How I bullt my Grow Box-Step by step

Smokin24/7 said:

Nice thread. I am new to the forum, and will be keeping an eye on this one.

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Thanks for the Compliment, Welcome to the site Here take a Hit of this LOL.

Everyone is great here, ready to share the knowledge and help everybody out. I will update as I go, let me know if I can improve some how.

x4buried2alive0x said:

Snappy, one ques. is what about mylar instead of white paint? Or are both just as good?

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there are two materials that are better than white paint I just did not want to spend more money than I needed to, but if you want to cover your walls you should look into

Foylon It has the ability to reflect about 95% of the light and approximately 85% of the heat energy.

Mylar -able to reflect approximately 92-97%

I got these numbers from the "GrowFAQ" on top of the page check it out

x4buried2alive0x said:

Im thinking about making an identical box to yours, although i think mine will be 3x3x6 or 3.5x3.5x6. I would like to be able to grow 4-6 plants in it through the whole growing process.

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Imitation is the best form of Flattery my friend! Thanks!!! as for the dimensions I think that is a Great Idea the more the merrier and you wont be wasting power, Great use of energy.

x4buried2alive0x said:

I have chosen a 400w conversion ballast. Which has a good seal to help protect from dust, low heat.

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Just want to make sure you know what you're getting... based on the link you sent, all that is included is the following...

400 watt DIGITAL GREENHOUSE HPS & MH BALLAST, automatically adjusts from Metal Halide to High Pressure Sodium and vice versa!
10' POWER CORD with heavy duty grounded household style plug
15' Socket/Cord Set.

what about a Hood do you have a hood/reflector yet?? about $80(+-$20)

and since you have a conversion ballast, what about Bulbs?? you need 2, a HPS and a separate MH 400W each about $25 Each do you have those??

x4buried2alive0x said:

Going off that i might just create an intake hole and only use a fan for exhaustIm still new at this and it takes a little bit for everything to make sense, but i think im starting to figure things out.

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That is awsome enlightment is a beautiful thing, I'll be here if you need anything but most of what I've learned I've learned here from others who were willing to help.

when you are ready Reciprocate

Yeah i think i will go with the mylar when i order everything from htg. As for a hood, never thought about it, didnt even know. But i will be sure to get one of those as well. I havent started yet on anything, im just trying to get a plan together and then i will put my order in and build the box. Im not sure on which bulbs yet but i did find out that i can use any 400w hps and any 400w mh wether its mh or mh conversion. (whats the dif. between mh and mh conv. anyways?) But since i only have one box i will have to grow my strains in 4's because i cant have dif. plants growing with diff. flower times. And would i be fine with starting the seedlings in the box and adjusting the height of the light? Thanks for all the help dude. And i cant wait to see that box in action!

A metal halide bulb is one that's designed to be used in a mh ballast, or a switchable ballast. A mh conversion bulb is designed to be used in a hps ballast that isn't switchable, and are usually more expensive.
If you're going to use hid light for seedlings, keep it well away from them to begin with, I'd say 18-24", and gradually lower it, say an inch every day or two, until it's at about the right level. Just be careful not to put it too close too soon and overheat them.

Hairy Bob said:

A metal halide bulb is one that's designed to be used in a mh ballast, or a switchable ballast. A mh conversion bulb is designed to be used in a hps ballast that isn't switchable, and are usually more expensive.
If you're going to use hid light for seedlings, keep it well away from them to begin with, I'd say 18-24", and gradually lower it, say an inch every day or two, until it's at about the right level. Just be careful not to put it too close too soon and overheat them.

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Yeah, cause it would be extra $ for me to buy a couple cfls or something to start my seedlings. Id be better off starting them in the box and adjusting the height like you said. Cause once they grow im gonna clone them so once its harvest i can just get the buds and get rid of them and have clones to put in the box. And im gonna get some cloning equip. to run sep. from the box.

