Cabinet design questions from a first time grower

[kitgan]

Hey IC!

I've decided that I want more control over the quality and variety of my smoke so I'm going to start growing. I've done some research and I mostly have an idea of the route I'd like to take. I was hoping you could answer some questions that came up as I was planning out this journey

Goals
-Grow high quality bud for me and a few friends (currently smoke about a 1/2 ounce a month)
-Keep a handful of bonsai mothers for clones
-Eventually keep a handful of fathers and breed with the mothers (I think it'd be cool to cross some strains I like, pop the seeds and see what gets expressed)
-Keep it under 8' x 6' x 2.5'


Design

Structure -
1.67'x2.5'x4ft area for mothers and clones. Two 2.5'x2.5'x4' areas for vegging/flowering. I'm planning on attaching some sort of shelving brackets along the 2x2s running vertically in each of the plant areas. Hoping they'd be useful to have as adjustable support for scrog net, oscillating fans, etc. Inline fans, filters, wiring etc will be housed in the area up top.

Ventilation -
I want to vent each plant area to the fan(s) and carbon filter up top. Intakes will be on the doors and have filters over them.

Medium -
Organic no-till soil. I like the idea of priming the soil and letting nature do its thing.

Lights-
150W Quantum Board for each of the veg/flowering areas.
T5s for the moms and clones


Questions
Structure -
Would I be better off making the plant area a little taller and making the utility area shorter? I'm not sure how much clearance the fans and ducts will need.

Ventilation -
What do you think about trying to use one inline fan to cool all three plant areas? Since I'll probably be trying to grow different strains at the same time would it be better to buy one 6" fan or two 4" fans so I have more control over each area?

Medium -
I was originally thinking 7 gal fabric pot but recently came across a 2x2x1 fabric raised garden bed that would fit in each of the flowering areas. It holds 30 gal of soil which I think is overkill for the size of the areas, but I was thinking I could fill it 1/2 or 2/3 of the way with living soil and grow multiple plants in it. Thoughts?

Anything you'd do differently?

Thanks!

 

[SandyFantasyman]

.

 

[Boocoodinkydow]

Definitely make it taller. My first cabinet was only 4’ and it was problematic. Sandy’s right. Design needs will morph as you learn. I’m now on my fourth cabinet and have plans in the works for my next design already. Unless aesthetics are important consider using drywall with split 2’x4’ framework for your first attempt. In my case, irrelevant of how much planning I do I always find needed improvements. Since my first 4’ cabinet, all others have been 6’ tall but my filter is internal which takes up quite a bit of room.

A single 6” inline duct fan and filter in the top portion of your cabinet would be sufficient if you can incorporate an adjustable vent assembly in the top of each grow chamber.

Good luck
BCDD

 

[Gauss]

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[Douglas.Curtis]

I'll also put in a vote for going with a small tent first. One light, one tent, one fan, small grow. You'll want to learn LST and Scrog techniques most likely, canopy management which will help control height and increase harvest weight.

There are millions of people who have already discovered they're not growers. Keep your investment small until you're sure. Remember, you can always use your initial setup for mums/clones and breeding projects when you upgrade later.

Check craigslist, there may be some great deals on equipment in your area already.

 

[kitgan]

I went ahead and ordered a tent. I was originally planning on using one but changed my mind once I saw the cabs in the DIY section.



Thanks for the advice!

 

[Douglas.Curtis]

Good choice

 

[SandyFantasyman]

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