Another PC grow

[gmb]

My first pc grow was about 5 years ago and before I even realized that other people actually thought about growing in a computer. I pretty much did everything you weren't supposed to do, but now I have a plan.

I picked up a solid mid tower from work and gutted everything. I've kept the cd/floppy drives, power supply(well, some of it), motherboard, and a couple PCI cards. My intention is to use the visible (from the exterior) parts of these for nothing more than looks(except the PSU. I'll probably solder a powerstrip to that one).

For lighting, I have every intention on going with a 70w CMH.

Growing method will be scrog with dwc(although the container won't be that deep..probably ~3 inches high, give or take)

No idea what genetics I'll go with, although I'm looking into fem seeds. I'd like to do a skunk of some sort; cheese comes to mind.

Once I get the motherboard, cd/floppy, PSU, PCI pieces all put together, I'll get some pictures up. I'm in no hurry, so I'd like to do this as clean as possible. If anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to let me know.

First item on my shopping list: dremel.

 

[S-V-K]

I'll be watching very closely.I'm going with Pc case and DWC.
Post some pics if you can.

 

[gmb]

I will indeed. I totally need to get a dremel to get the vga/usb/serial stuff off the motherboard. I sat there for 10 minutes with a hammer trying to bust up the solder but to no avail. Once the front and back are looking exactly like a computer, I'll get pics up. The next step after that will be final lightproofing and painting/mylar. The only problem with this tower is where the PSU is located. It's actually rectangular and sits vertically, making it a little different. Guess it doesn't matter once I trim off all but 1 side of the case. Will definitely update this weekend with pics.

 

[gmb]

Just got back from home depot. I was really eyeing this 100w MH but I'll be patient and wait for my CMH. Got the dremel and some glue. All components should be put on today to make it fully gutted on the inside, fully functional-looking on the outside case. Pics up tomorrow hopefully.

 

[ScrubNinja]

Man I recently bought one of those dremel things, heard good things. Mine is useless though. I couldn't even cut a hole in a rubbermaid. Let me know if you like yours.

 

[gmb]

The dremel is ok. I really wanted one with a cord but settled on a cordless one. Only thing is that it keeps cutting off when I'm cutting. I think the motor is sensitive or maybe the battery was getting low. Either way, I decided to quit for tonight because it was dying out and I realized how much metal dust I had probably inhaled. Will be done tomorrow. Will probably also pick up some aluminum tape and do some covering.

 

[Lengradd]

I think the motor is sensitive or maybe the battery was getting low.

Or both. I have the dremel cordless. I believe lithium batteries need to stay charged (over 50%) and kept cool to keep the batteries usable over time. Even two years at room temperature degrades the cells enough so that their capacity becomes 80% of what it previously was.

The cordless dremel is already weak enough, keep it fully charged.

 

[gmb]

A full charge on the dremel did the trick. I went through 3 cutting discs, but that power supply was a piece of cake. Even grinding the edges was no problem. I'll get pictures up later, but everything is looking good. I'm thinking about this site for some plexi, although I could probably find it locally, but it's an idea. The plexi will be mounted on the front and back of the case using modified slot covers as brackets. This way, I can remove the plexi if I need to. Thinking about PVC for the dwc, with a chopped "T" for the net pot. Something like:
(stem here for draining)[ ]===(net pot)[ ]===(another net pot)[ ]===(hole for air pump)[ ]
[ ] is a "T"
= is the pvc tube

Either way, pics up later with the case status.

 

[microgram]

go pick up a cheap (dead) P2 motherboard with ps2 connections and such.

invest in an exacto knife and some needle nose to score around the various connectors, and break at various points. Then just simply glue or tape them in place. Same with the other cards such as your sound card or modem dial up card thing. Those you screw into place in the expansion bays.

I did all that with my second grow box, and it looks great . I even have a few usb devices plugged into it along with some other peripherals.

 

[GeneticHeirloom]

Or both. I have the dremel cordless. I believe lithium batteries need to stay charged (over 50%) and kept cool to keep the batteries usable over time. Even two years at room temperature degrades the cells enough so that their capacity becomes 80% of what it previously was.

The cordless dremel is already weak enough, keep it fully charged.

Lithium Batteries Hate the cold, and almost every battery on the planet that's nearly dead can be heated up with body heat and used to do whatever you need to do for a short period of time.

