My First Grow Cab - advice and suggestions requested

[Xian76]

So I've been effervescing for days with many ideas about my first grow op. I had, in fact, gone as far as drawing up schematics for my planned cabinet. I was in the process of measuring some wall space when I looked to my right at the tall bookshelf I have. Suddenly all my plans changed. So here is my current plan.

I am going to retrofit a tall wooden bookshelf by putting on a thick, solid back, and a solid door to the front, with locking handle. I want everything contained within the two resulting interior chambers. Each grow chamber will be 37" tall, 22" wide, and 11" deep.

This gives me 1.68 square feet of grow space per chamber. Pretty tight, but I live in a small apartment, so stealth and efficient utilization of space are key.

I found some 2 gallon food grade square plastic buckets (http://www.containerandpackaging.com...asp?item=P102P) which I figured I would tape up with aluminum tape to eliminate all light penetration, and do a bubble bucket with hydrotron in the top. With these 2 gallon buckets, I can fit two plants per chamber. (I have two of these bookshelves - I want to convert both of them, eventually, so I'll have 4 flowering chambers, and a separate veg chamber somewhere else.)

So my first question is can I do two plants in this space? I realize it is tight for 2, and I also realize that 2 gallon buckets are a little smaller than then 2.5 recommended in a couple forums I have read. But I'd like to do two if possible. If I had to do one and grow it bigger, I could do that.

I am planning a ScrOG setup with a PVC frame attached to the lids on the buckets, through which is run string for my screen.

In a space this size I imagine a 100w HPS will suffice. Again, please advise. Should I vent the HPS and use a hood with glass? Or will it be okay to leave exposed since it's such a low wattage? Can someone point me to a basic how-to on HPS lighting, because I'm clueless there.

I have genetics I can get clones from to start experimenting with, from a good friend who has inspired my grow efforts.

Stealth being key, I am planning to put a carbon filter on each chamber, with a fan that will leave no question about the capacity to ventilate the chamber.

Would it be worthwhile to invest in any kind of CO2 system for these tiny little grow chambers?

Any other thoughts, comments, suggestions, questions? I'll post some pics of the shelving I'm using as soon as I get the XD card for my camera back.

[sergio]

Hey great idea. Might be super tight with 2 plants in the space.

why not make 1 compartment and just change the timer when done vegging to 12/12? You could fit your plants much better. If you just have one light this would work good too. Also only one carbon filter too.

Just some thoughts. your on a good road either way you go. good luck.

[OldSkool1010]

If (when) I do my growbox over I will definately opt for more head-space. I'm currently using two stacked rubbermaid totes that measure 39" inside when stacked on top of each other. The problem is that my lights take up about 7" and the pots another 10-12" leaving only about 22" of vertical space. This quickly gets filled with my plants. I can clone about a dozen in there, vegetate 2 plants and I'm just now trying my first flowering cycle in the box and One plant is just about all that I can accommodate even with extensive LST.

My next growing chamber will definitely be a minimum of 5' tall.

[Xian76]

Sergio: As I've ruminated on this I have come to the conclusion that one plant per chamber is best, just because of how bushy and cramped it will likely get in there.

The single chamber idea is a good one, but the bookshelves are designed in such a way that there is a permanent middle shelf. Without it, the box would have trouble holding itself together. I suppose once I put the new back on it, that would probably resolve any issues with that, but because the floor space is so minimal, (Only 1.68 square feet of floor space) I am unsure if growing taller would be the best use of the space. What do you think?

I am intending to do double duty with the chambers by switching the lighting from 24/0 to 12/12 when the veg cycle is complete. This just seems to be the easiest way, rather than stressing the plant by trying to move it. I am thinking I could do a high-wattage CFL for the veg stage in each chamber, and just move that bulb from one chamber to the other when running a veg cycle.

OldSkool: The pots I'm planning to use are 10x10 and are 7.75 inches tall. So they're pretty small and short. (2 gallon buckets) If my light setup takes up 7 inches (and I'm hopeful I can get away with less since it's such a low-wattage bulb) then that leaves about the same 22" headroom that you have. Is this adequate for one plant? I could increase the height on these to double, but it would not be easy, and I'm just not sure that one plant in a scrog can even take advantage of 5' vertical grow space. Your thoughts on that?

Because I've decided to go with only one plant per chamber, I was thinking about using a 2nd bucket in each chamber as an additional reservoir holding only pH balanced water that could autofill to the nutrient bucket. This way my total solution capacity becomes 4 gallons, and hopefully I can avoid burning the plants with too much nutrients. I'd also have to add water/nutes less often (theoretically) because i'd run out more slowly. Again, thoughts, comments, questions are all welcome.

Talking this out is very helpful in trying to decide what to do.

Money is not a big concern on this project. I will spend whatever it takes to set this up right and well, and to maximize my yield. All I really care about is good, good pot that I encouraged to survive and produce.