CXA3070s for Growing Indoor Fruit and Vegetables

C

CellarDweller

Well-Known Member
I only know of a few people on this fine forum growing such non-smokable produce.....but here is my set-up and I'd be grateful for constructive criticism/suggestions and experience.

COBs and Intematix Remote Phosphor in front of Royal Blue LEDs are now my preference.......this is just Day 17 from sowing :)

I use the Intematix for germination on top of a radiator and then move them beneath these 6 COBs (soon to be 8......then 18!!!) where they get uniform 1100 umol/m2/s for 16 hours a day. The COBs are the CXA3070s with an even mix of 3000K and 5000K. Next order (the next 10) will be a mix of the 2700K and 5000K CXA3070s. All will be driven at 1400mA using individual drivers. The fans on the coolers are kept running using a Phobya PSU connected to a splitter.

The "most excellent construction" you see is a true engineering marvel of a v-type clothes rail, opened out, placed on two chairs and supported by two plastic mop handles, all tied together with cable ties. Then the Cooler/Cob/Drivers attached to the clothes rail with more cable ties and some diamond reflective foil "shaped" around the whole lot using bulldog clips.


IMG_20150423_075425.jpg


All this I learned from these fine gentlemen on this forum. The COBs and the Arctic Coolers pull a total of 300W from the wall, so the cost here in Germany is a "massive" €1.20 per day. It will be a lot less (40% less) when I move them to lights-on during the night when the power is cheaper.

Here in Europe each COB works out to be around €35 with individual Arctic Cooler and Driver included in the price. Not bad considering the things will last for more years than I will keep them!

Just put another order in with Jerry over at Kingbrite (for the next 10 COBs) and bought my MacGyver style grow tent (standard portable clothing rail with cloth cover that I will attach diamond reflective foil to on the inside).

Particular thanks go to: @SupraSPL @stardustsailor @bicit @Positivity @foreverflyhi @Greengenes707 @PSUAGRO @Doer @REALSTYLES @churchhaze @Kuifje76 @happy75 @beppe75

At least 150% of what I know and now understand is thanks to your input, knowledge, advice and generosity. Grow well people :)
 
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C

CellarDweller

Well-Known Member
I'll keep you updated here.......I have an outdoor set-up (a massive allotment here in Germany) that I will be moving at least 2/3 of these babies to and then growing them in "competition". My aim? To prove that indoor grown fruit and veg can at least compete on a taste AND nutritional level with outdoor grown produce.

I will send my 2 types of produce for full laboratory testing and also go out and buy the same produce from national chain supermarkets.

I intend to publish the results as I am convinced that the average family could produce more food, that is better tasting and has a higher nutritional value, for less money than store bought and in a very small amount of space.

Viva la revolucion!
 
Metacanna

Metacanna

Well-Known Member
Nice!

Here in Europe each COB works out to be around €35 with individual Arctic Cooler and Driver included in the price. Not bad considering the things will last for more years than I will keep them!
Click to expand...
WHERE!??

I approve the idea 100%. Here in Switzerland vegetables are super expensive and electricity costs 0,05$ - 0,10$ per Kwh. So... guess what, economically it really worth to grow food indoors, the prices in Germany are not that low as well. Here the prices for zuchinni ranges from 5$-8$/kg, tomatoes 3$-6$/kg, a lettuce 3$-4$ fixed price, peppers 4$-6$/kg, aromatic herbs and microgreens 70-90$/kg. I have been living here for 5 years but I still get shocked with the prices, you can't find beef cheaper than 70$/kg? Well... in the end I admire the Swiss mentality, "if you want me to grow, kill and cut an animal for you, you must pay good money". Fair enough, this guys know what sustainability is.

I'm working on a grow space for vegetables as well but for now without flowering plants due their light requirements. It's looking like this:

DSC9176_LOW.png

Not so tidy as in that picture, but similar design. The water from the aquarium is pumped to the growing media where the fish poo and all sorts of ammonia are broken down to NO3, commonly know as plant food :). By absorbing the nutrients in the water, the plants are also cleaning the water that is then returned to the fish tank, it's a closed loop. For more info google "aquaponics". This way of growing food has high potential, in fact European Union is funding research towards aquaponics to understand how it can be used on commercial scale. It almost sounds too good to be true, you put one input (feed the fish) and get two outputs, fish and vegetables... plus, it's a closed system where there's no water waste or residual waste. People have been growing all kind of plants, tilapia, trout and perch in these systems for their own, it works, it's proven.

