Cabinet Grow

B

basedgod420

Member
Okay I am starting a minimal investment grow. I see others here saying that have hundreds of dollars to throw in on a grow and that's just not me I'm completely broke.

The cabinet I have to work with has 4 shelves that pretty much can't be removed I tried and the whole cabinet looked like it was going to come apart so I have 3 ft wide x 2 ft deep x 1 1/2 ft tall to work with in each of the shelf compartments.

I have a bunch of cfls and a couple power strips. A few plug-to-bulb adapters for the strips so ill have about 100 watts of cfl to work with. [60w of 6500k and 40w of 2700k] Not sure if I should leave the white interior of the cabinet alone or add aluminum foil.

I'm going to start with about 4 bagseeds [last grow I did 2 of them died or didn't grow which I'd like to end up with just two plants due to space]. My plan is to scrog because of only having a foot and a half of height to work with with one plant in each of the upper compartments.

I have a few questions, is it impossible to just find some okay soil outside or for free or does the soil have to be purchased?

I've seen quite a few cab grows like this with scrog but can't seem to find anyone that reported a yield so will all this work be for maybe an ounce of dank?

Is a fan essential? [I used a pc fan in my first grow and just didn't seem like a crucial part of the grow, don't have it anymore and wish not to have to buy one}
 

Attachments

AfgooCBD

AfgooCBD

Well-Known Member
That cabinet looks sweet! A small circulation fan is necessary for keeping temps down at the canopy, between the lights and plant. Plus you'll grow stronger stems with a little air blowing on the plant. I've seen small desk fans for $2 (blow out sale). You'll want fresh air traveling through the cabinet, so an exhaust fan is necessary. I'd cut a hole in the upper-side for that. The passive intake holes could be on the opposite side, but on the lowest level. You'll probably have to cut a few 1" holes in each shelving, for air to pass through. Is odor going to be a problem later on?

I would leave the white interior (no foil).

Soil: You could use what's around. Better to just buy potting soil for $3 at a nursery. You will probably have to buy basic MJ nutrients though. You want a soil that has good drainage, but maintains moisture as well. There are inexpensive additives you can get to help with that - Perlite and/or Vermiculite to name a few.

Good luck with the cab and grow!
 
Last edited:
bryleetch

bryleetch

Well-Known Member
I can't tell from the picture if the cabinet is in that wall like a closet or if its just an entirely separate cabinet. If its separate you could lay it down on its side, that'd give you twice the amount of height in each compartment than having it normal, just a thought.

Afgoo gave you some pretty sound advice, listen to it. I've grown with just soil from outside and had nothing with problems with it so it is definitely worth the little bit of money on soil from a nursery.

Growing cheap can definitely be done(my setup cost me about $150 total) but there's certain corners that aren't worth cutting just to save a few bucks.
 
uzerneims

uzerneims

Well-Known Member
Cool cab! You could make two chambers there, instead of one!
Or yeah, flip it, and then you got plenty of horizontal space.

I used to save receipts for all my growbox supplies, small by small, but together it is 200$ by the time ;D
 
B

basedgod420

Member
Thanks for all the replies

@AfgooCBD sounds like good ideas thanks :) , i figured the white walls would suffice. Oh okay yeah I actually did my first grow in only perlite really sucky plant though had all sorts of problems it was huge and only produced a few o's. I've seen quite a few little scrog bushes on here that people claimed yielded an ounce or 2 and they were grown in similar areas like this cabinet [in a pc for example lol].

The cabinet is built in the wall so yeah :/ it really sucks the only good thing about it is stealth that's what I'm looking for.

@bryleech thanks ive seen a lot of haters on here that buy the premium which if i could afford id get the best set up but i cant so this is what i have to worth with, luckily have the bulbs, power strips and adapters from the first grow so its convienent.

@uzer yea my first grow that was dirt cheap was like 60 bucks like mentioned above it sucked though, still have most the stuff so that cuts costs. I've found some pretty good seeds from bag don't look like duds. I'll post when things are actually started lol.
 
uzerneims

uzerneims

Well-Known Member
Cool man!
60 bucks is pretty ok, there you could go to some garage or buy some multipack with sockets, like 6sockets, and 6bulbs 25w = 150w of CFL light... Just 2700k, everything was good...
i had spare PSU from old PC, so i used that as exhaust, with no ventilation inside, everthing was ok :))
i had no reflectors, also i could make them with beer cans, i got free nutrients :D
so im cheap ass too, haha...
now planing to get some 100+ moneys to make led light, and have best nugs in world ;D
or get new cab and improve with that equipment i already have, haha
 
B

basedgod420

Member
Hmm okay, so is it a good idea to just use 2700k for minimal veg growth? I am probably looking for a quicker yield and I've heard when you go flowering bulbs across the board the grow goes faster but less yield typically.
 
