After seeing these
$800 PC Grow Cabs. I set out to make a better one, for cheaper.
My first, and most important part is the computer. Its an old server I had lying around.
It measures 24" tall (yeah its tall
), 15.5" wide, and 7" deep.
I haven't decided how many plants, what lights or grow technique I will be using.
A small 50w HPS for example, will output 4000 lumens. However, im assuming that i will have to keep much more distance between the light and the plant than if i was using fluorescents. (I know this is true if i have a 600w HPS vs. 4' fluoro tubes, but does the same hold true with such a small HPS?)
Right now i'm leaning towards fluorescent mainly for space issues. I want to cram every possible inch of vertical space, so if i need to back the plants off from the light, thats bad.
Still deciding between a bunch of 12" tubes for canopy lighting (due to its slim height, or a big CFL even though it takes up more vertical space.)
Im pretty sure im gonna do hydro, with a shallow low lying 15x7x4" res. (or should i make it taller than four inches? I guess it depends on how many plants.)
Probably gonna do one plant at a time, mainly because i don't need plants fighting for root space in such a small hydro or soil grow as this one. Planning on doing some kind of LST or SCROG to maximize yeild. Current plan is to place a low lying screen about 4" above the plant and train the plant to grow its main stem perpendicular to the floor, and parallel to the screen. Then allow colas to grow upwards the remaining 14". (if res is 4" tall, and plants are 4" tall and fluoros take 2") probably gonna have to take some steps to increase vertical space.
Pictures:
PC: CFL's: Tubes:
computer.JPG comp2.JPG
Not sure what would be best still.
Here is a CFL lumen chart from energy star:
Or should i use tubes?
a 10watt 12" t5 tube puts out 400 lumens. If i can fit 6-8 side by side as the canopy, thats a min of 2400 and a max of 3200 canopy lumens. Plus i can always put tubes vertically. (im still looking for a t5 high output of similar size (12-14")
the key is t5 tubes are only 5/8" in diam, verses the big spiral CFL's.
what do you guys think?