There's also some experiences growing cannabis this way, however it seems the fish poo doesn't contain enough potassium for proper flowering. However it's ok to add some types of tea in the water, which could provide the nutes missing, so far there isn't much info on this as few people are doing it, well... at least I think so, maybe you are all aware of this and this smartass is here wasting your time :)

This might be a bit off topic but it is in the context of growing food and auto sufficiency. Indeed, "Viva la revolucion!"

Concerning your grow, what temps do you have inside the tent? I have been struggle to grow some vegetables indoors as some types require low temperatures, lettuce and cabbage for example never really produced great results indoors, the texture and general aspect are bellow acceptable for my standards.

Keep us update with your grow, in the meanwhile let us know what exactly you are growing.
 
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alesh

alesh

Well-Known Member
Metacanna said:
Nice!



WHERE!??

I approve the idea 100%. Here in Switzerland vegetables are super expensive and electricity costs 0,05$ - 0,10$ per Kwh. So... guess what, economically it really worth to grow food indoors, the prices in Germany are not that low as well. Here the prices for zuchinni ranges from 5$-8$/kg, tomatoes 3$-6$/kg, a lettuce 3$-4$ fixed price, peppers 4$-6$/kg, aromatic herbs and microgreens 70-90$/kg. I have been leaving here for 5 years but I still get shocked with the prices, you can't find beef cheaper than 70$/kg? Well... in the end I admire the Swiss mentality, "if you want me to grow, kill and cut and animal for you, you must pay good money". Fair enough, this guys know what sustainability is.
Click to expand...
Doesn't sound that terrible. Here in the Czech Republic, the prices are slightly lower (a̶b̶o̶u̶t̶ ̶5̶0̶%̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶7̶0̶%̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶w̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶ ̶p̶o̶s̶t̶e̶d̶ 30% to 50% lower, meaning that they're 50%-70% of what you posted) and the median wage - according to wiki - is about 5x lower. Not that I'm complaining. I certainly don't eat that much vegetables to make an impact on me. And on the other hand, alcohol is dirty cheap there. About $1 for .5l beer in a bar and half of that in a supermarket.
 
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C

CellarDweller

Well-Known Member
Well gentlemen, here is the new home. I am new to all this and so am doing this as cheaply as I can before I commit (though it's not really "cheap"!). Saving where it makes sense to save, spending where it's going to have an impact. So the COBs are almost 90% of the build :) My tent you see here is a simple €16 portable wardrobe with covering that I have attached diamond foil to on the inside (of course!). The light unit frame is cheap shelf support held together with cable ties and the drivers are also held down with cable ties. The chain link to hang it all cost €3 :) Grow tent with 8 CXA3070s, active cooled, at 350W draw including coolers, for less than €500.....I reckon that's unachievable with any ready made lighting system.

I am growing:

14 varieties of tomato (42 plants)
Black Beauty Zucchini (9 plants)
Aubergin (2 plants)
9 varieties of chilli (32 plants)
3 varieties of paprika (6 plants)
Basil, coriander and oregano
Onions

Here is the new home :)

The eagle eyed amongst you will notice only 6 CXAs.....the other two Arctics have yet to be properly tapped :) (done this weekend)IMG_20150423_172658.jpgIMG_20150423_171531.jpg
 
C

CellarDweller

Well-Known Member
Positivity said:
Looks good!

Maybe at some point consider adding uvb/uva t5 flourescent for a few hours a day. For instance red leaf lettuce with and without would be interesting, basil...:wink:, etc. taste tests with and without...:weed:. Just watch the eyeballs...:shock:...uv is no good for them
Click to expand...
You are absolutely correct sir... I have 3 reptile lights on order for 3 hours of uva/UVB around midday. Great input though my friend
 
bicit

bicit

Well-Known Member
Just to warn you, 42 tomatoes is going to fill that entire space. Let alone having room for the zucchini :P

I have about 30 mixed variety heirloom tomatoes seedlings and 30 mixed bell pepper seedlings. Good growth under a pair of 4000k vero18's at 1400ma.
 