Whats goin on? lol

x4buried2alive0x said:

Whats goin on? lol

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lol I was thinking that yesterday actually, so how 'bout it? How's the girl doin?

btw I like that light/dust blocker idea too. +rep

rgrahamt said:

lol I was thinking that yesterday actually, so how 'bout it? How's the girl doin?

btw I like that light/dust blocker idea too. +rep

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Those light blockers that are made out of cardboard look like they are doing nothing to stop the light from coming in or out. You need to have 90° bends in PVC or ducting to block the light out. Just putting cardboard on the back and sides of the fan will not cut it. I can see hermies in your future

tom__420 said:

Those light blockers that are made out of cardboard look like they are doing nothing to stop the light from coming in or out. You need to have 90° bends in PVC or ducting to block the light out. Just putting cardboard on the back and sides of the fan will not cut it. I can see hermies in your future

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So you mean put ducting where he has cardboard at right? And what are hermies? I searched faq and couldnt find anything.

A hermie is a hermaphrodite. https://www.rollitup.org/view.php?pg=faq&cmd=article&id=467

ok i did read the whole thread but i have beenlurking again for a good 3 hours.
really really baked.
ok so your idea of the light blockers mad of card board.
one thing you coupld do is go to walmart thenhead to the womens department and grab alck nylons.
you dont want to strtch them to tight.they will lopse their effectivness if you do. but this alse doubles as a dust filter.
i hope this was helpful.
Ifyou dont mind .i will just pull up aseat.

this thread has great info on exhaust. will be coming back for reference.

tom__420 said:

A hermie is a hermaphrodite. https://www.rollitup.org/view.php?pg=faq&cmd=article&id=467

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Yea, thanks. Where you at snappy? I've changed my mind about which ballest im going to get. Im gonna get the same 400watt switchable but its like a package that comes with the hood, timer, and bulbs, so i can just get it all at once. Another thing I need to figure out is how to run the lights during veg.(24hr, 14/10, idk) cause I know for flower its 12/12.

I've tried it on 18/6 and 24/0, no noticeable difference in overall plant growth or yield, so I stick with 18/6 cos it uses less energy.
I wouldn't try vegging with less daylight than that, imo you'd get slower growth and lose yield, possibly induce flowering early but I can't be definitive as I've not tested.

Hello Everybody, sorry for the delay Got Stuck in Traffic Seems Like I've been gone way too long thanks for all your patience and input on everything it really helps a lot. anyway...
Here we Grow again.

tom__420 said:

Those light blockers that are made out of cardboard look like they are doing nothing to stop the light from coming in or out.

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Thanks for the advice again, you know what I added LONGER pieces of paper to make the path for the light to travel longer and I think that and placing the box in the darkest corner I could find did the trick… Without further delay this is what my girl looks like now... do you see any signs of it turning Hermie on me by now, Especially if Shes a Female CLONE??

Preaty Huh???

x4buried2alive0x said:

As for a hood, never thought about it, didnt even know. But i will be sure to get one of those as well. I havent started yet on anything, im just trying to get a plan together and then i will put my order in and build the box.

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Glad I could help with the hood, now, if you can afford separate ventilation for the hood (Hood with a Fan) you should get one of those. You’ll see why when I answer the “Temps” Question. *Hint* It gets hot in there.

x4buried2alive0x said:

since i only have one box i will have to grow my strains in 4's because i cant have dif. plants growing with diff. flower times.

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Dude I have Great news for you, You actually can have diff Flower times in the same box… look on the thread I started (link Below)

https://www.rollitup.org/harvesting-curing/204797-pruning-b4-blooming.html

Look on post #4 Isn’t Marijuana Marvelous???

x4buried2alive0x said:

would i be fine with starting the seedlings in the box and adjusting the height of the light?

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You know what, I grow Clones since I have guaranteed Females that way and I save a couple months wait,but either way when you are done with Germ’ and are ready to send to flower, keep in mind that your girls will grow 2/3 their size by the time they are done so make sure you decide wisely how tall your girls will be to give them enough room.

x4buried2alive0x said:

Another thing I need to figure out is how to run the lights during veg.(24hr, 14/10, idk) cause I know for flower its 12/12.

