PC Tower/Server CFL/LED Grow

secretforestgarden

Active Member
So, I made about 4 hours of major changes to my setup tonight--really stepped it up a notch. I moved one of the exhaust fans to the exterior of the case to make more room, I installed a light mover, and most of all, I added the HPS to the mix--it looks light a professional light room just shrunk to the size of a PC case. So, now I have 3 x 26w cool CFLs, a 50w LED panel, a 13w LED panel, and a 35w HPS, all while maintaining the stealth of the operation. I can't wait to see how my girls love it, although to get the project done tonight they had to say up 2 hours past their bedtime--making today a 20/4 light cycle. I will be posting pics of my rapidly growing White Dwarf and the just sprouting Amnesia Lemon and you can all see my sweet new setup.

Also, I don't think this grow is getting much traffic so I think I might start a new thread with a link to this old one and put this sweet CFL LED HPS PC grow in the grow journal section.
 

MatanuskaValley

Well-Known Member
So, I made about 4 hours of major changes to my setup tonight--really stepped it up a notch. I moved one of the exhaust fans to the exterior of the case to make more room, I installed a light mover, and most of all, I added the HPS to the mix--it looks light a professional light room just shrunk to the size of a PC case. So, now I have 3 x 26w cool CFLs, a 50w LED panel, a 13w LED panel, and a 35w HPS, all while maintaining the stealth of the operation. I can't wait to see how my girls love it, although to get the project done tonight they had to say up 2 hours past their bedtime--making today a 20/4 light cycle. I will be posting pics of my rapidly growing White Dwarf and the just sprouting Amnesia Lemon and you can all see my sweet new setup.

Also, I don't think this grow is getting much traffic so I think I might start a new thread with a link to this old one and put this sweet CFL LED HPS PC grow in the grow journal section.
wow where do you get a 35 watt hps? I wonder how many lumens that produces I bet your plats are going to be dense as eff!
 

secretforestgarden

Active Member
This is the HPS security light that I disassembled: http://www.rabweb.com/product_detail.php?product=WPTS35

You can also DIY a 35w hps w/ your own ballast and bulb--the whole setup retailing for about $35 shipped here: http://www.1000bulbs.com/35-Watt-HPS/

I got the RAB light with bulb on craigslist brand new from an electrician for $20 :-)

The motherfucker is hot as balls and my case was at about 85F at the top and 94F near the plants. I unscrewed 2 CFLs leaving me with one 26w CFL, the 35w HPS, the 50w LED, and the 13w LED. I have to check the temp again after taking out some of the CFLs--even now I'm still runnin' 124w of three light types in a PC. Also, my humidity is a dismal 20%. Any tips or tricks are WELCOME! I think I might start wrapping the base of my plants with wet washcloths--I gotta get it to at least 40%. I'm afraid I might have to buy a humidifier.

I know I keep promising pics but I will SOON! I'm a little preoccupied with this heat problem.


best,

secretforestgarden
 

lazaah

Well-Known Member
My humidity is quite low too, im going to try putting a tray of gravel under the plants with water in it!
 

secretforestgarden

Active Member
That's a good idea. I just put wet dish cloth on top of my soil around the plants. I'd be surprised if it got up to even 25% though. I really think I need to go buy a humidifier tomorrow. I don't have room in the bottom of my case because it's all pots and electronics. I think I might have fixed my heat problem though. I moved the HPS even farther away and chopped off part of my light mover because there was some excess wood that was blocking the exhaust somewhat. I also put the main circulation fan right on the HPS bulb instead of blowing on the plants directly. I think this will help whisk some of the heat away from the bulb and direct it immediately to the exhaust fans. I'm gonna check back in 30 mins to check on the thermometers. Please, please be 87F or lower!
 

violator kush

Active Member
can we get some pics of the plants and inside of yout the grow box? just want to see how u put that much light in there
 

secretforestgarden

Active Member
can we get some pics of the plants and inside of yout the grow box? just want to see how u put that much light in there
Pics as promised.

With the changes I made, it's now 84F at the plant level! I lowered the temp 16F in a few days with just minor changes.

