The Mill's Pride Club

[cyclops]

newb questions

newb questions

I spent the last week combing through this thread (it really is quite BIG), and I still have a few questions about the cabinet I'm building. Incidently it's a C25, which means it is very wide but not very deep.

So far I have purchased the following items for it:

1) Cool Sun reflector w/ cool tube
2) 400w Hortilux
3) Mylar
4) 6" duct fan (250cfm) it's not a centrifugal.
5) Some Miracle grow potting soil

I have a few basic questions that I'd really appreciate any advice on:

a) How the heck do I make holes in the cab for the exhaust ducts? I found a round-cutter thing at HomeDepot that attaches to a drill, but it say's for cutting Dry-wall to install a ceiling fan!? I'm not sure it's going to be able to cut through particle board... I noticed they also made one for cutting metal, should I have gotten that instead? Any recommendations? What about cutting a rectangle for dark-room louvers? I don't own any wood-working equipment.. I don't mind spending the money for whatever, just don't know what I need.

b) Do you guys normally only use a single fan for exhaust, and suck the air up through the cool tube? I was thinking about adding 2 fans, one for the cool tube (enclosed system) and then a 2nd for the cabinet space itself.

c) What is the ideal temperature that I should target to keep my cab?

d) I'm thinking about attaching my Mylar to sheets of plexi-glass or plastic, using spray adhesive, and then using velcro to hang it inside the cabinet. I read somewhere that glueing it to the cabinet walls is a bad idea since it can't be replaced. Does that seem like a decent idea?

I know these are really basic questions, but I have done quite a bit of reading and still kind of baffled in these areas plus I'm a newb here.

Thanks!

 

[Freakshow]

5) Some Miracle grow potting soil
why do people use this crap? Go get some Fox Farms Ocean Forest - you won't be disapointed.

I have a few basic questions that I'd really appreciate any advice on:

a) How the heck do I make holes in the cab for the exhaust ducts? I found a round-cutter thing at HomeDepot that attaches to a drill, but it say's for cutting Dry-wall to install a ceiling fan!? I'm not sure it's going to be able to cut through particle board... I noticed they also made one for cutting metal, should I have gotten that instead? Any recommendations? What about cutting a rectangle for dark-room louvers? I don't own any wood-working equipment.. I don't mind spending the money for whatever, just don't know what I need.
The hole cutter with the drill is perfect. It will cut through particle board just fine

b) Do you guys normally only use a single fan for exhaust, and suck the air up through the cool tube? I was thinking about adding 2 fans, one for the cool tube (enclosed system) and then a 2nd for the cabinet space itself.
Venting the cool tube from the outside (pulling outside air through the cool tube then out of the cab) is a great way of keeping the cab nice and cool, and make the cab more airtight if you plan on using CO2. Then all you do is place a lower power fan exhausting air out of the cab (you would have to be able to close this vent when the CO2 is on) and everything will be fine. You can pull the inside cab air through the cool tube and that will be fine as well, depending on the size of yoru grow and the wattage of your light. 1000 watt hps would need outside air in a cab to keep it cool.


c) What is the ideal temperature that I should target to keep my cab?
Ideal temps run form 70 degrees to the LOW 80's.

d) I'm thinking about attaching my Mylar to sheets of plexi-glass or plastic, using spray adhesive, and then using velcro to hang it inside the cabinet. I read somewhere that glueing it to the cabinet walls is a bad idea since it can't be replaced. Does that seem like a decent idea?
You just don't want wrinkles in the mylar. If you glue to the inside of the cab, use a slow setting glue so you can adjust if need be.

I know these are really basic questions, but I have done quite a bit of reading and still kind of baffled in these areas plus I'm a newb here.