T

tarks

Active Member
I have a similar sized cabinet - just wondering where I should install the exhaust fan. I was thinking about installing it on the bottom of the cabinet , and have the dwc container on a shelf just above it . The exhaust fan will be sucking in cooler air from outside under the house as its on stilts. Then have just a hole cutout at the top of the cabinet forcing the air out. The exhaust fan I have is made for bathrooms so it should be enough for a cabinet.

I've taken into account that I will need to light proof the opening at the top but that is kind of an easy fix.
 
AfgooCBD

AfgooCBD

Well-Known Member
tarks said:
I have a similar sized cabinet - just wondering where I should install the exhaust fan. I was thinking about installing it on the bottom of the cabinet , and have the dwc container on a shelf just above it . The exhaust fan will be sucking in cooler air from outside under the house as its on stilts. Then have just a hole cutout at the top of the cabinet forcing the air out. The exhaust fan I have is made for bathrooms so it should be enough for a cabinet.

I've taken into account that I will need to light proof the opening at the top but that is kind of an easy fix.
Click to expand...
Better to reverse it and suck hot air out from above with an "exhaust" fan, and have passive intakes from below (just holes that you can cover with screen) for cabinets. If the cabinet is air-tight, will create a vacuum, and you could put a carbon filter on your exhaust fan to eliminate odor if necessary.
 
ProHuman

ProHuman

Well-Known Member
OK, first of all, if you dont have money, dont waste spending the small amount you have on a future fail.
Second, get a jigsaw, and cut the shelves. 1,5 feet high is not big enough.

I see so many broke rookie growers who think they are going to be the first ones to grow great bud with $5 worth of equipment. they start out like "YES! look at the pics of my seedling, it is working!".. then a few weeks later problems begin.

Spend a few bucks, and do it right.
 
bryleetch

bryleetch

Well-Known Member
ProHuman said:
OK, first of all, if you dont have money, dont waste spending the small amount you have on a future fail.
Second, get a jigsaw, and cut the shelves. 1,5 feet high is not big enough.

I see so many broke rookie growers who think they are going to be the first ones to grow great bud with $5 worth of equipment. they start out like "YES! look at the pics of my seedling, it is working!".. then a few weeks later problems begin.

Spend a few bucks, and do it right.
Click to expand...
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!
 
B

basedgod420

Member
I've seen grows on this site alone that used less room than my plan. I'm just going to scrog it from the get-go it will be a small bush. That's how I've seen others get at least an ounce out of a plant in a small area like that. I want to use the shelves to my advantage get a mother plant going on top [maybe top two shelves] and then some clones on the bottom shelves.

IMO each plant yield won't mean much if it's constantly rotatating. If the plant absolutely needs more room ill try to take apart the cabinet but like I said above it's built in the wall and each shelf is built into the cabinet so the entire thing starts coming apart when I try to take a shelf out lol.

@afgoo thanks for the encouraging pm, this is only my second grow but I have lurked on RIU for awhile ive seen grows done in much much small spaces like crammed pc cases or smallers spaces so i know it can be done :).
 
B

basedgod420

Member
Friend hooked me up with some good bagseeds today from one of his grows. One of his mother plant made some last second pods to try to stay alive or whatever reason they do it and he gathered the seeds and gave them to me. It's from a strain he calls "ice cream" the plants grow short and stocky and flower quickly which seems appropriate. He did mention sometimes the buds are purple-ish so that excites me.

Going to start with 4 seedlings, let them develop and see which two look the strongest and keep those, maybe keep the other 2 seedlings IDK space is an issue.

Seen some pretty successful grows where they tied the stem down and the weed plant grew sideways, which would seem appropriate due to limited height. Which is a better method in your guys opinion for this scenario tying the plant down and growing sideways or scrogging and having a little weed bush?
 
bryleetch

bryleetch

Well-Known Member
basedgod420 said:
Friend hooked me up with some good bagseeds today from one of his grows. One of his mother plant made some last second pods to try to stay alive or whatever reason they do it and he gathered the seeds and gave them to me. It's from a strain he calls "ice cream" the plants grow short and stocky and flower quickly which seems appropriate. He did mention sometimes the buds are purple-ish so that excites me.

Going to start with 4 seedlings, let them develop and see which two look the strongest and keep those, maybe keep the other 2 seedlings IDK space is an issue.

Seen some pretty successful grows where they tied the stem down and the weed plant grew sideways, which would seem appropriate due to limited height. Which is a better method in your guys opinion for this scenario tying the plant down and growing sideways or scrogging and having a little weed bush?
Click to expand...
Get the best of both worlds and combine those two methods

ProHuman said:
let me add.. "indoors" to that, and good luck!
Be sure to show pics of the results, and a budget list.
Click to expand...
Haha it'll all be in my grow journal
 
C

churchhaze

Well-Known Member
You don't want to take out the shelves? What's the point? Also, you've gotta make sure it's both light tight AND has good circulation, which is a serious challenge that usually takes money and putting giant holes in things.

