This is a very simple grow box measuring (HxWxL) 4ft.x2ft.x2ft.. The box has a simple 180 watt LED lamp, but there is plenty of space for a bigger, more powerful light.

An air intake on the side of the box, traps any light and renders the inside of the grow box completely dark. A carbon filter on the top of the grow box, filters out any smells as well as cycles through a constant stream of fresh air for your plants.

The highest estimated cost of this grow box, assuming you purchased everything new, is $300.00 (including the light).

Why did I build this (LED) Grow Box?

I needed something to grow my plants in right, but I didn't want to spend my money on a cheap grow tent; one that is made in China and may actually be toxic to my plants. So I did the next best thing and built my own grow box.

Buying a new, good grow tent of roughly the same size with a carbon filter will cost about the same as the grow box here. It's not the prettiest or sleekest looking grow box, but it certainly got the job done!

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Materials List - Click Here - For - FULL LED Box Materials / Tools List (PDF Spreadsheet)

8″ Inline Fan, 8″ Tent Flange, 1.5″ Rubber Caster Wheels, 180 Watt LED Lamp, Eye Bolts, Lg. Roll Gorilla Tape, 1.5″ All Purpose Screws,Spray Paint, Mesh Screening, Silicone Adhesive, Wire Brad Nails,Wood Glue, 5 gal. Bucket w/ Lid, Weather Stripping, Heavy Duty (3x outlet) Extension Cord, 22oz – 40oz of Activated Carbon, (Panel) Air Filter, 2ft x4ft Plywood Panel, 2’x4′ MDF Board, 2x2x8 Studs, 1x4x8 Boards, 2ft x4ft Plywood Panel

Tools

Dremel w/ 678-01 tool OR Jigsaw,
Measuring Tape,
(Electric) Screwdriver,
Pencil/Marker,
Trigger Clamps

Once you have all your materials and tools you will need to measure and cut out the wooden pieces needed to build your box's frame (See Pictures).

Step 2: Build Your Frame...

Once you have all your materials and grow box pieces cut to length, go ahead and build the wooden frame of your grow box.

You can use the video in this step as an overview, as well as use the labeled pictures to guide you through the steps of building your grow box frame.

Step 3: Construct Your Intake Vent // Light Trap

On one side of the grow box you will install a air intake vent. This intake vent also serves to trap any ambient light so that the inside of the grow box stays completely dark with the light is off. However, fresh air can sill flow through the grow box unimpeded, so long as the exhaust fan is running.

After you have constructed your intake vent/light trap, make sure the vent makes a comfortable fit into the frame of the grow box.

Step 4: Enclose Intake Vent Within the Grow Box Frame With Custom Panels.

Next, enclose your finished intake vent with the grow box frame using two custom fitting panels. One panel is covers the vent's outside, while the other covers the inside.

Step 5: Cut Hole (on Box Top) for Your Carbon Filter/Exhaust

On the top of your box, you will cut a 8 diameter circular hole. This is the area where your carbon filter's 8" inch tent flange will fit.

Step 6: Build the Carbon FIlter

Follow the videos which instruct you on how to first, prep the parts of your carbon filter. Followed by the assembly of your carbon filter.

Step 7: Attach Eyebolts, Side Panels & Wheels

Its best to install the eye-bolts before fitting the panels. The eye-bolts give you an anchor to affix lights or fans.

Attach the remaining side panels to your grow box. Once finished, the remaining space left open will effectively act as your front door/opening.

You will need a way to power your LED lamp and a fan inside the box. In order to do this, a heavy duty extension chord was attached and sealed to the back panel.

Don't forget to make sure that your panel's insides are painted a flat white for optimized reflection. Wheels

Step 8: Seal Your Grow Box & Finish Your Door

I sealed my grow box simply with strips of heavy duty duct tape. I started with long narrow strips of duct tape, that were laid down first to cover the tiny space between the panel edges. After which, I used a much wider strip of duct tape to seal and cover the first strip. I figured this might provide a stronger seal.

One benefit of using duct tape to seal your box edges, is that if for any reason you want to break the box down, you have that ability. Sealing the box with calk is an option, though your box will be much harder to break back apart.

Weather stripping can be placed around your front opening's edges. Instead of placing the weather stripping flush with your opening's edges, you may try leaving a 1.5mm lip of weather stripping above your doors edge. Do this everywhere you place the stripping, except on the box's floor inside edge. If you place stripping down here that is not flush with your edge line, you risk snagging the stripping with your door's bottom edge when trying to close the box.

It seems if you do this right you may not need to add heavy duty duct tape to your door in order to cover any light/air leaks, thus sealing your box. To seal the box I had to build layers of tape up and add a covering flap of tape over edges. The video explains how I did this. The final door is by no means polished, but it did work as needed.

Hinges would be another option for a better door, however being a sound non wood worker/cabinet maker, the few times I've tried using hinges, the resulting door is much worse.

Step 9: Finish the Inside, Add Your Light & Carbon Filter

Adding your finishing touches, spray paint the remaining parts inside your grow box that aren't yet flat white. Attach your LED light and plug it into the box's inside power outlet.

Attach the bottom portion of your finished carbon filter to the top of the grow box. Next fill the inside with activated carbon. The activated carbon should be spread evenly inside and cover any penetrating light. Connect the top portion of the carbon filter containing fan. Insert the fan's power plug into the outside extension chord outlet on the back of the box.