C

churchhaze

Well-Known Member
bicit said:
Just to warn you, 42 tomatoes is going to fill that entire space. Let alone having room for the zucchini :P

I have about 30 mixed variety heirloom tomatoes seedlings and 30 mixed bell pepper seedlings. Good growth under a pair of 4000k vero18's at 1400ma.
Click to expand...
It's possible he's moving them outdoors considering the time of year it is now. Not trying to speak for him obviously.
 
C

CellarDweller

Well-Known Member
I hear your @bicit and @churchhaze the majority of the plants will be moved outside/given to friends as gifts. I'm going to run comparisons on produce grown inside vs outside vs store bought.

Still trying to figure out the best way to grow the zucchini.......force them to grow "up" or by some shelves and put them in the tent and then have 1 or 2 on a shelf.
 
C

CellarDweller

Well-Known Member
Metacanna said:
Nice!



WHERE!??

I approve the idea 100%. Here in Switzerland vegetables are super expensive and electricity costs 0,05$ - 0,10$ per Kwh. So... guess what, economically it really worth to grow food indoors, the prices in Germany are not that low as well. Here the prices for zuchinni ranges from 5$-8$/kg, tomatoes 3$-6$/kg, a lettuce 3$-4$ fixed price, peppers 4$-6$/kg, aromatic herbs and microgreens 70-90$/kg. I have been living here for 5 years but I still get shocked with the prices, you can't find beef cheaper than 70$/kg? Well... in the end I admire the Swiss mentality, "if you want me to grow, kill and cut an animal for you, you must pay good money". Fair enough, this guys know what sustainability is.

I'm working on a grow space for vegetables as well but for now without flowering plants due their light requirements. It's looking like this:

View attachment 3402296

Not so tidy as in that picture, but similar design. The water from the aquarium is pumped to the growing media where the fish poo and all sorts of ammonia are broken down to NO3, commonly know as plant food :). By absorbing the nutrients in the water, the plants are also cleaning the water that is then returned to the fish tank, it's a closed loop. For more info google "aquaponics". This way of growing food has high potential, in fact European Union is funding research towards aquaponics to understand how it can be used on commercial scale. It almost sounds too good to be true, you put one input (feed the fish) and get two outputs, fish and vegetables... plus, it's a closed system where there's no water waste or residual waste. People have been growing all kind of plants, tilapia, trout and perch in these systems for their own, it works, it's proven.

There's also some experiences growing cannabis this way, however it seems the fish poo doesn't contain enough potassium for proper flowering. However it's ok to add some types of tea in the water, which could provide the nutes missing, so far there isn't much info on this as few people are doing it, well... at least I think so, maybe you are all aware of this and this smartass is here wasting your time :)

This might be a bit off topic but it is in the context of growing food and auto sufficiency. Indeed, "Viva la revolucion!"

Concerning your grow, what temps do you have inside the tent? I have been struggle to grow some vegetables indoors as some types require low temperatures, lettuce and cabbage for example never really produced great results indoors, the texture and general aspect are bellow acceptable for my standards.

Keep us update with your grow, in the meanwhile let us know what exactly you are growing.
Click to expand...
My temps are 20 - 28 depending if I leave the door open :) I want to eventually set multiple tents up in the cellar and then I'll rig up a system to induct cold Cellar air over the COBs.
 
C

CellarDweller

Well-Known Member
CellarDweller said:
I only know of a few people on this fine forum growing such non-smokable produce.....but here is my set-up and I'd be grateful for constructive criticism/suggestions and experience.

COBs and Intematix Remote Phosphor in front of Royal Blue LEDs are now my preference.......this is just Day 17 from sowing :)

I use the Intematix for germination on top of a radiator and then move them beneath these 6 COBs (soon to be 8......then 18!!!) where they get uniform 1100 umol/m2/s for 16 hours a day. The COBs are the CXA3070s with an even mix of 3000K and 5000K. Next order (the next 10) will be a mix of the 2700K and 5000K CXA3070s. All will be driven at 1400mA using individual drivers. The fans on the coolers are kept running using a Phobya PSU connected to a splitter.

