White Rhino under CFLs

rocksteady6 said:

Hey Dangledo. Welcome but it sounds like you arent sticking around i hope you are though. I got my fans today. Plugged em in and they move a fair bit of air. Much more that i thought. These are meant for computers though i presume. Very robust things made of metal. They plug straight into a power socket so no stuffing around with chargers and that as i am useless with anything handy. On that note though i have these two controllers that came with my large ceiling fans but as i have controllers for those they are available if they can be used. Anyone have any advice? I would say if i can use them it would involve chopping the power cord but i will need some help from an electrician i would say. Stelth i will get one of the small $109 phat fans. Give me a couple of weeks. I have a fishing tournament coming up and all my money is going on tackle.

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Ok when you install the fans remember the bottom fan needs to pull/suck air in, and the top needs to push/blow air out so test which way around they need to go before bolting them in, you will need the mechano sized nuts and bolts (only longer), and remember to use some insulating foam around the square perimeter of each fans casing to ensure no vibrations and a nice fit OK - step 2 * WIRING THE FAN's TOGETHER* this is well easy :-

1) Open the plugs, and take a pic so you remember where the wires go ..(colours to connectors)

2) Install the fans in the desired locations and run the wires tidyly to the point of exit and enclose in white PVC self sticking trunking (small)

3) Drill 2 holes for the fan wire to exit out of, pull the wire through and seal the small drilled holes with bathroom sealent

4) Now twist the power wires together same colour to same colour,(refer to the pic you took) and put the doubled up wires into just one of the plugs you've opened

5) Screw the plug back up

6) Connect the plug to a anolog time switch, set it up for 19 hours on and 5 hours off, (your light will be on for 18 hours and off for 6) - if you adjust the time accordingly this time set will ensure cool air is be fed through the grow room half hour before lights on and half hour after lights off! then plug the fans and time switch into a 10 socket multi plug (surge protected) is always good, and make sure to mount your 10 socket multi plug at the top outside the growroom towards the back! this is benificial for a few reason's

A) you can unplug easyly if you have to, in event of a fire

B) water and electricity don't mix (inc. high humidity, and misting) so good idea to keep power connections as far out the way as possible

C) Keeps power leads organised and tidy, and helps keep your grow space clutter free - a clean tidy grow room is 'A happy grow space'

I will do some diagrams and post them in a bit! gotta take my daughter to the park now so will get back to you in a few hours - STELTHY

PS/ you mean $109 *Phat Filter* ? ,, that's good news, phew! As I only have my 1st couple of certificates in Electrics I would advise you get a qualified electrician to install the fans speed controller as I am unfamilier with Ozzy power supply and wouldn't wanna tell you some thing that's wrong or that'll put you at risk! - STELTHY

Cheers again. Its such a good thing having you talk me through this. A few things i should mention. Firstly i have already mounted a 6 way power adapter inside the cab. Its just glued to wood supports and then drilled into the side of the cab with screws so can be moved. I wanted nothing to be seen from the outside but i didnt think of the very back up the top. The cords that came with the fans wont be long enough if the adapter is up the back however. I know i sound like a wimp but i would rather buy 2 timers instead of taking that cord apart and splicing back together. I have been known to be sloppy with my DIY and there is no going back from being electrocuted.

Another thing, as you can see in the pics below, i drilled a big hole a while back to fit the plug through in the side of the cab. I still have the wooden piece though so could glue it back in if needed. Yes i did mean phat filter but made a mistake. I usually have a few drinks when i get home from work so i make plenty of typos.
Enjoy the park mate.

rocksteady6 said:

Cheers again. Its such a good thing having you talk me through this. A few things i should mention. Firstly i have already mounted a 6 way power adapter inside the cab. Its just glued to wood supports and then drilled into the side of the cab with screws so can be moved. I wanted nothing to be seen from the outside but i didnt think of the very back up the top. The cords that came with the fans wont be long enough if the adapter is up the back however. I know i sound like a wimp but i would rather buy 2 timers instead of taking that cord apart and splicing back together. I have been known to be sloppy with my DIY and there is no going back from being electrocuted.

