cool cab anyone????

So its my first attempt at growing and ive failed my first two rounds using "The cool cab" growing cabinet. The system is a complete hydro set up with all thats needed to grow killer bud. Anyone out there know the ins and outs of this particular system? Im discoraged and about to buy some dirt and go that way. I would hate to put this complete system away in the garage(aka:graveyard of perfectly good unused things) what a shame!. Can anyone whos used this "Cool Cab" save mine from an early grave? Some problems Ive had:
-hot h2o 90+F
-back up res. over flow flooding cabinet
-h2o change out:
-how often?
-do you scrub tub?
-what to do with babies durring this time?
I must have the brownest thumb ever since its supposed to be a breeze to grow with this machine. I could use some tips on making this thing work right. Thanks for your time.

Hey there, I do my hydro with the Cool Cab. Made some modifications since I purchased it though. Do you have both intake fans working? And the exhaust? I have not had temp issues.
As for the changing out the res, I do it once before flowering and once 2 weeks before harvest for the final flush. I use a drill that has a siphon attachment to empty the res and fill it back up again. You can get those at any hardware store. The siphon makes it a lot easier than lifting the plants off and trying to find somewhere to put them without them falling over or hurting the roots. I don't use the back up, just fill the res when it needs it ( when the fogger stops fogging, lol). I hope all this helped, of not let me know, cause there were some kinks to be worked out in this cool cab for sure, lol.

Thanks again Chicah. I have it running according to the directions and the room temp is right on. I cant understand why the water spikes up like that. The first time I ran it with only three pots full and like a newbe I didnt think to cover the empty holes right away, eventhough the bucket is painted light proof....duh. I filled them with hydro kernel balls but light still leaked and I figured(after the fact) that may have been the reason for the hot h2o ...................and eventually root rot. The second time I fabbed a cover using some xtra silver lining same as is on the walls. That seemed to keep the temp down a little also using cold h2o to top off. Those plants met a much worse fate eventually.....
Are you using all 14 to grow or do you cover?
Do you top off at all?
Also is it a drill attatchment u use to syphon?
Do you just empty and refill then no cleaning required?
After I lost mt first three beauties Im scared of root rot
Sorry to pick your brain you have been such a help already. Thank you so much for your help

There is no way 14 can fit in there, lol.n The most I did was 6 and ended up losing one cause it was over crowed. I cover the extra holes with a net pot, then cut black plastic garbage bag to fit over them to keep out the light. Light in the res will cause algae. After a few grows, I got a new tub, cut the lid with only 5 holes. Slit the sides of one of the handles so to get in the res with just lifting a flap at one handle. I also glued in the bottom a plastic container which I punched holes in the sides to house all the pumps so the roots don't get in them, this has worked great. I now use clear nites so no clogged lines. DNF is a good brand. The siphon is an attachment that fits on an electric drill, works great and no mess, just have to dump the bucket once full, lol.
I do have to top them as I grow sativas and they can get tall. Last grow I had to remove the cloning shelf cause I vegged them too long and they outgrow the bottom. The cool cab is good for drying your buds too.

cool cab = overpriced junk lol

FilthyFletch said:

cool cab = overpriced junk lol

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That's your opinion. I like it.

Yeah thats true its my opinion.Fiure you can make the same thing but better for Under $200 with better control just make me question the price and yield on them as money wise its definatly not worth it.Takes an hour to set your own up.But like always some people prefer to just spend and not case about quality or costs..good luck with it

FilthyFletch said:

Yeah thats true its my opinion.Fiure you can make the same thing but better for Under $200 with better control just make me question the price and yield on them as money wise its definatly not worth it.Takes an hour to set your own up.But like always some people prefer to just spend and not case about quality or costs..good luck with it

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$200??? Assuming you got the cabinet for free and that you're growing with dirt instead of hydro, I'd still like to see a price breakdown for how you did your bulbs/reflector/ballast alone for $200, much less carbon filter, ozone, CO2, etc.

Remember, some of us are starting from absolute zero. Zero equipment and experience. I have been pricing components to make my own cool cab and I am already over $1000, and it's not a complete list.