Stealth Dresser Grow - 1st Grow Attempt

[incade]

So, this morning I noticed that Bloomer #2 (I really need to name these plants) has some yellow edges on one leaf. So, I decided to open the pH + Moisture meters and put them in the pots. Turns out, I am officially guilty of n00b under-watering. At least I did prepare for my n00bness and got the meters in advance.

I've also decided to switch from 18/6 to 24/0 for the next two weeks (I read that 24/0 helps prevent stretching vertically), then I'll switch to 18/6, then to 12/12 for flowering.

Intake fan is now disabled, as I feel it is drying things out too fast with all the air blowing in. I am going today after work to buy a dimmer switch to control the fans with.

Furthermore, I am considering replacing the entire door with some thicker board because this one bends too easily. For example, when I installed the hinges on the right to keep it closed, it now bends and lets light out in the bottom. IF I do replace the door, that would be an ideal time to rethink my ventilation.. so now, I've got some pondering to do. If anyone has any ideas/suggestions/comments, please feel free to advise!

ZenithXalaga: Shh! Don't foil my plans by making it so obvious.

GB: I have a feeling that the intake fan is pushing in wayyyy too much air, so it's been disabled for now. We'll see how things go after 24 hours and that'll help me decide whether passive or active is going to be the solution. Also, as you probably read above, I'm considering redesigning the ventilation if I replace the door so maybe you can give me your idea on what an ideal ventilation setup would be in this type of build.

 

[ZenithXalaga]

I'm not great with ventilation since I'm still thinking about adjusting mine with different fans so I can't comment about that. However, If you are going to change to 24/0 I would just make sure it stays on that cycle until 12/12, because when you switch it back and forth your plants don't really like it. It confuses them, a stress if you will.

 

[gumball]

I will speak more to the door when I get home on a real computer. But make sure you get a dimmer to control DC powered devices, which computer fans are. I don't think an AC dimmer will control a DC fan without causing problems.

 

[incade]

This ventilation problem is going to drive me nuts.. there's no way my temps should still be reaching 90F sometimes. My ambient temp shouldn't be above 70F (thermostat set at 68F), and yet with 110CFM in and 110CFM out, that box is still hitting 90F?! FFS.

 

[gumball]

did you try and eliminate the intake fan yet, or use a lower powered fan for intake? I will try and do a diagram tonight for the ventilation on the new door.

 

[incade]

Today is day 10 already, it seems like they are flying by.. The two plants that were doing well are already on their 2nd leaf sets..

I don't think the 3rd one is going to survive, I have no idea why..

I'll put some pics up tomorrow.

 

[gumball]

Today is day 10 already, it seems like they are flying by.. The two plants that were doing well are already on their 2nd leaf sets..

I don't think the 3rd one is going to survive, I have no idea why..

I'll put some pics up tomorrow.

ok, i didnt forget about helping you, but it appears I have kidney stones and I have been in some pain.

but I "stole" someone else cabinet picture to give the 3-d effect. So you had a good idea with the exhaust. Put your fan on the door, and then extend it into your cabinet with some type of piping. put your carbon filter on the inside of the extension pipe. BUT, if you can put the fan on the inside and the carbon filter against the door, then this will reduce the noise of your fan somewhat for added stealth.

Then you want your intake in the floor, several holes. you can always cover them up, or even buy a piece of wood and recover the whole floor. you want a smaller hole directly below your exhaust, and a larger hole furthest away diagnolly, which will draw air across your cabinet.

View attachment 1409873

these bottom 3 pics are the way I built my light filter for my intakes. I did a large rectangle for my floor, and you can steal my idea, or refine it to your needs. This light filter is just some 90 degree angle pieces painted flat black with about 1/4" spacers. If you can find 90 degree angled pieces that are already flat black it would be much easier. this does restrict air some what, but still pretty cool air flow. it is not 100% light proof, but you will not notice very much, still real stealthy. I hope this helps you with your cabinet.

View attachment 1409882
View attachment 1409881
View attachment 1409886

 

[incade]

Sorry to hear about the kidney stones man, get feelin' better!

I forgot to mention that I've disabled the intake fan for moments here and there, and generally all I ever see if a huge spike in temperature and drop in humidity. I'm pretty sure the intake is going to be necessary.

Okay, the holes for ventilation totally make more sense to me now and I have a good idea for how to implement the new ventilation (I'm waiting for payday on Monday).

Although, the light filter design didn't make sense to me from the picture.. What have you done, placed the 90 degree pieces open on the floor to create vents?
I don't see where the weatherstripping plays in.. sorry.

 

[incade]

As promised, pic updates!



