First Grow DIY Space Tote any advice is appreciated thank you in advance

This is my first grow. I've had about 30 old random seeds sitting in a ziplock for quite some time. I decided to just try and germinate 4 seeds just to see what happens. Didn't expect anything but a couple of days later they started popping. I was super unprepared but just like when I had my kids and I was unprepared I still told myself I'ma take care of my babies. This is my first time growing a plant of any kind period so I did some research that day and built my babies a home the next day. This is the morning of day 3 in my DIY space tote. I used two sterilite totes stacked, painted the insides white with spray paint and then cut two intake fans on the bottom and one exhaust fan on top. I drilled holes in the bottom tote for drainage and used one of the lids as a drip pan on the bottom. I am running a 125w CFL right now but I am aware that I will need more light in the near future. I also stuck a thermometer in there and the temps have been staying between 74F and 80F. I planted them in Fox Farm Ocean Forrest soil in cups and plan on moving them into pots in about 10 days or so. I have been only giving them distilled water. I also have a timer for the light so that I can keep the babies on a 18/6 schedule. 3 of the babies are growing the 4th came up a bit and I have my fingers crossed that she will start losing that shell and also shoot up like the rest. Can anyone please help me with advice on what other lights will I be needing and when to add them, also if I am missing anything? This is my first grow of any kind and I'm just trying to pick your brains and make sure I get it right! Thanks in advance. (Please keep in mind that I am on a budget and can probably only spend about $60 more bucks on this at this time)

Nice little build!

.

I agree with GrassBurner, very nice work!

Do you plan on vegging and flowering your plants in your space tote? The plants will out grow the tote in a few weeks.

The simplest way to go is to buy a grow tent, a 4'x4'x80" is a nice size.

Then you'll need lighting, HPS, MH, LED ... there's a dozen ways to go.

You'll also need an exhaust fan and charcoal filter to get the heat out and fresh air into your tent.

That's a start, by the looks of what you've done you'll have no trouble accomplishing the job.

.

Hobbes said:

.

I agree with GrassBurner, very nice work!

Do you plan on vegging and flowering your plants in your space tote? The plants will out grow the tote in a few weeks.

The simplest way to go is to buy a grow tent, a 4'x4'x80" is a nice size.

Then you'll need lighting, HPS, MH, LED ... there's a dozen ways to go.

You'll also need an exhaust fan and charcoal filter to get the heat out and fresh air into your tent.

That's a start, by the looks of what you've done you'll have no trouble accomplishing the job.

.

Click to expand...

Thanks. A tent and all of the nice lights are the goal but for now just working with what I got. 2 of the 4 seedlings didn't make it but since then I have built another tote out of a 32 gallon trash can and I've transplanted the plants and now each plant is in their own grow space and a bigger pot. I will put up pics later when I get home.

Looks good, you planning on using some sort of training method like scrog or lst? Are you concerned about odor? It's not a big problem now but in flower it might be an issue depending on your situation. It can be difficult to maintain a good temperature control on a micro grow when you add a carbon filter.

Sorry I'm terrible with updates. I've been busy with business, family, and taking care of my plant. 1 plant ended up being a dude but I still have 1 left and I just transplanted i to a #5 pot, top dressed her with some uprising blooming stuff from roots organic and flipped her to flower 2 days ago. I also have a piece that I trimmed off that I tried cloning and to my surprise it worked! My plant is looking great and so is my clone. Will try and get better about updates because I know watching people's grows here really helped me and I hope that I can do the same for someone else. I will post pics of my clone later on today as well once the lights are on in there again. FYI That is not me in the picture that is my wife... I am not as easy on the eyes lol

Looking good!

I'm doing my first grow, and am doing it in a 32g trash can. I'd love to get any tips or suggestions you learned doing this one. Thanks!

Your screen name reminds me of the skit on Letterkenny, Eeellll Aaayyyy

itslegalhereinla said:

I'm doing my first grow, and am doing it in a 32g trash can. I'd love to get any tips or suggestions you learned doing this one. Thanks!

Click to expand...

I tried to do this but later switched to a custom cabinet. It is possible just be sure to provide enough ventilation as the plastic can get fairly warm rather quickly even with CFLs.

ApexseasOG said:

I tried to do this but later switched to a custom cabinet. It is possible just be sure to provide enough ventilation as the plastic can get fairly warm rather quickly even with CFLs.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip. Do you think before I start putting the time in to altering the can that maybe I should skip it all together? Grow tents have gone up in price quite a bit, and are out of stock in a lot of cases right now. It looks like to get one with at least a 6ft height (handy for future grows I've heard), it will cost at least $180-$300, plus more money on lights, inline fan etc. It looks like it will cost at least $600. So I'm hoping to have already enjoyed growing my first plant before putting that much money in.

itslegalhereinla said:

Thanks for the tip. Do you think before I start putting the time in to altering the can that maybe I should skip it all together? Grow tents have gone up in price quite a bit, and are out of stock in a lot of cases right now. It looks like to get one with at least a 6ft height (handy for future grows I've heard), it will cost at least $180-$300, plus more money on lights, inline fan etc. It looks like it will cost at least $600. So I'm hoping to have already enjoyed growing my first plant before putting that much money in.

Click to expand...

I would scratch the trash bin and save money for a good setup; it'll be worth it. Not that the bin won't work but your return for all the work you have to put into it to get it right is not worth the trouble. I'm using a gun safety cabinet (not a gun safe) that costs me around $140 in Walmart a few months ago. I'm adding a qb288 board from HLG, 4'' exhaust fan and carbon filter from AC infinity as well as intake fans from them as well and I'm lining the cab with panda film. All in all it comes around exactly what you said; $600, but you have a great setup that will give you the returns that are worth the trouble.

ApexseasOG said:

I would scratch the trash bin and save money for a good setup; it'll be worth it. Not that the bin won't work but your return for all the work you have to put into it to get it right is not worth the trouble. I'm using a gun safety cabinet (not a gun safe) that costs me around $140 in Walmart a few months ago. I'm adding a qb288 board from HLG, 4'' exhaust fan and carbon filter from AC infinity as well as intake fans from them as well and I'm lining the cab with panda film. All in all it comes around exactly what you said; $600, but you have a great setup that will give you the returns that are worth the trouble.

Click to expand...

If I can get 2oz or more out of the the trash can grow I'd be quite happy. I've seen people get a lot more than that out of a trash can grow.

How long did you grow in the can before you switched to the other thing? Did the plant die in the can and then you switched?

itslegalhereinla said:

If I can get 2oz or more out of the the trash can grow I'd be quite happy. I've seen people get a lot more than that out of a trash can grow.

How long did you grow in the can before you switched to the other thing? Did the plant die in the can and then you switched?

Click to expand...

Nope; didn't even try it. 2 oz out of that space is very good and it would be very tough to get any more than that unless you're a very experienced grower.

I have a trash bin one now and I hate it compared to the tote. I know I should've cut more exhaust holes and maybe done a little more work but it didn't feel worth it. Instead I've been working on a new space this week to put this clone in. I am about to scrap the trash can bin once I finish my next setup.

That's not too bad, you can get some yield out of that space. A+ for the effort though.

Sorry for the late ass update. This was the turnnout for the trash can and tub. I ended up getting a little over 2 ounces from each plant after dry and cure so it was definetly worth the learning experience. It also tatsed and smoked great!