DIY stealth grow box

[ED-209]

I've been stuck not being able to grow with all my gear since having to up and move earlier last year. For the foreseeable future, I'm going to have to navigate living in smaller places with others which means I need to change my approach. I'm itching to have a play and so I'm considering building a stealth grow cabinet.

I was inspired looking at the cannabonsai guy and thinking that even being able to do small harvests every so often would tickle my need for the hobby as well as provide a little supplement to my medical script. However, I don't want to faff about with bonsai specific training techniques - I just wanna grow a small plant.

On the basis of 30-40w/sq ft, I'm thinking of using the following and building around it:

A single 8.5L pot variant of this: https://hyalite.com.au/products/nutrifield-autofeed-by-autopot-1-pot-extension-kit-boxed

And a 65W full spectrum LED panel https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005778251758.html

As for the main cabinet - that I still need to work out. I don't have access to my tools to do a complete from scratch fab, so will look to re-purpose something. However, I want it to be relatively light so it can be moved down the track - ie, I don't want to use an existing piece of furniture made out of timber which is too heavy.

Ideally I'd probably make an insulated box covered in 3mm MDF and some veneer, but will have to go for something somewhat off the shelf. Internal area is to be roughly 500x500 - unsure of height just yet, but will want to keep it tight.

As for ventilation - that I'm thinking of wiring up some PC style fans etc. Will need to think about filtering - seen various DIY takes on carbon filters, but don't really want to muck about with it, so may opt to use a cheapish 4" filter or something.

The only fly in the ointment at this stage is if I have enough time to build and crop before I go travelling for a bit. Still would be some fun to work on in the meantime and be ready for when I get back.

A slight alternative would be to use the following

Nutrifield AutoFeed by Autopot Easy2Grow Extension Kit | Hyalite Australia

Nutrifield AutoFeed Easy2Grow Extension Kiteasy2grow Extension Kit includes:1x easy2grow tray and lid2x 8.5 litre pots (optional upgrade to 15ltr pots)1x AQUAvalve52x PotSock Square2x marix disc1x 1 metre of 9mm pipe1x 9mm tee connector1x 16-9mm tee connector1x 16-9mm cross connector 9mm pipe –...

hyalite.com.au

with 120w LED (2x 60w bars) similar to the above.

And go for dimensions of about 800x400, but I'm not sure I want to go that way, a square cabinet would be better

 

[Goonie Goat]

Keen to see how you go about it.

KLEPPSTAD Wardrobe with 2 doors, white - IKEA

KLEPPSTAD Wardrobe with 2 doors, white. Simple and smart! When all you need is a wardrobe with all the basic functions. If storage space is still not enough, why not add another wardrobe from the KLEPPSTAD series?.

www.ikea.com

Some inspiration

 

[Hudo]

I've been stuck not being able to grow with all my gear since having to up and move earlier last year. For the foreseeable future, I'm going to have to navigate living in smaller places with others which means I need to change my approach. I'm itching to have a play and so I'm considering building a stealth grow cabinet.

I was inspired looking at the cannabonsai guy and thinking that even being able to do small harvests every so often would tickle my need for the hobby as well as provide a little supplement to my medical script. However, I don't want to faff about with bonsai specific training techniques - I just wanna grow a small plant.

On the basis of 30-40w/sq ft, I'm thinking of using the following and building around it:

A single 8.5L pot variant of this: https://hyalite.com.au/products/nutrifield-autofeed-by-autopot-1-pot-extension-kit-boxed

And a 65W full spectrum LED panel https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005778251758.html

As for the main cabinet - that I still need to work out. I don't have access to my tools to do a complete from scratch fab, so will look to re-purpose something. However, I want it to be relatively light so it can be moved down the track - ie, I don't want to use an existing piece of furniture made out of timber which is too heavy.

Ideally I'd probably make an insulated box covered in 3mm MDF and some veneer, but will have to go for something somewhat off the shelf. Internal area is to be roughly 500x500 - unsure of height just yet, but will want to keep it tight.

