Grow cupboard advice wanted

MettaOne

Member
I have grown before both outside and under some big HID's in a tent however this will be my first stealth cupboard grow.

I have drawn up a layout for a grow cupboard that is also a bedside table.

I am wanting to use only autoflowering seeds or go 12/12 from seed and have five plants on a 3 week rotation [not sure about time].

The reason for this is to stop the need of having each compartment sealed off from the one next to it, requiring it's own lights/ventilation.

As you can see in the diagram there are 2 x Larger flowering sections and 3 smaller seedling/vegetation sections.

I will divide the sections using either perspects with lots of holes drilled in or just chicken wire to make sure no light or airflow is stopped. The height of the cupboard is 55cm.

The outside of the box will be wood and I will cover in inside in mylar.
Layout.jpg

For lighting I've heard and read some good things about T5's and was considering using a circular T5 on the top and putting one straight T5 in each corner.

The main thing I'm looking for advice on is lighting and pot size[was thinking 15cm pots] but any other hints or tips are welcome too.

Thanks,

M
 

MettaOne

Member
After looking around at T5 tubes I have found that I can't find any with a decent enough light outpot that would fit in the box most with a good output are at the very least 550mm without fixture so I guess I will have to go with CFL's or LED's doubt there is enough space for HID, heat would be an issue I'd think.
 

CoolDudeStuff

Active Member
Indeed, t5's are too long to fit in your box, maybe like you said, LEDs or CFLs. Personally I would prefer LEDs cos babies can just go very close to them without having heating problems.
As for the seeds, I would recommend autos, just because you can find many that are going to be around 40 cms (if you train them right from the start). Also, the yield in such a small space should be about the same (even if you put regular or fem seeds), I think. Your pots should be max 15 cm, also, with autos this won't be such a problem, cos their roots develop to the sides, more than regulars. So, you should try to fill your space with these pots, I mean, 2 x 23cms diameter pots should do.
 

MettaOne

Member
Thanks for the advice, due to current lack of cash I'm leaning more towards the CFL's thinking 2x 80 Watt 6500k [5300 Lumens each] and 1 x 80 Watt 2700k [4950 Lumens]
 

CoolDudeStuff

Active Member
Ok just make sure you don't bring them too close to your CFLs and also that your CFLs are not too close to the mylar, there's a chance you could put your box on fire.. :fire:
Pay attention to your ventilation and air flow as well.
 
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