracle Gro Sphagnum Peat Moss, 1 part Scotts Organic starting soil, and 1/8 part Miracle Gro Organic Blood Meal. I'm actually VERY happy with what I've seen so far. After the roots took and started growing, vertical growth began to explode. I'm using Fish Emulsion and Miracle Gro Organic Choice All Purpose Plant food and it seems to be working very well for veg growth (yes I know that these things aren't exactly 100% organic, but I don't really mind. I like to find a happy medium for everything... they ARE growing in an artificial environment after all). Soil drains quite nicely and retains the perfect amount of water. Very airy and moist to the touch.
MYLAR: I decided to use space blanket to line the box. It's cheap, I don't have to worry about heat pockets since I'm using LED's, it reflects more light than the white paint I was using, and even if it's not the most efficient, it's cheap and it works.
TOPPING: I decided to top the Peppermint Kush after the transplant. Risky move, but everything turned out quite nicely. There are two healthy tops that seem to speed their growth with each passing day. After those are developing another two nodes, I'll top those for clones and LST the plants to keep them low to the canopy.
Anyways, PICS.
Peppermint Kush, nicknamed Pepper (for everyone that's just tuning in). She's been through some bullshit because I'm still a newbie... lost a few leaves, newbie rushed gung-ho LST, had a bad FIM, and minor transplant shock, but she just keeps bouncing back and growing vigorously. This plant has taught me a LOT about growing and in the importance of not giving up on your girls. She's also taught me the importance of a stable environment for growing stealth and LISTENING TO THE PLANTS. The learning seems to be paying off.
One of the three bagseed experiments that I'm hoping is a female. Grows green, loves fertilizer, tolerates high heat, doesn't give a fuck about transplanting, and started killing one of her two starter one blade leaves because I wasn't feeding her enough... she eats like it's cool. If this one's a female, I'm going to clone it and try my hand at making feminized seeds.
I'll be posting two pictures of the next one...
This one I'm calling DuckFoot. It has some seriously awkward looking leaves and the new growth has a giant gap in the middle of it. It's healthy, but odd looking... I'd like to see where its growth goes or if it's just error on my part.
The side leaves turn in somehow. They don't look stressed, just... weird lol. Of the newest leaves, the top leaf has a gaping gap in the middle of it. I don't have any pests and the other plants are really healthy, so I'll just watch to see if the plant's just trolling me.
This one I've named lanky. Each plant tells a story, and as you can see, the growth from the bottom up gets healthier as it climbs. This one's very finicky and doesn't eat much. It also suffered from some severe transplant shock (hit shoulder against object, plant re-positioned, everyone had a very bad time). It seems to be recovering quite nicely though. New growth coming in and I've moved it up close to the LED which seems to be helping. The new growth (the top leaves) came in after only three days...
Everything -seems- to be stable at the moment and I will keep everyone posted!
To anyone that's new to growing like me: It's ok to make mistakes. Everything is a learning experience and mistakes are how we learn fastest. Don't give up on your girls, because they sure as fuck won't give up on you!
EDIT: Two more pics
All four, in relation to the one gallon pots they're in.
My camera NEVER does LED's justice.
Needless to say, I found a use for those extra blocks. I'm considering buying more of these LED's and leaving them at the very top of the box since they emit virtually no heat.
Happy growing.
notballin
Member
I'm not exactly sure. I'm just gonna let them grow out a bit and lower the blocks. I figure by time they're no longer on blocks, it'll be time to switch.
I'll definitely try using the emulsion as a foiler feed.
notballin
Member
I've always wondered about this! I noticed that on several Hydroponic grow lights, there are 4 times more red diodes than there are blue diodes. From what I know, plants see in red and blue, and during flowering they use red more than blue.
So is it safe to say that the switch to flower is when they have their biggest growth spurts?
Then once the bud sites start hairing up you can switch to a more red spectrum
The BLaKsmith
Active Member
Nice cab man
notballin
Member
More updates and more pictures.
Fungus gnats. I decided to deal with them before they became a problem. a 4:1 solution of distilled water and 3% Hydrogen Peroxide to kill the fungus in the soil (yes I know that it damaged the microbial life in the soil, but I'm not 100% organic and the roots can always use a boost of oxygen), and then covered the surfaces with sand (did this with my normal house plants as well). The gnats obviously didn't like this... judging by how they're flying around my sink in the kitchen and bathroom. Should no longer be a problem.
Pepper's topping seems to be taking off. Not bad for 6 days of time in comparison to the other picture. I have to keep reminding myself that she's older than she looks and she's lower because of my rookie mistakes of the past and having had to re-bury her. She's in full swing and loving life now, though.
"Keeper (the nickname I've given this plant) still continues to give zero fucks about anything and everything and just keeps growing. This is a LOT of growth for just six days... I've been foilar feeding it fish emulsion and I guess this is the proper response I'm looking for!
Fuck, I hope it's a female...
Irony is that this song came on as I was typing this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f0bcVTzimE
Duckfoot and Lanky. Obviously still nowhere near as appealing to the eye as Keeper and Pepper, but I'm still taking my lessons to heart: Don't give up on them because they won't give up on you. Their foliage is much greener, growth and recovery is obvious, and they seem to be playing the game of catchup. Duckfoot seemed to suffer from a tad bit of magnesium deficiency. That's been fixed and the leaves seem to have recovered quite nicely.
If Keeper gets out of hand, I'll LST it. I'm very impressed with the bush potential and the lack of stretch in comparison to its girth. Everything's looking good so far.
Fungus gnats. I decided to deal with them before they became a problem. a 4:1 solution of distilled water and 3% Hydrogen Peroxide to kill the fungus in the soil (yes I know that it damaged the microbial life in the soil, but I'm not 100% organic and the roots can always use a boost of oxygen), and then covered the surfaces with sand (did this with my normal house plants as well). The gnats obviously didn't like this... judging by how they're flying around my sink in the kitchen and bathroom. Should no longer be a problem.
Pepper's topping seems to be taking off. Not bad for 6 days of time in comparison to the other picture. I have to keep reminding myself that she's older than she looks and she's lower because of my rookie mistakes of the past and having had to re-bury her. She's in full swing and loving life now, though.
"Keeper (the nickname I've given this plant) still continues to give zero fucks about anything and everything and just keeps growing. This is a LOT of growth for just six days... I've been foilar feeding it fish emulsion and I guess this is the proper response I'm looking for!
Fuck, I hope it's a female...
Irony is that this song came on as I was typing this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f0bcVTzimE
Duckfoot and Lanky. Obviously still nowhere near as appealing to the eye as Keeper and Pepper, but I'm still taking my lessons to heart: Don't give up on them because they won't give up on you. Their foliage is much greener, growth and recovery is obvious, and they seem to be playing the game of catchup. Duckfoot seemed to suffer from a tad bit of magnesium deficiency. That's been fixed and the leaves seem to have recovered quite nicely.
If Keeper gets out of hand, I'll LST it. I'm very impressed with the bush potential and the lack of stretch in comparison to its girth. Everything's looking good so far.
CrazyBrennie
Member
Yo man,
There is a product called "spinosad" ; works great with thrips, imagine it would work well on adult fungus gnats as well larvae in the soil. You should check it out, it really is amazing stuff. There is a brand called "Monterey" that sells at a lot of gardening centers (Ace hardware often carries it)
There is a product called "spinosad" ; works great with thrips, imagine it would work well on adult fungus gnats as well larvae in the soil. You should check it out, it really is amazing stuff. There is a brand called "Monterey" that sells at a lot of gardening centers (Ace hardware often carries it)