My DIY (ish) grow box idea - any good?

Hello all.

Looking to build a cabinet grow to go alongside my PC grow. This cabinet would be used as a perpetual 12/12 from seed grow...i.e. total of 3 plants and planting a new seed every 3/4 weeks. This way I can sample a lot more strains and harvest more regularly. I'm not so fussed about quantity, as long as I can guarantee minimum of 10g - 1/2oz PP I will be happy. will hopefully get quantity from growing 2 autoflowers in my PC grow, this is about begin able to sample more strains.

This is the basic equipment I was thinking of going with:

Cabinet (lockable, which is very important): http://www.rainbowzebra.co.uk/loco-white-desk-high-cupboard.html

CFL Light (red spectrum) - https://www.hydroculture.co.uk/250w-cfl-systems

Fan controller: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/aerocool-touch-1000-4-channel-lcd-touch-panel-fan-controller-bb-007-ae.html

Fans: Intake - https://www.overclockers.co.uk/silverstone-sst-fq121-fq-series-1225-pwm-watercooling-optimised-fan-fg-039-sv.html
Exhaust : https://www.overclockers.co.uk/noiseblocker-blacksilent-fan-xl1-fan-120mm-1000rpm-fg-021-nb.html
pots: 3x Rhizopots 8L

4" fan
Thermometer/hygro
Home-made carbon filter (unless anyone knows any better ideas)
reflective stuff for inner door

Will be growing in coco & Advanced nutrients

Have I missed anything important off the list? How does this set up look to you guys? Do you think 3 plants 12/12 from seed in this space is realistic and achievable?

Also, couple of questions:
- How do I power the PC fans?
- How do I connect the PC fans to the fan controller (I need to be able to adjust fan speed according to my room temp)
- Is that enough ventilation and airflow for a cabinet that size? (2 intake, 1 exhaust, 1 4" fan)
- Is lighting sufficient for a cabinet that size? 1 250W CFL and reflector?
- Would the white cabinet help the light reflections significantly or would I need to line the whole cabinet with the reflective stuff?

Thanks guys

If you are always using autoflower seeds, then I see no reason to restrict to 12/12... probably consider 20/4... this will produce more weed in the same space.

Why three fans? I am thinking one should do. Also don't see the need for a fan controller... just operate full speed, 24/7.
You can likely get an old power supply out of a PC to power the fan.

If you have a truly bright white interior, then the best Mylar film would only achieve a marginal improvement. However, if you are going to put Mylar on the door, then do it all around.

Hi, thanks for the reply. I will be growing photo's in this cabinet, and auto's in my PC. Sorry for any confusion.

Two intake fans because I live on a third floor and my room can get quite hot, and also quite cold. It is prone to temperature swings so if I can control the fan speed it will help keep the environment more stable.

Okay, are there other simple ways to lightproof the cabinet?

cheers

milkman92 said:

Okay, are there other simple ways to lightproof the cabinet?

Click to expand...

I would think the main light leak will be between the two doors. To stop it, you will need a "lip" attached to one of the doors. I simple lip would be to get a wooden meter/yard measuring stick from the local hardware store... in the US, these are typically given away for free. Cut it to size, paint it white and tack it to the door using small nails.

You don't want to use intake fans with carbon filters. You want negative pressure in your cabinet so if there are leaks the air gets sucked in instead of pushed out. Running extra fans in-line on your exhaust/filter will help with airflow if you don't get enough static pressure. Choosing fans with good static pressure ratings is also important.

i got a lock for mine

I agree with the passive intakes. Never pressurize the dank air. Consider a DIY COB light. Better buds, more yield, cooler. I can help you pick out components if you want me to.

Not sure if it's still relevant to your cause but the pc fan you wire to a 9v charger like this one. Clip the end of the charger and connect the red pc fan wire to the STRIPED wire on the charger, black goes to black. Tape or wire nut the ends (then tape) voila. You can get fan controllers on ebay to wire between the fan and transformer ( charger) to control speed.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81TO9XqojFL._SL1500_.jpg