My first stealth micro build

After doing a bit of research across the web I decided to give this a go. So far the box is working like a dream so I figured this would be a good place to share it.

My box build inventory list based on using the DWC method.

MARS HYDRO Reflector 240W Full Spectrum Grow lights for Indoor Plants Veg and Flower
Axial fan 120 x 120 x 38 mm | Airflow: 110 CFM | Noise: 47 dBA | (inlet fan drawing fresh air)
Reflectix BP48010 Bubble Pack Insulation (lines all area inside the box minus roof)
Multifunctional Infinite Cycle Programmable Plug-in Digital Timer Switch With 2-prong Outlet
195 CFM 4" Inch Inline Ventilation Duct Fan (exhaust fan)
4" dryer vent wall adapter
4' of 4" dryer vent hose
8 Inch Air Carbon Filter Odor Control with Australia Virgin Charcoal (exhaust air filter)
RX Grow Nutrients
RX Bloom Nutrients
RX Bulk
Starter Plugs
Net Pots
Air Pump
Air Line
2 Eight inch bar style Air Stones
plastic container 13"x16"x6" (holds 2 gallons of water and keeps water level 1/4" below net pots)
40 GPH Submersible Water Pump w/ hose (for draining water)
Ozium Odor Eliminator (just in case)
1/8 Inch 8-Feet Long Heavy Duty Adjustable Rope Clip Hanger, 150lb Capacity (over kill I know)

Box dimensions: 2'x2'x4'2"

Build materials
2'x4'x0.25" - 5 ea
1'x1'x8' - 2 ea
25' roll of 0.25" vinyl self adhesive weather stripping insolation
1 tube of calking
1 2lb box 0.50" drywall screws (they have a thinner shank then other screws and cause less splitting in the thin wood)
locking clasp 2 each
cabinet door hinge 18 inch 2 each
small hanging hooks 4 each (you'll need these to suspend your light)


Tools used
Cordless drill
Cordless Skill Saw
Measuring tape
Level
knife
calking gun
4" hole bit (if you don't have one already get ready to drop about $40 on one)
1" hole bit (if you don't have one already get ready to drop about $12 on one)
#2 drill bit cross tip
Staple gun

Putting it together:
The two 1x1x8 ft sticks get cut in half. Now you have four 4 ft sections. I then cut 10 inches off of each of them to reduce them to 38 inches each. I use the remaining 10 inch cuts as the cabinet legs.

I cut 1 of the 2x4x0.25 sheets in half now that makes the floor and roof section.


fast forward ahead (after I put it all together) I lined the door section with the weather stripping and then used the calking to seal all the inner area where it was wood to wood contact. I put my 4 hooks 1" inward from each of the corners of the frame posts inside the box. I drilled the 4" inlet and exhaust ports one on the outter left side of the box (based on location you can put it anywhere you want) and the 4" exhaust hole in the back floor corner. I then installed the dryer pass through wall adapter in the floor hole. I recommend using some of the calking to help create the seal before screwing it down.

So after it's all together and the holes are cut, using a staple gun I covered ever surface with the reflective bubble insulation except the roof since the light will be suspended there no need to reflect back down.


Here's what it looks like complete and ready to go.


And the best part.... My storage area.

This is also where I put the exhaust fan and carbon filter. It leaves enough room to store everything this stealth micro cabinet needs to operate.

This is the first time I've tried writing something like this out so if you have questions please ask away. If you have suggestions I'm all ears. If you just wanna say well done that's cool too.

If you duplicate it comment with a photo of yours would be cool to see how you put your own twist on it or if my post helped guide you through putting one together. BTW this fits in most closets. I'd recommend putting it in the back of a walk in closet. It's so quiet too, not even as loud as a bathroom exhaust fan when on IMO.

I like it, nice work. Especially with switching up the exhaust at the bottom. I have 1 question and 1 suggestion.

Why did you angle the straps holding the light? I'm not sure if it was for aesthetics or maybe cause you were able to get the light closer to the top? May cause unnecessary stress on those eye hooks.

