Refrigerator Grow Room. Suggestions, Success Stories?

Mr. Solo Dolo 420

Mr. Solo Dolo 420

Member
Hello everyone!

I am picking up an old refrigerator tomorrow and I'm looking for suggestions, advice, and any success stories my fellow RIU cultivators have had using this stealth method.

Dimensions of said fridge is 33x33x60 (2.75x2.75x5). It's a two part fridge and I am unsure of the height difference between the two portions, but assume 1.5 feet going from the pictures. The freezer will let me be able to break this project up into a veg/clone room and a flowering room (which will be in the larger fridge portion obviously). I'm thinking 4, 23 watt 6500k CFLs in the veg, and a 400w HPS in the flowering with maybe a few CFLs hung up if I have any dark spots.

I plan on gutting the whole thing out and cutting a hole in the bottom and top of the flowering room for exhaust (I shouldn't need one in the veg room, temperatures should not exceed 80, if they do I'll work something in)

If this thread garners enough interest I'll post pictures up tomorrow of the fridge and post updates of my project here.
 
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CoolDudeStuff

CoolDudeStuff

Active Member
Hey mate!! Even if your flower room was 33x33x60 itself, I believe a 400w hps should be too much. A 250 one should do, if you can cope with the temps, though.
A piece of plexiglass under your hps, should work as a cooltube, I've seen it somewhere in here, from an expirenced grower, can't recall the name.

Even a big (120w) cfl and 2 lower wattage on the sides, should do just fine. You can also raise your lady(/ies) and keep her close to the lights. I think 60cm height is nice and cfls work just fine in such a space. Well, I guess if you could find a LED panel with just as low wattage as 60w, and add 2 cfls eventually, should be enough for your space! But it should fit your dimensions, I think I came across a panel smaller than 33x33 somewhere on eBay!!

I would be glad to understand the space by some pictures though, definately would help!!

Cheers!
 
Abiqua

Abiqua

Well-Known Member
I have seen 400w cooltubes in fridges and I was trying to track down a link for one at the other place, but can't find it. [Another way to make a DIY cooltube is too look for bulk 6" or 8" pyrex tubing. I found a 58" long x 8" diameter tube on Ebay for $75 one time. Either score it yourself or just find a glass shop to do it, I could have made 3 out of that one piece....just food for thought]

A 400 may be too much for a small fridge [heatwise] but you will have 7.5 sq. ft, so a 250w is going to be weakish...33.3 watts per/ sq. ft. while the the 400 will be right about average 53.3 w's per/sq. ft.




You could do one Area 51 Xs-190, which Can compare in yields to the 400w. I only put that proclamation out as you can find plenty of grows with this light or its predecessor in the LED forum and they kill it.

HTH a little
 
Abiqua

Abiqua

Well-Known Member
Mr. Solo Dolo 420 said:
Hello everyone!

I am picking up an old refrigerator tomorrow and I'm looking for suggestions, advice, and any success stories my fellow RIU cultivators have had using this stealth method.

Dimensions of said fridge is 33x33x60 (2.75x2.75x5). It's a two part fridge and I am unsure of the height difference between the two portions, but assume 1.5 feet going from the pictures. The freezer will let me be able to break this project up into a veg/clone room and a flowering room (which will be in the larger fridge portion obviously). I'm thinking 4, 23 watt 6500k CFLs in the veg, and a 400w HPS in the flowering with maybe a few CFLs hung up if I have any dark spots.

I plan on gutting the whole thing out and cutting a hole in the bottom and top of the flowering room for exhaust (I shouldn't need one in the veg room, temperatures should not exceed 80, if they do I'll work something in)

If this thread garners enough interest I'll post pictures up tomorrow of the fridge and post updates of my project here.
Click to expand...

I also recommend a mix of the Cree Day white 5000k and 2700k Soft White LED bulbs from Home Depot for Vegging or mix a Cfl or two, so heat can be added,, although my fridge grow has no problem getting to the right temp with just LED bulbs.
 
Mr. Solo Dolo 420

Mr. Solo Dolo 420

Member
CoolDudeStuff said:
Hey mate!! Even if your flower room was 33x33x60 itself, I believe a 400w hps should be too much. A 250 one should do, if you can cope with the temps, though.
A piece of plexiglass under your hps, should work as a cooltube, I've seen it somewhere in here, from an expirenced grower, can't recall the name.

Even a big (120w) cfl and 2 lower wattage on the sides, should do just fine. You can also raise your lady(/ies) and keep her close to the lights. I think 60cm height is nice and cfls work just fine in such a space. Well, I guess if you could find a LED panel with just as low wattage as 60w, and add 2 cfls eventually, should be enough for your space! But it should fit your dimensions, I think I came across a panel smaller than 33x33 somewhere on eBay!!

I would be glad to understand the space by some pictures though, definately would help!!

Cheers!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the helpful information! I think I may use the 250w HPS over the 400, because I guess it does seem a bit excessive. Due to weather and work I have not been able to pick up the fridge yet, but as soon as I do I'll post pictures of it in this thread and keep anyone interested updated on what's going on.

Abiqua said:
I also recommend a mix of the Cree Day white 5000k and 2700k Soft White LED bulbs from Home Depot for Vegging or mix a Cfl or two, so heat can be added,, although my fridge grow has no problem getting to the right temp with just LED bulbs.
Click to expand...
Cree Day light? I haven't heard of this, I'm going to look into it. I'm going to be working with the lights mentioned, but may go to a lower wattage on the HPS, such as 250. An LED is definitely something I plan to implement during my future grows. They seem really interesting and from what I've read, better. Since I am going to a 250 I shouldn't have to worry about heat with an exhaust setup installed and the two small fans I'll have on the plants. If I do I like that DIY cooltube you made with pyrex tubing.
 
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