Ie: cell phone's dead, your in the middle of nowhere, Put the cellphone in your armpit and heat it up, the charge builds up and allows you to make 1 more call.

I use Ryobi 18v Tools and in canada the Lithium batteries are garbage unless used during a warm day. I have both kinds of 18v batteries and in the cold the old ones outperform lithium very easily.

edit: taking a seat to see what you can accomplish, good luck, can't wait to see pics

 

[gmb]

Update w/ pictures

Update w/ pictures

Finally got some pictures. There's not much to look at, but I kind of consider that a good thing. I did a complete stoner move earlier and picked up REAL glass instead of plexi. Will be going back later for plexi. Most of my time recently has been used to chop the pvc to make room in the cab. Anyway...here's the pictures

Front of case. Can you spot the fuck-up? Yes...floppy drive in upside down.


Side of the case. Nothing special


Back of the case. Need to chop up one more pci card before it's pretty much complete.


Inside of the case with a bunch of components for the DWC. Not everything, but a lot.


Inside with nothing in it. Minimal foil tape, but I'll still be getting the plexi up soon.

 

[ScrubNinja]

Nice job dude. I put the floppy in upside down in my first computer, haha! I also did what you're doing trying to keep all the plugs etc on the back. This is about the best pic I have of that process:


Enjoy your box!

 

[gmb]

Worked with the PVC most of today. I can't find caps for 2" that don't have threads, but I'm going to check another place tomorrow. In the meantime, I'm boring out these other caps with threads; it sucks. After the PVC gets finished, I'll probably finish (most of) the plexi and order my 70watt. I need the light in order to measure/cut the hole in the plexi for the socket. Hopefully I'll finish in 2 or 3 weeks. Most of that time will be waiting for stuff (light, hydroton, net pots, nutes) to arrive. Looking at mounting the electronic ballast, air pump, and power strip on the plexi. It'll look pretty cool.

 

[S-V-K]

Looks good so far.Why you are not going to make just square tank from PVC ???
Easy cleaning/build.What's the minimum amount of water necesary for one plant???

 

[gmb]

Looks good so far.Why you are not going to make just square tank from PVC ???
Easy cleaning/build.What's the minimum amount of water necesary for one plant???

I'm actually second-guessing my pvc setup, but I think I'll push on and keep working on it. I'm using 2". Should be enough room for roots, etc, but not completely sure. If it comes down to it, I can always just throw a tupperware in there. By square PVC, do you mean like actual pvc that's square as opposed to round? Or do you mean making the pvc pipes into a square shape?

 

[gmb]

I think I'm going to scratch that pvc idea and go with plexi. Aerohead's dwc just looks too nice, plus it's actually smarter to go this route because of the added space for water/roots. A few cuts, some gluing, sealant, and it should be good to go.

 

[S-V-K]

I'm actually second-guessing my pvc setup, but I think I'll push on and keep working on it. I'm using 2". Should be enough room for roots, etc, but not completely sure. If it comes down to it, I can always just throw a tupperware in there. By square PVC, do you mean like actual pvc that's square as opposed to round? Or do you mean making the pvc pipes into a square shape?

Naaah Polystyrene sheat will do you nicely.Just cut it with saw as neccesary.I have seen somewhere that 1 plant need 2 gallons of water(not sure if it's true).
Pipes and Pc case-i don't think you will be able to run effectivly DWC.

 

[gmb]

I think I'll hold off on the hydro stuff for now and get back to the case. Still need 1 pci card(i have one..just need to cut it up) and need to get the plexi up on the front/back. The cuts don't have to be EXACT for that, so I should be in good shape. I'll get pics up when the case is finished (minus the light, dwc, wiring, fans).

 

[S-V-K]

I think I'll hold off on the hydro stuff for now and get back to the case. Still need 1 pci card(i have one..just need to cut it up) and need to get the plexi up on the front/back. The cuts don't have to be EXACT for that, so I should be in good shape. I'll get pics up when the case is finished (minus the light, dwc, wiring, fans).

Good luck with case.I have spend all sunday with it and now i'm stuck with reflector.Which light you are going to use ???

 

[gmb]

I found a place out here that should be able to cut me some precision plexi. Should have it by the end of the week. I'll go ahead and have them do the plexi for the front/back and for the dwc. For the light, I plan of going with this ballast and this light. Can't wait for the plexi to be done. That's the last of the cutting, I think.