First DIY cab build using guides from this forum for components

TheManO'Steel

Active Member
I've just (nearly) finished my cabinet for what will be my first grow and thought i'd show it off a little, since i was actually very surprised how well it turned out after i'd only kept up with the design in my head. Before i even started i read tons of threads on here, good and bad, and it slowly started to come together. i built it with a small perpetual grow in mind with as many as 10 small plants in an SOG grown for one main cola, although it will probably only end up being a couple in here at a time due to size. like i said im a noob. the cabinet was built using mostly parts from lowes, home depot, and walmart. got a couple things from ebay and and online pc supply store. its roughly 2.5'W x 1.5'D x 4.5'H, the frame was built with 2x3 studs, each side had mylar stretched across and stapled in place, and was then framed with 1/4" plywood. ive got a 400w hps ventilated/cooled separately from the cabinet in a homemade cooltube built following this guide:

https://www.rollitup.org/do-yourself/49801-homemade-cool-tube-cab.html

the only variation from that is that i added a 2nd pvc 90 and pull air in from outside the cabinet, across the bulb, and back out of the cabinet using a 6" inline booster fan at the moment, somewhat experimentally until i get a good read on what my temps will be. cabinet intakes are low on either side, using 2 120mm pc fans rated at 88cfm (the cabinet itself is rougly 17cuft) with dryer vent covers as light traps. exhaust has 2 of the same fans blowing into a wall register boot which turns up into a 6" round duct with a homemade carbon filter built using this guide:

https://www.rollitup.org/do-yourself/388044-unofficial-dry-vac-carbon-filter.html

those 4 fans, intake and exhaust, run off a pc fan controller i found for 10 bucks on ebay, with an old pc power supply running it. it controls fan speed based on 2 temp probes, one is mounted on the ceiling of the cabinet to theoretically give me an idea of the highest temp in the cab since its mounted directly above the light. the other temp probe is mounted to one side at roughly lower canopy level of a flowering plant if everything goes somewhat according to plan. the 2 intake fans are set variable and the 2 exhaust are running full speed with the resistance of the filter. i had to extend the fan wires to make it all fit but it wasnt a big deal. a timer will mount to the back or side, got it on clearance at home depot for 9 bucks, which will run the light and fan for it, and the cabinet circulation will run 24/7. the exhaust fans may get replaced with an inline can fan if they cant push enough air through the filter.

well i think thats about it, sorry for my completely erratic thought processes, saying i'm scatter-brained would be a drastic understatement. check out the pics and lemme know what you guys think. i havent been a member here long but ive read and learned so much from all you guys (and gals) so its nice to finally post something of my own. much thanks to both the original posters of the guides i referenced and also the 12/12 from seed thread (del66666) which has been the biggest influence in my decision to give this all a shot. comments, questions, constructive criticism welcome!


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Dude i'm diggin this setup. I like the exhaust, like you said hope it has enough to push through the resistance of the filter. I like the cool tube and i'm also curious as to where you picked up the clear tube. Also what are your plans for raising and lowering the light? Didn't see anything in the fuzz to hold it higher or lower. either way +rep man.

Do you plan on starting a new thread for the grow cause I'd like to watch.
 

7cotton7

Well-Known Member
yea clear pics would be nice. looks like you did your homework well. now its up to the trial and error period for learning to grow. i found all the info you read is extremely helpfull but you dont actually understand it till your goin thru it with your own plants. keep up the good work and make some monsters in that thing
 

7cotton7

Well-Known Member
also can u put up a link to that cool tube. i have been trying to make one but havnt found a plan i like, i do like the looks of yours tho
 
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