modified fridge growing

I was thinking of modifying a mini fridge that is a little over 60cm tall (2+ ft) x 45cm x 40cm . I would be modifying the thermostat so the fridge turns on at around 32 degrees C. It's going to be for low ryder.

Would there be any chemicals harmful to the plant or me produced by doing this?
And could a 250 watt hps be placed in it or would it produce to much light for 3 plants?
Does low ryder even need hps? I have CFL lights if the hps is too much light for the space.

If anyone has answers to any of the questions it would be greatly appreciated.

There's no room for your light. You need ventilation too, not just running electricity to compensate for the heat gain caused by the light.

yea, even 250watts are about 2/3 the size of mini fridges (ballast enclosed atleast). plus, those mini fridges are sealed off, and the sides are thick as shit - good luck cutting a hole in it for ventilation. potpimp is right on both counts, i wouldnt recommend it either.

go to home depot and build a bigger box, then put a neat lil tablecloth over it and noone will question it. just put stuff ontop of it to look like its a piece of furniture.

I had a large box but destroyed it because it was not very stealthy because light seeped through doors and dryer tubes coming out.
The ballast I have is seperated from the light so I could just run the bulb+wire into the fridge. I just figured it would be to much light for the plants.

So ventalation is a must even if temperatures are maintained at 32 degrees? I did plan on putting fans inside just did not plan on holes to the outside.

Thanks for the quick replies.

first of all, a 250watt would NEVER be "too much light". second, of course ventilation is a must dude - would you prefer some fresh air? or to live in a cramped minifridge w/ no air?. third, 32 degrees!?!??! hell no, i dont even think plants can survive at 32 degrees (32f = freezing, 32c = 90f...). also, you cant get away with putting fans inside the box w/o having holes for ventilation - its pointless, you're just stirring up stagnant air. think about these things.

dude, listen to us and your weed will flourish. however, if you go ahead with these crazy ideas then your weed will die or not produce more than an 8th. ventilation is CRUCIAL, i have 2 fans + my a/c ducts right above my plants for perfect ventilation because i use my bathroom for the light cycle (closet for dark cycle). on another note, even if you did manage to get that 250watt bulb wired inside the mini fridge - the heat it would emit, since there are no ventilation holes, would absolutely destroy your plants. dont do these crazy things youre talking about lol, we're happy to help you but dude you're talking about some WEIRD shit.

32 celsius which is about 90f. The problem is I just suck at building something that looks like a piece of funiture, trust me, I really tried with the last box. I was worried about the hps being to much light because it would be within 10cm or so of the plant and I know hps is supposed to be further away than that. The reflector I have can have ventilation hooked up and there would be glass between the light and plant.

I'll scratch having the fridge turned on and instead cut holes at top to ventilate and bottom for intake. Attempt with the HPS I have, if it gets to hot I will switch to CFLs. I wanted to have it as stealth as possible and the fridge is the only thing I have lying around with a decent amount of space.

Sound like a better plan or should I attempt to find a better preconstructed box? Thanks a lot for helping too.

clayfountain said:

32 celsius which is about 90f. The problem is I just suck at building something that looks like a piece of funiture, trust me, I really tried with the last box. I was worried about the hps being to much light because it would be within 10cm or so of the plant and I know hps is supposed to be further away than that. The reflector I have can have ventilation hooked up and there would be glass between the light and plant.

I'll scratch having the fridge turned on and instead cut holes at top to ventilate and bottom for intake. Attempt with the HPS I have, if it gets to hot I will switch to CFLs. I wanted to have it as stealth as possible and the fridge is the only thing I have lying around with a decent amount of space.

Sound like a better plan or should I attempt to find a better preconstructed box? Thanks a lot for helping too.

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honestly bro, id find something else - i know 32c=90f, i posted that in brackets above. trust me, 90f at a constant for a tiny little cramped/unvented box isnt gonna work. even if you vent it, its best to stay around 75-85. its extremely good that your reflector has a glass bottom + option for ventilation, that is going to help you alot - infact, thats the one thing i havent bought yet what type of HPS do you have? is this the same 250watt? if so, yea 10cm is really close..however, with the glass reflector/cooling you can get it like 5 inches away! those glass bottomslides really do block alot of heat.

keep in mind, your box doesnt have to look perfect. just make sure its around 4 feet high and really long. that way you really can fit your 250watt in there. you can have intake on 1 side and out on the other, that way the ventilation will be absolutely perfect. i promise, youll actually have results if you ensure the factors ive mentioned are present.

on another note, you mentioned going w/ CFLs if you have issues w/ HPS. let me be the first to say this; the effort you put into perfecting/stabilizing your HPS grow will result in a yield/quality that far, FAR surpasses anything CFL's could do. or, you could use the 250watt as your main source while supplementing the plants w/ the CFLs - thats what i would do, especially if i only had a 250watt.

I would think you will have issues with humidity and condensation when that cold air from the fridge hits the hot interior and bulb. Possible electrocution hazard as well.