Self-contained C-24, 600W, run-to-waste system! Plz critique me!!

[khemix]

Howdy guys! I've been a long time lurker here at IC and was on the old OG before the takedown and finally registered here. My first post!! I am just about to build my first box and really wanted you guys' opinions and critiques. I havn't any experience with this but I've done alot of research. So lets get on with it!

I took the time (10 f'ing hours!) to 3d model the box, which helped me alot with the design. EVERYTHING is to scale within an inch or so.

I didn't include the dripper lines or the waste lines for the run-to-waste system in the model. (too much of a PITA)

So the box is going to be a C-24 style from Home Depot, modified. The dimestions are as follows: 71" tall x 48" wide x 20" deep. The depth kinda sucks so if anyone knows a place with more depth, decently priced, let me know. Box obscurity is important so it needs to be store bought and look like storage basicly.

I wanted everything self-contained and as inconspicuous as possible. Since Ill be using a dripper system along with a run to waste system i'll need to house both the nute resevoir and waste resevoir on the bottom shelf. The intake fan will be behind them on the back wall. The top shelf will be split in half; one side carbon filter; one side ballast/plugs-ins storage.

As far as the carbon filter goes, I saw someones design on here and it seemed to work great for them. Numerous holes will be drilled into the bottom of the filter box leading into the veg/flower room with a thin layer of carbon filter on the bottom (to keep dust from falling onto the plants). From there the rest of the filter box will be filled with activated carbon with a 6" inline fan exhausting out the top.

Most all of the actual growbox needs will be purchased from HTG. I'm going with their 600W HPS&MH with a Digital Greenhouse digital Ballast (should I go magnetic?), ran through a cooltube. The cooltube will have a 6" Suncourt (250cfm) incline duct fan pulling air thru ducting idependantly, pulling thru the back wall (is that thing too loud or a POS?). For the rest of the ventilation I'm using one 6" duct fan (250cfm) located at the bottom back side and another pulling thru the carbon filter box and coming out the top of the box. The walls will also be lined with mylar.

There are holes in the floor of the plant shelf inbetween each colum of plants for the dripper and waste lines. I plan on making them big enough so that theres plenty of air flow between the resevoir chamber and veg/flower chamber. I'm wondering if I should get another intake fan to put in the veg/flower chamber.

If you cant tell I'm worried about having heat issues.

I'll be growing in Sunleaves classic coco coir from blocks, using Advanted Nutrients Monkey Juice line. Will I need to get more than 2 liters of A & B for a grow or two? I was also really considering using CNS but heard about it tasting chemically so threw that out the window.

The models that I made are using the general size of a 1 gallon pot and I'm wondering if i should go with 2 gallons and drop it to 8 plants. I'm leaning more towards the 1 gallons because I've never grown before and the more plants, the more room for error.

So, after i've overwhelmed you completely, what do you guys think? Please critique everything as you see fit and bring up anything possible. I've been planning this box for awhile and want it designed as well as possible before I drop nearly $1000! Thanks fellas!!

Chris

 

[3dDream]

I run the same size cab but it is divided at the top 1/3 and then the bottom is 1/2 down the middle(see pic1). I keep the electric at the top, the res and cloner at the left and the flower cab at the right. To make it easy I will break it down:

Light: I use a digital 250W HPS in a cooltube. I also hang lights in the front and back for lower coverage.

Watering: I use an autopot like system. Basically a valve opens, plants drink, plant dry up, valve opens. Plants get watered based on THEIR feeding cycles. It also has 0% waste.

Ventilation: I have a 6" hole at the bottom left back of the cab that feeds into a 6" duct that passes into the flowering section. This is done to contain the light. This is the passive intake. I have a cooltube light that is connected at the top of the flowering section to a fan. I use a rigged blue blower. It costs $50-70 at lowes/homedepot and blows 200-250-300cfm variable speeds. I leave it on 200cfm most of the time. The blower then pushes the air out of the top of the can through a can33 carbon filter. I was going to build my own, but time is money you know.

The whole setup is contained (minus the carbon filter at the top). The flower cab only has the lights and a fan, no wasted space. I can check the reservoir any time of the day since it is outside the flower section of the cab.

My light adds about 5-10 degrees fahrenheit to the room temp. I can't imagine what a 600W would add.

What are you looking for as far as yield?

How do you plan on controlling the height?

 

[khemix]

Well as far as yield goes...I'd like as much as possible per harvest. Atleast an oz per plant with 10 plants. I know I wont get quite that much the first couple runs but I feel its easily possible once everythin is dialed in.

Do you guys feel like the 600W is too much overkill?

The plant height will be controlled primarily by a short veg time but I will train them with a net or top them if need be.

My top shelf (left half) will be my carbon filter and (right half) will have eletrical. This takes up roughly 6-8in. The rez chamber is another 16in. This leaves me with almost 3ft (32in) from top of coco to light. I assumed this will be enough but I could be wrong. I appreciate you taking the time to respond so well 3D! Thanks! Imma get these pics up asap.

