First Stealth Cab

[stc9357]

I wanted suggestions on whether my idea would work or not!

I plan on using a cabinet around 20'' deep x 25'' wide x 30' height. I'm going to use a 150 watt hps light inside combined with two Dual Spectrum II High Output Fluorescent from stealth along with a 4 plant dwc system from them. I'm going to be buying panda film to lightproof my box. Using two 80mm cpu fans for exhaust and 1 for intake so my system will be silent. Along with a 120mm inside for airflow over the plants. I also plan on adding some flourescents as time goes along.

I was wondering do you think this system will work I need feedback by the end of the week because by then I will be getting all the final stuff to bring this together the cabinet, hps light, and fans. The DWC system and florescents I already have.


I will be growing white rhino in the system will there be enough space ( I will be suing the LST method)?

Considering the fact that dwc system will be taking up nine inches in height that leaves me with 21 or 22 if I get a 31'' cab. I thought this would be enough for white rhino please tell me if its not. This cabinet is made to go under my bed I don't want it in the open so thats why there is a height maximum.



Here is the grow light: http://mdhydro.com/highpressure.html
Florescent lights: http://www.stealthhydroponics.com/pr...Prod=42&xSec=3
DWC system: http://www.stealthhydroponics.com/pr...rod=48&xSec=24
80mm Fans: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/42...?tl=g36c15s561

120mm fan: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/64...l?tl=g36c15s60

Do you think the fans will be quiet enough for it to be unnoticable based on your experience?

Also is panda film really lightproof a box and is there a cheaper alternative?

I also will be using a big thing of ona and a self-timed spray system do you think it will be sufficient for odor?

I have one more question what do you suggest to keep light from coming in through the intake fan and light from coming out of the exhaust fans?

[RobsGreen]

Hey there, good luck with you build its lots of fun. I have a feeling those fans won't work to keep the box cool, especially with a HPS light in there, they though off quite a bit of heat. You'll also need space between the bulb and plant which sounds like you don't have much. I just built a box a bit bigger then yours, mainly taller and my first exhaust fan was useless and I only use a 200w CFL, my temp was going over 90 degrees. I had a 5in duct inline fan, now a vortex fan, the real type, $250, certainly overkill but the plants can never get enough fresh air. If you box is going to be sealed shut then you don't really need intake fans, just holes, negative pressure will draw the air in, assuming you have a good exhaust fan. There would probably be very little negative pressure with the fan your thinking of.

Sound from a fan will likely be a problem, you might not hear the computer fans but if you go with a vortex type you'll definitely hear it. This is my biggest problem, I want it 99.9% stealth. Absolutely everything is covered but sound. I'm thinking of getting some soundproofing material (expensive though) to line the inside of my box, its really the only way, I've tried insulation, etc... it does nothing! My fan is variable speed and turned down you still hear it. You can probably find quiet ones but they won't be cheap thats for sure.

So yeah you might have a few problems if you stealth, I think you have to go with CFL's for you size box or build a separate compartment thats cooled just for the light. Here's a link to my build it might give you some ideas.

http://forum.grasscity.com/grow-room...ox-design.html

Have fun!

[stc9357]

Based on your response it looks like I will have to go all cfl I think I will keep the fan setup with cfl's but instead of a intake fan I will do passive intake with 3 fans two 120mm fans for exhaust and 1 for air flow inside the box.

Here are the 3 fans I will use: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/64...l?tl=g36c15s60

[RobsGreen]

Yeah CFL's would suit you better, HPS is better but what can you do. I think 1 exhaust fan is better than 2 but I could be wrong. Make sure you put it as high as you can and the intake as low as you can. 2 intakes is probably better than 1, its quieter. When I block one of my the other howls.

[stc9357]

I want to use an 4'' vortex fan with 172 cfm, a 4'' duct silencer by fantech, and a 4'' carbon filter but don't think I will be able to fit all of this in the setup I have but this seems like the only way to keep noise to a reasonable level.

Tell me if you think this will work?

Here are the above three items:
Silencer
http://www.bghydro.com/BGH/itemdesc....FADS04&eq=&Tp=
Fan
http://www.bghydro.com/BGH/itemdesc....AEFV04&eq=&Tp=
Carbon filter ( goblin)

http://www.bghydro.com/BGH/itemdesc....HELF04&eq=&Tp=

Will I be able to put all of these three together? Do I need duct running between them?

Thanks for the help so far.

[RobsGreen]

Now your talking, that fan will definitely do the job, its exactly what I use, same size, looks like that one will be quieter though and a lot cheaper, that's what happens when you want things now and buy locally I guess. Thats a cool silencer, I wish I had room for such a thing. If you go with the cabinet you mentioned I don't see how you can use it. The fan and filter should just fit across the inside of your box at the top, taking 9" of space. I had to use a 5" to 4" reducer because of that stupid inline duct fan I used first, so yours will move even more air. You'll probably need a dimmer switch too, good quality one and might want to hook that suck up to a thermostat so it doesn't run when it doesn't need to.

Is there any way you can use a taller box? If the dwc takes 9" and the fan/filter takes 9" your only left with 12" for plant growth, oh yeah where are your lights gonna go? Thats more space up top at least another 6" from plant top, gonna be tight. I think that box would only be good for vegging, then being moved to a taller box for flowering. Thats what I'm thinking of doing, building another smaller box, your size for vegging, but that won't be happening anytime soon, I'm still spending money on this first one.

[stc9357]

Thanks for your help I finally have the final design my friend. I will be using a panasonic inline exhaust system the thing is pretty quiet as I have gathered from numerous reviews I will be using a carbon filter along with it to silence it even more I've decieded I will go with a wider cabinet to allow my plants plenty of side space but after looking at everything I might need to get a 46'' cab. in height (that will be the last resort I don't want the system to stick out in my room) . I'm trying to stay with the same design but allow for more room by increasing the width so things can be off to the side and the plant will have atleast 22'' in height growth I will train the plants with LST to grow nice and wide and not hit the ceiling I also think I will add wire so that there is a maximum height for them to reach.

