Grow Room Planning PC Case Grow, Advice, Recommendations, Opinions?

[microherbologist]

What's up autoflower network? I'm planning to do a micro grow in a pc case soon and i need some advice on the best possible setup to get at least 1oz+. I know it's possible i've done alot of reading and researching.

The supplies i plan on getting are as follows:

*First of all the strain i'll be growing Med Gom 1.0 and possibly another strain alongside it for some variety.

*NZXT H630 ($150) - http://www.nzxt.com/product/detail/120-H630.html (Case Dimensions: [W 9.6"] [H 21.5"] [L 22" ])This case looks absolutely fantastic for growing, completely dust filtered, big fans, fan controller, sound dampening material, heavy, seems to be fairly light-proof, and of course very expensive but i don't mind paying a premium for stealth.

*Humboldt Oneness Base Nutrient 16oz ($8 ) - Cheap

*PH Control Kit ($14)

*TDS Meter & Calibration Liquid ($27)

*AC to DC Adapter - 110V AC to 12V DC Converter w/ Standard 4 Pin ($11) - For powering fans through the 4 pin fan controller included in the case.http://www.frozencpu.com/products/9107/bus-193/AC_to_DC_Adapter_-_110V_AC_to_12V_DC_Converter_w_Standard_4_Pin_500mA_Max.html?gclid=Cj0KEQiAr9ymBRDdqYrH6Mj5170BEiQAcRUsizrEnSgqPV7SRRq-Pm1sf7_bQ_MAvzDuWi4Zm5G1XJkaAvQS8P8HAQ

*Mylar & Tape ($10)

*1 Cheap 140mm fan w/ 2 140mm Dust Filters ($8 )- I'm going to gut this fan and use the plastic shell with dust filters on each side and fill it with activated carbon for the carbon filter. There is already an included 140mm exhaust fan included with the case which will push through the fan shell filled with carbon, i might put another 140mmfan on the other side for a push-pull configuration depending on efficacy.

*Power strip and Light Timer ($15)

[Eventually i'm going to get a reverse osmosis system but can't afford it right away, so i'll have to settle with distilled water]

Now here's where i need some help, i don't know what kind of growing medium or lights i should use to reach my goal of 1oz+. I was thinking of using one of these swivel power strips http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JEACFK/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3VQ694K3JSC4B&coliid=I14JROF3D2RKDP&psc=1 and 8 of these light socket adaptershttp://www.amazon.com/dp/B001OM1L06...TF8&colid=3VQ694K3JSC4B&coliid=I1INTLUD1SSG7W for a cheap diy cfl light. My thinking is that it will be easily replaceable if a bulb were to go out i could just pick up another bulb locally, only thing is i could only probably fit 26w cfls in there, that would be 208w of cfl. The other option i was looking at is a 300w led grow light with 170-180w of real power consumption @ $105. http://www.ebay.com/itm/300W-LED-Grow-Light-170-180W-True-Watts-Full-Spectrum-Indoor-Hydroponic-Plant-/131261424419 Which would you recommend?

And for the grow medium how should i go about that? I was thinking of something short but wide like a 6qt - 8qt storage container, but should i go hydro, coco, hempy? And also how many plants would you recommend to reach my goal? Any help, advice, recommendations or opinions on my setup are appreciated.

 

[kidfisto]

Hey man,
for your lighting, if you can, I would definitely go for the LED, for a couple reasons. First, it will be a lot cooler than the cfls, because 4+ 26W bulbs will heat up that small of a space like a bitch. Also, if it is a good brand, it should last a lot longer than the cfls, and if you ever upgrade to a bigger box, you will have a real nice lighting setup already. I have never grown with LED's personally, but have read a lot of good things about them. The only thing about the LED light I would be concerned about is if the brand is trustworthy, you definitely want to research reviews on it, just to make sure.

For the growing medium, I personally would go for soil or coco in a pc box. I don't know about anyone else, but hydro in that small of space is bound to be a mess. Smart pots are great for pc or micro grows, because they are flexible. I don't know if your planning to grow more than one plant, but a 1 gallon pot per plant should be plenty for a pc grow.