Another thing, as you can see in the pics below, i drilled a big hole a while back to fit the plug through in the side of the cab. I still have the wooden piece though so could glue it back in if needed. Yes i did mean phat filter but made a mistake. I usually have a few drinks when i get home from work so i make plenty of typos.
Enjoy the park mate.

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Ok yeah electricution sucks.. fair play! ok skip the re-wiring part, but extend the fans power cables with single socket extension leads use black electrical tape to completly cover the 'inside connection' and seal it! feed the extended wire through the top and re-position your multi-plug at the top, replace the wooden hole you cut out and glue it back in place (use bathroom sealant) yeah timers will work fine just make sure they are both set for the same time period and set at the same time! Its ok dude I drink a shit load of beer...to much infact like 12+ cans a night lol, really really need to cut down, even though I drink that much I rarely get drunk, must have built up an emunity to it or summink lol, anyway am pushing 30 now so its time to make some important lifestyle choices if I wanna see the next 30 years and watch my little ones grow up (kids) as well as plants lol Am going to only drink at weekends now and only have the odd pint here or there if I am out n about and in the right place at the right time for a pint etc.... So yeah any way re-position the power supply let me know how that goes n add a pic for uz to view and we'll go to the next stage - STELTHY

Mate i think we are very similar. I turn the big 30 this year. Love my beers but enjoying a few ciders tonight. I will do my best to do what you have said but may need to make some changes due to my ability. I am off to the hardware store tomorrow to get the seal for the doors and the backing for the fans. Did you use the same thing for sealant on the doors and the backing on the fans? It doesnt look like it would work. Also how do you attach that plastic strip to the rim of the doors? I am going to use the bolts i use on my boat to attach the fans which have a small amount of plastic thread so vibrations dont loosen them over time.

rocksteady6 said:

Mate i think we are very similar. I turn the big 30 this year. Love my beers but enjoying a few ciders tonight. I will do my best to do what you have said but may need to make some changes due to my ability. I am off to the hardware store tomorrow to get the seal for the doors and the backing for the fans. Did you use the same thing for sealant on the doors and the backing on the fans? It doesnt look like it would work. Also how do you attach that plastic strip to the rim of the doors? I am going to use the bolts i use on my boat to attach the fans which have a small amount of plastic thread so vibrations dont loosen them over time.

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Yeah I used the same stuff I havent gotten round to drawing the diagrams yet I'll do it at some point this after noon all we become clear in the pics! if the bolts you are talking about are the ones with a blue plastic bit at the top of the silver metal nut, then those are perfect! I also used these ones for the same reason - STELTHY

del66666 said:

lol i sleep with a9 inch fan and a 5 inch and 4 inch inline fan going, but then maybe my ears are past their best.

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Del, I'm the same, I sleep in the same room as my cabinet (as does my wife who has never once complained about the noise!!!), and I'm turned the big 50 so I guess 30 odd years of listening to heavy rock has helped

rocksteady6,

Great thread, full of information rep+ to stelthy for taking the time to put that together, should help a lot of new growers. I just wanted to add a couple of points:

I use 2 bathroom extraction fans, 4" inline and find them way better than PC fans although not as good as a quality Ruck type fan of course, but they're not a bad compromise and make little noise, gentle quiet hum. I think what you have are superior to plastic PC fans, the metal cased ones (I also have one in my box) are more powerful I find and dont require adapters.

If temps do become a problem consider adding a thin glass heat shield between lights and plants, it can really make a difference. Do exactly as stelthy has suggested but add the shield a couple of inches below the lamps and allow airflow around the edges only (say a 20mm gap) you will find that your plants can practically touch the glass with no issues, it remains cool to the touch. I learned this trick from a PC grower (V12) and tried it myself last year, I never looked back! Air drawn in low down will rise through your canopy and exhaust around the edges of your shield and out via the top fan...it works well. maybe you wont need it, but its worth knowing about.

Other than that best of luck with the grow and cabinet.

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*edit* Aahh ..."you must spread some......" etc etc. sorry stealthy

maturesmoker said:

*edit* Aahh ..."you must spread some......" etc etc. sorry stealthy

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I took care of it for ya MS. He definately deserves it and more for his time.

Can't way to see the grow Rock, Subscribed.