You can see the Amnesia Lemon is stunted right now due to a few days of heat stress but I think they'll both recover nicely now that they're getting all that light and have a decent temp. I think they'll really take off once I up the humidity in my room.
 

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secretforestgarden

Active Member
I can't wait to see how this turns out. I just planted my first grow.
Thanks man. I've never seen anyone attempt a setup like this before (not to sound like a douchebag :smile:)--I was worried there for a bit w/ the high temps but they're nice now. I'm excited for it too. Prob won't be until April when I get the final product. Even if I only got .5 grams per watt, that'd still be over 60 grams for a PC grow--and I might add back in another CFL during flowering.
 

Else

Active Member
Hey nice set up man. Did you order some of your supplies online or did you just get them from stores you live around?
 

MatanuskaValley

Well-Known Member
Hey man not all hps lights will grow, I know a lot of industrial lights will not grow plants. might be something to ask about on the appropriate forum.

Awesome innovation on your grow box though man kudos for sure!!
 

secretforestgarden

Active Member
Hey nice set up man. Did you order some of your supplies online or did you just get them from stores you live around?
Here's a fairly comprehensive list of my supplies and their respective origins.

1) 24" Tower - eBay
2) dremel tool (for modifying the case to my specs) - eBay
3) gallon jugs - grocery store
4) mylar - I found it in my basement, how convenient!
5) 120V electrical wire - hardware store
6) 5 rolls of Duct Brand Industrial-Strength duct tape - WalMart--this is the most crucial material--dole out the 7 bucks a roll and you won't be sorry--use this instead of electrical tape--it works better
7) Fox Farm Nutes - FF website (i think)
8) Pro-Mix soil - Wal Mart
9) Pearlite - Wal Mart
10) 13w LED panel (stripped down) - eBay
11) 50w LED panel from SenLed (stripped down) - eBay
12) CFLs - Wal Mart
13) 35w HPS - Craigslist
14) 1/2 Plywood - hardware store
15) chains, hooks, screws, and eyes - hardware store
16) cheesecloth (for self-watering pot wick) - Wal Mart
17) gallon jugs - supermarket
18) Organic Blood Meal - Wal Mart
19) automatic timer - hardware store
20) waterproofing tape - Wal Mart
21) 120mm SilenX fan 90 CFM (for exhaust) - online specialty DIY pc store--don't remember which one
22) 120mm to 80mm fan adapter - same store
23) PC case fan ducting - same store
24) 3 x 80mm Nexus ultra-quiet case fans - same store
25) molex adapter - same store
26) external PC case fan AC-to-DC converter - tigerdirect.com
27) RapidTest pH meter - online somewhere
28) OnaBlock (this is crucial) - anywhere online
29) thermometers and hygrometers - Wal Mart
30) an adequate toolbox (screwdrivers, drill, hammers, etc.)
31) medium-base light sockets - hardware store
32) flexible PVC tubing (for self-watering pots) - hardware store
33) distilled water - Wal Mart or supermarket
34) thumb screws (for easy access) - laying around somewhere
35) seeds from Attitude Seed Bank
36) elbow grease - a huge coffee mug


best,

secretforestgarden
 

secretforestgarden

Active Member
Hey man not all hps lights will grow, I know a lot of industrial lights will not grow plants. might be something to ask about on the appropriate forum.

Awesome innovation on your grow box though man kudos for sure!!
Good info. This HPS is truly high-pressure, none of that low pressure stuff. And it's the same lumen rating and warmth of HPS bulbs you will find anywhere, 2100k. Some 35w go as low as 1900k. Do you know per chance which of these spectrums are the best for growing with a HPS?
 

secretforestgarden

Active Member
Good info. This HPS is truly high-pressure, none of that low pressure stuff. And it's the same lumen rating and warmth of HPS bulbs you will find anywhere, 2100k. Some 35w go as low as 1900k. Do you know per chance which of these spectrums are the best for growing with a HPS?
Did some research and my HPS has the same Kelvin rating as the bigger 150, 250, 400, 600, and 1000w HPS systems. I still don't understand which types of HPS would not be conducive to growing?
 
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