Building my first PC case grow box

Hello,

Very new to this place, trying to build my own pc growbox. Hopefully this will lead to my first successful grow. In the past, I have bought several PC grow boxes, and they were always just lacking in what I needed out of them. Plus, they were fucking expensive! I don't have them anymore, regardless. Here is the link to the Server PC case I'm going to get:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-BAY-ATX-FULL-TOWER-SERVER-COMPUTER-CASE-wheels-NEW-/390261114893?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5add60080d

I tried to find the biggest case I can find. If anyone knows of a taller case, please link me.

I'm wanting to put 4 x 42w CFLs, so I'm probably looking at 4 PC fans for cooling. I plan on doing soil, as it seems less complicated. I want to go for 2-3 plants LST'd and SCRoG'd. I still have to figure out how I would have an adjustable shelf to bring the plants very close to the lights. I want to use mylar, but I may have to just leave the case as is, so that I can actually have the shelf using magnets to hold it in place.

Are my desires feasible? Suggestions? I really want to get this project off the ground, will be buying the case come beginning of July.

I got a case from mrgrowpro which is a similar size, it is designed to look like a server case, waay to monged to compare actual measurements now but think yours may be a tad bigger. You would still be able to use strong magnets through the maylar which you could glue to the back of a power strip which your lights are plugged into using converters? Just a suggestion, as this is the setup in my case, although white/black polly is used to reduce light leaks (the black outside part) and it is more durable and nearly as reflective as mylar. I would go with 2 plants as it is more managable and gives more working space and you can get a decent yield, also if you get diamond mylar it is like a mirror it is so reflective!

Funny you should mention mrgrowpro, was going to get his case, but decided I want to build my own this time. I've seen several cases with the lights plugged into converters into the strip. I think it's a good design, but I would just prefer the lights to stay at the top mounted-like with the adjustable shelf. How would I go about the cooling? 1 intake, 3 exhaust? 2 intake, 2 exhaust? I know I'm going to need all the fans I can get. Is there a noticeable difference in plant growth between using mylar, black/white poly, or just going flat white paint?

depending on how much you want to spend and how much you are willing to DIY yourself, there are E ATX full tower pc cases that run $100+ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147053 this one you would have to block the big vent on the side and black out the little windows on the door, should be easy. This case has about one and a half times more room than that pc case on ebay you linked. shipping on that ebay case is a bitch.

Hmm... now I'm not sure which to get. The ebay case is 8.5" W x 16.5" D x 26.5" H (I believe I'm reading that right) and the rosewill case is 9.14" W x 22.84" H x 21.89" D. Seems to me, the ebay case is taller and would be the bigger case? I figured more Height would mean more space to grow over more Depth.

I am actually about to go shopping for my pc grow box parts. Don't really feel like waiting to order one online seeing as how picky I am about everything I am heading to a Micro Center and taking a look at what they have on hand. I believe you're right about Height being priority over depth with growing. But at the same time you might be able to yield more with more depth if you use LST and ScOG methods. I am a complete amateur so I am just making some assumptions based on my research over the past week.

look at this case Fractal Design Define XL either at Microcenter or on FCPU, if youre going for a stealth pc approach, this case is epic, sound proofing sides and a vented front swing door. http://www.frozencpu.com/products/image/15524/cst-1294_4.jpg/cst-1294/Fractal_Design_Define_XL_Full_Tower_Chassis_w_USB30_-_Black_Pearl.html

I was actually considering this when I saw it at the store but I didn't like the swinging door in front. I'd like to have fans open and if lights the issue I'll just have to build a light trap. What do you mean by sound proofing though? Quiet fans? I have a question, should I use all 3 fans available on my case? It has 1 in the front bottom. 1 in the back top. Obviously the main intake and exhaust but then there is another fan up top. I am wondering whether I should also use that fan or just cover it up. Extra exhaust should be a good thing right?

Well, I really liked doin a PC grow. I had a lot of fun with it.

That tower at newegg is frikn sick, i almost want to build a new tower rig now jus to have one.

anyways, check out the BC Seedking purp i did in a pc case earlier in the year... https://www.rollitup.org/general-marijuana-growing/487503-actual-contest-thread-14.html#post6996448

overall it was really nice. with a larger case, and a better yielding strain, I totally believe you could get a Z of dried bud out of 2 plants in a case.

Man I wish I got an older case. The only cases I could find were like really well ventilated gamer towers but its got enough space width and its got 22' height wise. She's really pretty though. Because of my paranoia and lack of know how I am probably going to do only one plant to avoid as much odor as possible. I know either way depending on the strain it will be dank which is why I am going to pull out all stops on containing it. Would you suggest leaving the fan at the top of the tower or take it out and just rely on the front intake and back exhaust? I know ventilation is a good thing but in an enclosed space I am wondering if placement matters.

balactus said:

I was actually considering this when I saw it at the store but I didn't like the swinging door in front. I'd like to have fans open and if lights the issue I'll just have to build a light trap. What do you mean by sound proofing though? Quiet fans? I have a question, should I use all 3 fans available on my case? It has 1 in the front bottom. 1 in the back top. Obviously the main intake and exhaust but then there is another fan up top. I am wondering whether I should also use that fan or just cover it up. Extra exhaust should be a good thing right?

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the side panels are thicker, the fans it comes with are "silent fans" and the front door has a layer of foam to deaden sound. tbh i like the layout for putting a 70 or 100w hps and cooltubing it from the top two 5.25 bays to that rear 120mm fan, the door is a bonus to block an extreme amount of light leak and those two 120mm fan intake with filter is also pretty sweet.

i would use the front two, and the rear. that top one can go to hell.

oh yea i get my cooltubes from this place... http://www.save-on-crafts.com/hurricaneshade.html thats the 11 1/2" for $6 and they also sell a larger one ~14" for i think $10

I kind of have an idea of what it would look like, for a pc grow right? The case I have has a 140mm fan in the rear near the top and then a 200mm fan in the front. I'm kind of worried about the built in Red LED light though on interrupting the light cycle, any suggestions on how to tackle this? I'll go to the lengths of replacing if needed. I actually wanted to tinker with my actual PC when I got the grow case. Also in a small grow case like this is it better to use straight CFLs to avoid burning the plant?