Is Closed Door Enough To Be Lightproof?

[totaln00b]

I don't have a lightproof chamber but my set up is in a walk in closet with a normal household door. I just started seedlings so no lightproofing is necessary yet. Will the door being closed for off/night cycle be enough to keep the area lightproof? I can see light coming out through the cracks in the door when I am outside and the lights are on. I figured it would be easier to just keep the door closed than to design a lightproof chamber for ventilation and temperature reasons primarily. Also I don't want to change my set up to be honest! So if the door being closed isn't enough, what can I do to cover up those cracks in the door? Something not permanent or damaging to the door or wall.

 

[Guest]

I ran the same thing... the door is NOT light proof due to the trim around it.

Do this: get some panda paper or black wrap from local hydro/hardware store.
Get some velcro from walmart
Cut the vinyl into 2 pieces - both about 4 inches WIDER than the door opening.
One of them should hang down from the top and go to the floor. The other piece should go from the floor up about 1ft.

Now velcro em to the inside of the door frame.... viola.

When ya need in ya just open the door and lift the vinyl up (hanging it on the door), or just pull it down and re-velcro when done.

 

[PhishHead]

Your best bet is making sure its completely light proof. Weatherstripping the door might do it but most likely not. Klutter has a good idea. cut some panda(black and white poly) and a tarp zipper. covering the door and have the zipper so you can open it and walk into your room. if you dont light proof your room you can have escaping odors and worse part is hermis.

 

[totaln00b]

Thanks for the replies guys but I'm really not understanding here.

Any pics?

Also, I need the power cable to go in... no outlet in the closet.

edit:

Ok now I looked at my area and PhishHead's idea is making more sense. Are you saying cut out a piece a door shaped piece slightly bigger than the door and then attaching it around the door? Is this material heavy? What can it be attached with? How much does it cost? How does one install a tarp zipper? Sorry for all questions... see my user name!

 

[Guest]

No pics - I dont take em of anything which could be 'bad'.

It's easy, think of it this way... let's say you get one sheet of poly, or hell even a damn blanket, and you tack it above the inside of the door and let it hang down. That's all I'm saying with one difference, put something so that it blocks the light coming from the floor.


Bottom line - if you're still lost do this. Take a bright light and put it right outside of the closet. Enter the closet and close the door....close your eyes and count to 30.... now open them.

See light? Do whatever it takes to cover it. You need it so dark that you can't even see your hands in front of your face.

 

[GhostToker]

I thought it's ok to have a LITTLE bit of light, equivalent to moon light outdoors. Light proofing my closet was a major, major hassle, and Im still not sure its 100% light proof. Ive only started flowering so in a week or so Ill find out if it was light proof enough

 

[Guest]

If you have a door instead of sliding/slats how is it hard to light proof a closet??

I just put little velcro tabs down the inside of the door frame... lined up the panda and on it went... takes seconds to put it back on and it's totally light proof.

Hardest thing I had was the floor, cause light would refract off the panda on to my buckets and then to the plants. I just got a longer piece of panda so it would cover about a foot of the floor and a foot up the door frame. Now it's pitch black.

Ghosttoker - you're right, but how do you know if the light is moonlight level. I'd rather spend a couple bucks on panda paper than a light meter...and hermi's suck enough to warrant it.

 

[ShroomDr]

as long as your seedlings are not getting hit with any direct outside lighting (like if the door was two inches open, and there was a beam of light shining on them), your not going to have any problems with seedlings.

 

[Guest]

A wise man once said, "Don't sacrifice the good waiting for the perfect".

You don't have to have it 100% light proof. That is another myth I see on here from time to time. Don't listen to it.

My grow area has light leaks along the ceiling and sides. I am using a long walkin closet for an air plenum too. I put light baffles in it but they are not perfect. They don't have to be perfect. Just good.

Check through my grow threads. I explained my grow setup in fair detail and addressed this issue.

That said, don't be sloppy. Make it dark as you can. Don't forget about good ventilation though. As said above, you can use something like 6 mil black plastic to make "flaps" to overlap cracks around your door. This method also allows air to pass without much hassle. I did this on my grows "door" which is a velcro secured 24"x60" six mil plastic "flap".

Power cords can be tucked into carpet seams or shave off a tiny bottom corner of you door for the cord. You won't notice it. Staple it going in and out of door to keep it in place. Don't staple the wire tho

Do be sloppy, but don't get obsessed with having it 100% light proof.

Do my plants look like herms or otherwise screwed up at day 55 of flower??

Cheers
Obli






See the big gap in the plastic behind plants? That goes into a walkin closet. The other end is mostly light proofed but not near 100%. The gap in the door outside grow is about 90% lightproof. The opening is at floor level to bring in the cooler air along the floor....passively. The 6" duct brings forced air in as well. The seam on the right is far from perfect too. Theres a 2x4 jammed along side the door for a nailer, etc. The thing about these kind of light leaks is they are small and indirect....and therefore OK. Geez Marie. Many nights in the year are far brighter than my imperfect grow is!!!

Day 16 Flower.

 

[KUSHEATER1]

tru tru just watch the direct light you should be fine just keep your eyes open...