As for ventilation - that I'm thinking of wiring up some PC style fans etc. Will need to think about filtering - seen various DIY takes on carbon filters, but don't really want to muck about with it, so may opt to use a cheapish 4" filter or something.

The only fly in the ointment at this stage is if I have enough time to build and crop before I go travelling for a bit. Still would be some fun to work on in the meantime and be ready for when I get back.

A slight alternative would be to use the following

Nutrifield AutoFeed by Autopot Easy2Grow Extension Kit | Hyalite Australia

Nutrifield AutoFeed Easy2Grow Extension Kiteasy2grow Extension Kit includes:1x easy2grow tray and lid2x 8.5 litre pots (optional upgrade to 15ltr pots)1x AQUAvalve52x PotSock Square2x marix disc1x 1 metre of 9mm pipe1x 9mm tee connector1x 16-9mm tee connector1x 16-9mm cross connector 9mm pipe –...

hyalite.com.au

with 120w LED (2x 60w bars) similar to the above.

And go for dimensions of about 800x400, but I'm not sure I want to go that way, a square cabinet would be better

I had a tall boy draw set when i lived with people with the bottoms of the drawers taken out except the bottom one. Self adhesive weather strip from bunnings inside the drawers to seal the light . You just pull the middle drawer out to look in water etc. You have to tie them down so the branches don't grow up higher than the drawer you pull out to water etc I had a cardboard box that sat beside it with 4 inch carbon filter in it with 2 computer fans on the end of it. My choice now would be autos but they weren't availianbe back then neither were led so I used 7× 2 foot t5 fluoro in warm white. Id go 12/12 from seed and grow indicas. Most of the time I had to cut the branches off that were stretching out of control but I'd get an ounce or 2 out of it

 

[Sedge]

Years back when working away I thought autopots would be the go ,,the plants loved it in veg but once they started to flower they got wet feet,,every plant suffered ,, about 50% of them lost every leaf ,,
,,had to go back to relying on someone to water them for me ,,,they got through but only just..I have since seen a couple of growers say they will use them but never got to find out how their plants did in flower ,,
I will never use them again for weed.

If you make your own cabinet don’t use glue ,,just screws,,and tape for light leaks,,so that it can be pulled apart like a flat pack ,and be easier to cart or store.

 

[Hudo]

Years back when working away I thought autopots would be the go ,,the plants loved it in veg but once they started to flower they got wet feet,,every plant suffered ,, about 50% of them lost every leaf ,,
,,had to go back to relying on someone to water them for me ,,,they got through but only just..I have since seen a couple of growers say they will use them but never got to find out how their plants did in flower ,,
I will never use them again for weed.

If you make your own cabinet don’t use glue ,,just screws,,and tape for light leaks,,so that it can be pulled apart like a flat pack ,and be easier to cart or store.

I've almost bought auto pots a couple of times but the mixed reviews have always put me off

 

[ED-209]

Thanks for the feedback on the autopots. I'm a bit unsure on them also - but had seen posts around of people using them. I should go back and look at how they were during flower to see about what Sedge is describing.

The attraction to using it was to have a passive system with no waste. I might go back to the idea of doing flood and drain style instead - I guess like a dutch bucket. However, I may just keep it simple and stick with coco dtw.

Having a bit more of a think about construction of the main body - I am thinking I will try and do a custom build. If I frame it up with some H3 pine then use foilboard to fill the frame for the walls, cover the exterior in 3mm mdf veneer and cover the internals with coreflute and line with reflective film and tape to seal the gaps. Chuck it on some coasters and away we go.

Material cost wise, it isn't so bad compared to buying an Ikea style wardrobe to mod. Only issue is being able to transport the sheets and cutting it to size etc

 

[Squire]

I reckon in sand ( but haven't tried)in auto pots. Having used course sand in my last grow and had no problems. I will be using them in the next grow. I like the idea of not having to water every day. Just fill the res.

