Grow Room Prospects

[Phyrex]

I'm looking at the possiblities for the storage to be converted into a grow room and I'd like some feedback from people growing in a "spare" room that might not be optimal for a grow room. The storage is 105" deep, 43" wide and about 89" high. As you can see from the picture it does not have a window or any exhaust capabilities. Is it possible to turn it into a grow room without having the walls become infected with mold or any other kind of nasties? Naturally I will need to install a fan or two to get the air moving and I will probably leave the door open most of the time. I'm just looking at whether or not it will be feasible to grow in this room?

[bluegardener]

I don't have any experience, but maybe you could paint it with an exterior paint to prevent mold? The water-proof flooring seems like it'd be really nice though. I know I always spill stuff. Good luck.

[ischel1]

Keep in mind that because it's such a small space it's going to become hot and humid very quickly. You definitely would need a fan facing outward to give you some exhaust and maybe a small one in the interior. If you could try it with a few plants and a grow light along with fans for a couple of weeks and see what happens. If nothing is permanent and you not changing the structure of the space, then I say "nothing ventured, nothing gained". Go for it! I also think bluegardeners idea of exterior paint has merit. If you do that make sure all the fumes have dissipated before you move your chids in.
ischel

[Brutal_Dreamer]

I say go for it! Install a multi-speed ceiling fan where that overhead light is located. Get some grow shelves with lights, paint with waterproofing paint (like used in basements), and expand your orchid collection!!

Cheers,
BD

[smartie2000]

my first thought was HID lighting...

anyway it is definitely a good place to grow. not all plants need to see sunlight to bloom

[wetfeet101b]

It could work, but there are a few important things that you will need to consider.

Are you planning on using shelves? or just single-top tables? How would they be arranged?
It looks like you would get optimal growing space by setting shelves on one side and use the other side as your walkway.
But since it is only 43" wide, you may want to limit the shelves depth to 12". This would give you 31" of walkway width.

You will definitely want to make sure you coat the walls and ceiling with mold/moisture proof material. There are several paint products in the market that does that.

Is that real tile on the floor? or vynil? Vynil is still good, but you still want to limit water splashes on the floor - specially where the floor meets the wall.

Considering that it is a tight space, keeping the door open would probably be the best option for you. Or even remove the door completely so that it does not get in the way.

[Phyrex]

To summarized I'll need:
Wall and ceiling water-proofing paint.
Multi-speed ceiling fan (possible other fan facing outward)
Shelving 12" deep along the left wall
Lights (any suggestions? just fluorescent will do I guess, prolly T5 because of the lack of space)
The floor is vynil so I need to do something where the wall meets the floor. Is there any paint that closes up everything (wall and floor)?
I can keep the door open easily because it'll be flush against the wall so that's not a problem.
Mylar to extend/ease/attain the light requirements

I was thinking of using large crates with drainage holes or even a complete fake slanted floor so it'll automatically catch any water. I'll probably still water at the sink though since I'm not sure how to get rid of the water when I water in the grow room. Any suggestions?

Is there any way to water the plants in the room without having all the 2nd tier drip (and possibly infect) the 1st tier, or is a single tier the only option here?

Thanks for all the help!! You're all

[Ron-NY]

with no door or the door open you will not be able to control you humidity. let's start with a question. What spaces do the walls and ceiling back onto?

To summarized I'll need:
Wall and ceiling water-proofing paint.
Multi-speed ceiling fan (possible other fan facing outward)
Shelving 12" deep along the left wall
Lights (any suggestions? just fluorescent will do I guess, prolly T5 because of the lack of space)
The floor is vynil so I need to do something where the wall meets the floor. Is there any paint that closes up everything (wall and floor)?
I can keep the door open easily because it'll be flush against the wall so that's not a problem.
Mylar to extend/ease/attain the light requirements

I was thinking of using large crates with drainage holes or even a complete fake slanted floor so it'll automatically catch any water. I'll probably still water at the sink though since I'm not sure how to get rid of the water when I water in the grow room. Any suggestions?

Is there any way to water the plants in the room without having all the 2nd tier drip (and possibly infect) the 1st tier, or is a single tier the only option here?

Thanks for all the help!! You're all

[smartie2000]

Sounds like a good start. Ron has a good question

I enclose my basment area with plastic....I am still waiting for my mylar to come.....

[Phyrex]

Here's a quick draw for the layout.
The west wall is the washroom wall, the est wall is the hallway wall, the north wall is another apartment. The ceiling is a bit higher than the washroom but still lower than the rest of the apt. It's the same material as the drywall and I assume there are some pipes or other cabling fitted above. I've thought about maybe installing a similar 'exhaust' as in the washroom but I'd rather not if unnecessary.