Seedling Cabinet Build

Hey everyone figured I’d throw this up here to log the build but also garner some possible suggestions from people that have gone down the same road.

Starting a seedling/cloning grow cabinet due to the fact that my girl friend is already at that max with my two grow tents in our two bedroom apartment as it is lol. Found a cabinet (I know I know it’s wood) for $50 that had good dimensions for what I’m wanting.

Inner dimensions are 32”h x 14”d x 24”w

I want to use LED’s cause I’ve always hated how close Ive had to have my T5’s in the past. Plus I want pretty much zero heat. Any suggestions beyond the sun blaster led stuff?

I plan to silicone the inner seams and use a couple coats of a water proofing spray to prevent any rotting of the wood. Panda film the inside and use a small CPU fan for a make shift exhaust with a filter passive intake on the side.

Stay tuned to see the build!

24/7 guard dog/cuddle monster

Good setup for the dog to eat the leaves, mine likes them.

He knows his place and doesn’t do anything unless he’s told. At 180 pounds it has to be that way but his still such a goooood boy.

The cabinet has strong magnetic latches to keep it closed and I’d be putting a lock on it of course.

I just thought of it as a cool piece instead of a mini fridge or a filing cabinet. Plus it’s not necessarily an eyesore. Girl likes it so that’s a win in my books.

These 2' LEDs are pretty good for seedlings and clones. They also make for decent supplemental lighting.

Those look pretty cool but I have 24” max and I think those connectors would prevent them from fitting. Also I was thinking more full spectrum to be able to see any growth issues early on. I guess I could use my cellphones light to double check leaf colour but with “full spectrum” everywhere now a days I figure why not.

Came across this one that looks interesting.

Full Spectrum Grow Light for Indoor Plant, ECRU 150W Equivalent LED Plant Light Panel with Natural White Bulbs for Seedling, Vegetation and Flowering https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07WQVC2M6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_JuitEbA2XQ0V8


Claims to use 27w from the wall, “full spectrum” heavy quotation marks there, hanging heigh of 24-30” for germination. As long as it doesn’t get hot it could be good for my purpose. Still looking though.

bigmikey86 said:

Those look pretty cool but I have 24” max and I think those connectors would prevent them from fitting. Also I was thinking more full spectrum to be able to see any growth issues early on. I guess I could use my cellphones light to double check leaf colour but with “full spectrum” everywhere now a days I figure why not.

Came across this one that looks interesting.

Full Spectrum Grow Light for Indoor Plant, ECRU 150W Equivalent LED Plant Light Panel with Natural White Bulbs for Seedling, Vegetation and Flowering https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07WQVC2M6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_JuitEbA2XQ0V8


Claims to use 27w from the wall, “full spectrum” heavy quotation marks there, hanging heigh of 24-30” for germination. As long as it doesn’t get hot it could be good for my purpose. Still looking though.

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All LEDs are going to get warm and the smaller the space the warmer it's going to get. Of course, your ventilation will play a significant role in how warm is stays in there. One drawback that I see to the LED in the link you just shared is the fact that it hangs from cables which will eat up 6 or 7 inches of vertical space. I know that it's just a seedling cab but a lot of manufacturers have recommended distances for seedlings, veg etc. I don't see any distances mentioned in the description.

I should have read your post slower as I know see the "24-30” for germination " ..Sorry about that.

Just Be said:

I should have read your post slower as I know see the "24-30” for germination " ..Sorry about that.

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No worries man. From the link it looks like the cables wouldn’t be a clearance issue. Maybe I’m too stoned but it looks like it’s just a simple wire in connection to the board that rests over the frame.

bigmikey86 said:

No worries man. From the link it looks like the cables wouldn’t be a clearance issue. Maybe I’m too stoned but it looks like it’s just a simple wire in connection to the board that rests over the frame.

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Home depot has something similiar to what Just Be posted. I have one made by feit, specifically for plants, it's 23" wide. I have a cab just a little larger than yours for starting clones and seedlings.Yup, Home Depot has entered the grow world lol.

natureboygrower said:

Home depot has something similiar to what Just Be posted. I have one made by feit, specifically for plants, it's 23" wide. I have a cab just a little larger than yours for starting clones and seedlings.Yup, Home Depot has entered the grow world lol.

