100% Homemade DWC closet including cooltube

Hey all, I wanted to show off my 100% homemade DWC closet with my frankinstiened version of a cooltube that I call Lightzilla. So take a look and tell me what you think.

First I built a closet in my basement roughly 3.5' x 2.5' in size and sealed any cracks or holes to ensure no light can get in or out. I chose a corner of my basement next to my washer and dryer to allow me to vent through the existing dryer exhaust.


Next I ran a 4" duct from the ceiling of my closet to outside. Because of the setup of my basement I was able to run the ducting behind a false wall that hides my washer's plumbing, and outside through the existing dryer exhaust about a foot before it exits the house.


Next was to construct Lightzilla. I had an old hood from an industrial light that I bought a while back, they type you find in hockey rinks. I also had two 400w HPS light with remote sockets. The hood already had a 5.5" hole on the top that I would use to mount my fan, I also cut a 4" hole on the side of the hood to allow air to enter and pass over the bulbs. Using some stuff I had around the house I attached the two sockets to the inside of the the hood. Then I took a 6" inline ducting fan that runs about 200cfm and attached it to the top hole on the hood, attached some 6" ducting and ran it to my ceiling where I attached it to the 4" duct I ran earlier with a couple reducers. I added some quick connectors to the the sockets to allow for the entire used to break down into pieces when needed.

Here's a shot of the hole cut in the back of the hood

A shot inside the hood.

I'm using the fan on my light to cool and exhaust smell from the closet, and it seems to be doing a great job.

Now for the grow. I'm using some 5gal buckets with 6" net pots and rockwool. Using General Hydro Floro nute system. These are about 8 days into flowering at this point.




Check out how close I can get my light!!!! No burn at all!!!


I should note that this is just a flowering closet right now. All vegging is done elsewhere in a cabinet under floros.

Almost forgot my question. What effect (reduction) in light do you think the plastic shade will have? I'm thinking that the two 400w HPS are more than enough for the closet size, even with a significant reduction. Also, if anybody has any suggestions on what I could do better let me know. I've done a lot of reading, but could always use some constructive advise.

how far down do ur bulbs stick past the hood into the plastic cover?? would it be possible to turn them horizontal and remove the plastice cover and replace it with a round piece of glass??

The stick out past the hood and into the plastic about an inch or two. I could probably do what you're saying, but would only consider it if what I had wasn't sufficient. The seem to be getting plenty of light and are really starting to take off. Huge tap roots!!

Also, should I expect some yellowing of the leaves when switching to 12/12? It's minimal, but I notice a bit of a color change in the leaves.

This is why you should put the bulbs horizontally:
Great job with the cooltube

touch the plastic? is it hot?? can u hold ur hand on it?? ..

Terente: much agreed

The plastic is warm to the touch, but not hot. I can leave the plants touch it without any burn. See the pic above.

then just leave it...the only effect i could say the plastic is gonna have is the light penetration down towards the bottoms of the plants...

I see what you mean about mounting the lights horizontal Terente. I should mention that the two bulbs aren't mounted completely vertical. They are at roughly a 60 degree angle. Plus with the hood I don't find I have any dim spots.