Noob fridge grow box build

nederwierie

Active Member
Keep in mind that if you use an ultrasonic humidifier you're also going to want to run distilled or RO water through it. Otherwise, ultrasonic humidifiers will put out a bunch of mineral deposits that can start clogging your carbon filter. When that happens, your temps will start to rise 'for no reason'. It happened to me and it wasn't exactly the first thing that I thought of when I was trying to figure out what was happening. Having said that, an evaporative humidifier is the way to go to avoid that headache. Sorry I can't recommend one for you as I have yet to cross over myself.

One other observation. As bad ass as those intake pipes look on the back of your unit, you'll probably get much cooler air brought in to your box if the inlets were to be closer to the cold concrete floor. I'm not sure what temps are like in your region but I just thought it might be something worth considering.
Thnx that´s a good advice i did´nt realise that . That´s something to think over .
 

Fridgek9

Active Member
You guys are a fountain of knowledge and I duff my cap to you, and I thank you all for your help trying to get this fridge up and running, and thanks for the kind words.
And yes Just be, you are right they would be better closer to the ground, (I do have the option of putting them through the back of my garage wall to the outside which is always in the shade because it's behind a shed, so that may be a good idea) When I put the intakes in I didn't anticipate just how much heat a LED light gives off, from what I've read everyone says they don't give off much heat, but in a small box like mine they sure do kick out a fair bit, So I will cut them down a bit to start with and figure out how to keep the light out. Thanks again guys given me much to think about, I'll be back soon.
 

Fridgek9

Active Member
Hi folks,
So the last week or so I've been testing the fridge, making sure the temp and humidity stay within tolerances when lights on and lights off etc, I've added a small tube heater as the temp was dropping to 15°c when lights were out, its only 28w but in such a small space makes a big difference.

I've also added a 6" fan inside to help with circulation.

My drill died the other day, ordered a new one which will be here Monday so I'll add some pics then.

I've bought some Fastbuds Stardawg, heard good things about them, and they 'say' 63 days from seed to harvest, but we'll be the judge of that lol.

I need a bit of experience before I get to adventurous and I feel this strain seems to be quite easy, although I do want to have a go at topping and lst

IMG_20200428_121340.jpg

So I germinated the seed in a wet paper towel in my airing cupboard, and 1 seed was planted yesterday 1/5/20.

I'll post some pics Monday, and hopefully by then my first seed will have sprouted by then too! Cheers guys peace out.
 

Fridgek9

Active Member
The fridge is complete.

Ive put the heat tube at the front above the inlet and seems to work very well indeed.

Also added the circulation fan as you can see on the left, just set it at low speed and see how I get on.

IMG_20200504_115548.jpg

However the humidity was a little low. Since taking this pic I have made some adjustments and got it up to 57% so far

IMG_20200504_130250.jpg

Still no sign of a sprout, might be a dud seed, I'll give it another week if nothing I'll germinate another.

Anyone had any experience with fastbuds out of curiosity?

Also am I right in not putting the thermometer directly under the light? It's currently on the base in a bit of a shadow.

Cheers guys
 
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Fridgek9

Active Member
Small update

The first seed I planted is still a no show, not sure if it was somthing I've done or just a dud, so I germed another seed on Monday after my last post and that looked a lot better than the first, and yesterday we had this
IMG_20200508_081127.jpg

Very impressed with how quick it sprouted.
So it went into the fridge last night I'm running 18/6 cycle so it's on from 7pm til 1pm, I thought that if the light off cycle was in the warmest part of the day it would help keep it warm, but I've still had to adjust the timer and fan speed to keep the temp and humidity where I want it. I've also got the fan coming on for 15 minutes every 45mins during lights off to keep the humidity down and to get fresh air in, just over 24 hours into my first grow and I'm really enjoying it, it's more of a science than just chucking a seed in some dirt. I now understand the phrase loving a plant to death lol I keep having to stop myself from checking in it every 5 seconds especially as I'm currently furloughed and nothing better to do.

Any who here's a photo from this morning after being in the fridge overnight for the first time,
IMG_20200508_125344.jpg

Humidity lights on is stable around 57% and temp 27°c.
Lights off, humidity is around 78%
Temp 21°c

I'm finding the soil is drying out very quickly tho, I'm a bit worried about over watering and so far I've only been 'damping' the top of the soil with a spray bottle, how much water should I be giving it at this stage?

Thanks for your help and for reading.
 

DarkWeb

Well-Known Member
Small update

The first seed I planted is still a no show, not sure if it was somthing I've done or just a dud, so I germed another seed on Monday after my last post and that looked a lot better than the first, and yesterday we had this
View attachment 4559349

Very impressed with how quick it sprouted.
So it went into the fridge last night I'm running 18/6 cycle so it's on from 7pm til 1pm, I thought that if the light off cycle was in the warmest part of the day it would help keep it warm, but I've still had to adjust the timer and fan speed to keep the temp and humidity where I want it. I've also got the fan coming on for 15 minutes every 45mins during lights off to keep the humidity down and to get fresh air in, just over 24 hours into my first grow and I'm really enjoying it, it's more of a science than just chucking a seed in some dirt. I now understand the phrase loving a plant to death lol I keep having to stop myself from checking in it every 5 seconds especially as I'm currently furloughed and nothing better to do.