 

[Hudo]

Thanks for the feedback on the autopots. I'm a bit unsure on them also - but had seen posts around of people using them. I should go back and look at how they were during flower to see about what Sedge is describing.

Just to clarify when I said I'd use auto i meant Autoflower not auto pots. As for cupboard I got mine for free from curbside clean up. Depends your location but marketplace has a shitload of cheap ones. Id look for one made from solid timber not chipboard etc so if you do get it wet it won't fall apart

 

[Hudo]

I reckon in sand ( but haven't tried)in auto pots. Having used course sand in my last grow and had no problems. I will be using them in the next grow. I like the idea of not having to water every day. Just fill the res.

If your using salts not organic nutrients I'd run peroxide in the res. 1 cap full 3% peroxide 10L that should stop them damping off in theory.

 

[ED-209]

Just to clarify when I said I'd use auto i meant Autoflower not auto pots. As for cupboard I got mine for free from curbside clean up. Depends your location but marketplace has a shitload of cheap ones. Id look for one made from solid timber not chipboard etc so if you do get it wet it won't fall apart

Yeah sorry I was referring to what Sedge had said about the autopots.
That said - I went and did some looking at people using autopots and reckon they are still worth a go. Plenty of people getting to harvest. I'd be keen to give it a go and see for myself. This would be a good excuse to do it. Can always change it later.

But yeah, also seen more people doing autos in these cupboards - same as the cannabonsai guy. I got a 10 pack of blueberry autos, so can give them a crack.

I've always run synthetic nutrients, so never had worries or need for peroxide. I'd be using coco/perlite and keep the EC on the lower side. Should be fairly efficient on nutrients/water.

Spent the arvo re-learning CAD and started playing around with some build ideas. Plenty of hard rubbish around me, but I am going for a full custom build. I'll do what I mentioned earlier of using H3 DAR to frame it up, use 25mm foilboard for internals of the walls, exterior with 3mm veneer MDF and wrap the inside with mylar/panda film.

Should look nice enough in the bedroom/study and be well sealed. Need to think about ventilation next

 

[veritas629]

Another option could be Hempy Buckets. If you're unfamiliar, just hit Google. Low cost and great yields.

 

[veritas629]

I just scrolled through that store and found this. And only $30. If you don't use it for a mini grow, I just might myself! It could be the answer to my pollen chucking dreams ...

Growlush 4 Pot Site Mini DWC System | Hyalite Australia

Growlush 4 Pot Site Mini DWC System4 POT WITH 20L RESERVOIR DWC SYSTEMKit contains:4 pots1 x 20L ReservoirClay BallsAir StonePump

hyalite.com.au

 

[ED-209]

Another option could be Hempy Buckets. If you're unfamiliar, just hit Google. Low cost and great yields.

I remember reading about hempy buckets back in 2014 when I first started growing. Haven't seen people posting about them recently - but yeah, similar approach by bottom feeding.

I just scrolled through that store and found this. And only $30. If you don't use it for a mini grow, I just might myself! It could be the answer to my pollen chucking dreams ...

Growlush 4 Pot Site Mini DWC System | Hyalite Australia

Growlush 4 Pot Site Mini DWC System4 POT WITH 20L RESERVOIR DWC SYSTEMKit contains:4 pots1 x 20L ReservoirClay BallsAir StonePump

hyalite.com.au

There are a few prebuilt grow boxes using DWC - however, want to avoid relying on pumps and issues with roots living in the res. I tried DWC for my first hydro grow and it was a nightmare (way over my head for what equipment was available and technical abilities at the time). I'd be keen to do it if I had the right gear, but I'm still apprehensive of trying again.

That said, keen to see what you do with a pollen chuck - hadn't thought of using a bucket like that in that fashion. Neat idea indeed. I've got lots of stuff I want to have a play with, but until I have my grow area sorted, it's a lot of dead starts atm

 

[Aye Shroomer]

I remember reading about hempy buckets back in 2014 when I first started growing. Haven't seen people posting about them recently - but yeah, similar approach by bottom feeding.