Thanks![/QUOTE]

good luck

 

[Underground Man]

a) it will work fine just be careful, hole saws tend to bind and if your drill is overtorqued it will yank your hand around and maybe hurt your wrist. Just keep a firm grip. For rectangles use a jigsaw, drill starter holes in the corners and cut between them with the jigsaw.

b) two fans is ideal but then you have to add another set of intakes and exhausts and more ductwork. one fan is much easier imo. That fan you have may not be powerful enough

c) lower than mid 80s F, higher than mid 60s i'd say

I've never hung mylar

 

[sumo]

A jig saw can cut exhaust holes too, just not as perfectly round. I used foam weatherstripping tape I used on doors to wrap and seal exhaust and intakes. In fact these things are not glued in my cab . They are wrapped once in weatherstripping and turned and pushed into hole. Tension alone holds all tubes in place.
White reflects as good as mylar.My reflector is white. Ordered the metallic one but they sent a white one which matches my cab better and reflects fine. Save yourself the trouble and just use the white of cab which is a brilliant white and when empty the light blinds you.

 

[AbbieDoobie]

cyclops,

2) 400w Hortilux

This is what I'm using, was told at Worm's Way that it's the best.

3) Mylar

You don't need mylar. The reflectivity of the malamine material is fine.

4) 6" duct fan (250cfm) it's not a centrifugal.

I would suggest a Vortex with a speed dial.

5) Some Miracle grow potting soil

Ditch this crap and do a mix of FoxFarm Ocean Forest and Perlite.

a) How the heck do I make holes in the cab for the exhaust ducts?

I used the hole cutters from HD that attach to my drill. It has a drill down the middle that starts the hole to stabilize it, then the hole cutter does the rest. Remember that the outer perimeter of the hole cutter will be the size of the hole when you are done.

b) Do you guys normally only use a single fan for exhaust, and suck the air up through the cool tube? I was thinking about adding 2 fans, one for the cool tube (enclosed system) and then a 2nd for the cabinet space itself.

You should have the fan suck air through the intake holes, through the cool tube, and out an exit hole that has ducting that is attached to the intake of the fan. The exit of the fan can then push the stinky air into a carbon filter later on in flower.

c) What is the ideal temperature that I should target to keep my cab?

I would really shoot for between 77 and 82. I think this temp range is ideal for best growth. Anything cooler or hotter will stunt growth, IMO.

d) I'm thinking about attaching my Mylar to sheets of plexi-glass or plastic, using spray adhesive, and then using velcro to hang it inside the cabinet. I read somewhere that glueing it to the cabinet walls is a bad idea since it can't be replaced. Does that seem like a decent idea?

Again, ditch the mylar, it's really not needed. That bright white malamine board is awesomely bright when that 400 hps is fired up, trust me on that one.

Best of luck to you...

~Abbie

 

[cyclops]

Thanks

Thanks

Thanks for all of the replies offering advice. I'm starting out with the only seeds I have which were quite expensive($$$) and difficult to come by, so I don't want to fcuk up if at all possible. They are Sensi Silver Haze.

I replaced the rear backing with sanded plywood. Since this a natural wood grain I'll just cover it with Mylar and leave the rest as-is. Good to know, as I wasn't looking forward to making cutouts for the hinges!!

I'll go ahead and get the Fox Farm soil as everyone seems crazy on it. Do you use any type of plant food or supplement after the soil has exhausted some of it's nutrients?

 

[SEEDYNONO]

goodies.


new 6" vortex (awaiting expanding of old 4" exhaust hole)

new 600w light setup (awaiting installation)

new hood (awaiting ducting)

new seeds (flo and lisa are going)

some flo

lisa's are a week behind

other 4 flo

check out the grow diary peeps c22 all the way.
http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=39809

 

[SEEDYNONO]

I'll go ahead and get the Fox Farm soil as everyone seems crazy on it. Do you use any type of plant food or supplement after the soil has exhausted some of it's nutrients?

true

i use botanicare pure blend pro grow and soil bloom formula very sparingly. i also use liquid karma every once in a while for good measure and same with cal/mag+. usually start at 1/4 strength pbp after 2 weeks in the soil.

