Building a Grow Wardrobe - Help & Advice Appreciated

[smil3y]

Hey Guys new user to this forum so Hello

I decided today that im going to start to build a grow wardrobe I've been looking into this and was quite impressed by Hydrolab's Tent as ive got something that looks very similar in my room that I actually use as a wardrobe (see pic1)

I decided against buying one and to attempt to build one from my wardrobe that is no longer in use as it seems ideal. (see pics 2,3,4)

Im now basically stuck at where to start, I want to start making it but not entirely sure what the best methods would be for this wardrobe setup the door behind the wardrobe that you can see 1/4 of leads to my attic which is never in use so would be ideal for ventilation?

Basically I need as many hints,tips or suggestion you guys have for me as to lights, fans, venting etc..

I'm going to keep a diary of my build and my first grow for all you guys but first need a little startup advice

 

[legallyflying]

the first step...we need dimensions. soil or hydro? also, how much money do you have to spend? If you say $200 im not replying

 

[smil3y]

Its (H)180cm -35cm (tidy area see pic) (W)90cm (D)95cm. As its my first grow im unsure whether to use soil or hydro and would prefer some advice before I leap to any purchases, as for cash I have unlimited but would prefer to keep it under £150.00.

 

[smil3y]

You think I should get soil or hydro for this kind of setup?

 

[smil3y]

So been reading up on the use of CFL's and am considering using 6-8 42w CFL's for my 5-6 plants anyone know the best place to get ahold of some CFL's & equipment (holders,power cable etc) Am in UK so any suggestions would be great

 

[Magnificient]

Either soil or hydro would work, but the hydro water may tend to overheat. I use soil in my wardrobe for mother plants and hydro for everything else. Make sure you have plenty of ventilation and filters, as it don't take more than a couple cfls to turn that box into an oven. Good luck with your grow.

 

[AdamBlack760]

use soil its more forgiving than hydro. if you whant to run floros look in to ho (high output) t5 panels.
My buddy is useing fox farm ocean forest soil mix with fox farm nutes. with house and garden additices and great white.
All moast make me want to switch from hydro

 

[smil3y]

Well have been thinking and as it is my first grow going to try soil and nutrients, Im struggling to find some decent panels ive looked at them t5 panels they seem good but rather pricey (was thinking 3xred cfls 44w & 3x blue cfls 44w think that would be enough for 4-6 plants? Cant find a place that does all the stuff i need though anyone know somewhere with 44w bulbs & equipment.

 

[dsnutts]

Consider this, for you first time 5+ plants is going to be a strech. Grow 2 really nice plants to get a grow under your belt.

 

[legallyflying]

for the price and pain in the ass factor of trying to wire all those CFL's you might as well bight the bullet and just buy a proper t5 HO light. There are cheap ones out there. I got a 4' long 4 bulb for $100.

For whatever its worth, it takes money to and time to properly set up a grow site. Sure, people cobble some shit together for next to nothing and yes, they do actually grow weed with it. But if you want a good yield of high quality marijuana, it will take some effort and cash. You can't expect to recreate a tropical climate in your closet for $150. People that try to do that end up creating a desert when the lights are on, then a rainforest right after the lights go off, then finally a brief period of arctic tundra till the lights turn on again.

think I'm joking? Go put two 100 watt and one 75 watt bulbs in your closet tonight and then leave them on all night. Tell us how how it is in there in the morning.

 

[K21701]

Here is what I did to one half of my dresser/armoire...


I purchase a 150w HPS for $90 and have some cfl's for some lower light...2 small exhaust fans and 2 6" fans for air movement...temps are a pretty constant 82 with humidity at 40%...Good luck with your project and have fun with it!!!

