Fast Buds West Coast OG and Fastberry

[Colonel]

@Herbisaur 25 days my man!

 

[tripaholic88]

LOOKING NICE @Colonel ! ive always been curious about little micro grows.. im hoping you continue updating this thread because there simply isn't many west coast og threads... congrats on the ladies by the way!

 

[Fuggzy]

@Fuggzy my cab is 29.5 x 15 x 33.5 inches, giving me 442.5 square inches of canopy space and 8.6 cubic feet of volume. I am using two five gallon pots with the edges folded down to make them approximately 3 gallon pots. I did this to have the base short and wide instead of tall. The pots take up about 6 inches of my height. My light setup, when using the large 42 watt bulbs takes up about 12 inches of height, leaving me with 15 inches of vertical space. I considered the power strip option but couldn't seem to make it work in my head. I figured with this setup maybe the plants could grow like around and between the larger lights but maybe I'm wrong.

I did tons of research before building this cab, my goal here was to do the best I could with the least amount of resources invested as I only plan on using this for a grow or two and then I will have to stop for a while. Between those two grows and an outdoor run I should get enough to supply me for about a year I'm hoping. Anyway, here's a pic of my whole setup (I know it's sideways but I couldn't get it all to fit the other way, sorry):
View attachment 549992
I definitely plan on training them; I'm going to be building and installing a SCROG in the next couple of days to keep the canopy low and even. Speaking of, how large should the individual squares be? I was thinking an inch and a half or two inches.

I really appreciate your input. I know there are some inefficiencies in my design but I'm just trying to do the most I can with as little as possible. If I could get just around an oz per plant from these indoor runs I would be happy. Plus if things get way out of hand and my cab gets overgrown by some monsters I can likely move them outside by that time, as temperatures will have risen a bit.

Edit: forgot to mention, those were some beautiful plants!! And yes my cab is already painted white, but the can was mislabeled and it's kind of off white. Oh well.

Thats a nice light bar there man. I thought they where power strips, but I really like the design. There is nothing wrong with using what you have. Most people don't realize they already have all they need to build a cab. I only bought the cobs, and drivers for my light. I didn't start getting my tents, and larger lights till my first harvest. I simply used my weed budget every harvest and bought new gear. For the longest time my signature said "Use what you've got. If you don't have it, get creative"

Is there any way you could just rotate the current light bar 90 degrees? Maybe if you where able to to take very other socket and face it the other direction, it would help balance the weight on it. Just have the splitters run parallel with the board. It would also improve the light spread, which would benefit the Scrog. The Scrog is a great choice by the way, and will be a MAJOR help!

How are the temps in there? Are you having any heat issues? Do you have a circulation fan? I use 2 80mm pc style fans in the micro. You do not need gale force winds, just enough to make the leaves "wiggle". This will disrupt any heat pockets, and help give the stems extra strength.

I see 6 bulbs so thats 252 watts. If you filled it with 10 bulbs @ 23w you'd only loose 27 watts, and greatly improve the light and heat spread. I personally am a fan of more, smaller lights for micro cabs. My micro is only running at 39w, and does pretty good. I have 4 cobs 2@3000k, and 2@3500k only pushing ~9.5w ea.

I wouldn't let them grow in to the light. Although you can get the cfl pretty close it will burn the plant and damage it if they come in contact. Plus it can become a fire hazard.

In regards to the ScroG, I'd think 1.5-2" is a good range. I've seen smaller, and larger. Maybe you could try making 2 individual panels. This way when it is time to take the plants out, you can move 1 at a time. If you did need to move them outside, it would be pretty difficult to move them both in a ScroG w/o damaging them.

I think thats it. Oh, the off white paint should be fine. I wouldn't worry much. Unless you just had some pure white paint, I wouldn't go buy more. You do want mate paint, glossy ironically doesn't reflect as well. Anything else you need bud just give me a shout. Till later take care.

 

[Fuggzy]

Ona gel is fine outside the cab . As it's all natural ingredients there's nothing to worry about. It's never had a negative impact in my experience.

Goodluck with the gardening

I also use Ona Blocks, and have had no issues to report. Sometime if I get a just really skunky strain I'll Just put it next to my exhaust, on the outside of the tent. I don't put it in with the plants. It actually makes my room smell kinda nice, and does a great job cleaning the air.

 

[Colonel]

@Fuggzy thanks man, I've really enjoyed the diy aspect of this. All in all I spent a little over $100 to get this thing up and going. I had to buy the lights, my fans, and some miscellaneous things, like weather stripping, wire crimpers, door latches, etc. As far as the lights go, yes I can loosen and tighten the splitters quite a bit to change the position. I could definitely run them parallel with the bar.

Temps haven't been an issue. It gets too cold in there if anything. Mid 70s with lights on, low 60s with lights off. I have a scythe ultra kaze as my exhaust fan with holes for a passive intake hooked up to a variable voltage adapter so I can change the speed. I have a wire in the cab to wire a circulation fan to when I felt it needed, but I never did because the stems were so thick anyways lol, theyre already just a little smaller than my pinky at the base! Should I add the circulation fan now? It's a 38 cfm 120 mm rosewill case fan. I got a 4 pack on amazon for $15 so I figured I could use it for something.

For the current lighting, I am running 4 23 watt 6500k bulbs and 2 42 watt 2700 k bulbs, totaling 176 watts. I can understand why you assumed though, they all look the same size in the pic lol. But yeah, I was under the impression that I needed to add the lights as the plants grow so as to not burn or stress them, should I add more? I have 4 more of the 42 watt bulbs I was going to add when I felt it was necessary. At the end of the grow I planned on having either the 6 42 watts and the 4 23 watts running, giving me 364 watts or just doing the 6 42s and 2 23s for 318 watts. I won't let them grow into the lights. I think I thought the bulbs were smaller when I was planning lol, I thought I'd be able to train them around the lights.