I recommend using some sort of filter to go over your intake. 1. It'll help keep contaminants out of your grow and 2. May help the light shining out. The same for the exhaust hole coming through the bottom. You'll get a whole bunch of stuff falling down in there.

I ordered this for my cab. I haven't used it yet but I feel it'll serve the purpose as mentioned above.

https://www.amazon.com/All-Filters-CP-6005-Cut-Carbon-Purifiers/dp/B000U204W2/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref=yo_pop_d_pd

Thanks for sharing. Keep us posted.

Nice man. Usually see the exhaust on top where the heat builds up at. I may build a similar one when i get my armiore finished. I guess what i would do different is flip it over. Add an extra 2 x 2 plywood to make the compartment on top and do the intake out the back on the bottom.

When's the grow?

My Name is Mike said:

I like it, nice work. Especially with switching up the exhaust at the bottom. I have 1 question and 1 suggestion.

Why did you angle the straps holding the light? I'm not sure if it was for aesthetics or maybe cause you were able to get the light closer to the top? May cause unnecessary stress on those eye hooks.

I recommend using some sort of filter to go over your intake. 1. It'll help keep contaminants out of your grow and 2. May help the light shining out. The same for the exhaust hole coming through the bottom. You'll get a whole bunch of stuff falling down in there.

I ordered this for my cab. I haven't used it yet but I feel it'll serve the purpose as mentioned above.

https://www.amazon.com/All-Filters-CP-6005-Cut-Carbon-Purifiers/dp/B000U204W2/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref=yo_pop_d_pd

Thanks for sharing. Keep us posted.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the input. I forgot to mention the blue mesh filter sheet I cut up. I have the inlet hole covered with a double layer 6"x6" square stapled to the outside of the box that faces the wall. I cut a similar size one for the exhaust port and put it over that to stop any flakes or particles from falling inside.

The hangers for the light was so that I could bring it closer to the top.

Exhaust on the bottom is to pull the warm air across the plants since I keep my home at cooler temps. Keeps my box at 77 during the day and lets it fall to 65 at night. I figured if I am trying to trick or engineer mother nature I might as well try to be a little clever and try and create a real night and day cycle with temperature variations.

richard rahl said:

Nice man. Usually see the exhaust on top where the heat builds up at. I may build a similar one when i get my armiore finished. I guess what i would do different is flip it over. Add an extra 2 x 2 plywood to make the compartment on top and do the intake out the back on the bottom.

When's the grow?

Click to expand...

I am currently writing a grow journal located at https://www.rollitup.org/t/dwc-first-timer-in-box.958608/ . Feel free to comment there too. Thanks for stopping by.

My gawd.. Have you been in my garage?? Lol

https://www.rollitup.org/t/new-scrog-box-need-a-some-suggestions.958457/

Looks really neat. Don't understand the bottom mount extractor though. You want to pull cold air up towards your hot lights.

giantsfan24 said:

My gawd.. Have you been in my garage?? Lol

https://www.rollitup.org/t/new-scrog-box-need-a-some-suggestions.958457/

Click to expand...

Have you completed it yet? The fan I used works really well. Flows air right over my light as well as the plants. I can get you the info on it. I got it off of Amazon.

Nugachino said:

Looks really neat. Don't understand the bottom mount extractor though. You want to pull cold air up towards your hot lights.

Click to expand...

Light isn't generating much heat. The 120mm axial fan blows directly across the light, the light has it's own cooling fans, and I did it to help regulate the temps in the box as the locations ambient temp is kept colder.

It's also the first attempt at this so I will certainly take in all suggestions. I'm already taking notes and adjusting ideas for my next box that I plan to build so I can have alternating growth schedules.

I'm onto my second grow box now. I don't really have any tools left. But, I learned a lot from my first attempt. And incorporated the changes I needed into the new model.

I can run 2 maybe 3 plants at about 1-1.5ft each. I'm still adding things to enhance the autonomy. Mainly on fans and humidity.