Chris

 

[khemix]

Finally! Got the images to post up .

 

[Siddartha]

Seems that way to me, but I'm a n00b, so wait until someone more knowledgeable posts, lol.

 

[3dDream]

khemix,

Without some sort of training they will be too tall unless you:

run clones
scrog
12/12 from seed

I would run clones. Look at Johnny Chimpo's stuff for a scrog reference. Also, there is a thread on 12/12 from seed.

A plant vegged for 2 week and then flowered in a 2.4L pot looks like this in 30 days:


That is in soil! I am having better growth in coco, but the above pic was my second grow and yielded about 1.5-2 ounces under my 250W (I don't use a scale). I am still learning about this stuff myself, but that plant ended up over 30" from the soil.

For the amount of light need, calculate your light per square foot or meter. You want 50-100 watts per square foot. Assuming a 12" penetration, you would have about 90W per your 6.6 square foot space. My math sux so double check the forums.

Lastly, the amount of water plants can drink can be pretty amazing. Make sure your water supply is large enough to give you a few days break from maintaining the rez. That little plant in the picture could drink a gallon a day during the peak of growth.

Good luck

 

[khemix]

Well Ill most definantly be running clones. I should have said that lol. The only time I wont be running clones will be the initial grow. I'll save 1 plant as a mother and take cuttings from that point on.

khemix,

Without some sort of training they will be too tall unless you:

run clones
scrog
12/12 from seed

I would run clones. Look at Johnny Chimpo's stuff for a scrog reference. Also, there is a who thread on 12/12 from seed.

A plant vegged for 2 week and then flowered in a 2.4L pot looks like this in 30 days:


That is in soil! I am having better growth in coco, but the above pic was my second grow and yielded about 1.5-2 ounces under my 250W (I don't use a scale). I am still learning about this stuff myself, but that plant ended up over 30" from the soil.

For the amount of light need, calculate your light per square foot or meter. You want 50-100 watts per square foot. Assuming a 12" penetration, you would have about 90W per your 6.6 square foot space. My math sux so double check the forums.

Lastly, the amount of water plants can drink can be pretty amazing. Make sure your water supply is large enough to give you a few days break from maintaining the rez. That little plant in the picture could drink a gallon a day during the peak of growth.

Good luck

 

[gotvape420]

khemix, i like what im seeing here. planning is essential, and it looks like you are doing all kinds of homework. i wish i had done more come to think of it....

the htg 600 euro does pretty well. check out my thread. i have mine in a 4x4x7 homemade hydrohut (2x4s and panda plastic). it stays 75 in there w/ my modded stanley wannabe fan. i have that fan set on low btw.

ill be watching...
-vape

 

[khemix]

Damn I'd love to have a 4x4x7 area to grow!! Unfortunantly I need something thats no deeper than 24" . Gotta keep it real discreet. Your setup looks great man! Did you get the digital ballast? What kinda yields do ya get? I'm also getting both HPS and MH bulbs. One for veg, one for flower.

I've definantly done alot of research. Years to be honest. I just havn't any experience when it comes to plants. Design and carpentry yes.

I'll be designing a mother/clone chamber shorty as well guys. Ill be using a C19, split in half, in coco. Bottom shelf mothers. Top shelf clones.

khemix, i like what im seeing here. planning is essential, and it looks like you are doing all kinds of homework. i wish i had done more come to think of it....

the htg 600 euro does pretty well. check out my thread. i have mine in a 4x4x7 homemade hydrohut (2x4s and panda plastic). it stays 75 in there w/ my modded stanley wannabe fan. i have that fan set on low btw.

ill be watching...
-vape

 

[gramsci.antonio]

why don't you build by yourself a wooden box and then cover it with foils of good wood?

 

[khemix]

why don't you build by yourself a wooden box and then cover it with foils of good wood?

I thought about doing that but its a bit labor intensive for a couple inches gain. Mostly because it will be much more of a PITA to build as compared to paying $120 and just putting it together. Anyone know of a premade cabinet with a depth deeper than 20in? Current dimensions: 71in tall, 48in wide, 20in deep. Gotta keep the dimensions very similar.

I plan on have 2 rows of plants. Do you guys think the 20in depth will be a real problem?

 

[gregor_mendel]

Anyone know of a premade cabinet with a depth deeper than 20in? Current dimensions: 71in tall, 48in wide, 20in deep. Gotta keep the dimensions very similar.

Two of these, built without the back, and attached back to back would give you 40 inches wide, 48 inches deep, with doors on opposing sides.

I would add gussets where each plane meets.

gregor

 

[khemix]

Two of these, built without the back, and attached back to back would give you 40 inches wide, 48 inches deep, with doors on opposing sides.

I would add gussets where each plane meets.

gregor

Thats f'ing genius man!! I'd really consider that if it could be more stealthy but I'd have a hard time with something like that. i'd prefer it be no deeper than 24". Thanks for a great idea though gregor, I'll keep that in my for the future for sure.

Chris