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I’ve seen that! I think they even have a veg spectrum one and it’s about $40? Cdn. How’s it been treating ya?

Actually after checking I think it was $40 on clearance during the end of the summer sale. It’s back up to $70

bigmikey86 said:

I’ve seen that! I think they even have a veg spectrum one and it’s about $40? Cdn. How’s it been treating ya?

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For starting seeds and rooting cuttings, zero complaints. I only keep my seedlings under it for a couple of weeks anyways, so its more than strong enough to get them big enough to move them under my t5's. I do drop the light down pretty close, but there is hardly any heat like those t5's.

Nice I’ll keep an eye out for it! How high do you hang it for the seedlings?

About a foot away before they break ground, then about 5-6" away once theyre up and starting to stretch. I took a quick measurement this morning, so not as close as I initially thought. Close enough to keep them from stretching. You'll dial it in

Nice man, that’s not bad. I’ll keep em in mind. Found this for my exhaust fan. Looks perfect especially with the adjustable speed controller

AC Infinity MULTIFAN S3, Quiet 120mm USB Fan for Receiver DVR Playstation Xbox Computer Cabinet Cooling https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00G05A2MU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_s-ttEbGATDE8Y

I have a few of those in my larger veg cab, works great. How long do you plan on keeping your seedlings in your 24" cab? I dont have any fans in mine and i havent had any problems...yet

natureboygrower said:

I have a few of those in my larger veg cab, works great. How long do you plan on keeping your seedlings in your 24" cab? I dont have any fans in mine and i havent had any problems...yet

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About two weeks but I’m just thinking about the wood aspect. Depends on how well I seal the wood I guess.

I am making one, its got two Phillips 16 watters at 16" above seedlings, picked them up at home depot for $20 Can apiece and then bought their hdx 8.5 inch clamp light for $22 apiece.

Bignutes said:

I am making one, its got two Phillips 16 watters at 16" above seedlings, picked them up at home depot for $20 Can apiece and then bought their hdx 8.5 inch clamp light for $22 apiece.

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/philips-led-par38-grow-light/1001404265

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/hdx-8-5-inch-clamp-light/1000784846

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Nice man, I’m excited to see it. I ended up ordering that one I posted in my third post. I’m really curious lol it was $40 with a coupon they had. Beauty thing about amazon is if it sucks dick, it’s goes back no questions asked.

bigmikey86 said:

Nice man, I’m excited to see it. I ended up ordering that one I posted in my third post. I’m really curious lol it was $40 with a coupon they had. Beauty thing about amazon is if it sucks dick, it’s goes back no questions asked.

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Damn wish I saw that link first, mine clocks in too expensive

Well it’s done! Turned out pretty good, only issues I ran into was my inability to lay my poly sheet flat when glueing it down. I was clearly waaaaaay too high when doing this but the weed definitely prevented me from King Konging the cabinet down the stairs. It was one frustrating task lol.

Started with the backboard and redoing the base of the cabinet to squeeze every inch of useable space. I used a combination of wood screws, PL adhesive and chalking to get it all tight and sealed.



Next step was the bitch of a whore poly sheet I used as a vapour barrier as the interior of the cabinet was unsealed. Turned out alright but in the future I would just used a strong clear coat and drop 4-5 coats on it.



Next up was the Mylar. I got some cheap sheets off amazon and went to work. I laid it in with spray glue , while trying my hardest to not totally crinkle it. The Mylar with the polyester backing would have been the best choice but I wanted to keep the cost down on this build.



I’m actually pretty impressed with the little seedling light I bought on Amazon. Pulls 27w from the wall and puts out a nice blueish light which should be perfect for my needs.



Final piece was installing the hanging hooks for the light and an AC infinity computer fan I bought that has an adjustable speed controller. Once I drilled the back hole and put it all together it really started looking like a grow space!






Soon I’ll start my next run and let everyone know how the box worked. I plan on adding a passive near the bottom and covering both the intake and exhaust with some carbon pad filter to prevent any summer time bugs from flying in.