Help me begin! **Box Design/Suggestions**

Sup guys-- I am going to be picking up an AG 6 series tomorrow!

Over the past few days I have been studying and reading as much as I can about the AG/growing herb in it, but I still have many,many questions...

> This will be a closet grow and odor elimination* will be key. My plan as of now is to construct a mylar-lined cab to house the AG. Ventilation and air flow will consist of an exhaust at top w/ PC fan pulling out and (2x) passive intakes at the bottom.

Anyone have any suggestions? What seems to be an effective box design for the typical AG CFL set-up? How much extra room would be needed for things inside?

>Any good boxes from Walmart? Cabinets/lockers maybe?
>The Rubbermaid method looks pretty interesting (and inconspicuous) as well.

Thanks, and I look forward to your replies!

impulse420 said:

Sup guys-- I am going to be picking up an AG 6 series tomorrow!

Over the past few days I have been studying and reading as much as I can about the AG/growing herb in it, but I still have many,many questions...

> This will be a closet grow and odor elimination* will be key. My plan as of now is to construct a mylar-lined cab to house the AG. Ventilation and air flow will consist of an exhaust at top w/ PC fan pulling out and (2x) passive intakes at the bottom.

Anyone have any suggestions? What seems to be an effective box design for the typical AG CFL set-up? How much extra room would be needed for things inside?

>Any good boxes from Walmart? Cabinets/lockers maybe?
>The Rubbermaid method looks pretty interesting (and inconspicuous) as well.

Thanks, and I look forward to your replies!

Click to expand...

You've asked some good questions and they just covered some of what you want to do at school. Growing in a box, the air flow has to be neutral, in other words the same amount of air going in as is going out. It's easier to see in a grow tent because you can tell if you have the correct air flow by the shape of the tent. If it sucks in it's negative and if it baloons out it's positive. If you have it in a cabinet you can do the same thing by observing whether the doors blow open or closed. Our instructor said either is bad. You can adjust the air flow with a rheostat to control the fan speed. I haven't had to deal with that problem as I have a dedicated room to work in but for what it's worth it makes sense. I'd ask you to at least consider it.

If it's the six hole unit I saw, I turned it down because it only has two lamps. I'd also check to see if it has the same size reservoir as the seven holes model, (112 ounces according to my wife's measuring cup). Reservoir size is already a problem with A/G's you really don't want to make it any worse.

As far as how much room you need, if that's what your'e asking, I'd say allow another fifty percent around the A/G for healthy vegetative growth and enough height to accomodate the arm/light stand at full extension.

You might also want to see if they have an upgrade kit available for that model with a three lamp hood and a taller arm/light stand or you're likely going to be dissatisfied with the lighting you'll get. Even the three lamp upgrade kit is barely sufficient but why spend that much money for a complete growing system if you're going to have to re-engineer it just to make it work? I really think if you want to grow M/J you're better off biting the bullet and buying the seven holes model with all the bells and whistles or the cheepie version of seven holes with two lamps and and later installing an upgrade kit when your plants start vegging. Just stay away from the stainless steel model because it looks like hell in a few months when our chemicals get spilled on it, especially if stealth is an issue and you have to hide it. Good luck

Your definitely going to want to buy at least a couple of CFLs and only plant one plant at a time.

Thanks for the responses.

Now I am questioning using the AG. I want to do Hydro for speed purposes, and I found an AG locally for a very good price ($60 USD).

Should I consider other alternatives?

Thanks again!

Impulse420: if you're questioning the wisdom of your purchase I'd suggest you return the A/G you bought unused to where ever you purchased it, if you can, and do a little more research. For $60 I'm guessing you're buying the two lamp, six holes 'space saver' model which has been on sale out here on the west coast since last spring. I bought seven holes models for friend's for Christmas gifts last year and I passed on the six holes space saver model and I'm glad I did. The six holes model has a lot limitations that make it less desirable for growing M/J. The reservoir looks considerably smaller and, if that's not an optical illusion, the reservoir size is even a problem with the bigger seven hole models. If it only has two flat CFL's your'e not likely going to get enough light on your plants when they get into heavy vegging without additional lighting. Your plants will really be crowded so if you want to grow M/J with an Aerogarden, and I love mine, I'd say do your homework before you part with your money. You'll see the posts of a lot of the people who didn't and they're not happy.