CFL Cab - First Time Growing Anything ... Hope I Don't Mess Up

cazman

cazman

Member
By the way, in cutting the holes for my ventilation exhaust/intake, would it be beneficial to simply cut out the two ribbed vent on the topmost door [front - as seen in the pics] and install the exhaust there, or would it be more advantageous to cut from the sides and leave the ribbed venting on the doors for added intake?

Also, I have noticed that some of you shy from the metal cabinets due to the heat issue. Now while I understand the issue - metal radiates heat - something puzzles me. There seems to be a contradiction in some of the advice I've read beginning to arise here. I have read that many people scoff at the metal containers (such as the case with the Locker Cab Grow thread) but yet I then see the same cats in another thread praising a great PC box. Am I missing something here, because I am confused .. On one hand I am worried that I may have made an unwise investment in what I thought was a great box. On the other hand I am like, fuck it, PC boxes seem to be just fine, so mine should be as well.

Now I know that I am having temperature regulation problems now and must leave the door completely open to the cab AND the closet door... which will be an issue soon when company comes through. I am under the assumption this is due to the fact that I have not had the chance to cut and install the proper exhausts - rather than the metal box - because as stated, it seems the PC boxes are great. I guess whats worrying me is that the closet I have at my disposal will be problematic as it shuts pretty good and I can't exactly dice up the rented apartment door and have a big pipe coming out of it. Oh yeah that and the confusion on the metal cab.

Sorry for the constant questions, I am simply trying to squeeze the fruits and drink in the wisdom.

Thanks guys, you're always a major help.
 

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stonesour

stonesour

Well-Known Member
cazman said:
By the way, in cutting the holes for my ventilation exhaust/intake, would it be beneficial to simply cut out the two ribbed vent on the topmost door [front - as seen in the pics] and install the exhaust there, or would it be more advantageous to cut from the sides and leave the ribbed venting on the doors for added intake?

Also, I have noticed that some of you shy from the metal cabinets due to the heat issue. Now while I understand the issue - metal radiates heat - something puzzles me. There seems to be a contradiction in some of the advice I've read beginning to arise here. I have read that many people scoff at the metal containers (such as the case with the Locker Cab Grow thread) but yet I then see the same cats in another thread praising a great PC box. Am I missing something here, because I am confused .. On one hand I am worried that I may have made an unwise investment in what I thought was a great box. On the other hand I am like, fuck it, PC boxes seem to be just fine, so mine should be as well.

Now I know that I am having temperature regulation problems now and must leave the door completely open to the cab AND the closet door... which will be an issue soon when company comes through. I am under the assumption this is due to the fact that I have not had the chance to cut and install the proper exhausts - rather than the metal box - because as stated, it seems the PC boxes are great. I guess whats worrying me is that the closet I have at my disposal will be problematic as it shuts pretty good and I can't exactly dice up the rented apartment door and have a big pipe coming out of it. Oh yeah that and the confusion on the metal cab.

Sorry for the constant questions, I am simply trying to squeeze the fruits and drink in the wisdom.

Thanks guys, you're always a major help.
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I think the whole idea with the pc box is super stealth, you put a computer case next to a desk its obvious to most people that its not a growing medium. I think your just fine with the box you have. I would prob cut out the ribs and make those the fan area just because if you had the vents there in addition to your fans than it would put out more light and be less "stealth". Just make sure you dont add a fan to the intakes, just cut out the bottom ribs (if there is any) and leave them like that. you could spray paint the inside flat white to give you ultimate reflection. just an idea.
 
cazman

cazman

Member
Good deal, that makes me feel much better about the purchase then. As for the ribbed venting, what you see in the pic is exactly the same on the bottom door. Think of it like the old country cottage style (Mr. Ed) Two doors - top and bottom - that opens to the entire interior. Both Doors have two vent ribbing. I was think I would dice up the top two vents and add my ventilation exhausts and leave the bottom two for the intakes. That way I have the "hole punch" idea of intake and not over doing the forced in air overwhelming my exhaust.

As for the reflective interior, tonight once my timer goes off I am going to pull out the box and use the NASA blankets to line the entire interior, rather than dealing with messy paint. Do you believe this will be antiquate?