Big

Thanks for all the comments. I'm on my phone and my mrs has banned me from the computer tonight so will have to wait til later to properly respond. I bought some of the lining today to make it more airtight and also for the backing on the fans. Will have time for a quick pic before she gets home just to check its the right stuff. Stealth I too can't give you any more rep for a bit. By the way people I ducked home for lunch and the seeds are breaking the soil. I can see the big white root so I didn't put the light on just yet. Should I have?

Ok further to my last post the main stem goes down into the soil but the top of the plant which is still the main seeds is bent over badly. I am pretty sure it will straighten itself though. Its only about 2/3mm out of the soil. Have no idea whether to give it some of the CFL power yet.
Hey stelth this is what i have bought for the lining. I do have a few questions though. I am not trying to question you but more to figure out if its going to work. The cupboard actually shuts pretty close to flush already. If i put this lining around the top of the doors or even on the main section i dont think the doors will shut properly and therefore it will create a larger gap where the doors do shut. I see on yours you have big latches with locks but i wanted to avoid that if possible. I know it would work if i was to shut it with a little force but unless i latched it shut it would just come back out a bit. Does that make any sense??? Another thing, in one of your first drawings you said to tape it up. I just wanted to check you mean the back section of the cupboard... outside i presume to keep it all white inside?
EDIT: shit i didnt post the pic. here it is stelth.

this thread is full of good info for a future larger setup. thanks for the props, good luck on your white rhino, you've got a good coach and it seems like all is well. i'll be posted for some nursing room pics

rocksteady6 said:

Thanks for all the comments. I'm on my phone and my mrs has banned me from the computer tonight so will have to wait til later to properly respond. I bought some of the lining today to make it more airtight and also for the backing on the fans. Will have time for a quick pic before she gets home just to check its the right stuff. Stealth I too can't give you any more rep for a bit. By the way people I ducked home for lunch and the seeds are breaking the soil. I can see the big white root so I didn't put the light on just yet. Should I have?

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Hi dude yeah thats the stuff it will work great for you, you may only need to apply it to the face edges of your actual cuboards not the doors as well, do the cab 1st and see if the doors close nicely, if there is still a gap do the outter edges of the doors as well, Look at the shape of the strip, you can tear it down the middle if you put 1 single length down the middle inside edge of the left door with the hollow tubey bit closest to the cuboard and the lip facing out, and on the right door apply the strip in reverse so ... the hollow tubey bit on the middle outside edge of the door with the lip facing in, that way when you close the doors will fit tightly together in a (69) kinda way lol imagine the (69) is a birdseye view of the 2 doors when closed this is the airtight/light tight seal the insulating strip will make (you will have to open the door with the hollow strip facing out fist, you just will) !! ..Can you post a pic of the seedling with the root showing I need to see how big the little lady is before I can say when to add light and how close etc.... PS/ do you have digital thermometers? and hygrometers? Ideally you need 3 thermometer a centered top middle and bottom one this will help you keep the enviroment consistant! the hygrometers you can get by with 1 central one from your local pet store I'll add pics in a min! this will show the humidity of the room (WET/DRY AIR etc) damp air is good for veg dry is better for flower depending on the readings you get I can advise you on how to effectively change the climate to the right humidity - STELTHY

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Man! it always happens I only wanted to copy the fuckin' image, argh!!! Anyway I use 3 of these exact ones they are only 3 Uk pounds each, and as with the digital thermometer, have them mounted in the center top, middle, and bottom - but as I say you can get by with just one mid mounted one in the center at the back of your cupboard - STELTHY

Hey Stelth. You sure you are not working for ebay. I keep getting these ads through the thread. Just joking my man. I am forever thankful for your help and it seems others appreciate your wisdom too. I just tried to take some pics of the seedlings but they were all rubbish. 8 megapixel camera and useless. They have no leaves yet so i cant imagine any photosynthesis is taking place so i turned the lights off. I think another 24hrs and they will be all good. I have 1 digital hygrometer at present to register everything. Yes not ideal. The temps in the cab were fine last time too at this stage as you can just open the doors to alleviate temps with no smell . Its about 29C with lights on and 26C with them off. Working all day tomorrow and then my GF's 30th so Sunday i will get the work gloves on, put away the booze, and get some pics up.

rocksteady6 said:

Ok further to my last post the main stem goes down into the soil but the top of the plant which is still the main seeds is bent over badly. I am pretty sure it will straighten itself though. Its only about 2/3mm out of the soil. Have no idea whether to give it some of the CFL power yet.
Hey stelth this is what i have bought for the lining. I do have a few questions though. I am not trying to question you but more to figure out if its going to work. The cupboard actually shuts pretty close to flush already. If i put this lining around the top of the doors or even on the main section i dont think the doors will shut properly and therefore it will create a larger gap where the doors do shut. I see on yours you have big latches with locks but i wanted to avoid that if possible. I know it would work if i was to shut it with a little force but unless i latched it shut it would just come back out a bit. Does that make any sense??? Another thing, in one of your first drawings you said to tape it up. I just wanted to check you mean the back section of the cupboard... outside i presume to keep it all white inside?
EDIT: shit i didnt post the pic. here it is stelth.

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Post me a pic of the seedling in question, is the stem bent, does it have any baby leaves yet? or is it the tap root that is visable and bent over? QUOTE (The cupboard actually shuts pretty close to flush already. If i put this lining around the top of the doors or even on the main section i dont think the doors will shut properly and therefore it will create a larger gap where the doors do shut. I see on yours you have big latches with locks but i wanted to avoid that if possible. I know it would work if i was to shut it with a little force but unless i latched it shut it would just come back out a bit. Does that make any sense???)

* If you put the seal only on the face edge of the cupboard, and (the inside edge of the door's in the (69) birdseye view way!) the doors should close well without compremise!

Also the latches on mine aren't actually to hold the doors in, I put them on there so my daughter cant get to the chemicals and or burn herself on the lights etc lots of hazards for little people lol so I went overboard to make sure she came to no harm, this and that my wife had no room to moan about the risks etc in advance

Yeah tape it with silver duct tape or elephant tape from top to bottom from behind, and if you can find any white pvc tape tape over the same center gap from the inside, you dont want mould to grow in the seam (mould sucks! for plants and people!!)

Ill read through this thread and add some more pics n diagrams where needed, was going to do it yesterday but got so stoned it hurt my eyes to look at my PC screen lol - STELTHY

PS/ Keep your seedling in the dark at 1or 2 degrees above room temp, and lightly mist the surface of the grow medium with ph balanced water to keep the top moist this will help her grow quicker (warm, moist, dark), this is perfect until the seed sproutes its 1st 2 baby leaves and even its 1st 2 real leaves, when you have 2 real leaves you can add the cfl lighting, but post a pic all the same I'll be happy to help - STELTHY

Nah no leaves. Just a few floating seed heads about to break free. The pics i take are not clear at all. I think its all the perlite. It just blends in with it. I am just being a little para i think. Will look at the various seals and see what works best. Certainly tape either side of the back part. Was even thinking of removing the whole floppy sections and replacing with 1/2inch ply and painting. Maybe later.

You are a good man locking it up like that for the kids. You come across a very intelligent, helpful young man. Again i cant thank you enough for your input on this. I work all day Saturday and out tomorrow night. I will try and come home and post some pics of the seedlings. I am very excited as i am sure you can tell.

I keep posting when you are. hahaha. I am off to bed as up early tomorrow. I do check this on my phone regularly but cant reply with a great deal. I think you need your own sticky on grow cabs. I researched for an unbelievable amount of hours and learnt more from you in this thread.

Hi all. Ok i attempted a few of stelths suggestions and the lining around the sides of the cupboard just isnt going to work. It made the cupboard sit out and not close properly. The only light getting in at present is through the gap between the two doors so i am going to put a stip of the lining down the edge of the door and this will block that out. I have decided also to leave the power adapter where it is as its just going to be too obvious elsewhere. I would need 3 extension leads for both circulating comp fans and also the oscilating fan. The position of the wall power point in relation to the cab just isnt great. I know its not good to have high humidity and power points but i will just have to make do and not feed through the leaves and water outside of the cab and return the plants.
The seedlings are very small and germing slowly. One still has her helmot on and the other has lost it but the 2 first oval leaves havent seperated. They almost look like they are stuck together will some kind of gunk. Oh well will plod on and hope it happens soon.