PC grow box 75watts CFL - Little help/tips/clues/opinions needed!

Hey pc gang.

It is my first project, so I am totally newbie.
Firstly, I would say I am glad being between the greatest experts in micro growing.

My first PC grow case isnt totally finished and b4 starting to germinate a seed (Im planning to buy in a local store this week) I would like receiving some tips and clues from the experts.

Here is a brief abt my project:

- Mid tower pc case (17' H x 17' W x 9' L)
- 3 8mm "generic" fans 0.25A (I couldnt find so much information abt them, but I think it is around 40 CFM).
- Windshield sun reflection
- Power strip + plug in socket adapter
- CFL Lamps 26watts for veg and flowering.
- Velcro
- etc (hot glue gun, tapes, wires, timer, thermometer)

Below, you guys can see a image of my first project release.




I am planning to use LST and not sure abt the strain but Im thinking about lowryder #2, coz I have a short cabinet. In my first attempt, I will grow just 1 plant (I think lights are enough, or should I upgrade to 100watts?). 18/6 veg and 12/12 flowering.

I've run some tests and it looks light-proof. Good.
I've also run some tests in order to have some overview about the temperature and what I've seen I aint like. The temperature inside was around 85o F. Pretty hot I guess.

So here a have my first question: Do u think I should use 2 intake 8mm fans 40CFM + 1 exhaust 12mm fan 80CFM or remain using 1 intake 8mm + 2 exhaust 8mm??

I also plan to add some carbon filter in the fans. Stealth isn't a big concern for me (I live with my wife), but anyway I wanna to control the odor a bit. My strategy for now is using ONA odor control + carbon filters.

Also, I would be glad to receive some tips abt the soil and nutrients/ferts. I would like to have good stuff without blowing up my budget. So I would appreciate some cheap/average stuffs.
I need to use ferts/nutrients just in flowering stage or in veg as well? Pretty confused abt this subject....

As soon I get strain/soil/ferts I will create a journal. So as fellas may follow this. Hope u guys like it.

Cheers

brazil420

hey looks cool buddy.. may I suggest getting some 42watt cfl's instead of those 27s? or at least one. I think around 100 watts of cfl is a good number but I'm sure what you have now will work too.. the more light the better!

1. The temperature inside was around 85o F. Pretty hot I guess. So here a have my first question: Do u think I should use 2 intake 8mm fans 40CFM + 1 exhaust 12mm fan 80CFM or remain using 1 intake 8mm + 2 exhaust 8mm??

you are right to use two exhausts and one intake. but your placement of the lower outlet may be causing air to stream directly between the intake and that outlet without circulating much air.

2. I also plan to add some carbon filter in the fans. Stealth isn't a big concern for me (I live with my wife), but anyway I wanna to control the odor a bit. My strategy for now is using ONA odor control + carbon filters.

ona or carbon filter, either work but both is overkill. and if you're not worried about stealth not sure why you're confining yourself to such a small space.

3. Also, I would be glad to receive some tips abt the soil and nutrients/ferts. I would like to have good stuff without blowing up my budget. So I would appreciate some cheap/average stuffs. I need to use ferts/nutrients just in flowering stage or in veg as well? Pretty confused abt this subject....


check the links in my signature below for some helpful posts from this site. as for soil go to a home depot or such and ask for the soil they suggest would be good for tomatoes. as for nutes - you need one for vegging and one for flowering. the vegging nute should have relatively high nitrogen values in the nitrogen-potassium-phosphorus (n-p-k) listed on every fert label ( something like 10-5-5 or 3-2-2 . the exact numbers don't matter, the ration of n to p and k does). the flowering nute should be high in potassium (like 2-4-2). start feeding at 3 weeks from seed with half the recommended amount. slowy increase over later feedings.

ADDED: you need to modify soil with something like perlite (also at home depot) to improve the drainage.

Hey guys

thanks a lot for ur answers!

"may I suggest getting some 42watt cfl's instead of those 27s? or at least one."

actually I will consider it in my second grow. I have some budget restrictions for my first attempt so rite now I am just getting some xperience with 26'watts. Also I think I can attach another 26'watts, so I will have around 100'watts.

Regarding the temps:

Yes, I am pretty confused :S. I think that fan halfway is messing up my pc grow. I might buy a good 12cm fan and do some experiments.

Approaches:

- 1 Fan intake 8cm + 1 Fan exhaust 8cm
- 2 Fan intake 8cm (I will turn the halfway outlet in a intake) + 1 Fan exhaust 12cm
- 1 Fan intake 8cm + 2 Fan exhaust 8cm "inline" (on the top case).

What do u guys think is best?

Abt the cabinet's size: I live in a small condo and my problem is space rite now. My wife does a lot of furniture.

thank again for ur patient with such noob as me. I really appreciate.

brazil420

- 1 Fan intake 8cm + 2 Fan exhaust 8cm "inline" (on the top case).

I have been using BMO (blue mountain organics) nutes from ebay with great success. They're cheap, organic, and effective. I think the whole like is like $25 with shipping. Regarding ventilation, you always want more exhaust than intake to create a bit of a negative pressure inside the grow space. And regarding odor, choose either carbon filter or ONA, not both. I would suggest ONA because your little fans will have a tough time pushing or pulling air through a filter. good luck!

how are you powering the fans??

You should start with 2 or 3 in there if ur using lowryders, they dont get very big. You'll be happy you did in the end.

Hey guys!

"how are you powering the fans??"
- I have 3 Fans 8mm 0.25A each hooked parallel in a 12V 1A power supply.

About my setup and temperature issues: I've moved the halfway fan to top, so I have 2 fans inline on the top. It decreased a bit the temperature, but I still getting around 80-84F. I think the problem is my intake. It is covered so it aint getting so much fresh air. I intend to remove the front, so my intake fan may get more air.

My apartment is REALLY dry (getting around 20% humidity), could be this a reason for a hot temperature?

Another thing: I am using 3x CFL 6500k 26W. When I change for 3x 2700K (for flowering), does temperature raise or drop? It sounds like a silly question, but as I said, Im super newbie. (my single xperience with growing was in 2nd grade germinating a black bean upon some cotton, LOL)

This evening I will publish a picture of my pc case, 2nd release _

Regarding the seeds: I am thinking abt go with Sensi Skunk #1. They have a reasonable price and it looks ok for LTS or Scrog (or both, why not?)

Guys, I really appreciate all comments/helps/advises. Thank u.

brazil420

gsimon said:

My apartment is REALLY dry (getting around 20% humidity), could be this a reason for a hot temperature?

Click to expand...

no, but you'll get better growing results if you can get the humidity higher for vegging. 20% is ok for flowering.

gsimon said:

I am using 3x CFL 6500k 26W. When I change for 3x 2700K (for flowering), does temperature raise or drop?

Click to expand...

no measurable change. in theory the 2700k probably puts out a little more heat.