serious cardboard question!!!

[txeffect]

I have experimented before growing in a cardboard box with CFL's and done so effectively. Pulled little over 3 oz's from 5 plants with just 263 watts of mixed CFL's.

I have a box that is 4.25' W x 4'L x 2'D I have a piece of wood running across the top for supported the lights.

Q. will this catch fire if I use a 400 watt MH in there also making sure proper
ventilation and temps r under 85 degrees?

 

[Guest]

if u hang the 400 off chains it should be fine

 

[GMT]

4 foot wide 4 foot long and 2 foot deep, Which is the height?
4 foot is the longest so I'll take that as the height. Allowing 9 inches for soil, 6 for the light and 6 for distance between light and plant tops you have around 2 and a half foot max for the plants. You'll need a fan to keep temps down, not leaving much room to grow and make use of 400w. Or have I misunder stood your dimensions?

 

[Gantz]

as long as the bulb is far away from the cardboard...and great ventilation is assured(a cool tube maybe?)...you should be fine

 

[pontiac]

You might wanna build a frame out out of 2" x 4"s or PVC pipe and place the box over it.

 

[txeffect]

it is a 51 inch tv box it was heavily insulated so with that it gave it deep

it is 4.25 feet length
it is 4.00 feet height
it is 2.00 feet deep

I have a clearance of about 2.5 but I would like to try using grow bags at about 2.5 gallon bags max 12 plants should equal little over 10 oz's? correct?

 

[treble]

Hey txeffect,
personally I would be concerned about the fire potential of that box. I understand MH gives off more heat than HPS and from experience with HPS that size space would be pretty hot.

to emphasize what Gantz said ... you would have to vent in a serious way at the least I think... perhaps there might be a noise issue with that size of area...like a higher volume of air through a small space = higher db levels = noise.

Is the top closed or open?

you not interested in CFL's this time round?

I like the ingenuity .... you see the potential. its like a natural trait in true growers it seems.

interested to see where this goes
cheers
treb

 

[txeffect]

The top of the box is closed and taped shut all around. The Bottom is lined with clear plastic to keep water from ruining the box.

Treble I absolutely love using CFL's. The clones which I grew out where from a buddy. his finished product is produced by 3-1000 hps and funny thing was I do all organic and my final product was way better, amazing high n taste, many compliments on it being better than his!

I wanna go for bulk this time around hence why I went with a 400 mh
why mh? simply height issues.

Now I have thought off worst case senerios, you kinda have to, to really
be focused on the reality of growing. safety first.

I have done some research on the properties of cardboard and stumbled
across interesting articles one here http://www.physics.montana.edu/demo...modynamics/demos/boilingwaterinapapercup.html and here http://www.macscouter.com/Cooking/BoxOven.html

each seem to help me further my confidence in the cardboard box but one
question remains even though cardboard can withstand high temps.

can it withstand a temperature of 80-85 for a constant 24/12 hours per day?

that is what I am left with thinking about what you all think?

 

[irie-i]

i think you are asking for trouble...why not build a box from a sheet of plywood? i'm a little touchy on the subject of fire hazards...ive seen a grow burn to the ground..its not a pretty sight...just my opionion

 

[txeffect]

here are some pics for more of a visual, mind you I havent started any construction on it yet, I just use it to veg/sex in.

I also have a rubbermaid base cabinet I might do something with, really
wanted to make that a mother chamber.

pics here

 

[Guest]

I would not use a 400 watt MH in a cardboard box. Unless I had 6" or maybe even 8" ducting and a strong blower.