Preparing for first ever grow. (PC Grow)

Discussion in 'Micro Grows' started by Ukukangu, Dec 31, 2013.

  1. #1 Ukukangu, Dec 31, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 16, 2014
    Hey all.

    Just preparing for my first ever grow, which will be in a PC case (mainly for stealth). Been reading a lot about this over the last month or so and feel I'm finally ready to start my own grow! Have ordered everything just waiting for it to arrive and decided I would run my plan past people who have had great successful micro grows before I start. May also post a grow journal when I actually start with more details :)

    The main thing I can't decide on regards air flow within the PC case. I've read a lot on this and seen that a lot of people suggest that if you are using a carbon filter on the exhaust (I'm going to be using a DIY Carbon filter), you should probably use a passive intake so you have negative pressure within the box. So, my initial plan uses this idea. (Again, comments/help/ideas are very welcome!)

    I will have a passive intake on the front of the PC, with a lightrap made from cardboard (covered in mylar) and an exhaust at the back-top of the PC with the carbon filter attached. I have read that PC fans have trouble when they are trying to pull through a resistance so I thought to help this I could attach another fan on the other side of the carbon filter. Seen in second image - http://imgur.com/a/JBAjY

    Although, I wasn't sure if this would be best. My other idea was to put the other fan on the other side of the lights - Seen in first image - as this would also help to keep temps down whilst possibly aiding the exhaust. Can anyone with more knowledge than me in regards to ventilation/airflows within a PC case point me in the right direction? (I actually have 3 120MM / 110CFM PC fans currently)

    And any other comments on my initial design for the PC box would be great aswell!

    Thanks

    EDIT: Decided not to make a new thread for grow journal, just using this one. Starts around half way down page 4.

    Details;
    Multipurpose soil (B&Q)
    200W dual spectrum cfl light
    4 PC fans for exhaust, passive intake. (DIY carbon filters...)
    PC case is like, 35cm x 35cm so will try my hand at LST.
    Seed is a Auto blue diesel from advanced seeds
     
  2. You're probably going to have to go with the second fan arrangement. Even case fans that are optimized for high static pressure loads lose a fair bit of airflow when blowing/sucking through a high resistance path.
     
  3. @[member="mercury-hg"] Quick reply! Cheers. Yeah I was leaning towards that idea, just to make sure the exhaust works. Really don't want the place to stink up!
     
    Have also read that plants benefit from having a fan blowing directly on them, any ideas how to incorporate this into my design without losing the negative pressure?
     
  4. #4 RouxJr, Dec 31, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 31, 2013
    I've been planning a very similar build. I plan to have two intakes on the front, as you have on your first diagram.
     
    I was also planning on two on the rear, but was going to add my carbon filter to the back/outside of the case.
    This will give more space for the plant to grow.
     
    What DIY filter build were you going to follow?
     
    I was also going to use 3 30w instead of your 4 20w CFLs. But I think both would be plenty for a stealth build this size?
     
    I want to use a server tower PC case as they're a little bigger, but already have a standard one so will probably use that for the first go.
     
  5. @[member="t0ph0id"] Sounds good! are both your intakes going to be passive?
     
    And I was thinking of having it on the outside, but as I am only going to be growing 1 plant in there and I want it to look as much like a PC as possible I decided on having it inside..this may change though.
    I've read through a number of DIY Carbon filter guides, and I plan on doing something along the lines of this.. http://forum.grasscity.com/do-yourself/507790-my-coffee-can-carbon-filter.html, and then see how much room it will take up when inside the case.
     
    Yeah, I've seen a few successful PC grows with less than 60W total as it's such a small space, as long as the plants are up close to the lights and the walls are lined with reflective material I think it should be good.
     
    Server tower PC case would definetly be better as they have a lot more height to them, I didn't have a huge budget though so decided on a normal tower case that I managed to get for £22. Think it is 45cm in height.
     
  6. @[member="Ukukangu"] it will be two fan intakes, does that make it passive? One at the top feeding cool air of the CFLs and one at the bottom for air over the plant.
     
    Then one larger 120mm exit fan at the top at the back on the inside, filter on the outside then second fan on the back of the filter(maybe).
     
  7. @[member="t0ph0id"] If you have fan intakes think it is an active intake. I was planning on doing this but have read it can affect the pressure within the PC case, and if the pressure is positive then air inside the case can escape through other places instead of just your exhaust..potentially leaking smell.
     
    Although I'm not 100% sure, as I have seen PC grows do well with fan intake although I don't know if they have a issue with smell. Yours sounds like it may be alright, as the fans for the intake are smaller than the exhaust. As long as the exhaust can cope with the amount of air being pumped into the case I think it's fine. Still unsure what fan setup I'm going to use! Might need someone who knows more about this to chime in haha.
     