Here is a link to the system you should look into it yourself:
http://www.iaqsource.com/product.php...product=111090


Do you think this is to much cfm keep in mind that my system will probably be redueced by 15-20% in cfm after adding the filter I'm going to make?

Do you think I should move to a 46'' height and just invest in a good locking system for it?

[RobsGreen]

No problem, I've been helped along the way so I have to give it back.

Thats a nice fan, likely as quiet as they get. I'm stuck with the one I have for a while, spent to much on it to throw away, not sure what I'm gonna do. I don't like the CFM ratings they don't really mean a whole lot, the air movement has a lot to do with the design of the fan. The fan I use now is about 145cfm, my other was 265cfm and this one is 100x better. Computer type fans are rated this way as well but there design is useless for pushing air, just good for moving it around. CFM ratings are ok if you compare the same fan type. I would guess the vortex fan you showed and this one would do the same, yet they have different ratings. The only problem I saw with this panisonic fan was it said it drew air from both sides of the fan for intake, that will cause a small problem for you, nothing that can't be solved though. You want 100% of the air to go through your carbon filter, if only some goes though it you may as well not have one. So your gonna have to seal that fan box up with silicon or something to make sure the air only goes in through the filter.

Yeah going up to 46" would be a big help, it would be like not having your fan/filter or lights in there. And like you say you could run the fan/filter up and down and vent out near the top. Where are you going to put your big 6" hole for exhaust? Room disappears quick once you get going, my box is getting smaller every day. I'm just setting up a bubble bucket system, 5g pals, I'll have perfect room for 2 of them. I measured today and I'll have 42" for plant growth. I think growing tall will give more bud then going wide, my guess, very good chance I'm wrong. When you get a power bar get one that has more the 6 outlets, you'll be happy you did, so many little things to plug in, I never would have thought that many when I started. I'm in the need for 2 more plugs because I have 2 bubble buckets, and then I want another for a fogger. My humidity is very low, nothing works to get it up and absolutely no room for a humidifer, so my plan is to build another floor, 4-5" above the main floor full of holes, put a waterproof pan in between and this fogger will sit in there and make fog and bring humidity up, these things claim to bring humidity up to 100%.

http://www.mops.ca/cgi-bin/SoftCart....711+1194248841

I'm trying to make a perfect growing environment, CO2 plans are coming, more space.

Is there any way you can have a box about 72" feet tall? What's the difference between 46" and 72" besides 2 feet? It wouldn't stick out that much more and I can't imagine it bringing that many more questions. Have it in your bedroom where most people don't go, I'm guessing you have your own place? I think you'll be happy with the extra height, after all marijuana is known as a tall plant. If your gonna spend this much and don't have a cabinet yet then I think you should go taller. Get the best yield you can out of a couple plants. If you keep noise down, light tight, smelled controlled and the cabinet locked no one should ever know whats in it. I can't imagine anyone ever thinking "I bet marijuana is growing in that cabinet." I've had one person ask me what was in there and I said guess, that was good enough for him.

Quick question, haven't read the meaning of this yet and you mentioned it. What does DWC stand for? I know rumpleforeskin has a thread on this, is that where you got it from? I'm doing his bubble bucket and think its the same? I'm after his grow with 2 big tall plants and I can't see why it won't happen.

Back to cabinet size, if you went taller you also have a chance of using a 250w HPS light. I'm kinda regretting not going that route and spending extra money trying to cool, however my CFL does seem to be doing good for my small plant but I know when the buds are growing they won't get as dense, so yeah I guess I won't have 2 plants like rumpleforeskin just yet. I'm gonna complete my first grow with this CFL, changing the bulb for flowering of course. I'm also gonna add small CFL's (possibly 4) around the top of the pots bottom of the plants during flowering. But know I can't see why I couldn't use a 250w HPS system, this new vortex fan is amazing and if I had a cooltube with a fan venting it out the box it should be no issues. Digital ballast supposedly don't put out much heat, are quiet and you can run MH bulbs as well. Might even be able to get away with a 400w, that would be perfect. You would also get a great heater for your bedroom, the heat pouring out of the box should heat your room, but cooling is summer could be an issue if your house isn't air conditioned, obviously you would want cool air going in the intake holes, not 90 degree air. I have an air conditioner right beside my box so it should work well.

So yeah I think if you went with a bigger box as in taller you could get away with your original 250w HPS, everyone goes to HPS sooner or later. Obviously you know its better. Sounds like you have a bit of money to spend and if you buy everything online you can get some great deals, probably get everything for around $800, budget for $1000. I've gotten most of my stuff locally and soon I'll be up to $1500+. Just spent another $100 yesterday for bubble buckets, another $250 tonight for reverse osmosis water system, air pump, water pump and a bunch of other small items. Definitely be prepared to spend money on your journey, so many things you don't think of at first, you'll also need a good PH meter, plus all the other meters that are recommended. So yeah your going to spend a minimum of $500, make the best out of it. I would be crying right now if my box was any smaller, I wish it was bigger but I think it will work out good, it better!

Well I better quit, this is what happens when I'm high and enjoy something, I can't shut up about it. Hopefully all this rambling helps, just want to see you do it right, I've seen quite a few people waste money on a super small space which you know they will regret. If the space has to be that small you probably shouldn't grow. I'm investing lots in mine now because I'm gonna make it work no matter what, I just regret having to rebuy so much, almost everything, luckily I picked a good cabinet, just. If I could only do it all over again, how many times have we said that.