I monitor the soil moisture myself. No dwc for me. Just organics.

KaosGboxes said:

Have you completed it yet? The fan I used works really well. Flows air right over my light as well as the plants. I can get you the info on it. I got it off of Amazon.

Click to expand...

I'm really close. Just a couple of finishing touches is all I've got left. Bought soil yesterday.

The thing with the fans is keeping them small, yet effective, and out of the way. Computer fans were the only idea, although I don't really like using them, that I could find that would accomplish that. Luckily, from my first box, I've got several to work with.

So I designed a little "slide" system out of a dowel and block of wood that keeps the fan away from the wall an inch or so yet is "adjustable" somewhat then I staggered the height of them, one on either side of the box. Then, as I'm only growing a couple of plants, I have plenty of room on the grow floor to put a small fan down there without of being in the way. This one isn't a computer fan though it's like a vertical desk fan.

Looks like this.



So on the other side of the box, the fan is slightly above the level of this fan. I thought it would create more airflow.

I had issues with powdery mold in my first grow so I'm a little anal about airflow and defoliation.

Here's my monstrosity. I didnt start with the design you see there. It was originally a mens dresser. And there was a 1 foot divider on the right.

I tried to use it with the wall in place, using the 2ft side for the grow. And the 1ft for grow related things.

I did manage my best harvest yet- bang on 4Oz. But, I wanted better optimisation of the space. Hence the reconfigured state you see now.

Only things left to do are to modify the light frame. Add better climate controls. And hope for girls from here on out.

Nugachino said:

Here's my monstrosity. I didnt start with the design you see there. It was originally a mens dresser. And there was a 1 foot divider on the right.View attachment 4087499

I tried to use it with the wall in place, using the 2ft side for the grow. And the 1ft for grow related things.

I did manage my best harvest yet- bang on 4Oz. But, I wanted better optimisation of the space. Hence the reconfigured state you see now.

Only things left to do are to modify the light frame. Add better climate controls. And hope for girls from here on out.

Click to expand...

Is that fan above the light circulation, exhaust or intake?

The fan in the top right is exhaust. The fan above the lights is to cool the cobs better than passively. But, it also adds a bit of circulation due to the intensity it can output. I keep it on low most of the time.

I would like to get a dedicated circulation fan in there though. Having trouble finding one that's small enough to not get in the way. But, not be anemic in its output.

There is one I'm looking at. But I'm not sure how to install another 20cm fan... Especially if I'm to use the oscillating function. As its already fairly crowded in there as it is.

Nugachino said:

The fan in the top right is exhaust. The fan above the lights is to cool the cobs better than passively. But, it also adds a bit of circulation due to the intensity it can output. I keep it on low most of the time.

I would like to get a dedicated circulation fan in there though. Having trouble finding one that's small enough to not get in the way. But, not be anemic in its output.

There is one I'm looking at. But I'm not sure how to install another 20cm fan... Especially if I'm to use the oscillating function. As its already fairly crowded in there as it is.

Click to expand...

That's why I went to route I did. For their size, computer fans can move air well enough to circulate.

See. I had a computer fan in the first one. But, it didn't seem to have much air pressure.

Nugachino said:

See. I had a computer fan in the first one. But, it didn't seem to have much air pressure.

Click to expand...

No they don't have much.. That's why I use them for circulation only.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009OWRMZ6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is the fan I used. I can tell you that it MOVES the air around.

KaosGboxes said:

View attachment 4087969
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009OWRMZ6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is the fan I used. I can tell you that it MOVES the air around.

Click to expand...

Yeah mine are like that. 86cfm though instead of 22cfm. I f'n overkill everything lol. Those plugs rock!

giantsfan24 said:

Yeah mine are like that. 86cfm though instead of 22cfm. I f'n overkill everything lol. Those plugs rock!

Click to expand...

These fans are 110 c.f.m they have their own adaptor plug so no more computer style 2 color. Plugs directly into a wall socket or timer. I've seen people say leave it on 24/7 but mine is timed with 18/6 same as light.