Feedback on my 250W scrog cabinet

[ErkkiP]

I'm almost finished in my construction of my grow space. I've put it into a cabinet, using a total space of about 18" x 22" x 60" of which I use 42" for the growing area, like so:

Can't post anything with a link, so here's the tinyurl ending: 3vkazg

The area housing the ballast and electrics has two 12cmx12cm holes cut into the back for intake, with two 12cmx12cm computer fans located next to the pots to pull the air in and a 175 cbm/h inline fan to suck the air via a carbon filter and vent it out the top.

My plan is to grow in each 6,5l bucket a Nirvana Northern Lights under the 250W HPS lamp and scrog them. I'll be using 80% generic garden soil with 20% LECA and Hesi TNT, Bloom, Phoshorous and Supervit for nutrients.

I still need to fix the black/white PVC plastic to the walls, seal all gaps to prevent air and light leakage as well as construct the scrog screen, but apart from those I'm pretty much set and I would like your feedback, O Wise Sages, on my cabinet. Ideas? Criticism? Am I doing something completely wrong? Any tips on how to dampen or silence the noise created by the fan venting the air out (while not loud, sort of defeats the *stealth* purpose of the cabinet)?

 

[PharmaCan]

Kinda hard to tell much of anything just from your description. Probably you need to make a few more posts before you can post pics. But there are lots of places on the net where you can post photos and then put a link to them here.

It's just too hard to try to help you without seeing what you have.

PC

 

[GroworDie]

Welcome aboard! Thought I'd help you out mate!

Here is the link to his pictures he referenced above http://www.tinyurl.com/3vkazg which leads to : http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/9489/cabinetbe2.png


As to your cabinet, everything looks like its coming along. Just some things I noticed. Your intake is on the bottom so when you water, there may be leakage that drops down into the fan or down onto what looks like electrical cords on that bottom level. Dunno if that will be a problem for ya but I'd thought I'd mention it. I'd wire everything to come out the top and store containers and stuff below.

It kinda looks like you have a vortex type fan in there for the carbon filter. Is that right? If so there are some retail and DIY solutions for rigging a speed controller that will help keep the exhaust noise down. Maybe an option if your temps are under control.

But yeah, all around, looks ready for some action. When you popping those beans?

Good Luck!

 

[FreezerBoy]

I vote with GroworDie on the electrical. Always keep the zappies above the waterline.

Sorry to say that inline fans and stealth are antonymous. Quadruple muffled with speed control, insulated duct, fan isolation box and muffler, mine was still audible from the back of the garage, all the way to the street 40 feet away. No matter what you do, anyone in the room with the fan will know it's running. Either lock everyone out of the room or put the fan in a room where no one is allowed to go. If you can't, consider a large aquarium or some computer server racks to take the rap for the inlines noise.

 

[ErkkiP]

Much obliged for the help and advice!

I moved all the electrics except for the two computer fans up next to the inline fan, removed the lower shelf and replaced the 6.5l buckets with 11l ones. Germinated and planted the two seeds (covered the buckets with saran wrap until they sprout). Temperatures inside are a bit high, high 20's to low 30's, but can't really be helped much when the inside air is around 24.

I was also wondering whether my wall socket can take the lamp + fans + my computer setup, but it suddenly occurred that if people are running 600+ watt setups, I'm probably just overreacting and this is what fuses are for. Still need to finish the light/airproofing and well as make a better container for the runoff water and eventually build the scrog net.

My largest concern is that in the event of a surprise visitor and having to shut off the entire ventilation system + cover the inlet holes to hide the glaringly obvious light, any estimate of how long before the plants begin to truly suffer from the excessive heat + stale air?

 

[eLiguL]

Much obliged for the help and advice!
My largest concern is that in the event of a surprise visitor and having to shut off the entire ventilation system + cover the inlet holes to hide the glaringly obvious light, any estimate of how long before the plants begin to truly suffer from the excessive heat + stale air?

You will see noticable reactions in a couple of hours if the lights are on with no ventilation...

You might wanna reconsider your plan of action if this is the case. It would be heart breakng to lose a crop at 7 weeks because of "surprise visitors"...

 

[GroworDie]

Lookin good mate!

My surprise visitor plan is several fold but involves basically a kill switch. If people are coming over, I would rather put the plants into the dark and give them one fucked up day schedule than risk killing an entire crop for neighbor who just wants to have a beer. The plants don't mind a little darkness, cannabis can flower with less than 12 hours light.

I have noticed, however, that after 4 or 5 hours, the smell will begin to leak as the air is no longer getting scrubbed. I just make sure no surprise visitors stay this long.

That combined with a heavy bookcase strategically positioned gives me full operation to completely silent stealth in less than 20 seconds.

Can't wait to see your babies grow. You thinking of doing a grow diary?