It's not worth the time, money, nor is it worth the risk of getting caught, fire, etc.. The height of those shelves is slightly taller than a sterelite tote for DWC, which would give you about 3 inches for the plant and lights.
 
AfgooCBD

AfgooCBD

Well-Known Member
basedgod420 said:
Friend hooked me up with some good bagseeds today from one of his grows. One of his mother plant made some last second pods to try to stay alive or whatever reason they do it and he gathered the seeds and gave them to me. It's from a strain he calls "ice cream" the plants grow short and stocky and flower quickly which seems appropriate. He did mention sometimes the buds are purple-ish so that excites me.

Going to start with 4 seedlings, let them develop and see which two look the strongest and keep those, maybe keep the other 2 seedlings IDK space is an issue.

Seen some pretty successful grows where they tied the stem down and the weed plant grew sideways, which would seem appropriate due to limited height. Which is a better method in your guys opinion for this scenario tying the plant down and growing sideways or scrogging and having a little weed bush?
Click to expand...
The screen just makes it easier when you have more branches, to get that horizontal grow. But you're right, in a micro-grow, you could just lean the top, and let whatever side branches you have grow vertical and call it a day.
 
B

basedgod420

Member
Well when I woke up yesterday one finally sprouted, and by the end of the day 2 more sprouted up. Not sure if im just cloudy on my memory but these seemed to sprout outta no where.

Just going 12/12 from seed wanting the quick grow so ill be sure to update when something worth noting comes up. The seedling stage is just boring and they all look the same lol.
 
indicat33

indicat33

Well-Known Member
basedgod420 said:
Okay I am starting a minimal investment grow. I see others here saying that have hundreds of dollars to throw in on a grow and that's just not me I'm completely broke.

The cabinet I have to work with has 4 shelves that pretty much can't be removed I tried and the whole cabinet looked like it was going to come apart so I have 3 ft wide x 2 ft deep x 1 1/2 ft tall to work with in each of the shelf compartments.

I have a bunch of cfls and a couple power strips. A few plug-to-bulb adapters for the strips so ill have about 100 watts of cfl to work with. [60w of 6500k and 40w of 2700k] Not sure if I should leave the white interior of the cabinet alone or add aluminum foil.

I'm going to start with about 4 bagseeds [last grow I did 2 of them died or didn't grow which I'd like to end up with just two plants due to space]. My plan is to scrog because of only having a foot and a half of height to work with with one plant in each of the upper compartments.

I have a few questions, is it impossible to just find some okay soil outside or for free or does the soil have to be purchased?

I've seen quite a few cab grows like this with scrog but can't seem to find anyone that reported a yield so will all this work be for maybe an ounce of dank?

Is a fan essential? [I used a pc fan in my first grow and just didn't seem like a crucial part of the grow, don't have it anymore and wish not to have to buy one}
Click to expand...
basedgod420 said:
Okay I am starting a minimal investment grow. I see others here saying that have hundreds of dollars to throw in on a grow and that's just not me I'm completely broke.

The cabinet I have to work with has 4 shelves that pretty much can't be removed I tried and the whole cabinet looked like it was going to come apart so I have 3 ft wide x 2 ft deep x 1 1/2 ft tall to work with in each of the shelf compartments.

I have a bunch of cfls and a couple power strips. A few plug-to-bulb adapters for the strips so ill have about 100 watts of cfl to work with. [60w of 6500k and 40w of 2700k] Not sure if I should leave the white interior of the cabinet alone or add aluminum foil.

I'm going to start with about 4 bagseeds [last grow I did 2 of them died or didn't grow which I'd like to end up with just two plants due to space]. My plan is to scrog because of only having a foot and a half of height to work with with one plant in each of the upper compartments.

I have a few questions, is it impossible to just find some okay soil outside or for free or does the soil have to be purchased?

I've seen quite a few cab grows like this with scrog but can't seem to find anyone that reported a yield so will all this work be for maybe an ounce of dank?

Is a fan essential? [I used a pc fan in my first grow and just didn't seem like a crucial part of the grow, don't have it anymore and wish not to have to buy one}
Click to expand...
- Gut the cabinet, remove shelves, (there MUST be a way) and use an "S" hook to hang the cfll -bundle. Make a reflector using an aluminium Turkey-Pan from the Dollar Store. Line the inside of cab with a white shower curtain, also from the Dollar Store. Position the cfl's "inside" the turkey pan for max reflect. Use a rope to move your "CLF Army" up and down. USE THE HIGHEST WATTAGE CFL'S YOU CAN GET. I have used a series of 65w CFL's (actual wattage) to grow myself a few crops, before I bought my 400w HPS. Happy Growing ! :leaf:
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top