If You Had To Choose...

[JimD]

At first, I was leaning toward a hydro/aero grow in a locked metal storage cabinet. I'd obviously need two of those for a perpetual grow, minimum. Now that I have started to add up the cost of all the necessary pieces and modifications, I am beginning to lean toward fabricating some cheap walls to make a large box I can divide into two or three sections for seedling/clones, veg and flowering. I figure I have about $200-$400 to spend, and my med usage is about 2oz per month. I am pretty well versed in most trades, and I do have a wide variety of tools. What do you think...a room or a stealth grow in cabinets?

[knottwhole]

A room.

Oriented strand board (OSB) is cheaper and stronger than drywall. It paints nicely and you can hang anything you want from it.

For ventilation on a small room, you can use these:

They're cheap and mine have been running for three years without a hitch. You can find them here: http://www.futureelectronics.com/en/Technologies/Product.aspx?ProductID=SP101A1123HSTGNSUNON8904799

If you need any help, PM me.

Good luck whatever you choose.

[JimD]

Thanks for the information! My biggest concern was the whole "locked facility" thing. I was not sure if semi-permanent walls would qualify. OSB sounds like a good choice, I had actually thought about using furring strips sandwiched between veneer and Styrofoam for the walls. At the very least, a bigger area would allow me to have a larger reservoir for my nute solution. I suppose it is a bit like choosing a fish tank, always go with the biggest one you can afford so that chemistry changes are spread over a larger volume.

[herbnurse]

If you totally enclose the box/room and put a lock on the door you have a locked facility. As long as you cant remove the walls from the outside without using power tools then i think your safe if built well and sturdy. Another option would be a tent but if you have the skills and resources to make your own room i would go that way. That does bring up an interesting question though. Does a tent need to be behind a locked door since you could just cut through it with any knife to get in?

[knottwhole]

Does a tent need to be behind a locked door since you could just cut through it with any knife to get in?

Paranoia will destroy ya.

Going to jail will wreck ya.

What would a judge say? If I had a tent, it would be in a locked room or basement. If nobody other than the caregiver and or patient live there, the exterior door or doors will do.

[JimD]

Paranoia will destroy ya.

Going to jail will wreck ya.

Aye, I think when a 5-15yr federal jail sentence is in the mix there is no such thing as paranoia, only good sense. Since I am new here, I'll add this;saying that should not be taken as some type of slight to anyone, what you do is your business.

[SpartanHort]

JimD, Im in a simular situation, my CG and I are finishing my cabinet now with clones going in on March 1st.

This is the set up we went with:

4'w x 8'l x 6'h

2" x 3" framing ----17 @ 8'......................$1.70= $29.00

1/2" osb floor ----1 sheet ......................$8.00= $8.00

7/16" osb front(doors) & top ----3 sheets........$7.00= $21.00

1/2 dry wall ---4 sheets ........................$6.50= $26.00(we found 5 sheets for 75% off in the cull pile)

4" inline duct fan ............................... $25.00 ^ $10

oscilating fan........................................ on hand

2 bubble totes ............................... $60.00

4' cfl (starter) for veg ............................. on hand

400 hps ballast,bulb,reflector (Famtek)............... $200.00

nutes................................................. $30.00

hardware(hinges,hasps,screws,brachets) ............... $20.00

casters .............................................. $30.00

DIY air filter ....................................... $20.00

paint ..........................

 

 

I recommend either 6' or 8' tall/long to maximize sheet goods. It looks like we have less than $500 out of pocket but we still need meters and other sheet.The box is starting out divided into 2 4'x4' chambers, eventually divider will be removed and a seperate veg chamber will be built. The vent fan and HPS light aren't battle tested I will update when we know more... Locked cabinet in a locked out-building. It looks like a large storage cabinet. I hope this helps.

 

happy growing

SH

[kingofbuds]

JimD, Im in a simular situation, my CG and I are finishing my cabinet now with clones going in on March 1st.

This is the set up we went with:

4'w x 8'l x 6'h

2" x 3" framing ----17 @ 8'......................$1.70= $29.00

1/2" osb floor ----1 sheet ......................$8.00= $8.00

7/16" osb front(doors) & top ----3 sheets........$7.00= $21.00

1/2 dry wall ---4 sheets ........................$6.50= $26.00(we found 5 sheets for 75% off in the cull pile)

4" inline duct fan ............................... $25.00 ^ $10

oscilating fan........................................ on hand

2 bubble totes ............................... $60.00

4' cfl (starter) for veg ............................. on hand

400 hps ballast,bulb,reflector (Famtek)............... $200.00

nutes................................................. $30.00

hardware(hinges,hasps,screws,brachets) ............... $20.00

casters .............................................. $30.00

DIY air filter ....................................... $20.00

paint ..........................

 

 

I recommend either 6' or 8' tall/long to maximize sheet goods. It looks like we have less than $500 out of pocket but we still need meters and other sheet.The box is starting out divided into 2 4'x4' chambers, eventually divider will be removed and a seperate veg chamber will be built. The vent fan and HPS light aren't battle tested I will update when we know more... Locked cabinet in a locked out-building. It looks like a large storage cabinet. I hope this helps.

 

happy growing

SH

 

 

so you dont have a caregiver? im lost u said both u and your cargiver went with this? so both of u grow your plants? be carefull what u put on here LEO is always watching!!!

[JimD]

Nice SpartanH! That is nearly identical to what I am aiming for, right down to the inline duct fans. I am hoping I can get it done for around 300 so I can spend more on meters and gadgets. I believe I'll also do a step by step post.

[solabeirtan]

Thanks for the information! My biggest concern was the whole "locked facility" thing. I was not sure if semi-permanent walls would qualify. OSB sounds like a good choice, I had actually thought about using furring strips sandwiched between veneer and Styrofoam for the walls. At the very least, a bigger area would allow me to have a larger reservoir for my nute solution. I suppose it is a bit like choosing a fish tank, always go with the biggest one you can afford so that chemistry changes are spread over a larger volume.

Consider keeping your Res on the Outside if possible. It stays cooler and much easier to service/ maintain.

[JimD]

Nice tip, solabeirtan, thanks! Does anyone think a single 250w hps is big enough for 6 plants?

[GanjaWarrior]

Nice tip, solabeirtan, thanks! Does anyone think a single 250w hps is big enough for 6 plants?

 

u mean like vegging small plants? i u mean budding.....um maybe in dixie cups.lol

[JimD]

u mean like vegging small plants? i u mean budding.....um maybe in dixie cups.lol

I was thinking overhead as my primary light for flowering. I could always add a few cfls, but if it would be more effective to move up to a 400w, I guess that's where I'd go. Thanks!

[SpartanHort]

so you dont have a caregiver? im lost u said both u and your cargiver went with this? so both of u grow your plants? be carefull what u put on here LEO is always watching!!!

It's really not that difficult to follow; I have a caregiver, WE built a cabinet. I in no way implied I was growing.