Any who here's a photo from this morning after being in the fridge overnight for the first time,
View attachment 4559367

Humidity lights on is stable around 57% and temp 27°c.
Lights off, humidity is around 78%
Temp 21°c

I'm finding the soil is drying out very quickly tho, I'm a bit worried about over watering and so far I've only been 'damping' the top of the soil with a spray bottle, how much water should I be giving it at this stage?

Thanks for your help and for reading.
Looks like a strong little sprout. Make sure your not just wetting the top of the soil. Not to wet but just moist. Roots love oxygen and a wet dry cycle helps bring fresh in. Also you might notice the bigger it gets the rh will climb and your fan might need to be tweaked. Remember the roots at this point are small so don't water all the way to the pot wall. Just around the plant.
 

Fridgek9

Active Member
Looks like a strong little sprout. Make sure your not just wetting the top of the soil. Not to wet but just moist. Roots love oxygen and a wet dry cycle helps bring fresh in. Also you might notice the bigger it gets the rh will climb and your fan might need to be tweaked. Remember the roots at this point are small so don't water all the way to the pot wall. Just around the plant.
I'm using a spray bottle at the min, just giving it a few squirts if the pot feels light and by sticking my finger in. But when your completely new to it, it can be quite daunting, at the end of the day it's only a plant and I can always plant lore, but I don't like failure lol.
With regards to the rh I have plenty of adjustment in the fan, especially since I put in another inlet hole, the fan is so much better now, I may even put in 1 or 2 more especially when the weather gets a bit hotter.
I'll post an update in 1 week. Cheers
 

Fridgek9

Active Member
Hey guys, small update.

Today is day 7, things have gone well all week, but I'm a bit concerned that it's growing a little slow what do you think? Does it look OK for day 7? IMG_20200513_115003.jpg
IMG_20200513_104850.jpg

Second set of leaves coming in, watered today which was the first time in about 2 days. Ended up buying a humidifier as the wet towels and stuff were becoming a bit tricky to keep stable. Now I have a constant 68% 24 hours a day.

Be great to hear some feedback. Cheers
 

Fridgek9

Active Member
Day 13 today, she's looking mighty fine

I just can't believe how fast its growing now, everyday I check it there's new leaves!

IMG_20200519_093737_1.jpg

So it's been 2 weeks tomorrow since it sprouted, is now the time to start looking into nutes? I haven't bought any yet because I'm a bit worried about over feeding and damaging it. What do you guys recommend using? Cheers
 

Fridgek9

Active Member
The weather has been quite warm this last couple of weeks and I think the hot air being extracted from the fridge was just being sucked back in through the inlets, lights on temps have gone as high as 33°c. So I've decided to stick the exhaust through the wall to outside, it's got to make a big difference.

IMG_20200520_163619.jpgIMG_20200520_163652.jpg

Time will tell, but after 1 hour its looking better, might do the same with the intakes if this doesn't work. I don't think I'll be able to grow in July and August but the rest of the year should be OK.
 

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Fridgek9

Active Member
If your a bit OCD like me about your temps and humidity and your grow room is in the garage like mine then this is a god send, wireless thermostat, stick your receiver in the grow room and it has a 60 meter range. Stops me going out and checking on things every 2.5 seconds
IMG_20200521_192614.jpg

£15 on amazon. Best 15 quid I've ever spent!

I know you can get ones that you can connect to your phone but I couldn't justify the price, so this will do. (for now)
 

Fridgek9

Active Member
Day 17, transplanted yesterday morning into 5 gal air pot, and woke up this morn to lots of new growth! And pistels at day 17!
IMG_20200523_091941.jpg
Was quite difficult to get a decent photo.
IMG_20200523_093639.jpg

I'm thinking about giving her first feed tomorrow, is it good practise to start at 50% of what's recommended on the bottle? Thanks
 

Angus Hung

Well-Known Member
maybe start your first feed at 25% recommended. and slowly work your way up. watching the plants needs.
everything is looking good keep up the good work
 

Fridgek9

Active Member
I know topping autos is a sensitive subject, but I've made the decision to top mine, it's growing very well and not had any issues so should be OK, fastbuds recommend doing it before day 20 and I'm on day 19 today, my question is, is it best to do it just before the lights go off or when they come back on?

Here's how she's looking this morning.
IMG_20200525_094900.jpgIMG_20200525_094907.jpg

(leaves not discoloured just the way the sun has caught it)IMG_20200525_094910.jpg
 

KK26

Well-Known Member
Great build, excellent work.

Will be looking in regularly.

As for feed, I'm not into autos but I would highly recommend Buddhas Tree Organicus 99, it's very good cheap and simple all in one feed. 1ml per litre is all I use throughout my grows and I'm more than happy with it after decades of growing and using countless others.

A photoperiod would be good in there vegged under a scrog for countless colas
 
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