There are a few prebuilt grow boxes using DWC - however, want to avoid relying on pumps and issues with roots living in the res. I tried DWC for my first hydro grow and it was a nightmare (way over my head for what equipment was available and technical abilities at the time). I'd be keen to do it if I had the right gear, but I'm still apprehensive of trying again.

That said, keen to see what you do with a pollen chuck - hadn't thought of using a bucket like that in that fashion. Neat idea indeed. I've got lots of stuff I want to have a play with, but until I have my grow area sorted, it's a lot of dead starts atm

Check out my grows.
I loved using hempys. I even have strawberries going in the same pots right now ( haven’t been able to grow weed for ages atm and still won’t be)

Hempys also give you the benefit of passive bottom wicking and top watering and in flower you can dial in watering to avoid wet feet.

 

[itchybro]

buildasoil (on youtube) is currently using autopot reservoirs with fabic pots on top & is in flower now , he says they have been the easiest out of all the methods he has running in his tent at the moment , "But" he also has some sort of moisture meter stuck in the soil that triggers the filling of the autopot reservoir once a moisture % is reached on the meter , I've never used autopots but have used earthboxes which are similar , they took some getting used too like anything i guess

 

[Aye Shroomer]

I also looked into diy grow boxes.
I was looking at normal Bunnings shelves and then marine plywood for the walls and doors. Then either insulation films inside and white paint.
Top shelf can house the filter and light driver
Again, had the plans but had to stop growing.

 

[Harry bootlace]

not Diy. i can barely hammer a nail.
i bought this complete ( i also have no idea or understanding of lights etc).

i bet it could be make cheap.

haven’t used it in couple of years. always meant to use in winter when i’m missing growing outdoors.

anyway. for what it’s worth.

 

[ED-209]

buildasoil (on youtube) is currently using autopot reservoirs with fabic pots on top & is in flower now , he says they have been the easiest out of all the methods he has running in his tent at the moment , "But" he also has some sort of moisture meter stuck in the soil that triggers the filling of the autopot reservoir once a moisture % is reached on the meter , I've never used autopots but have used earthboxes which are similar , they took some getting used too like anything i guess

Neat stuff - I've used an Ecowitt weather station, so am somewhat familiar with their tech. However, the bits needed to do the sensor and feeding is pretty expensive. If the price comes down or I had a bigger grow, it looks like a neat bit of tech.

When I did soil sci at uni we learned about various water sensors - I've forgotten a lot of the detail but remember them not being super reliable, or at the least needing a lot of calibration to the soil (or I guess media). Even if these Ecowitt ones aren't perfect, I'm sure they'd work alright once played around with - that video was a good overview of possibilities.

This is my CAD of the sort of thing I'd like to build. It's a 450x700x1600 internal grow area. Framed up in H3 DAR pine, lined with 25mm Foilboard, wrapped in 3mm veneer. I wanna make it look a bit flash

 

[Goonie Goat]

not Diy. i can barely hammer a nail.
i bought this complete ( i also have no idea or understanding of lights etc).

i bet it could be make cheap.

haven’t used it in couple of years. always meant to use in winter when i’m missing growing outdoors.

anyway. for what it’s worth.

View attachment 55699
View attachment 55700

Simple, effective and affordable

 

[ED-209]

Simple, effective and affordable

Yeah - I've run that sort of setup a few times. Unfortunately stealth is also part of it - so no noise and making it look in place. I'm currently in a 1bdr flat, so it's tight. That's the sorta space/area I'm working with - also rental inspection bs etc to deal with.

The internal area gives me 0.3 m2 or 3.2 sqft, which means I'd want 120ws of light. I happen to have a 150w meanwell driver I can use, so will bump it up to 150w total - may look at side or underlighting as well to spread it out