1st grow box setup

First of all i want to say hello to everyone.


Second here are my questions, hope you can help me.


I'm building a small grow box.
Measurements are:
0.53x0.40x0.55 (width X depth X height)


The box will be with white foil.
The grow box is for auto flowers only.
Right now I'm researching for components and I'm stuck with the light setup.


What light setup should be the most efficient and less expensive for this grow box.
I think that 4, 6 CFLs would be nice, but I'd like to hear your opinions.
Thanks in advance.


Later we will discuss the fans and other stuff.

What unit of measurement are you using for your box?

For a micro grow, CFLs and / or LED bulbs are the way to go.

In general, foil is a bad idea for reflectivity as it has a tendency to create hot spots. I'm not sure about while foil but I assume it's the same...never heard of anyone using it before personally.

If you need something cheap Walmart carries emergency blankets that are made of Mylar for around 3 bucks. Or, you can always spray paint the inside flat white.

I forgot to say the measurements...
They are in meters.

White foil... maybe it's white film... idk... I saw a lot of people using it.
Here is picture for the film/foil... Correct me what really is this - http://www.hydrolightwholesale.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/b/l/black-white-poly.jpg

In the beginning i want Mylar but in Bulgaria the Mylar is really expensive! I can't afford it.

About the CFLs - how many, what wats...

TheGrowG said:

I forgot to say the measurements...
They are in meters.

White foil... maybe it's white film... idk... I saw a lot of people using it.
Here is picture for the film/foil... Correct me what really is this - http://www.hydrolightwholesale.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/b/l/black-white-poly.jpg

In the beginning i want Mylar but in Bulgaria the Mylar is really expensive! I can't afford it.

About the CFLs - how many, what wats...

Click to expand...

Ah ok. That would be a pretty small box...like mine . Totally doable as long as you plan on doing some training.

Have you grown before?

I see what you mean about the white foil, we call it 'black and white poly'. It is indeed good for growing .


As to the watts...you won't need much since you're in a small space. I'm not sure exactly how much you will be able to fit, but I would try to get ~60w (actual watt) if possible. More if you can!

Yes, i have grown before, but i started indoor and in second or third week moved the ladies outdoor.

About the lights - i think 4 CFL. I stopped my attention of Philips. 1 bulb is 32W (150W) 2700K White warm light, 2255 lumens. That means the my light setup should be:
4 x 32W(150W) = 128W (600W) 10800K 9020 lumens. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Also i think of adding additional LED lights. I think to make my own LED panel with 80 LEDs x 3W each. Red 630nm, Red 660nm, IR 730nm, UV 380nm, White 6000K, White 12000K. But I'm still wondering about the LEDs... What's your opinion?

From what I understand, you get more lumens per watt if you go with multiple small cfls rather than going with the larger cfls. Larger bulbs mean more heat too. As for the LEDs, I think they would be an excellent addition to your grow. I actually am a noob when it comes to LEDs though, I literally just started learning about them a few days ago. I read this thread (https://www.rollitup.org/led-other-lighting/656542-flowering-cree-bulbs.html) and decided that I wanted to go mostly LED lighting with a CFL or two only to keep up temperatures since I live in a cool climate. If you want to know more about LEDs and see what they are capable of for small grows, definitely advise reading the thread. It was a great read, finished it all in one night, was that good!

And for any LED questions this is a good place to go: https://www.rollitup.org/led-other-lighting/633304-if-you-new-led-want.html

I got a response very quickly and everyone is very knowledgeable about setting up lighting.

As far as i'm understanding you, i should go with for and example 6 smaller cfls. 1 is 23W(110W) 1570 lumens and 2700k, then 4 bigger cfls?

And because the winter is comming i think that i will need heat

One more question, waht is the best option for lights - warm white or cold white?

TheGrowG said:

As far as i'm understanding you, i should go with for and example 6 smaller cfls. 1 is 23W(110W) 1570 lumens and 2700k, then 4 bigger cfls?

