When I started this journey I looked into purchasing a tent but chose to construct a rigid structure out of 1" aluminized Styrofoam sheet insulation and heating tape. It has several advantages: chiefly that it’s ridiculously easy to work, is extremely light, quite rigid and light tight and very cheap. I built a base on casters and a deck with different height legs for the different stages of the grow and I have been very happy with it. Has anyone else used this method?
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indeed I have thought I used it to seperate spaces in grow room and to make grow boxes in my crawl space not portable options
Hello @Myfriendis410
Would you be able to show us pictures?
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Here’s a series of shots of the interior space I just put up. I’ll see if I can find the rest haha.
I had some more but the space is 4 X 6 foot, 5 1/2 feet high on rollers in my garage.
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Thank you. I’m very interested in how you built it, and what it looks like. I’d be interested in making one rather then buying a tent. But I have to admit my imagination of how you built it, is lacking.
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I’ll try to put up some pics later of the structure.
It’s got 4 sheets of 1" foam panels total in the construction and a bunch of furring pieces (1 X 2) for vertical support. Joints are held with mylar tape and wire anchors. Penetrations as needed for power, air etc. Top is plywood and lights. I built my own lights and they are literally part of the ceiling structure. This means the plants all have to go to the light and not vice versa.
Headed out the door to have lunch with my sweetie. I’ll touch base later today hopefully.
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I’ve been toying with the idea of building grow spaces out of 1" foam. I’ve got the whole basement to play with.
My 4’x8’x7’ tent is good, but it doesn’t retain much heat in the winter months. The damn space heater uses almost as much juice as my lights.
Cool. If you can’t do pics, drawings would be helpful also. So far I’m imagining, 4 styrofoam walls, with a plywood roof, on a wood table/stand with rollers on the bottom. And you’re using tape to hold the walls together? The styrofoam is holding up the plywood? Plz forgive my ignorance. I don’t have any construction experience. I believe I can do it, just not how it would be done.
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Thank you!!!
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The box has evolved over time. I have:
4 and 6 inch exhaust fans (no filter) used for different purposes
3 oscillating tower fans
1 dehumidifier
A/C if I need it
RDWC setup
3 panels, 120 to 240 watt, Bridgelux EB strips for a total power demand of 720 watts in the space. If you follow conventional wisdom of 50 watts per square foot I am way under. However; these run at almost double the efficiency of the “blurple” Amazon lights.
I have a fixed narrow shelf along the back to hold the fans and dehumidifier. There are two slatted tables and one riser across them. At the next res change the riser will come out. I haven’t decided whether I’m going to SCROG or not for this run but I have time.
I’m not as worried about light management as the box is in my garage so I have two layers of protection from stray light. Smell management is unnecessary in my state. Temps are usually moderate enough to not be a problem most of the year.
What was your reasoning for putting the gaps in the roof? Ventilation?
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The heatsink material I had dictated the gap built into the lights. I have flat panels I put in place to prevent light leaks and I can remove one or two when it’s hot to vent the top of the space. Works well.
Hey bud, I’ve been trying to work on a structure frame design for a box. But I’m having a bit of difficulty getting the size I want, under budget, and of course structurally sound. I was wondering if you could share a sketch of how you have the structure framed? Thank you.
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The box is assembled using 1" aluminized styrofoam (around $11 per sheet at HD) and the basic structure is assembled using aluminized mylar tape. Those joints are then reinforced with fence wire bent into a “U” and shoved through the joint to lock it. For structural support for the lights I ran battens of 1 X 2’s from the deck to the roof which is made from light fixture and plywood. It’s really simple.
Big fender washers and lath screws to tie things through the styrofoam or to hang whatever stuff you need to. The doors are reinforced where needed but are basically hinged pieces of styrofoam. Gorilla Glue works like magic and you can piece smaller pieces together. Also; any penetrations you make for power or whatnot; save the cutout and you can put it back in with glue and tape.
My biggest worry is the carbon filter and light. People have told me the 1x2 will weaken on me. So I looked at 2x4s, but then I wonder am I doing overkill? I’m also trying to add 2 doors, so I’d like it to be able to hold the weight with no issue. I also plan to cover the outside with a plywood or panel, so the structure would need to hold that weight.
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If you are skinning it with plywood you will have as much structural support as you will need right there. Instead of 1 X 2’s you can rip some 3/4" plywood to serve instead. I’ve been using mine for over a year as it sits now and no issues. I also have about 60 pounds of lights and heatsinks built into the ceiling.
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I’d rather have more structure than enough. So if I do,l…
Plywood, 1x2, then 1” styrofoam, you think that would be structural enough for diy lights and carbon filter/fan?
I’m planning similar size as you, just 7’ high.
Should I frame it like I would a house wall?
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I would make it as light as possible. You won’t have any trouble supporting your lights and fans. I tried to put anything that supports the structure outside of the grow space so it’s clean inside. If you want to use 2 X 4’s then I would build a simple frame and skin it with 1/2" styrofoam on the inside and 1/2" plywood on the outside then call it good. It will support a small block chevy engine.
Thank you
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