That's a brilliant idea about building two SCROG panels. Can't believe I didn't think of that haha. I'm probably going to go get some material to build it with today. Thinking of using 1/2" or so pvc pipe or squarestock for the frame, whichever is cheaper.

And yeah this is the only flat white paint I have. Like I said, it's more like flat white cream but I don't feel like painting it again lol.

Also, thanks for the info on the ONA. I've been reading mixed reviews all over the Internet but I think you guys have convinced me to try it. It won't be too close to my cab unless it gets really bad and I need it put it at my exhaust.

Thanks for everything Fuggzy! It's fantastic being able to communicate with people so knowledgeable and willing to help or offer suggestions. You and everyone else I've talked to here have been very cool so far

 

[Colonel]

@tripaholic88 thanks for dropping in man!
But yeah I've been blown away by a couple micro grows that I saw on some forums but overall there's not a lot of info on them so I had to do it for my own curiosity lol. Same for these fastbuds strains, they seem awesome but there's not enough information out there yet! Had to try them haha. I'll keep updating every so often.

 

[Fuggzy]

So first an foremost, I'm always glad to help. Just like most people on here, I had to start at square 1, and read, read, read, make some mistakes, and read some more. I actually find it rather humbling to have you thank me, cause I am by no means a master of this art, just a guy that likes to grow plants. So thank you too.

@Fuggzy thanks man, I've really enjoyed the diy aspect of this. All in all I spent a little over $100 to get this thing up and going. I had to buy the lights, my fans, and some miscellaneous things, like weather stripping, wire crimpers, door latches, etc. As far as the lights go, yes I can loosen and tighten the splitters quite a bit to change the position. I could definitely run them parallel with the bar.

Temps haven't been an issue. It gets too cold in there if anything. Mid 70s with lights on, low 60s with lights off. I have a scythe ultra kaze as my exhaust fan with holes for a passive intake hooked up to a variable voltage adapter so I can change the speed. I have a wire in the cab to wire a circulation fan to when I felt it needed, but I never did because the stems were so thick anyways lol, theyre already just a little smaller than my pinky at the base! Should I add the circulation fan now? It's a 38 cfm 120 mm rosewill case fan. I got a 4 pack on amazon for $15 so I figured I could use it for something. Yes add the circulation fans. They should be there from day 1. It helps better mimic a natural environment, giving them that breeze the indoors is missing. If the temps are to low or the fan is to strong, you could always angle it at the wall, the plants just need to move slightly.

For the current lighting, I am running 4 23 watt 6500k bulbs and 2 42 watt 2700 k bulbs, totaling 176 watts. I can understand why you assumed though, they all look the same size in the pic lol. But yeah, I was under the impression that I needed to add the lights as the plants grow so as to not burn or stress them, should I add more? Well I never really researched cfl's, so you may be on the right path. I do know that can still get hot. Thermal dissipation does not change, and 300w of heat is just 300w. When I did use cfl for veg I ran 1 42w, and 3, 23w (110w) in a 16" x16" tent for 1 plant. I had the lights about 6" away, and had the fan constantly blowing over the plant. I never had any issues with heat, just make sure your vent system is running.I have 4 more of the 42 watt bulbs I was going to add when I felt it was necessary. At the end of the grow I planned on having either the 6 42 watts and the 4 23 watts running, giving me 364 watts or just doing the 6 42s and 2 23s for 318 watts. I won't let them grow into the lights. I think I thought the bulbs were smaller when I was planning lol, I thought I'd be able to train them around the lights.

That's a brilliant idea about building two SCROG panels. I'm glad you like it. I stole it from a thread i read, lol. Can't believe I didn't think of that haha. I'm probably going to go get some material to build it with today. Thinking of using 1/2" or so pvc pipe or squarestock for the frame, whichever is cheaper. I'd go with the aquarestock just because it will be more ridig, but at the size you would make 1/2pvc should be just din. It wouldn't have much flex room.

And yeah this is the only flat white paint I have. Like I said, it's more like flat white cream but I don't feel like painting it again lol. Roll with it.

Also, thanks for the info on the ONA. I've been reading mixed reviews all over the Internet but I think you guys have convinced me to try it. It won't be too close to my cab unless it gets really bad and I need it put it at my exhaust. Yeah I read the same reviews, but with it outside the tent, I've never noticed any taste or smell changes.

Thanks for everything Fuggzy! It's fantastic being able to communicate with people so knowledgeable and willing to help or offer suggestions. You and everyone else I've talked to here have been very cool so far

Have a good day bud!

 

[Fuggzy]

So I could only find 1 splitter, but this is basically the shape I was talking about. Just imagine the other splitter. lol.... Board going up/down, and rotating the light direction every other one. The splitter going parallel with the plant canopy.

 

[Fuggzy]

Oh I just saw this pic too. Might help give you a few ideas. They charge $99 for this damn thing, what a rip off. I'd snap that thing in about a week. Thats a 5 gallon bucket, and by the looks the squares are larger than 2". I don't think I would go much higher though.

 

[Fuggzy]

Sorry for post whoring on you lol. I'm just getting random thoughts. Number 1 rule in growing this majestic plant is K.I.S.S. Keep it simple stoner. I just wanted to point out that you could leave the light just how it is, and train the plant to get the most out of it. It's a nice cab man, and sometimes trying to improve things just makes it more complicated.