First off, I'm not yet even a first-timer. I've been researching, purchasing parts, and rummaging thru RIU for about two months now. I've finally decided to start a journal, as I'm nearing completion of the building my cabinet stage.
The interior dimensions of the cabinet are 30"w x 40"d x 48" high. The base eats up 8" of height, and the lighting system takes up about the same. So the rough usable space I've got is about 32 inches high.
My lights consist of 6x 2700k 26w CFLs, and 6x 6500k 26w CFLs. I've got them running off a cheapo Brinks outlet timer. I've got the holes cut for 9 more sockets, if I feel that the grow could use more light, or more light in specific areas. The electric bill is a huge issue.
So far, here's what I've got done:
The ballast is strung up on pulleys, to allow me to raise and lower it easily, but hold the lighting firmly.
I've got the whole base of the system on runners, to aid my access to the rear plant site, since the area is deeper than it is wide.
What I've still got to do:
Run Mylar over the surfaces inside
Find the appropriate in-line ducting fan, and install it. Assemble and connect the carbon filter.
Order and install a number of small-size PC fans to circulate the air. I'm probably going to have 4-6 at the base of the unit, pulling air from the underside of the "shelf," and rustling the leaves. I'll have another 4 on the ballast, pulling the main chamber's air out, and above it, ready to be filtered thru the carbon, out the ducting, and out of the cab.
Run weather-seal strips on the door-side of the cabinet, to stop light leaks.
Place alligator clips on the bottom surface and the walls to hold plant-training strings
The interior dimensions of the cabinet are 30"w x 40"d x 48" high. The base eats up 8" of height, and the lighting system takes up about the same. So the rough usable space I've got is about 32 inches high.
My lights consist of 6x 2700k 26w CFLs, and 6x 6500k 26w CFLs. I've got them running off a cheapo Brinks outlet timer. I've got the holes cut for 9 more sockets, if I feel that the grow could use more light, or more light in specific areas. The electric bill is a huge issue.
So far, here's what I've got done:
The ballast is strung up on pulleys, to allow me to raise and lower it easily, but hold the lighting firmly.
I've got the whole base of the system on runners, to aid my access to the rear plant site, since the area is deeper than it is wide.
What I've still got to do:
Run Mylar over the surfaces inside
Find the appropriate in-line ducting fan, and install it. Assemble and connect the carbon filter.
Order and install a number of small-size PC fans to circulate the air. I'm probably going to have 4-6 at the base of the unit, pulling air from the underside of the "shelf," and rustling the leaves. I'll have another 4 on the ballast, pulling the main chamber's air out, and above it, ready to be filtered thru the carbon, out the ducting, and out of the cab.
Run weather-seal strips on the door-side of the cabinet, to stop light leaks.
Place alligator clips on the bottom surface and the walls to hold plant-training strings