I am growing in a small 24 in tall speaker box right now, and it is at 50 days. I only have 3 26 Watt cfl bulbs, probably won't get an ounce, but hopefully somewhere near. My box had to be completely stealth, at least smelling wise. Unfortunately, that small pc fan and carbon filter could not keep out the smell of one of my plants in it (I had 2) so I chopped one. And these were plants known for low odor, but damn it stunk up the room. Thankfully the second plant has literally no odor. So if smell would be a problem for you, don't count on those tiny filters controlling the smell of some skunky mama.

That's all I can think of right now, let us know how it goes, or if you got anymore questions.

Peace out.

 

[microherbologist]

Hey thanks for responding.
I will definitely go with the LED. I think i could get away with 8 cfls if i added a couple more 200mm fans to the case, but then that would be about the same price as going ahead and picking up the LED. The LED will be slimmer than the cfl setup too. LED it is.

Soil and one gallon smart parts seem like a good idea. I'm going to grow as many one gallon plants as i can fit in the case i guess.

How much longer you think you have on that plant? and what strain you growing? I hope you get close to an ounce, that would be good i suppose for such a low amount of light. What type of fan do you have for your filter? The case fans included in the NZXT H630 are another reason i like this case so much, they should be quality fans that will be able to push through an inch of activated carbon and dust filters with the 140mm in the back and 200mm in the front pushing air, if needed i can add more to increase the static pressure. Smell will definitely have to be contained to make sure i'll change the carbon every week or two with a 2 pound bag of coconut activated carbon.

 

[jackmc]

Hey Micro, I've never grown in a space that small but I second kidfisto's advice on the LED. I use a couple of CFLs when I want some extra heat. Other than that it's LED all of the way. If you do look at hydro aliexpress has some really interesting computer processor water cooling devices that would make a really interesting mini hydro set up. I'll look forward to seeing what you grow here.:tiphat:

 

[Animatey]

Hey man, first off: good luck with your upcoming grow!

A couple things to consider came to mind when reading your post.

I think that LED is way overkill for that space. 75 watts per square foot is about the max you could ever need... So, over double that, in barely a square foot is unnecessary and could lead to problems.

LEDs still produce heat, though much less than cfl, but the more watts, generally the more heat.

For medium I would personally use 100% perlite. It dries out fast which is in my opinion very good. The more often you are able to water the better and as a newer grower you will probably feel the need to water frequently. In the only pc grow I ever did I used a short wide container with perlite.

Coco is great and a lot of people get results but it's much trickier. Have to buffer it, rinse it A LOT, and take into account that it absorbs calcium. Personally not a fan of the stuff.

Lastly, it is worth asking yourself if you really need to go for a space that small. Do you have a space to hide a small tent? If so you would be a lot happier growing that way. Small spaces make things really hard. Worth it only when there isn't another option.


Good luck!

 

[kidfisto]

Hey thanks for responding.
I will definitely go with the LED. I think i could get away with 8 cfls if i added a couple more 200mm fans to the case, but then that would be about the same price as going ahead and picking up the LED. The LED will be slimmer than the cfl setup too. LED it is.

Soil and one gallon smart parts seem like a good idea. I'm going to grow as many one gallon plants as i can fit in the case i guess.

How much longer you think you have on that plant? and what strain you growing? I hope you get close to an ounce, that would be good i suppose for such a low amount of light. What type of fan do you have for your filter? The case fans included in the NZXT H630 are another reason i like this case so much, they should be quality fans that will be able to push through an inch of activated carbon and dust filters with the 140mm in the back and 200mm in the front pushing air, if needed i can add more to increase the static pressure. Smell will definitely have to be contained to make sure i'll change the carbon every week or two with a 2 pound bag of coconut activated carbon.

Hey dude, sorry for the late reply, I think I have about one week to go for my plant now. The smell is definitely coming through the box especially these last few days. Its probably because my only filter is a carbon filter sheet covering a pc fan. I have never tried coconut activated carbon, but it sounds cool. Good luck to your grow man!

 

[Harry1690]

How's your PC set up going ? Any pics ?