First Grow Box Build/Grow 660w CFL

Seed AK47 x Lowryder F1 Femanized
Lights
(4) 65w Warm White 2700k CFLs
(4) 24" 20w Daylight 9600k FLTs (florescent tubes)
(4) 48" 40w Daylight 9600k FLTs
(4) 48" 40 Warm White 2700k FLTs
Ventilation/Filtration
(3) COOLER MASTER 120mm Case Fan 90cfm (R4-C2R-20AC-GP)
(1) Idylis Carbon Air Purifier Filter (.2"x23"x20")
Custom self contained carbon filter/exhaust set up see attachment
Grow Area
6.5'x3.25'x3.25' Custom Stealth Grow Box. Basic 2x4 frame built to those dimensions. Top and bottom of box are 3/4" plywood, three sides and door are 1/8" plywood. All corners are caulked, roof and floor of the box are painted flat white, while the walls are covered top to bottom with mylar. 48" double bulb work lights in each corner, bottoms of the tubes are 1.25' from the floor of the box. "Sun" light 2.25'x2.25' (3/4") plywood. with (4) 24" FLTs along each side and (4) 65w CFLs in a cross pattern in the center of the board. see attachment passive light trap intake, and self contained carbon filtration system. see attachment

Specs
Box Volume 69cu.ft
Total Wattage 660w
27k-96k Ratio 63-36
Recommended Air Ventilation 3 times volume of the box (207CFM)
Exhaust CFM 270cfm (3x90cfm fans)
Exhaust Size 5"x5" (25sq.in)
Intake Size 4"x10" (40sq.in)

Hello all,

A new member here, looking to get my first grow off and running. Been reading and researching for a few weeks now, and think I almost have all the pieces to a very successful first grow. I have one femanized AK47xLowryder seed... I'm currently acquiring the wood for the build, all the lights and bulbs have been purchased, as well as the computer fans, carbon filter, mylar, and chains. I Just want to make sure I'm heading in the right direction before everything gets put together and also have one or two questions I couldn't find on my own regarding proper soil and nutrients.

From what I've read and understand it is best to stay away from fortified or nutrient enhanced soils such as Miracle Grow, African Violet soil.. ect

I've also done some reading on nutrients and found that while there are many different types and brands, I've seem to found that many if not all growers that use nutrients use some form of grow, micro, and bloom nutrients. Added in parts to the watering water, different recipes for different cycles of the plant, as well as reducing the recommended potency by an amount as to not shock, kill, stunt the plant.

If I'm wrong on any of those points please correct me, I did a bit of reading on the forums before I decided to post as to not ask all the same simple questions everyone has already asked.. sorry if I ask any questions like those =)

However, I'm not sure how any of those possible facts I stated about soil and nutrients apply to a Lowryder breed. that being said..



I was wondering what soil would be most proper for the strain (AK47 x Lowryder) I've selected. also, additives such as perlite or anything relative?

What nutrients should I look into for such soil and strain. I am a first time grower, and was hoping not to get too crazy with the nutrients. Something maybe very basic.. a simple grow-micro-bloom combo or something similar?

What would be a preferable nutrient recipe to follow for a Lowryder strain?

How much should I cut the recommended recipe for nutrients by?

Hope to get some feedback,

Thanks for your time and knowledge,

Joan Figgens

I would say you have a pretty legit setup on your hands. I myself have a pretty similar setup
(a combo of CFL and fluorescent tubes)but its in a 2' x 7' closet and its worked great for me so far. as for your soil question i'm no expert but I used some soil with nutes in it (high in nitrogen) and it hasn't done me wrong. I'm currently about a week into flower.

looks like a nice design and well thought out. I would however recommend using pl-l (2g11) bulbs for your "tubes" .. they're top of the line for cfls right now imo, much higher output for watts per sq inch/foot then other flouros, quite a bit better then regular t-5's even.

Thanks for your posts. I def looked into those lights grow1620 great find.

I read some other threads and saw some nut/soil set ups for LRs not sure what other peoples opinions on them were

Soil Mix made of:
Sun Gro Sunshine Mix (although im not sure which mix. 1-2-3-or 4)
Perlite
Bone Meal
Blood Meal
(dif mix recipes for dif cycles of the plant i.e. seedling, veg, flower)

watering with tap water thats sat out for 24hrs and with 1tbsp of molasses per gallon every other watering

and feeding with Schultz Plant Food (10-15-10) 2 drops per gallon

Thoughts and opinions on this nuts/soil set up?

Joan Figgens

I would add some pulverized dolomite lime to the mix as well, it will help as a ph buffer..and does other little neat things too. I think you'll do fine with that mix though, as long as it's mixed in the proper proportions, and you know what yer doing with yer liquids (sounds like you do) the lime will help though. I heard HD sometimes carries it in the concrete section...just make sure it's pulverized not pelletized...or check your garden stores.

I'm sure there's tons of info on lime in the organic section....seems like the one common ingredient that you'll find in most soils ppl are using there.

