Growbox idea (input needed)

[BioShock]

Well I've been scouting around for cabinets that I can conseal a decent grow in, and I've come up with these two:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5645618
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5645617

Just a few quesitons:

Has anyone ever worked with these?
How many plants should be attempted in something this size?
What sort of lighting would one use with it?

Again, i'm trying to go for steath here so any fans would be either on one side and on the back, or all on the back side. Light-proofing might also be an issue with these things.

Anywho...just getting ideas. What do you guys think?

 

[Kupunakane]

Great questions,
As with anything that you might purchase, be sure to get your $$$ worth ya know. Plastics have a tendancy to change shape with heat, and cold. Also any vibration can cause fatigue where you might have a fan.
High density polyethylen can work pretty good though. Just remember heat can cause the plastics to off gas also, fumes from burning plastic are detrimental to one's health.
Now that the bad has been covered, let's talk good. A stealth box is certainly a great idea, and I can see the use of one of those boxes would be great. Can you keep it in the garage ? Sunlight beating on it would raise the temps inside way too high.
I like the idea that the box can go under lock and key also. Tell us more, and send pics, we are goofy for pics ya know. One more thing the measurements are kinda on the small side. Consider how tall your container for your grow is and then the plants growth hieght, then the space inbetween the lights and your baby. Not to hard to add up.

smoke in peace
KingKahuuna

 

[hazewarrior]

I've never used plastic cabinets but I have converted many dressers in the past. I think King is right about the heat issue. Be careful!! You don't want to come home to a puddle of melted plastic.

If you haven't already, check out my micro box. It's very stealth but it may not yield as much as your looking for. Maybe an armoire? (sp?)
http://www.marijuanapassion.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14744

haze...

 

[Achilles]

I just would not use plastic. It is as simple as that. Furthermore, the first item is only 12" deep. To me, that is not enough space for a plant. I'd go for the 20" depth with the second item. I'm with the other guys, though. I'd try to get an old used dresser or something. I don't honestly think that I would attempt a grow of any kind without a space that is at least 3' deep by 5' wide by 8' tall.

 

[BioShock]

Valid points, everyone. I was hoping these containers were sturdy enough to handle the heat (though i would ventilate it pretty well), but flimsy enough to easily put holes in with a drill for exhaust and wiring.
I've been looking all over the place for something atleast 30" deep (i've heard 2 1/2 ft is perfect on all sides), but that's easier said than done.

This is going to be an indoor grow obviously, so yeah the stealither the better. I don't want to have to go out and find a massive wooden piece of furniture (dresser, armoire) either. I was even considering using a 4 drawer filing cabinet and screwing together the front drawer faces and losing the drawers themselves. BUT that's obviously not enough room.

Thank you folks, you've answered my questions. If anyone comes across any good sized, descreet wooden cabinets, throw the link my way I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

[Mutt]

In the 16 oz. cup grow thread going on in the grow journal.
I purchased one similar to this pic seen below @ k-mart

I put in a 3 light fixture with (3) 55W compact flos. (you can easily use a 100-150W HPS)
The dims were 1'Dx2'Wx32"H
Hooked up a passive intake and CPU fan exhaust. Can easily do a micro sog of 6-8 plants. I did a shorter veg period to control ht. Has an adjustable shelf. instead of messin with the light, just lower the shelf as it grows.
Cab was only 20 bucks. White melamine. Took 2 hrs. to put together. Fits in a closet perfect.
Very easy to upfit.
Just a thought.

 

[BioShock]

@ mutt
that's awesome dude...that's pretty much exactly what I need. Is 12" deep enough though? Most would argue that, and I really want as painless a grow as possible on my first run..
Where did you find that cabinet?

edit:
what is "micro sog"? I can't imagine fitting 6-8 plants in something that small, unless it was just a propagation chamber *shrug*

 

[Mutt]

depends on how you grow. You can start the plants in 16 oz. cups and pack em in. Switch to 12/12 after 4 weeks. (towrds the end of gonna be watering a lot due to rootbound) then when they show sex. thin out the males. Which will make more room to transplant the females into bigger pots.
you can fit 4 plants in 1 sq.ft. so you can grow up to 8 plants in there. you can start 12 plants and thin down.
I love to micro grow. but do love to grow a biggy every now and then.
depends on what you want to do.

got the cab at k-mart.