 

[wannasmokeweed]

Hey Brother ! You can have a look at what I have recently done with a Cabinet relatively the same size as yours. YES it was kind of a pain to wire the lights but not too bad really. Have a look below and let me know if you have any questions. I cannot comment on performance as I am just about to Germ some PK so I hope to have some performance news in a few days. Dry run, my temps are from 75 (low) to 86 (high). No test on RH yet. I have two 80cfm fans for intake, 2 80cfm fans for exhaust. Exhaust goes into one 4" hose going down through the cold air return into the crawl space under my house. About 4' of hose under the house and a 4" in-line 150 cfm boost fan pushes air through a DIY carbon scrubber. Sorry no pics of the stuff under the crawl space, too crowded under there to take my camera.
I am subbed to keep us all posted on your progress.
Peace

 

[smil3y]

Understandable I dont intend to create tropical conditions just growing conditions heh, Ive seen a Helvar Twin Ballast (EL2) for T5 tubes thinking of buying 2 of them so i can have 4x80w then may use 1 or 2 small 42w CFL's for an added kick what you think?

 

[smil3y]

Really nice setup's guys what lights do you use? Your setup is alot like what i was planning. I could really use some tips on wiring it all up as i've never done lighting before. I build PC's but have no idea when it comes to electrics, I need to checklist the things I need ...

So Far I've purchased

Bathroom Fan £15.00

Surge Protector Socket £10.00

Switch £0.50 (lol)

My next intended purchase is these http://www.lightonenergy.co.uk/T5-Twin-Ballast-p/el2-14-80hf.htm?1=1&CartID=1 Thinking of getting 2 of them as there pretty cheap, Then fit them with either 55w T5 Lights or the 80w ones.
(please give comments on whether this is good buy ive no idea what size they actually are until i ring tomorrow)


I may add 2 42w CFL's later on for an added kick.

But once I have the ballast and the lights I really have no idea what steps I should take to wiring it all together any tips would be great otherwise Im gonna try wing it

Thanks guys look forward to hearing your comments

 

[Fight411]

I think if you are interested in growing quality shit you should invest money in mh/hps lighting

 

[Thestinker]

wannasmokeweed..... fucking do well m8

 

[smil3y]

I think if you are interested in growing quality shit you should invest money in mh/hps lighting

I understand the advantages of using them but am on a budget intend to increase size & lighting as I go on with minimum leccy usage & heat as possible

 

[wannasmokeweed]

Really nice setup's guys what lights do you use? Your setup is alot like what i was planning. I could really use some tips on wiring it all up as i've never done lighting before. I build PC's but have no idea when it comes to electrics, I need to checklist the things I need ...

So Far I've purchased

Bathroom Fan £15.00

Surge Protector Socket £10.00

Switch £0.50 (lol)

My next intended purchase is these http://www.lightonenergy.co.uk/T5-Twin-Ballast-p/el2-14-80hf.htm?1=1&CartID=1 Thinking of getting 2 of them as there pretty cheap, Then fit them with either 55w T5 Lights or the 80w ones.
(please give comments on whether this is good buy ive no idea what size they actually are until i ring tomorrow)


I may add 2 42w CFL's later on for an added kick.

But once I have the ballast and the lights I really have no idea what steps I should take to wiring it all together any tips would be great otherwise Im gonna try wing it

Thanks guys look forward to hearing your comments

Not sure whether or not you can see this closely enough and the fact that you are quoting cost in Euro's, I am not sure if wiring is the same where you are. Here is a pic of the wiring I did. Basically, negative to negative and positive to positive and all brought together into the cord, neg to neg and pos to pos (into the cord) does that make sense?

 

[wannasmokeweed]

wannasmokeweed..... fucking do well m8

THanks Bro

 

[smil3y]

Not sure whether or not you can see this closely enough and the fact that you are quoting cost in Euro's, I am not sure if wiring is the same where you are. Here is a pic of the wiring I did. Basically, negative to negative and positive to positive and all brought together into the cord, neg to neg and pos to pos (into the cord) does that make sense?

Its pounds but i imagine the wiring is the same here thanks for pics I think ill understand it better when i've got it in front of me, What do you think about using the Ballast I linked with 80w or 55 w tubes x 4