The "most excellent construction" you see is a true engineering marvel of a v-type clothes rail, opened out, placed on two chairs and supported by two plastic mop handles, all tied together with cable ties. Then the Cooler/Cob/Drivers attached to the clothes rail with more cable ties and some diamond reflective foil "shaped" around the whole lot using bulldog clips.


View attachment 3402240


All this I learned from these fine gentlemen on this forum. The COBs and the Arctic Coolers pull a total of 300W from the wall, so the cost here in Germany is a "massive" €1.20 per day. It will be a lot less (40% less) when I move them to lights-on during the night when the power is cheaper.

Here in Europe each COB works out to be around €35 with individual Arctic Cooler and Driver included in the price. Not bad considering the things will last for more years than I will keep them!

Just put another order in with Jerry over at Kingbrite (for the next 10 COBs) and bought my MacGyver style grow tent (standard portable clothing rail with cloth cover that I will attach diamond reflective foil to on the inside).

Particular thanks go to: @SupraSPL @stardustsailor @bicit @Positivity @foreverflyhi @Greengenes707 @PSUAGRO @Doer @REALSTYLES @churchhaze @Kuifje76 @happy75 @beppe75

At least 150% of what I know and now understand is thanks to your input, knowledge, advice and generosity. Grow well people :)
Click to expand...
By the way - I just realised (when @Metacanna pointed it out) that my original post has a typo I cannot now edit:

The price for my COB/Driver/Cooler set-up is €45 not €35. Apologies.....but you could probably do it cheaper anyway :)
 
C

CellarDweller

Well-Known Member
Day 20 and the some of the tomato plants are just bursting out of their pots.......kind of ridiculous! The zucchini plants are already outgrowing their 14cm pots and I am now into "damage limitation" mode as the Kingbrite order won't probably reach me until Friday! Happy problems I suppose.

This week I will also be beginning work on home made air-pruning pots. A quick lesson on the sewing machine from my sister-in-law and then production starts on custom-fit pots for my space. I'll post all the info on how to do it, what materials etc and then let you lot tear it apart, suggest better options and generally show me up for the amateur I am ;)

In 7 days I'm hoping to have around 2.5m2 of space devoted to growing with 1.5m2 of that being on 4 levels, giving a total of 7m2.......not an insignificant amount of growing.

Photos to follow....(just finishing up another two COB fixtures).
 
Mellodrama

Mellodrama

Well-Known Member
ARRRGH :wall:

The COB holders are installed incorrectly. The metal dimples are hanging off the sides. These Ideal COB holders rely on a sink large enough for the two metal dimples AND the two white plastic nubs underneath the wire clips. If all four contact points aren't touching down on the sink you 1) lose indication of a proper installation and 2) you risk crushing the COB.

I wish nobody had ever found these damned Arctic 11's and started pumping them on this forum! How many folks have spent their time and money on this flawed combination??!!

If I had a pile of these CPU coolers I'd recycle the damned things. Or have someone chuck them into a mill and cut the tops down. If you had that protrusion milled down about halfway it looks to me like the COB's would fit.
 
C

CellarDweller

Well-Known Member
Um..... Whilst I'm sure you have a point

1) it's damn easy to see that the COB is held in place securely and is firmly against the heatsink surface

2) touch wood I haven't crushed a COB yet and honestly I don't think it is that much of an issue because there is no need to screw down hard

Placing the holder is easy, placing the COB is easy and just because you have a bee in your bonnet on this issue you should probably test this method before you express yourself so emphatically.

Finally, my heatsinks and COBs run almost cold with the fans at 12v and as proof of the junction's effectiveness, I turn each fixture on without fan at the beginning to see if the heatsink heats up quickly. Invariably they do.

I really appreciate your concern and there is no doubting that you are arguing for installation per instructions... But it would seem your concern is somewhat exaggerated.

Of course I now sit here waiting for all my COBs to go up in smoke and the inevitable "I told you so" :)
 
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