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This is what I do know. Germ 24H, Veg 18/6, Flower 12/12. – The Idea is to start the Plant in the summer sun (24H) and gradually Flower in the Fall (12/12) but as you can see by the below there are different methods just have fun and find out for yourself what works for YOU remember all of this is just advice.

Hairy Bob said:

I've tried it on 18/6 and 24/0, no noticeable difference in overall plant growth or yield, so I stick with 18/6 cos it uses less energy…I wouldn't try vegging with less daylight than that, imo you'd get slower growth and lose yield, possibly induce flowering early but I can't be definitive as I've not tested.

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x4buried2alive0x said:

Where you at snappy?

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Thank you for your patience again

rgrahamt said:

lol I was thinking that yesterday actually, so how 'bout it? How's the girl doin?

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Funny, I've been thinking about Ya'll Too...Thank you for your interest,More pics on bottom.

rgrahamt said:

btw I like that light/dust blocker idea too. +rep

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thank you,contrary to speculation I think they do work I turned the back one with the opening facing down and added longer paper to the exaust... look at the pics and let me know.

bleedintears said:

ok i did read the whole thread but i have beenlurking again for a good 3 hours…

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bleedintears said:

really really baked.i will just pull up aseat.

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As you can see the word of the day is patience but welcome. Thanks for the input and rememeber "Puff, Puff, Give."

purplekitty7772008 said:

this thread has great info on exhaust. will be coming back for reference.

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I’ll Look for you as I go. Welcome.

x4buried2alive0x said:

Thanks for all the help dude. And i cant wait to see that box in action!

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Well Here you go... this is what the plant looks like now...remember I am flowering this one with CFLs since its only 1 its still in the Phototron,Inside the Box IF you look closely... NO INTAKE FAN!!!

remember I had her on 24H light, I was going to turn the lights of to 18/6 but since she's a clone I got advice on the THC expo to go ahead and Just go to 12/12 so I turned the lights of on 6/18/9 and these are the first signs of Progress.
This is the TOP of the Plant... can you see the Baby Flowers???

I love this Branch The Flower Starts at the top but I'm thinking it will Fill the whole Branch with Goodnes.

And of course a close up of one of the more obvious signs that we are headed in the right direction.

tom__420 said:

How are the temps inside the box snappy?

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Now about the "Temps" I left this one till last since this is where I need help.

as of now with the CFLs and only the Exaust, the Temperature in there is between 90 and 85, which I think is ideal for the plant. However, when this plant is done I plan to have 2 or 3 with the 400W MH/HPS... Question is what is the difference in temp meaning;how much hotter is it going to get in there with the HIDs??

will the exaust be enough then?

what should I expect more Holes on the walls?? more exaust? an intake maybe? separate the lights with Glass paneling? Please help, and thanks in advance.

I wish we could all get together and reap the benefits of this harvest at the end, as I feel I couldn't have done this without you. sorry for the delay again but I didn't have much to report in the past days, Will post further progress as it occurs... and yes, I haven't forgot... I owe you a "Parts List"

85 and up is terrible for the plant! Ideal temps are 76-78°F. Your plant might look good (which it does) but it is not growing to its full potential... You need to upgrade your ventilation dude. If it is that hot with only flouros than how do you expect to put a 400 watt HPS in there? You need to get some inline fans for the ventilation, they are pricey but if you want prime dank bud you gotta fork out the money. Here is a link to what you could use for your exhaust: http://htgsupply.com/viewproduct.asp?productID=52583

And here is a fan that you could pick up at homedepot and use as your intake: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100073963
All you have to do for the intake fan is wire it up to an extension cord and you are good to go.

tom__420 said:

85 and up is terrible for the plant! Ideal temps are 76-78°F. Your plant might look good (which it does) but it is not growing to its full potential... You need to upgrade your ventilation dude. If it is that hot with only flouros than how do you expect to put a 400 watt HPS in there? You need to get some inline fans for the ventilation, they are pricey but if you want prime dank bud you gotta fork out the money. Here is a link to what you could use for your exhaust: http://htgsupply.com/viewproduct.asp?productID=52583

And here is a fan that you could pick up at homedepot and use as your intake: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100073963
All you have to do for the intake fan is wire it up to an extension cord and you are good to go.

