Plywood Growbox?

Any drawbacks to using wood and making my own grow box for my aeorponic system?

Those damn rubbermaids waste space and no matter how I organize them, I can't get them to the exact dimensions that I need.

So is it OK to use wood? I mean it seems like it would be alright, but I have never seen any mention of other people here having built their boxes out of wood.

Maybe use that black rubber lining that they use for outside ponds in order to waterproof it?

OR

Is there a better material that I can use as a substitute to wood... then just put it together and then seal it with glue around all the edges?

1 large customized box will allow me to use less PVC for my misters, I will only need one drain, and I can maximize my space. I can get several additional plants in the same space this way and I could evenly space them. No "dead" zones where the plastic tubs meet (in the corners)..

In any case, this seems like a no brainer to me for multiple reasons, but being that I have not seen anyone else doing this, I thought I would ask before proceeding.

thanks

just as long a you seal it well and good you shouldnt have a problem.

potifull said:

just as long a you seal it well and good you shouldnt have a problem.

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Thats all I needed to hear. I'm on it.

Thanks for the reply.

let me know how it all works out i would like to see a pic of it.

I'm growing in one right now the link is in my sig

potifull said:

let me know how it all works out i would like to see a pic of it.

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Going to line it with pond liner and treat the under side of the cover with water sealant. Will share when I am done.

Very cool idea. They make a type paint/resin? that is a waterproof sealant. I have seen it used to make large fish tanks, and huge sumps for saltwater reefs. So it should be safe as far as no chemicals leaching. Google it.

desert fox said:

Very cool idea. They make a type paint/resin? that is a waterproof sealant. I have seen it used to make large fish tanks, and huge sumps for saltwater reefs. So it should be safe as far as no chemicals leaching. Google it.

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Got a name?

Man, I looked at every hardware and paint store in town and not one product guarantees a complete seal. Resistant is one thing, but it has to completely seal it, since there will be moisture and standing water.

I went ahead and built the box (looks like a coffin) and it came out well. Very good when you can customize the size. And I purchased a pond liner, which WILL work quite well as a substitute for a sealant. However, I still need to seal the top cover piece or that will be an issue as well. So your advice is great, if only I knew what to google to make sure I am looking for/at the right stuff?

thanks

ForbiddenFruit said:

Got a name?

Man, I looked at every hardware and paint store in town and not one product guarantees a complete seal. Resistant is one thing, but it has to completely seal it, since there will be moisture and standing water.

I went ahead and built the box (looks like a coffin) and it came out well. Very good when you can customize the size. And I purchased a pond liner, which WILL work quite well as a substitute for a sealant. However, I still need to seal the top cover piece or that will be an issue as well. So your advice is great, if only I knew what to google to make sure I am looking for/at the right stuff?

thanks

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Yea I will dig around and find some links if you want. Its more of a specialty product that wouldnt be found in hardware stores.

http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&safe=off&q=marine+epoxy+resin+buy&price1=20.00&price2=50.00&lnk=prsugg

http://cgi.ebay.com/EPOXY-RESIN-BOAT-BUILDING-MARINE-GRADE-1-GALLON-KIT_W0QQitemZ220359727406QQcmdZViewItem

Kinda expensive, but a little goes a long way. Might be worth it if you want to make a custom fit res. Or have some other uses for it.


http://www.athiel.com/lib6/tank.htm
http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/literature/Pegasus_Wood_Project.html
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_plywood_aquarium3.php

what about fish tank seal opoxies would that work to seal the top off? just thought i would through that out there?

vapor barrier the inside to keep the smell in and prevent warp or mold from moisture

sogbunn said:

vapor barrier the inside to keep the smell in and prevent warp or mold from moisture

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How does one go about doing that?

potifull said:

what about fish tank seal opoxies would that work to seal the top off? just thought i would through that out there?