The one thing I feel that is going well about this project so far, is that these plants don't seem to be stretching much at all with the 24/0 cycle.
Right now, due to the ventilation issues I'm leaving the door open quite a bit during the day.. With my room fan blowing in, things get to be about 77F and 35% humidity for a while. The plants really seem to enjoy those open door moments. However, this will only work while these plants do not smell.

Replaced the exhaust light box with the shorter revised model:

Also, if you notice I removed the support board that was running across the back.. Was tired of it in the way.

Installed a fan controller (obviously it doesn't hang there):


Upgrades coming:

New door (thicker for sealing up light leaks)
New ventilation
HD Webcam (Sorry, this won't be posted live online, strictly for remote monitoring and easier picture taking.)

 

[incade]

I feel like I should be updating almost daily because the plants have so much activity. The first bloomer looks like it has leaf sets popping up everywhere already.

I'm going tomorrow to get some Fox Farm Big Bloom, and 5 gal pots, with more Ocean Forest soil. Almost ready to start nutes and move them to the bigger pots.

 

[ZenithXalaga]

You're going to start nutes soon? I'd.. be careful then lol They look like they're a few weeks away from nutes to me.

 

[incade]

We are at Day 11 since germination, 7 days since put into soil.
I was just considering the Big Bloom and Grow Big nutes starting somewhere between the 2nd and 3rd week.
So, starting nutes in about 14 more days, too soon?

By the way, I am kind of loosely basing my schedule off of this chart:
http://www.foxfarmfertilizer.com/FoxFarm-Soil-Schedule.pdf

So, if that's entirely inaccurate can someone else point me in the direction of something more applicable?

 

[gumball]

I feel like I should be updating almost daily because the plants have so much activity. The first bloomer looks like it has leaf sets popping up everywhere already.

I'm going tomorrow to get some Fox Farm Big Bloom, and 5 gal pots, with more Ocean Forest soil. Almost ready to start nutes and move them to the bigger pots.

View attachment 1412611View attachment 1412612View attachment 1412613

they do look good. whatever your temps are they seem to like it. I did know a grower who grew in his attic, in dead of summer, under 650 watts or 2 hps lights, and had F'ing monsters!! heat is not always a issue, just depends on all environmental factors.

just a thought incade, you may want to re-think the 5 gallon pots. you may have room for them, but you dont have the space for the plant to grow to a point to need 5 gallons of soil. maybe look at the 1 or 3 gallon air pots http://www.smartpots.com/. they work really well from what I have seen. or just a regular 1 gallon pot would do really well in your space, IMHO.

 

[gumball]

We are at Day 11 since germination, 7 days since put into soil.
I was just considering the Big Bloom and Grow Big nutes starting somewhere between the 2nd and 3rd week.
So, starting nutes in about 14 more days, too soon?

By the way, I am kind of loosely basing my schedule off of this chart:
http://www.foxfarmfertilizer.com/FoxFarm-Soil-Schedule.pdf

So, if that's entirely inaccurate can someone else point me in the direction of something more applicable?

good rule of thumb, dont start feeding until the cotyledons turn yellow and/or fall off

 

[incade]

Well, for the last 48 hours since I've been home all weekend I've been leaving the door open. The temps have been down to 77F with 35% humidity because of that, and it seems they're loving it.
Come Monday however, they will be shut up in the hotness again.

Good advice on pot sizes, and I'll check my local hydro store and see if they have air pots.. If not, I doubt I'll be able to order them because I don't have a place that I'd want plant pots to go to. =P

good rule of thumb, dont start feeding until the cotyledons turn yellow and/or fall off

Good to know, I didn't know there was an indicator.

 

[gumball]

yeah, there purpose is to provide nutrients to the seedling for its first week or 2 of life.

 

[incade]

Also, I have been keeping patient with the 3rd plant (which I've named Dudley).. I still water it when the meter shows necessary.

It doesn't appear to be dead, but it's obviously not growing like the others..

 

[incade]

yeah, there purpose is to provide nutrients to the seedling for its first week or 2 of life.

I wonder if this is the reason the 3rd plant is growing so slowly.. one of it's cotyledons have looked damaged since it sprouted.. I'll take a closer picture in just a second.

Update: Here's the picture:

 

[gumball]

I wonder if this is the reason the 3rd plant is growing so slowly.. one of it's cotyledons have looked damaged since it sprouted.. I'll take a closer picture in just a second.

could be. a couple more good rules is wait for the true leaves to be in sets of 5, or for the 2nd node to fully form.

 

[incade]

I guess I'll wait on the nutes a bit longer then, I'm just ready to see these plants take off.

Btw, I've still been thinking a bit about the ventilation, and have some more ideas after seeing your recommendations. I'll try to put together another diagram today, and I'll likely be buying some materials this week. Gotta get this ventilation/odor control taken care of before it's too late.