I have been looking around the net for information on CFL Rubbermaid stealth boxes and I've seen a couple attempts and read a little bit about the set up...but most of the posts are outdated by at least a couple years, and many of the pictures are no longer hosted. It's a shame because the idea of a cheap, discreet, yet efficient set up is highly appealing! Especially to someone new to growing like myself. So I've decided that I'm going to go ahead and experiment and document everything in this thread. Hopefully you'll offer some friendly criticism and anyone else interested in trying will have some kind of recent reference. Be warned, you might see me do or say something stupid...feel free to teach me the proper way. However, I have been obsessively reading everything I can find so hopefully things will turn out in favor of good bud
So today I started setting up my box. I am using a 35 gallon Sterilite box from Wal-mart (will stack on another when my plants get too tall). It was on sale for about 12 bucks. I know it's not Rubbermaid...but whatever we'll see if that has an impact. Currently I don't have the interior lined with anything. I would prefer Mylar but I could not find it at Lowe's or Walmart. Since I'm trying to be efficient AND cheap I'm going to instead experiment with sun reflectors for car windshields. I looked at Wal-mart but was told they no longer sell them in the store wtf? Anyhow, I'll go to Auto Zone a little later today since it's right around the corner. (***Ended up finding Mylar Windshield reflectors @ Auto Zone how bout that
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I used a soldering iron (Wal-mart craft section, about 4 bucks) to make some external modifications. I made a 4x4 slot for ventilation on the bottom side of my box. I also made 3 circles in the Lid in order to suspend my lights. I was initially going to mount the lights on the inside and redo the wiring...but honestly that's just too much for me. This is my first grow, not trying to get all James Bond with it and accidentally electrocute myself.
The light cords (3) I got from the tool section in Wal-mart. They came with an aluminum lampshade, about 11 bucks each. I have a feeling that the lamp shades might grow too hot in the box and cause the overall temperature to increase...if so I'll remove them and make sure that I cover the lid in reflective material as well. I decided to go with CFL bulbs. I will eventually move up to 5 lights total but for now I have three. There is a 5000k 23watt CFL on the outside sockets, and a 6500k 32 watt CFL in the middle. I know this isn't optimal lighting, but this is what I am working with for now and will expand upon it as my plants (and funds) grow.
I don't have any fans going yet as the seeds are still germinating, but I will definitely be including one inside and perhaps one in the 4x4 vent slot I made. When I move to two Sterilite boxes stacked on each other, I'll probably make another opening at the top most box's upper corner for ventilation.
I also just got some seeds started. They're nothing special, pretty much crap weed but I just want to experiment with them. I have some seeds I will plant later...A couple types of skunk, Reserva Privada, Sour Kush (feminized), and Big Bud #2. Bought a little seed starter plastic greenhouse from Wal-Mart for about 4 bucks. Also bought some organic seed starter potting soil (10 bucks).
Well only thing to do now is to wait for the seeds to sprout. I'll be posting to this thread often and letting you guys know how things go. Feel free to let me know what you think, any things to try, etc.
Again I'm not an expert, I'm probably doing some things the wrong way but don't hate on me, just let me know what to do to improve
. Thanks for taking the time to read my post.
-Ms. J
Thanks Mo!