Aside from tips regarding that, do you have any tips for my closet situation? Its a VERY deep closet and when the door is closed its PERFECT for dark room "off" time when flowering. (Can't see hand while smacking self in the face for burning my babies, lol).. But boy when the door is closed it gets toasty and I that is going to be a problem. Would the reflective material and exhausts in the vent ribbing remedy this? It is not air tight either, but its light tight.
 
Wreckthewhip

Wreckthewhip

Member
subbed, goodluck with this. i hope everything goes well. i had some heat issues yesterday, my closet got up to 100 deg... i fixed it by just using a bigger fan and keeping the door open a crack, now my seedling this morning is already greener, and slightly taller.
 
cazman

cazman

Member
Thanks Wreckthewhip. I appreciate the luck wishes. Every little bit helps. Yeah the heat is my biggest issue. My dremel is in the mail so hopefully I will be getting some more exhausts added to the cab in the next few days. Maybe this will help.

By the way folks, in regards to my last,, ---"does anyone have any tips for my closet situation? Its a VERY deep closet and when the door is closed its PERFECT for dark room "off" time when flowering. (Can't see hand while smacking self in the face for burning my babies, lol).. But boy when the door is closed it gets toasty and I think that is going to be a problem. Would the reflective material and exhausts in the vent ribbing remedy this and allow for me to close the door? It is not air tight either, but its light tight." Or should I try and find some way to make it a discreet covered cab in a separate room? Want to avoid this but I guess I will try to do it if its the absolute last ditch remedy.
 
jeremym

jeremym

Member
Are you planning on using computer fans? If so, I'd recommend finding a different fan for exhaust since computer fans don't to much for sucking air out of the box. They blow a lot better than they suck...

At least that is my recent experience with computer fans.

Also, how is your reflective material working? I remember seeing a chart somewhere and the best to options (based on reflectivity) were Mylar and flat white paint. I'm just wondering if those NASA blankets or whatever will insulate too much and trap heat inside. Also, might wrinkles in the blanket might create hot spots on the plants like aluminum foil does?

-Jeremy
 
cazman

cazman

Member
Thanks for the comments. Yeah I am probably gonna use 120m to 200m comp fans. Definitely not the tiny ones. As for the emergency blankets, if I'm not mistaken I belive they are mylar material as well. At least most of them are, so it'll be the same situation. Its just harder to flatten them down because of the folds. I do not believe it will be a drastic issue with hotspots right now because I'm using cfl rather than the more intense hid lighting. At least this is what I have been told.
 
EvolAlex

EvolAlex

Well-Known Member
Hey im tuning in. I Have a similar problem with the heat issue, should have it all worked out soon. Ill fill you in on whats going on. if you get a chance take a peek at my first grow.just curious how is the humidity in there? Ill be back so keep the updates coming. good luck
 
cazman

cazman

Member
Is it possible to underwater my plants?... I have been watering every 2-3 days by putting about 1/8" of water in the saucer for the pods to suck up and finish with some misting on top.

I am afraid that I have accidentally went the opposite direction of the common mistake (overwater). Cause my girls (hopefully girls) are not looking to chipper. Got some wilting going on (extreme on one) and the temp has been consistently around 78-84 or so that last couple three days and they just keep getting worse for wear.
 
stonesour

stonesour

Well-Known Member
cazman said:
Is it possible to underwater my plants?... I have been watering every 2-3 days by putting about 1/8" of water in the saucer for the pods to suck up and finish with some misting on top.

I am afraid that I have accidentally went the opposite direction of the common mistake (overwater). Cause my girls (hopefully girls) are not looking to chipper. Got some wilting going on (extreme on one) and the temp has been consistently around 78-84 or so that last couple three days and they just keep getting worse for wear.
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it is far worse to overwater than it is to underwater. marijuana thrives in semi dry medium. The rule of thumb is before you water stick you finger in the soil and if its wet or damp a couple of inches below the surface it doesnt need watering. I bought a moisture guage at the hydro store that was 10 bucks and it was the Best investment so far in my complete grow room. It doesnt require batteries and lets me know exactly what the condition the soil is in. You wouldnt believe how many times i said, "damn that soil is dry" by looking at it and its really damp underneith. oh and i dont mist during the day, i have noticed that the water acts as a magnifying glass (when the cfls are close anyways) and causes them to wilt a little. I stick with misting at night just about once a week if needed. Just my 2 cents.
 
cazman

cazman

Member
Welp, things are definitely not looking good at this point. I have pretty much lost a second plant and my last is looking really unfortunate. See pics below. The third set of leaves have started sticking straight up, over night.