 

[BioShock]

Awesome. I'm gonna be going for feminized seeds (heh, as I said I want it to be painless the first time so I can get a feel for it and see if I want to keep up with it), so I'll only be starting out 1 or 2 plants, depending on how big of a cabinet I find.
Thanks for the info...i'm probably going to end up doing something like this.
One question though, how did you mean by passive intake? Just vent holes?

 

[Mutt]

here's a link to my gallery
http://www.marijuanapassion.com/Gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=635

look for the pic that says "cab grow '07"
yep just two 2" holes at the bottom. CPU fan at top. Gonna add another fan shortly. The pic doesn't show the new 55W on the right. yest. pic.

 

[hazewarrior]

Nice Mutt! Is there a link that shows how to put threads in your gallery? My gallery is empty when I click on my profile.

Bio, my box is 16"x12"x24" and so far so good. I recommend getting some Bushmasters or something to stop the streching when you flower. I use passive ventalation with my micro grow as well.

 

[Mutt]

Haze, Depends on where you put the pics. I just dump all mine in the "member galleries". I just c/p the url and paste it in the reply.
I went in and looked your not listed in the member gallery.

 

[Mutt]

edit:
what is "micro sog"? I can't imagine fitting 6-8 plants in something that small, unless it was just a propagation chamber *shrug*

Its when you control ht. and size by pruning side barnching keeping them in small cup pots and you can use what haze recommended "bushmaster"
The 16 oz. cup yeilded TBG 7 grams per cup. So in that box. you can start 12 plants. thin out males. hope for 8 females. 7x8=56 grams. 1.9 ounces
For less weight just on the safe side...you could yeild about 1 1/2 ounces.

a SOG is a single cola grow. straight up. one big bud per plant.

Myself. I'm doin the 16 oz. cup grow for fun...i transplanted two of my healthiest females into larger pots for bigger yeild per plant. Ended up with 4 females so far 1 left to show me and 1 got castrated for havin balls. took some cuttings and gonna root and veg them for 2+months. So the next grow will be 3-4 plants max in much larger pots.

 

[BioShock]

Bio, my box is 16"x12"x24" and so far so good. I recommend getting some Bushmasters or something to stop the streching when you flower. I use passive ventalation with my micro grow as well.

Cool. Good call. Did you make the box by hand or did you use something?

I've gotta look into cool stuff for mini grow boxes like that bushmasters stuff. Where can I find it? What else would be beneficial for small grows to get bigger yields?

 

[BioShock]

a SOG is a single cola grow. straight up. one big bud per plant.

I see...so the opposite of doing that would be to LST them to wrap around? I was considering giving it a shot. I figure it'll help a bit if I'm only growing 1 plant. We'll see.

 

[hazewarrior]

I had a solid oak 5 piece entertainment center. I have the two pieces stacked on top of each other now but I was thinking about splitting them.
You can get bushmaster at any hydro store or you can google it and order online.

I use the LST method as well. I try to keep my numbers as low as possible. Hydro might cut some of your grow time and give you a bigger yield but it might be harder for a first grow. I'm a chemical guy and like to juice up my plants with all type of hormones. If you're doing soil you might want to ask some of the organic growers what to use. I would always recommend Superthrive!!! I use others as well but it's great for any first timer.

Micro boxes are fun to build and grow in but they are not something you should plan on getting a big yeild from. More of a hobbie I'd say.

 

[hazewarrior]

Thanks Mutt. I'll give it a try later tonight when I post an update. I like the 16oz. cup idea but I only have cuts. With my two boxes I should be able to rotate them and have a constant harvest.:aok: I'll give it a shot next grow.

 

[BioShock]

Micro boxes are fun to build and grow in but they are not something you should plan on getting a big yeild from. More of a hobbie I'd say.

So long as I dont have to hunt for ganja once a week I'll be happy
not expecting a huge yield, but the more the merrier

EDIT:

So as far as the Bushmaster stuff goes - is that something you start adding at a certain point or...?

 

[BioShock]

What do you guys think of this one?

http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_10104_9990000011272711P?vName=Baby&keyword=2+door

also, Mutt, what kind of lamps should I be looking to put into a box about the same size as yours?

 

[Mutt]

depends on bucks and wiring capability bro.
you can go compact flos....or....what I recommend
go to e-conolight.com and pick up a 100W HPS flood light. gut it and put the ballast outside of the cab. They have em for about 40 bucks with bulb.
I'm using flos, but thats gonna change soon. I sorta put a challenge to myself....what can I do with 150+ Watts of flos in a confined space. My temps are much higher than a 100W HPS would put out. just having fun is all. My flos cost more than the HPS would have. but I'll use them for veg.