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You had me up until you told him to get an intake fan. They do nothing but waste money, and either restrict the airflow or pressurise the room and create odour leaks. I'm pretty sure snappy knows this.
Snappy, I'd upgrade the exhaust fan to one that can cycle the air in your growroom 2-4 times a minute, and use an air cooled hood for the hid. Dependent on the ambient temps in your locale, you might need to cool your intake. I wouldn't like to be pulling in air hotter than 75F, it wouldn't do much to lower temps.

In case you wanted to see the notorious Dust / Vents ...


who'd would have thunk it!! ironically looks like there is a lot of dust on the bottom... but its not... its paint. lol


The last little thing that I will spoil my Baby girl with (For Now)are some CO2 pads that I found... you hang them next to the plant and in the morning (Dew) you spray water on them and the CO2 sizzles for a Morning breather. 5 in a pac, 1 lasts all week, so we should have enough till reaping.

tom__420 said:

85 and up is terrible for the plant! Ideal temps are 76-78°F. Your plant might look good (which it does) but it is not growing to its full potential... You need to upgrade your ventilation dude.

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Thank you for complimenting my girl, I was under the impression that you wanted to stay in the 85(-ish)°F range +- 5°F. and since the highest I hit is 88/90 on hot dates I thought I was good. I do think a bigger Exaust would help, should I bring back the 6" white fan that I had used for intake and replace the exaust? don't want to spend money unnecessarily and we've already established that we don't need an intake.

tom__420 said:

If it is that hot with only flouros than how do you expect to put a 400 watt HPS in there?

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Learning as I go my friend

Hairy Bob said:

I'm pretty sure snappy knows this.

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I would hate to give a false perception that I know what I'm doing. I am as new to this as the next guy. but this is so much fun.

Hairy Bob said:

Snappy, I'd upgrade the exhaust fan to one that can cycle the air in your growroom 2-4 times a minute,

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this is where I show my inexperience...I've already admited on post #29 that math is one of my foibles... so can you please tell me what size fan I need???

that I can do if you tell me get a 8" or a 10" fan... see that makes sense to me ... "2-4 times a minute" sounds scary

Hairy Bob said:

and use an air cooled hood for the hid. Dependent on the ambient temps in your locale, you might need to cool your intake. I wouldn't like to be pulling in air hotter than 75F, it wouldn't do much to lower temps.

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I think before I put the HIDs in there I would already have made the exaust bigger - per your advice - and you know what I'm going to try to figure out if I can separate the lights from the plants without having to buy a Glass covered Hood... but if you're still with us x4buried2alive0x you should use me as a mirror so you don't make my blunders.this is why you should buy yours already built in if you have the $$ I just prefer to get creative every chance I get... till I realize I can't do it... than I go and fork out the Bucks...LOL!!

I also want to add that for the HIDs I will more likely reverse my day/night cycles so that the heat is generated at night, when the actual temperature is cooler.

Your temps are wayyyyy too high, and I think spending money to fix is that for from unnecessary. It's up to you dude, your buds will def be lacking weight if you don't get the problem fixed

Looking good. But yeah you do need to get those temps down. Like bob said, upgrade your exhaust and when you switch to HIDs get a air cooled hood, I will be getting one!

Snappy, i would reccommend you invest in a good fan. S&P makes a very good line of fans that are quiet, powerful, and cheap. For you, i would recommend getting the TD-150 or TD-200.
http://www.hvacquick.com/spfnconfig.php?fm=td
http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=123789

You will never have to worry about temperature problems again, which is worth the money to me. I'm glad i got one of these fans and i'm never going back...