I am completely stumped as to what has occurred.

Any thoughts on whats causing the issue from the pics below? Bear in mind I have only been watering every couple days or so. And the last time I watered was Saturday. I felt the soil this morning and it was still moderately moist.
 

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stonesour

stonesour

Well-Known Member
cazman said:
Welp, things are definitely not looking good at this point. I have pretty much lost a second plant and my last is looking really unfortunate. See pics below. The third set of leaves have started sticking straight up, over night.

I am completely stumped as to what has occurred.

Any thoughts on whats causing the issue from the pics below? Bear in mind I have only been watering every couple days or so. And the last time I watered was Saturday. I felt the soil this morning and it was still moderately moist.
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what kind of soil are you using? I see a fertilizer ball in that last picture, anything that has fertilizer is definatly not good for seedlings. You need some organic seedling mix that drains well. Then transplant at least 2-3 times before their permanent pot. This give the roots a way to establish a good system of growing.
 
cazman

cazman

Member
Absolutely good point, such an obvious thing and I completely overlooked it. I am using Miracle Gro "Potting SoiL" from Menards.

I have seen mixed feelings on the Miracle Gro Soil on the boards here but now that I think about it, I have yet to see any positives on the general "Potting Soil" type of Miracle Gro Brand.

So Nute Burn would cause the upward growth and shriveling of the leaves?
 

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stonesour

stonesour

Well-Known Member
cazman said:
Absolutely good point, such an obvious thing and I completely overlooked it. I am using Miracle Gro "Potting SoiL" from Menards.

I have seen mixed feelings on the Miracle Gro Soil on the boards here but now that I think about it, I have yet to see any positives on the general "Potting Soil" type of Miracle Gro Brand.

So Nute Burn would cause the upward growth and shriveling of the leaves?
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definatly, I saw a fertilizer ball in that pic and new exactly what it was. Prob not going to save that one either. Best bet is to get some organic and try again.
 
cazman

cazman

Member
Well bugger it all, looks like I am making a trip back for some dif. soil.

On a sidenote, I have yet to notice the Miracle Grow Organic at my local Menards.... and the folks at Home Depot are so completely clueless here, that when I last asked them if they had Mylar I got literally 4 blank stares from the floor personnel, whom all asked me what mylar is. It was quite irritating. Are there any general commercial locations that would carry such a brand type or are there alternatives at these locations that I should focus on?
 
stonesour

stonesour

Well-Known Member
cazman said:
Well bugger it all, looks like I am making a trip back for some dif. soil.

On a sidenote, I have yet to notice the Miracle Grow Organic at my local Menards.... and the folks at Home Depot are so completely clueless here, that when I last asked them if they had Mylar I got literally 4 blank stares from the floor personnel, whom all asked me what mylar is. It was quite irritating. Are there any general commercial locations that would carry such a brand type or are there alternatives at these locations that I should focus on?
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I really dont know, I get all my stuff from the local flower/hydro shop. There isnt a floral shop anywhere where you live? try wal-mart they might have some seedling mix.
 
cazman

cazman

Member
I think there is a hydro shop a couple neighborhoods over. I will check that out. Would this soil be worth anything after seedling stage for a transplant or is it more appropriate as an additional item in my trash bin.
 
stonesour

stonesour

Well-Known Member
cazman said:
I think there is a hydro shop a couple neighborhoods over. I will check that out. Would this soil be worth anything after seedling stage for a transplant or is it more appropriate as an additional item in my trash bin.
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no dont pitch it, it would work when the plants are established and older. I would say 4-5 weeks old and they would prob handle that soil just fine.
 
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