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Think I found my answer:

all purpose fiberglass resin by 3m... Claims to be 100% waterproof (1st item i saw that made the 100% claim).. it is used for large tanks, boats, etc.. and it can be applied to wood and just about anything else. the guy told me it will dry out into a hard layer that is sorta like a bathtub. So it sounds perfect. Going to go apply it now.. I will let everyone know how it works out just in case someone else was thinking to do the same thing. but I'm stoked!

This isn't quite the same one I got (same name and probably the same content, just a different image on the container, but very similar. I purchased mine at HD, but it's not on their site. I think it can be had at Lowes, HD, Ace, etc...

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=6119&PTECH

Here's the info:

Bondo polyester resin is extremely strong and can be used to build most boats. Use Bondo polyester resin alone or with fiberglass tape, cloth or mat to repair damaged fiberglass boats, snowmobiles, jet skis, bathtubs and showers. It can also be used as a sealer on damaged and rotted wood. Bondo Fiberglass Resin seals concrete, is great on large or small metal rust-outs and joins most surfaces together while creating a strong, long lasting bond. Sandable in less than 2 hours. Compatible with all paints, including gelcoat and marine paints. Waterproof.

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In any case, I'll let you all know how it goes. Wish me luck

https://www.rollitup.org/grow-room-design-setup/229131-what-could-i-do-growbox.html

there are some pics and info on here ill post more when i take more pics. make sure u insulate it well and put a nice fan system in there to move heat. if you insulate properly you it should be fine in the winter if you live in the north. remommend making i a foot or two higher then my figures for HID lighting or you could cut out the ceiling and keep the ballast outside to solve the heat problem that way.


rep hard plz

jerkin247 said:

https://www.rollitup.org/grow-room-design-setup/229131-what-could-i-do-growbox.html

there are some pics and info on here ill post more when i take more pics. make sure u insulate it well and put a nice fan system in there to move heat. if you insulate properly you it should be fine in the winter if you live in the north. remommend making i a foot or two higher then my figures for HID lighting or you could cut out the ceiling and keep the ballast outside to solve the heat problem that way.


rep hard plz

Click to expand...

Thanks, but seems you are talking about a grow ROOM not a grow box/system.

I have my room set up. I built me a grow box out of wood though, rather than using those plastic storage bins that most people use.

I built a small grow box out of plywood for my first grow. I sealed it up with silicon and 5 minute epoxy, then I stapled cut up heavy duty plastic bags to the wall then put up mylar over it. Worked pretty well!

that sounds kick ass, my next build is going to be out of an old mini frig. if any one want i will put pics up, but let me know befor i build it k

Here are some pics and some questions:

Pay no mind to the marks on the box, I have the wood sealed, those were just there to let me know where it was a bit thin and in need of a new layer. The resin I used works perfectly and I have a heavy coat of it applied.

This box is 30" wide by 72" long. I will build another identical one and then line them up side by side under a 1000w and light mover. Basically a 6' x 5' grow area.

Just wondering if the drain was sufficient? It's a regular sink drain. Wondering if the roots will clog it and if I should add another just like it OR a bigger one? And by the way, it is sunk in to the wood and slightly lower then the rest of the bottom, but there are still little puddles here and there despite the fact that it is lower and the table is perfectly balanced. Very small ones though.

Will those small puddles drown my roots??? Which I can only imagine would become a bit larger/deeper as roots start spreading across the bottom. So a bit concerned about my drainage.

Also,

I am wondering if I have enough sprayers for this big ole box? 28 total. Some on top of the PVC and some on the bottom. I guess I could put a few more, if need be. Have a 560GPH pump.

Am I mounting the sprayers too high? They are just an inch or two down.

Plan to do a SOG and keep the plants relatively small and thin. I have 4 rows of 10 each (3-3/4" net pots). And each plant basically has 7-1/4" space to grow in. A bit under the 8inches I was shooting for, but that should be enough room, right? I will probably "lollipop" the plants.

In any case, if I am doing something wrong now is the time to let me know before I finish it and before I make the other box. So any criticism or advice would be great.

thanks

You need some pond liner or something man, that wood is going to warp like crazy once it gets wet