My first DIY 18-gal Rubbermaid CFL - GreenPassion.org - Dedicated to Medicinal Cannabis Cultivation and Education

manofstyle1983 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-16-2009, 03:38 AM

First and foremost- big ups to smokedoja for his detailed thread DIY stealth Rubbermaid growbox @ DIY stealth Rubbermaid growbox

This thread alone convinced me to take action.

Home Depot:
1. 2 no-name brand Rubbermaid-type 18 gal tubs ($3.88 each!)
2. Four standard plastic lightbulb fixtures (I could not find a cheap 3-track)
3. Plastic Primer Spray Paint (could not find mylar tape and read in a thread that matte white paint is best otherwise aside from the non-shiny side of tinfoil which I thought was hokey. I can always add the tape later)
4. Cheap-o extension cord that I cannibalized and used to create a series circut between the 4 fixtures.
5. Some light-bulb Y-adapters (Brilliant! fit 2 or more bulbs in one fixture)
6. 8 5000k (daylight) CFLs (2 of which shattered when i opened the plastic ugh)
7. Cheapo soldering iron to cut through (and poke screw holes in) the tubs. (Another brilliant idea)

Petco:
1. Digital thermometer with 36 inch probe - so I can move it around to test soil temp and leaf temp ($10 in the aquarium/terrarium section)

Misc:
1. 120mm Computer Fan from my beast of a PC.
2. Old Cellphone AC adapter to wire computer fan.

Tools:
1. Wire stripper very handy today. You can use nail clippers as a quick substitute.

Anyway- a picture says a thousand words but I can't seem to find my cell phone at the moment.

Will post pics tomorrow! I wrapped a few bagseeds in a moist paper towel and ziploc bag so hopefully we'll have tp move this thread to "Grow Journals" soon.

Very Excited and thank you to all who make this site great!

manofstyle1983 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-16-2009, 09:44 PM

OK so I sprung for a $27 6in diameter duct fan today instead of the 120 mm computer fan.

Also i got washers and wingnuts to more securely mount the bulb fixtures.

And... I replaces 2 60 watt equivalent CFLs @ 5000k (800 lumens each) with 2 100watt equivalent CFLs @ 6500k (1600 lumens each)

Lighting total is

4x5000k @ 3200 lumens total
2x6500k @ 3200 lumens total

How does that strike you for vegetative stage?

Also I stopped by my local pizzeria and picked up a large aluminum catering tray so that the seedlings are closer to the light at first. It rests perfectly atop the indented handles in the tubs.

See photos and I'm excited for your feedback!!

manofstyle1983 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-16-2009, 09:45 PM

Hatch · #4 (**permalink**) 06-16-2009, 10:09 PM

Nice Job It Look's Sweet, Now Just Fill It Up With Bud!!!EH!!!!
Just A Thought???,,If You Can See The Light Coming Through, Just Wonder If There Is Going To Be Any Light Leak From Outside In??,,,Light Leak's When You Are Flowering Will Cause Them To Hermi.

Best Of Luck, Wishes, & Karma On Your Growing...

Cheers`;`Hatch`;`

manofstyle1983 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-16-2009, 10:27 PM

yup.. you see that little sqaure on the top right of the box. that's where i tested the duct-tape which is light-proof. so i'm ducting it up!

another quick Q- i just read that 18/6 will give a better root system than 24/0.

What is the standard for CFL/soil growers on the site. Thanks in Advance.

Hatch · #6 (**permalink**) 06-16-2009, 10:41 PM

You Will Get Many Different Answers For That, I Even Like 16/8 For My Vegging Plant's, Which Is The Best????, Many Think 24/7, 20/4, 18/6, & 16/8, Just Experiment With Your System & See What Work's Best For You.