I'm still a beginner with building soils and stuff, I'd recommend heading over to the soil forums and look over some of the mixes ppl there use and do some comparing......I know I've seen a few ppl that have had used shultz in a similar mix as yours with great results...but I'm not sure if shultz is really organic or not, and if it would contain salts or other crap that might potentially be damaging to the micro herd and bb's n stuff.


..wow on a side note, I'm totally high right now..and I have to ask.. "you've" is that proper spelling?..ya know like " you have" ... wow this is some trippy weed...that spelling just doesn't look right to me.

hahaha word thats def proper spelling.

and def i look into the dolomite lime fer sure. sounds like a very good add to the soil mix im thinking of. Is that somthing that most gardening stores would carry? along with the bone and blood meal?

and i just found a pretty simple recipe for all of this which includes dolomite lime. appreciate all you help so far.

pics should be up in a week or so of the full build and seedling!! i cant wait!

umm I would guess that a gardening store that's a little more specialized would carry the right kinda lime, I'm having trouble finding it myself and am currently using some pelletized that i got at HD in the gardening area (better then nothing i figure)..haven't had the chance to go back to check in the concrete section as i mentioned earlier. just call a few places..or if you'd rather go look for it make sure to check out the "concrete sections" too.

and sorry but no, I'm not familiar with sunshine mix(s) I built my own, 5 parts sphagnum peat, 3 parts earth worm castings, 3 parts perlite, a lil bone and blood meal, and a little pelletized dolomite, which i crushed up best i could with a hammer, again..better then nothing ... I water with molasses , fish emulsion and occasionally superthrive (during veg) ... I occasionally add random stuff to it...I like to experiment...oh and I add a little epsom salt when they need it.

and I have NO idea what kinda soil would be best for your strain...this is just kinda general soil for weed type stuffs

oh and lol...when I say "random" stuff I don't mean like dirty socks, broken glass and empty cans of tuna..rofl..more like a lil chunk of compost blended with a lil chunk of banana and some earthworm castings..strained and seeped in the sun fer a day, then "bubbled" into a tea as a supplement for micro nutrients as well as some extra potassium.

yo joan

i used fox farmthe red bag and never had to give nutes during veg because there is already so much in the soil. can't go wrong with it. as for flowering nutes, only use half strength because lr is a very nute sensative strain. use distilled water instead of tap water. its like 70 cents a gallon at any grocery store.
can't wait to see pics of the box when its ready.

peace

Showing is growing.

That is impressive research for a first growbox/grow. Cheers

I'm actually really curious about this build. What's been happening with it?
I'm in the design phase for my box and my interior dimensions are exactly the same.
Why'd you go with all CFL? 660watts is a lot of fluorescent power. Is it to keep the heat down?

I'm impressed with the amount of though and effort you have put into this grow box. Time = Rewards so please expect a nice yield coming out of this grow box. Personally, I don't like the tubs as much as I like my good old' cfl bulbs.
I'm going to be growing the same seed as you, where are you ordering it from? Perhaps we could do a contest of some sorts? This seems to be your first grow and you have a completely better setup then I do. Maybe my experienced farming skills will out do your amazing grow box.

I am going to be growing two plants.

Please consider this as a formal challenge to yourself
Even if you do not accept, I'm going to be pulling up a chair. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I have grown this strain multiple times, and is truly a wonderful plant.

Enjoy

Thanks for all the compliments... I really put a lot of thought and inginuity into the design of this box.. and am already learning new ways on how to improve for next time.

However, the plans on this particular thread where slightly altered as was the lighting arrangement. It currently is (@ 6.5ft tall 40in wide and 33in deep) and has a false wall on the back that doubles as the fresh air intake and light trap. the false walls on the side were insulated with fire proof spray foam and covered with plywood, then covered in 2ml mylar from top to bottom. instead of the insane contraption of the exhaust fans.. i cut a 4.5in hole and mounted a 120mm high velocity computer fan with liquid nails and then mounted over that a 6in duct wall starter to create a sealed tube, caped off with a 6in cap. I then drilled holes in the cap and placed an arrangement of foam carbon pre-filters and aquarium bags filled with activated carbon pellets.. there are 2 of these set ups.. one is on constantly and keeps the box under a constant vacuum, so that all the air is ensured to pass through the in-closed filter. the other fan is connected to a thermostat plug to ensure the box never exceeds 86°F which to my account thus far, has not happened... I run a 1.5gal cool mist humidifier every half hour and receive a humidity level of 48-62% on the constant with a temperature of 77-79°F.. I keep such cool temperatures with the 90w LED UFO I use. its the newer version, the tri-spec, not the tri ban. it literally generates very little heat,but just enough to keep my lady happy..

If you want to read and or see more.. please check out my journal.. its in my sig

cheers

Joan Figgens

where did you get 9600k lights, i would like to know more about this spectrum.

real nice grow box u got there,sure youre plants will do fine and clf ownz!