A Quick DIY Veg Box

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overTHEman

Active Member
Welcome, ladies and gentleman, to the documentation of my first DIY veg box. This was an inexpensive and fun project with pleasing results.



Materials

1 x Black 18 Gallon Storage Tote ~$15 for three pack
2 x Rustoleum Flat White Enamel (Spray Can) ~$10 for both
4 x 3" wheels ~$3
1 x False Bottom and Supports ~$2
1 x 6 Socket Linear Powerstrip ~$8
1 x Phenolic Medium Base Socket and Mounting ~$5
2 x 80mm PC Case Fans ~$15
1 x Universal DC Adapter ~$15
1 x 50' Pack of Speaker Wire ~$5
1 x 3' Extension Cord ~$2
1 x Small Pack of Industrial Strength Velcro ~$5
1 x Flat Black Enamel (Spray Can) ~ $5
1 x Dehumidifier Belt/Filter ~ $5
1 x Weather Stripping ~ $5

Total cost: $100



Tools

Drill
Screws
Electrical Tape
Box Cutter
Wire Strippers
 
O

overTHEman

Active Member
Now that the tools and necessary materials are present, let the fun begin!



Start
...by deciding on your type of false bottom; table or shelf? A removable false bottom would have been nice, however I opted for a fixed shelf supported by 2" wood screws... for the sake of being level. These will vary mostly due to preference and container size.



Next

Paint. Use one entire can over the course of 24hrs, two light coats at a time.





Then...

Flip the bin over to install footing (wheels) and cut ventilation holes.





​Done with the bottom!
 
O

overTHEman

Active Member
First

Pick an appropriate spot for your fans and mark the lid for ventilation holes. Cut and install lighting mounts.





Second

Finish the second paint can two light coats at a time and allow to dry overnight. Apply velcro for powerstrip and fans.





Third

Electricity - rewire fans, light socket, and DC power adapter.




Install light socket.




Put a bulb in the socket to check for clearance from fans BEFORE tightening down all of the screws.





Finally

Test it!

 
O

overTHEman

Active Member
Pick your bulb combination and add your timer. Secure any loose wires. If weather stripping is available, apply it to the cracks between the fans and lid.








And there you have it; an easy veg bin to customize to your liking. Have fun!


Possible To Do's
Attach black HVAC filter to passive intake.
Add light traps/vent covers to exhaust fans.
Attach weather stripping to top of bin/lid for additional lightproofing.



Thanks for reading and happy veggin!
 
O

overTHEman

Active Member
avrum, i applied gorilla glue to the joints. once it dries, blackberry skunk seedlings are gonna be the first thing in there!
 
O

overTHEman

Active Member
There was a small list of "Possible To Do's" last time, so here's an update.

A local big box store had flat black enamel, black weather stripping, and HVAC/dehumidifier filter. I didn't intend to spend any more money on this project but I had a coupon and they had a 500ct. pack of PEAT POTS! Spent $15 to complete this project and got a little bonus.


First

Paint the lightproofing and ventilation materials flat black. Get some fresh air and smoke a bowl.

While those dry, check the inside of the bin for any places that may need to be lightproofed, for example: the power cable exit or the child-child safe ventilation holes. Use black weatherstripping and Gorilla Glue.











Second

The filter will dry quickly so you're free to apply velcro around the ventilation hole; use the grippy side.







Finally

Apply weatherstripping to the inside of the vent covers and around the fans for additional light proofing.











That's about it!

Once all of the paint and glue is dry, I'll post a few pics of it running with the lightproofing on. It's not perfect but definitely better than without.

If you make one of these, remember; there's plenty of paint on this bin, especially via the filter. Be sure to run it for a few days before putting plants in it.




Happy Growing!
 
iBuzz

iBuzz

Active Member
I wish they made these 1' or 2' taller. I don't think it's enough room for a micro DWC grow. I might have to make a "high-pod". My only requirement is for it to look like its a regular unmodified rubbermaid bin/trash can on the top and at least 2 sides.
 
RRain

RRain

Active Member
Have you considered buying two tubs. The top one is identical to this minus the hole on the bottom. The bottom box has the ventillation hole, and on the lid of the bottom box you cut a hole as large as possible, and you cut the same size hold on the bottom of the top box, stick together and voila. Extra growing space
 
electronug

electronug

Active Member
I considered making one back when I first started growing, but I lived in an apartment and painting the inside to lightproof wasn't in the cards.
 
O

overTHEman

Active Member
RRain said:
Have you considered buying two tubs. The top one is identical to this minus the hole on the bottom. The bottom box has the ventillation hole, and on the lid of the bottom box you cut a hole as large as possible, and you cut the same size hold on the bottom of the top box, stick together and voila. Extra growing space
Click to expand...
The bin is one of a three pack of bins, it's gonna function as a space to veg some seedlings and clones. They don't need to be big as I only have a 3' ceiling flower tent.

... and it could be bigger at any time, I still have two more bins!
 
O

overTHEman

Active Member
iBuzz said:
I wish they made these 1' or 2' taller. I don't think it's enough room for a micro DWC grow. I might have to make a "high-pod". My only requirement is for it to look like its a regular unmodified rubbermaid bin/trash can on the top and at least 2 sides.
Click to expand...
iBuzz, thanks for swingin in. You could definitely do a hydro setup in one of these; a very thin and wide plastic container would work well here. The SWC bucket could even function as your false bottom/light trap as you have to paint it black anyway; this would save you a few inches. The hard part is making it look like a regular tub.

My one requirement was that everything needed to be attached to the lid; fans, lights, power. Getting that accomplished in under four inches was enough for me!





Happy Growing.
 
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