So I Built A Growdrobe {PICS}

For years i have researched This but i never acted, Then one day my buddy said, "If ya build it we can keep it at my house" So it happened. The cabinet is 48x21x72 the top is for budding with a 400 watt hps [Lumatek, nice] The bottom is for cloning and veg. I built an array of 14 26 watt cfls underneath. This allows me to vary the output simply by loosening or tightening some of the bulbs, For cloning i loosen all but 1 or 2, then once there rooted i put em in 3.5 inch net cups filled with hydroton and swap out the heat mat and humidity dome for a simple diy flood and drain systen consisting of a small rubbermade and a kitty litter tray. Then i tighten more bulbs and work up to all 14. On my one run so far within 2 weeks they had overgrown this compartment. Another mate of mine has a soil closet grow going and my last batch of clones went to him, Visited them today, I'm almost jealous of his soil grow. Looks so much simpler. So many less variables to consider. I used to grow veggies outside in a few different hydro systems but i'm still a noob by far. The strain is unknown bagseed. They large bucket underneath is used as a 10 gal res for the top. Top system is 6" pvc with a 1/2" poly line running the length of the inside of the tube with many small spray holes in it that constantly shower the roots, Kinda a hybrid Aero - NFT system but i have yet to fine tune it. All input would be appreciated and all questions answered. Thanks And Good Luck

sweeeeeeetttt

looks great ,, how much invested in parts ? what was the grand total?

not so bad really, I made the Carbon filter myself and im using a Rackmount server cooling fan as my main extractor, cost me $30, probably 600 or 700 When you add it ALL up. Originally i had a diy cooltube on there but i didnt like the light dispersion enough so i got a new reflector.

that is a really nice set up good job. looks well constructed.

Thank you. I ended up building an internal skeleton for it from 2x2 pine. Originally this cabinet was designed to have many internal shelves, i removed them all and built one in the middle. without the shelves and framing it wouldn't even hold its own weight. I built it in place and honestly question how i would ever move it.

Hey I like that setup very simple and efficient=) I'm going to be making a cloning/mother chamber soon=)

Bamm Bamm said:

Hey I like that setup very simple and efficient=) I'm going to be making a cloning/mother chamber soon=)

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Yeah i actually just made a smaller cab i had originally intended to use as a cloner. What do ya know you do need an exhaust fan even if it is just one cfl bulb, I cooked em but good i did. I have since added a fan and reworked it a bit. I will still be using my main cab to clone but i will hopefully be using the smaller cab to keep a few mothers. It seems a shame to keep mothers of bagseed plants but i have no other affordable option at the moment as im broke.

heres a pic of my original lighting, the diy cooltube. somthing i never saw mentioned anywhere about making a cooltube from a bake-a-round is that it is only 3.75" in diameter, therefore it doesn't always mate perfectly with 4" ducting, and due to its small size you can forget almost all MH bulbs as they are to big.

i would insulate the cab. i thought wood warps?

warps from what?

radiant heat and light

I don't think the heat generated in that setup would warp the wood noticeably. Humidity, especially if the gradient from outside to inside is sharp enough, would be a more likely culprit. And the warping probably still wouldn't be all that severe. I think it looks good to go!

nah it doesn't get very hot at all, max at like 85. We move so much air around and through that cabinet i can't imagine it getting to humid in there, We use a humidifier in the room the cab is in and its still a struggle trying to keep it over 30% relative seems to be about 21%. I'm using CNS 17 for grow and bloom, Recently i began to add gravity, as per my buddy's recommendations. I was running my nutes at half strength but i plan to kick it up to 2/3 strength this evening when i visit, as the leaves have began to yellow a bit. I really wish i was a more organized person.

yeah well this crop is almost done and i am not that happy with it. Clones and momma look better then theses plants ever did so i guess i must be learning as i go at least. Also i am beginning to converse with the RIU sages, the community here seems great. A few more pics while were at it.

why not use a 2' t5? they have 4 and 8 bulb setups!

LoudBlunts said:

why not use a 2' t5? they have 4 and 8 bulb setups!

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Good question, that was my original plan but there all like $100+ i have like $8 plus the cost of the bulbs [like $35] into this thing. So i'm cheap is why, plus i like to tinker. Besides i think i may be able to produce more lumens then a cheap 2' t5 setup ?

i thought a t5 would be more powerful than the cfls

well maybe it is, i still haven't found out how many lumens i really have but,
High Tech Garden Supply
Htg has a 2' 4 bulb for $120 + shipping, it makes 8000 lumens. If lumens add up in a linear fashion that would be comperable to about 1/3 the output of my array. 14 bulbs x 1750 lumens per bulb = 28500 LUMENS!!! suspect its not that simple. Still looking for an answer.

you wont need crazy massive amounts for clones & younging anyway....

you can count on the low lumens to slow growth and allow the batch in the flowering chamber to finish!!!!