Computer Plant Grow Boxes

The main component of this project is a suitable sized computer tower. These boxes can be used for any plant or vegetable of your choice, while maintaining a budget. Most standard towers are at least 15 inches tall, but a recommendable size would be in the range of 18-24 inches. These towers can be found at many computer parts warehouses and range in price.

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

Mylar/Reflective Insulated Material - Home Depot - $15.00

7 Outlet Surge Protector - WalMart - $8.00

4 - Polarized Socket Adapters - WalMart - $1.50/each

4 to 6 - 80mm case fans (size will vary w/ box size) - Electronic Store - $4-8.00/each

1- Expendable Phone Charger

10 - 20 inches of wiring (20-14 gauge speaker wire)

4 - 26w 5000k-6500k Compact Fluorescent Bulbs - Home Depot - $5.00/2 pack

4 - 26w 2700k Compact Fluorescent Bulbs - Home Depot - $7.00/4 pack

1 - Roll of Double Sided Tape & Scotch Tape - WalMart - $4.00

2 - Black Poster Boards - WalMart - $2.00

Tools - Drill w/ Drill bit, Scissors, and a Philips Screw Driver.

STEP 1

When you have chosen the optimal size box for your grow, its time to clear out the excess material. You will need a drill for this portion and a 1/8th inch drill bit. When u open your box you will notice many computer components in the case, these all need to go. Some are pieces that can simply be snapped out of place, but bay drives and other pieces have been riveted into place. These rivets will need to be drilled out so that you have the most space available in your box. After removing all of the extra material you will need to begin light proofing your box. After all no one wants a stealth box that glows like a Christmas tree. Using the black poster boards mask all sides of the box without blocking out the fan vents. Now you need to add the fans in the places where they are pre-placed on the box. You'll need to splice the wires since you won't be connecting it to a power supply box. This is where the speaker wire & phone charger come in. After splicing the fans positive and negative wires, connect fan wires that are near each other with matching positive/negative wires. with the speaker wire, you will connect all fans together running the speaker from two joined fans on one side to the other fans on the other side. Now splice the phone chargers wires so that the pos/neg wires are exposed. connect those wires to the fan/speaker wire junction nearest to the back of the box. (make sure you use electrical tape to make sure no neg/pos touching occurs)

STEP 2

The next thing you need to do is line the back of the surge protector with double sided tape covering the whole back. Now line up the surge protector so that it is on the unopening side of your box at the highest point so your plants have much space to grow. When u have chosen a good spot remove the other side of the tape and apply with pressure. Have the power cable of the surge protector come out of the top back of the box. Now you want to line the entire inside with the mylar/reflective material (do not use foil paper it causes hot spots) make sure to cover all wiring and line the bottom nicely in case of watering spills. Once your done you can plug in the polarized socket adapters into the surge protector and add the 5000k-6500k cfls.

LIGHTING TIPS

5000k-6500k bulbs simulate the sun during summer and should be used during the vegetative stage of growing

2700k bulbs simulate the sun during the fall and should be used during fruit and flowering stages