Hand Built, Disguised Maturing Box - Prototype

So I finally got to finish a long standing project.

My self contained/locked hidden maturing box!

The box is 40'' H x 20'' W. With a split compartment below it for electrical. It has two switches that route to two power strips. I currently use one for lights and one for air. The electrical box routes a grounded 240v plug out the back. The lights are on a timer, (not in picture) the switches are for emergency's like unexpected guests, repairs etc. Luckily though the box is pretty quiet and dark aside from the rear exhaust. Which can be hidden in a corner.


It is completely enclosed aside from the 12v DC 120mm intake and outtake fans which are guarded with "bug" metal mesh.




It is protected from curious cats with at least 3/4'' hardwood all the way around and has a deadbolt lock.


The inside of the box is completely reflective and is wired with 7, 24w- T5 bulbs on the sides and top.


The box also includes an internal temperature and humidity gauge that is readable from an LCD screen outside the box or anywhere in the house.


The box can hold up to 5 small - medium (trimmed) plants for maturing. Or 1 large to flowering.


Hope that sparked some ideas, it was allot of fun and I am pleased with the final result. I plan to purchase some 90+cfm fans to increase the humidity and lower the temperature.

Aside from the tweak needed. This is a completely self sufficient unit. All I need to do is water the plants.

Questions, comments, concerns? Lets talk.

Looks good man, nice work!

Pretty badass! I like it.

ArCaned said:

Looks good man, nice work!

Click to expand...

new2420grow said:

Pretty badass! I like it.

Click to expand...

Thank's, I appreciate that! I've already been asked to sell it. I doubt that will happen but I may have to build another. LOL

What will you do for odor control?

mc130p said:

What will you do for odor control?

Click to expand...

I was considering getting a fish charcoal filter and mount it in between two exhaust fans to be able to pull the air through and defuse the smell.

For personal I'm not concerned about smell, but understand its necessity in a commercial product.

Picked up two Thermalike 120mm fans. They have three speeds and can go up to 92cfm.

So far on low the temperature has dropped 2 degrees and humidity went up 3 degrees.

I probably wont run them on high often, just for necessity. They can be a little loud at full throttle and may draw attention.

looks good but those regular lights wouldnt do the job for me personally i rather take it outside

DivineOG said:

looks good but those regular lights wouldnt do the job for me personally i rather take it outside

Click to expand...

Yeah, can't quite fit a HPS inside the box, let alone cool it lol. T5 was the only option aside from LED and I wasn't going that low.

Growing outside in AZ 115f summer is a bad idea. lol .. This is an indoor growing section... =P

BluJayz said:

Yeah, can't quite fit a HPS inside the box, let alone cool it lol. T5 was the only option aside from LED and I wasn't going that low.

Growing outside in AZ 115f summer is a bad idea. lol .. This is an indoor growing section... =P

Click to expand...

Another homeboy, sup, I was born in Phoenix and "lived" in Buckeye off I-10....In S.W. Missouri now though

EDIT: lol, forgot what I was looking at looks good man, good idea

Oh ya, last time I was there, it was 110 in the shade

RIKNSTEIN said:

Another homeboy, sup, I was born in Phoenix and "lived" in Buckeye off I-10....In S.W. Missouri now though

EDIT: lol, forgot what I was looking at looks good man, good idea

Click to expand...

Thanks for the kudos,
You're lucky you got out when you did! LOL

Wish I was in Washington, Alaska or something similar. It's too dam hot.

Box has been on for over a week straight on 19/5 light schedule and fans 24/7 on low.

Temps flux from 77F - 90F and humidity from 28%-58% depending on the temperature outside.


Only issue I noticed so far is the pots dry quickly with all the air flow but it also increases growth if watched and watered often.

We discussed cutting a hole in the base and using the below shelf for a hydroponics bin. This might allow plants to fully take advantage of the atmosphere in the box.
Also would add at least 6'' of vertical growth (based on pot) as the pot will be flush with the bottom.

Not sure if I will.

ur not shadow boxing ur lights? what r u doing about the fan hole light not being defused by shadow box?

Sire Killem All said:

ur not shadow boxing ur lights? what r u doing about the fan hole light not being defused by shadow box?

Click to expand...

You're asking about the light showing through the in/outtake holes?

I wondered when someone would ask...

For me it does not need to be covered where it's located. To complete the design you're right it would need some sort of cover.

I thought about using some cone shaped dust covers (like a small dustpan shape). Have those mounted on the back with a short length of black tubing pointing in opposite directions. That would also keep the hot air further away from the intake and probably decrease the temperature a degree or two.

Ill look into it since you expressed interest.

i had a small box that i destroyed cuz iam getting a tent, but before i did i had 4" ducting for intake and exhaust with 80mm fans on the box. it restricted air flow so added 2 more 80mm @ each end of the ducting made a huge difference.

Sire Killem All said:

i had a small box that i destroyed cuz iam getting a tent, but before i did i had 4" ducting for intake and exhaust with 80mm fans on the box. it restricted air flow so added 2 more 80mm @ each end of the ducting made a huge difference.

Click to expand...

I'm hoping that I wont have to add more fans. The two I have produce up to 92cfm each; hopefully temps don't raise. If so then I may have to do what you did.