And because the winter is comming i think that i will need heat

One more question, waht is the best option for lights - warm white or cold white?

Click to expand...

Yes, the smaller CFLs are better if you are aiming for more lumens. It will be easier to manipulate them around your grow too since they are smaller. To be honest though, there is nothing wrong with using the larger CFLs if you want to, especially if you think you will have proper ventilation / cooling.

The best option for the vegetative stage is white light (6500k), but you will want a little warm (2700k) mixed in too. Might want to double check me on this, but I believe the ratio would be 3:1 white to warm. The reverse is true in flowering.

Thank you. I think that we solve the light issue. In the end I will get 4 CFLs 3 cool white and 1 warm white (20W for 1 bulb).

Lets go to the other issues. What kind of fans do i need. Carbon filter? At all, how to do my ventilation?

Try to post some pics and ask as many "dumb" questions as you put it all together.Our advice could be more helpful.GL


BTW unless you have good d.i.y, electrical and soldering skills I would stick to cfls for now...How big is that growbox???

B166ER420 said:

Try to post some pics and ask as many "dumb" questions as you put it all together.Our advice could be more helpful.GL


BTW unless you have good d.i.y, electrical and soldering skills I would stick to cfls for now...How big is that growbox???

Click to expand...

I'll put some pics after i put the black and white poly in.
In my first post i have measurements of the box - 0.53x0.40x0.55 (width X depth X height (the measurements are in meters)).
I have both electrical and soldering skills. This will not be a problem.

TheGrowG said:

Thank you. I think that we solve the light issue. In the end I will get 4 CFLs 3 cool white and 1 warm white (20W for 1 bulb).

Lets go to the other issues. What kind of fans do i need. Carbon filter? At all, how to do my ventilation?

Click to expand...

PC fans for such a small grow...one or two for exhaust, passive intake. Carbon filter is a yes if you are concerned about smell.

This is a good DIY guide: https://www.rollitup.org/do-yourself/101248-best-diy-ez-walmart-carbon.html

Ganja.Queen said:

PC fans for such a small grow...one or two for exhaust, passive intake. Carbon filter is a yes if you are concerned about smell.

This is a good DIY guide: https://www.rollitup.org/do-yourself/101248-best-diy-ez-walmart-carbon.html

Click to expand...

I've stopped my attention on fans that seems really good.
120mm with thermal control.[h=2]Arctic Fan F12 TC - 120mm/300-1350rpm[/h]I think to have 3 input and 2 exhaust.
Opinions?

TheGrowG said:

I think to have 3 input and 2 exhaust.
Opinions?

Click to expand...

Unnecessary to have any fans for intake. With a micro grow you will want passive intake. 1 or 2 exhaust fans, with the intake being twice the surface area of the exhaust. With such a small cab I'll be surprised if you need more than one fan for exhaust, especially if you know that the room your cab will be in will be cool during the grow. As for the specs of the fan, it's not a huge deal. Just get something that moves air decently

Ganja.Queen said:

Unnecessary to have any fans for intake. With a micro grow you will want passive intake. 1 or 2 exhaust fans, with the intake being twice the surface area of the exhaust. With such a small cab I'll be surprised if you need more than one fan for exhaust, especially if you know that the room your cab will be in will be cool during the grow. As for the specs of the fan, it's not a huge deal. Just get something that moves air decently

Click to expand...

Ganja.Queen said:

1 or 2 exhaust fans, with the intake being twice the surface area of the exhaust.

Click to expand...

I'm not use that i understand this...

TheGrowG said:

I'm not use that i understand this...

Click to expand...

Oh sorry, I misunderstood you haha. You will be fine then

I had a box that I made last grow 3' tall 18" wide and 2' deep. I used a pc power supply, crossed the green wire with any black wire and ran 5 comp fans off of it. 2 exhaust, and 3 circulation with a passive intake. I had 9 23w cfls and no heat issues al all! Happy growing!