  8. #8 Farmer4D, Jan 2, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 2, 2014
    I had tried the first setup and worked good but for the smell try ona gel.
    a plant during flowering smells a lot and even with a good(not diy) carbon filter it will smell like 50% less.
     
    my opinion is to use ona gel and if you find one with aromas like lime take it.
    the aroma will cover the smell by 90% plus it smells nice and clean.
     
    http://forum.grasscity.com/absolute-beginners/1268757-closet-cfl-bagseed.html
     
  9. Sounds cool. I don't really have any advice to offer but I'm interested to see how it goes. Will you be keeping a log here or in another thread?
     
  10. @[member="Farmer4D"] Hey, how did that grow go? I'm looking at this one as a learning experience mostly, if the plant is alive at harvest I'll be happy! I'm going to be using ONA block as well as the DIY Carbon filter, am unsure where I'm going to put it though. Was thinking just outside the case as I've heard it can make your buds smell like the ONA block! Have just got a natural one I think, a specific smell probably would have been better haha! I'll check out your grow in that post in a minute =]
     
    @[member="unplugged"] I'll probably make a new thread when I start growing, this one is just for any pre-grow/setup questions and mainly the air flow I was worried about.
     
    Most of the stuff I was waiting for has come, am just waiting on 12V adapter, lightbulbs and PH Meter. Am going to start taking apart my PC case today and building my grow box! I'm pretty awful with anything practical/building/DIY but going to give it my best shot! I'll post some pictures when I've gutted the case, see you guys inna bit! =]
     
    • Like Like x 1
  11. Just as I finished posting that my seeds came! Had completely forgotten what I ordered, rushed / high / tired so I think i dun goofed but thinking it should be all good! (They are all fem'd!)
     
    1x White widow
    1x Blue Mystic Auto
    1x Dr Chocolate
     
    Think it's between white widow and Dr Chocolate for my first grow as I'm thinking of doing a 12/12 straight from seed. They also chucked in a freebie so might use that instead.
     
  12. #12 Ukukangu, Jan 4, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 4, 2014
    Have just cut all the wiring out of the PC taken the sides off etc trying to get the rivets out (Have heard you can use a flat head screwdriver and bash them out, my only tools are two screwdrivers..) but can't seem to get a rivet out! They are pretty damn small, and are in a slightly grooved "dip", so looks like I'm going to need a god damn drill. Pretty annoying as I'm low on cash and was excited at getting the box all gutted today.
     
    EDIT: Have now bought a little drill (£15) and couple of drill bits. Have to charge it for a few hours but then I can gut this bastard!
     
  13. #13 Ukukangu, Jan 6, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 6, 2014
    Ok! That was a bit harder than I thought it would be but the PC is now gutted =] had to go back and buy new drill bits specfically for drilling metal (I had no idea..) and they are now finally out. Have started making my DIY Carbon filter, going to do one of these (Not sure on placement of fan. Probably better to pull air into it instead of push?. Any comments on the best out of these two set ups?)
    [​IMG][​IMG]
     
    Basic outlay of what I plan to do.
     
    -I'm using a plastic container for the main body, and then cutting a hole in the bottom and in the lid.
    -I then cut the top part of a (different) plastic container off (~1inch) and have attached mesh to the bottom of the modified container.
    -I can then pour in activated carbon into the modified plastic container.
    -I'm going to then attach mesh to the top part aswell. So it is a layer of carbon between two sheets of mesh
    -I will then glue/duct tape this to the inside of the main plastic container, over the hole made in the bottom.
    -Then attach a fan to the outside(or inside) of the bottom part, which will blow air into/through the carbon filter
    -Then I will glue/duct tape the lid of the container over the exhaust fan in the PC case (line it up with the hole in lid)
     
    This means I can attach the main body of the carbon filter by inserting it into the lid that is stuck onto the PC case, meaning it can easily be removed and the carbon changed. I will also probably be putting an ONA Block in the main body of the carbon filter.
     
    Also going to start measuring out cardboard for the walls of the PC which I will mount with mylar.
     
  14.  
    Sounds good! With that kind of setup I'd definitely pull air through the filter as you exhaust the space rather than pushing it into the filter and/or the space.
     
  15. @[member="unplugged"] Awesome, was thinking that would probably be better now just need to find out how to power the fan when it's inside the container! Cheers =]
     
  16. Hey! Still working on the pc case, I've never been very handy so it's proving harder than I thought, several issues cropped up with taking it apart and the bulbs I bought are too big for the case...got new bulbs now though. Have sorted most things now, just need to get it all in the case and wired up! Hoping to start germing either tomorrow or at least some time next week :)
     
  17. #19 Ukukangu, Jan 12, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 12, 2014
    I have used cardboard for a light trap and also have mounted Mylar to cardboard and planning to use these as walls..question is will this make the pc case too hot? Anyone had experience using cardboard with Mylar as walls for pc grow?

    EDIT: Also seen a lot of people saying it is a fire hazard so probably going to ditch the cardboard!
     
  18.  
    If you're using CFLs it's not a fire hazard. If you're using an HID then yeah, ditch it. lol
     

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