How to assemble a growbox from a system unit

A growbox, that is, a box for home plant growing, in principle, can be assembled from anything. It can be a bedside table, a box, a wardrobe, and even a computer system unit or refrigerator that has served its purpose.

The only limitation that arises in this case is the number of plants. The more compact the device, the smaller the home garden will be. The grow box in the system is a mini-structure and is designed for 1, maximum 3 plants.

Can be grown in boxes of soil, in pots, or hydroponically.

Is it possible to assemble a growbox from a system unit

It is quite easy to organize a growbox based on a system unit. This is practical, since the installation takes up very little space, is cheap, convenient and good because it is very easy to assemble, and most importantly, such a grow box is not striking. You just need to comply with a number of requirements common to all grow boxes:

• The structure should not let outside light through, so care must be taken to ensure that the drawer does not have cracks.
• The inner surface (all entirely!) Must be made of reflective material. It can be simply painted with matt white paint.
• It is necessary to observe the lighting power proportional to the dimensions of the box – 400-600 W per 1 m³
• The air inside should not overheat; for this purpose, you will need regular cooling with a fan (cooler).
• It is worth considering the filtration of the installation, since some plants emit strong odors in the course of their life.

Growbox requirements

To equip a mini-grow box, you need light and air circulation. It would seem that there is nothing easier. As for any closed system, it is important to first build a balance of all the factors necessary for the plant. Further, the debugged process will run smoothly.

Lamp

Light is one of the fundamental factors for growing in an enclosed space.

Both its overabundance and deficiency will negatively affect the well-being of plants and may even lead to its death.

Optimal for grow boxes are high pressure HPS lamps – the abbreviation is “arc, sodium, tubular”. These are some of the most efficient and widespread artificial lighting fixtures with high lumen output. 

The lamps have a bright yellow glow and are suitable for utilitarian applications, in this particular case for plants. On an industrial scale, in greenhouses and greenhouses, exactly such lamps are used.

For system builders with standard dimensions, the following parameters are suitable:

Size, cm.
Width / Depth / Height DNaT / W Luminous flux, lumens 17/43/43 150 15000 18/43/49 250 26000

You can also use fluorescent lamps, energy saving and special LEDs for growing.

Ventilation

Lighting fixtures will inevitably quickly heat up the air in the closed chamber of the growbox, causing the plants to overheat and simply burn out. Therefore, a system is needed to ensure air circulation.

Use an elementary fan hood that is installed at the top or side of the structure. Holes are drilled from below for fresh air intake.

Here you will also have to make elementary calculations based on the area of ​​the box, the fan power and the time for a complete air renewal of 3-5 minutes.

design Features

It is desirable to provide a system of protection against foreign odors. This can be a charcoal filter installed directly on the ventilation device.

If location permits, a corrugated pipe is put on the filter to discharge the exhaust air outside through the window.

A filter is also required at the air inlets to protect against harmful bacteria.

Since many fans generate noise during operation, it is worth taking care of sound insulation. To do this, you need to install rubber pads that will reduce vibration.

Necessary equipment

You will need:

• The case of the system unit.
• Heat insulating and reflective material, such as penofol or mylar.
• Lamp.
• Lighting accessories: starter, capacitor, etc.
• Light scattering reflector – any reflective surface.
• Cooling fan. You can use the cooler available in the system unit.
• Time relay for day / night change.
• Carbon filter.
• Wires, switches, glue and other related materials.

Assembly process

There is no specific assembly scheme for a growbox. The approach to the issue of home crop production will be purely individual.

It all depends on what kind of plants, how many, in which device you plan to place.

But there is a certain sequence that should be followed:

1. We decide on the devices to ensure the operation of the system.

   We decide which ones and where to install. For example, lamps are inside, time relays are outside.

2. We drill holes for the wires.
3. We make a hole for the hood on the top cover or on the side panel at the top.
4. Along the bottom perimeter of the grow box, we drill holes for air intake.

   Their total area should be approximately equal to the area of ​​the hood.

5. We prepare a reflective surface.

   To do this, paint the insides white or paste over with reflective film. Foil can also be used. It is important that the paint is non-toxic and suitable for residential use. Matte is more reflective than glossy. The layers of material, if it is used, should overlap, in order to avoid the formation of gaps that allow light to pass through. You can attach it to double-sided tape or glue of a suitable composition. Glue the joints additionally with foil tape.
6. We glue a waterproofing film on the bottom.

   To prevent accidental watering from damaging your device.

7. We fix the lighting device so that its height can be changed.

   Or, we provide such containers for planting, which can be raised and lowered as the plantings grow.

8. Installs additional hardware:

   fan, thermometer, filter, hygrometer, etc.

9. We install electrical wiring.

A growbox for growing several bushes is ready without any special costs and problems.