 

[nomoreschwag]

I don't have any hydro stores within a 2.5 hr drive of me, and NONE of the gardening centers around here had heard of products like Fox Farm, PBP, etc.
If you can't buy the Fox Farm soil locally I would suggest making your own. Depending on the size of your grow it ends up being alot of soil a year, which means lots of $$$ in shipping. At least for me it was, shipping was about as much as the soil itself...
I use Peat moss, perlite, worm castings/compost and some dolomite lime. All pretty easy to come by locally, and grows some beautiful plants. I'm now working on soil re-use the organic way. We'll see how that goes.
I think most of the bottled fert's will give you good results if used properly. I use PBP grow and bloom for soil, guano, LK, Calmag, blackstrap mol..... Another grower buddy of mine uses Fox Farm's line of goodies. Both seem to grow us some really nice plants.

 

[Xtbudda]

Just a side note, in the event ppl are not aware, if you email Premier Horticultural for ProMix, they should be able to find the nearest location, that has it.
You would be surprised places that might carry it.
Xtbudda...

 

[mysta177]

If you do FoxFarm please see the link on my sig. Filter MoonShineMan and get all the updates. I PROMISE YOU WONT BE DISAPOINTED with the results. The taste of your buds is top notch due to no feeding. If your going for yield this might not be the best mix for you unless you veg longer..... But you got a c13...... good luck. I grow for personal only so It is just right for me.

 

[SEEDYNONO]

i still don't completely understand the msm mix. straight ocean forest will provide a more complete diet for a non-fert grow than diluting it with potting mix and mostly inert agroponic medium. i guess he adds more ammendments to make up for this? strange imo.

i would stick with ffof and add chunky perlite if you must lighten it more. simple and works.

if fox farm had meant for these bags to be mixed together they would have sold a pre-mixed bag for you to buy.. the reason they don't is it doesn't make much sense. each of these is painstakingly constructed for a certain use.

 

[Scientist]

has anyone connected two c25s back to back to make it deeper like the old c13?

 

[sugabear_II]

scientist - two c-25's back to back would be a much different foot print (30" wide x 40" deep) then the c-13 (24"wide x 24" deep). I think it would be a pretty cool grow setup though. Why not try two u1's they are 15" deep and 30" wide - and same height as a c-25/22/13. This way you'd get a 30" deep x 30" wide cab - this would be closer to the square footprint of the c-13.

In the end though it's cheaper to buy a c-25 - which actually has just a hair more square footage (4.167 versus 4 with the c-13).

Here's my c-25 - things are running pretty smoothly and I'm happy with the setup. New carbon filter soon but other than that she's running like a top.

-suga

 

[Xtbudda]

I have a dual cab setup, but am confused to the model number now. I thought it was c13.
my measurements are 31 in. x 22 in., i think. so a total of 31 x 44in.
Running 3 x 150 watts, canfilter, and 4in Hurricane Fan.
Xtbudda...

 

[dwtc]

thought i'd let you guys see whats in my c22

sd ibl

lifesaver
c99 f2

blueberry

og kush bx1

all at day 55. a few more days and i'm the LS and OG


get free or die tryin,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,dwtc

 

[Guest]

damn, nice pics guys

 

[sugabear_II]

I have a dual cab setup, but am confused to the model number now. I thought it was c13.
my measurements are 31 in. x 22 in., i think. so a total of 31 x 44in.
Running 3 x 150 watts, canfilter, and 4in Hurricane Fan.
Xtbudda...

sounds like a c-25 to me.


edit - adding some fresh pics from day 48 - this is my own cross of an indica strain called oregon90 to a burmese pure male from reefermanseeds.






this is the more sativa like pheno.

 

[mysta177]

i still don't completely understand the msm mix. straight ocean forest will provide a more complete diet for a non-fert grow than diluting it with potting mix and mostly inert agroponic medium. i guess he adds more ammendments to make up for this? strange imo.

i would stick with ffof and add chunky perlite if you must lighten it more. simple and works.

if fox farm had meant for these bags to be mixed together they would have sold a pre-mixed bag for you to buy.. the reason they don't is it doesn't make much sense. each of these is painstakingly constructed for a certain use.

I have tried the straight ocean forest and the MSM TASTED way better and I did not have to add shit. But this is just what Ive seen from my exp. Ohh yea FF did combine the three ist called HappyFrog did my last grow with it. But im going back to the three bag mix.

 

[SEEDYNONO]

happy frog is not identicle to those three bags mixed together buddy.