Safety tips: Building the Grow Space

Here is a list of a few tips everyone should consider when putting together a hydroponic system or a hydro grow room/box.

1. DON’T OVERLOAD YOUR CIRCUITS.  This goes for circuits, outlets, custom wiring(check the max load), timers, extension cords, and surge protectors.  Its easy to get a room to use enough electricity to trip your circuit.  If the power is too great you could start an electrical fire.  High pressure sodium and metal halide lights 400 watts and over may need to be plugged into a lighting controller that is wired to the house electricity or plugged into the dryer socket.   If you are doing wiring to the main circuit box make sure to shut the power down and have a clear plan of what you are doing.

2.  Keep outlets, surge protectors, timers, light controllers, ballasts, and all electronic components off the floor.  Make sure electronic components are out of reach of sprayers, drip hoses, and any reservoir that could crack or spill.  Plan for the worst!  Keep your electronic components away from the water!

3. Line the room or box with a water proof floor and walls so if something does break or water is spilled it doesn’t ruin the floor or create mold.  If the liner is something like mylar or black and white poly it will be very easy to clean up the water.  Even if you think you have a really tight hydroponic system that will never leak or spill, you are probably wrong.  At some point in time through filling up multiple reservoirs and changing nutrients you will most likely spill something on the floor.  It is much better to already have water proofing there to prevent a mess and mold possibility and its easier to clean up.

4. Turn off fans open or caged fans that you are working by.  I’ve cut my fingers on computer fans in my mini veg box and clipped my ear in one trying to pull a bulb out from deep in the box.

5. Wear gloves – Wearing gloves can protect you and your plants from stress.  Human hands constantly rubbing on your plants is not good.  It may not show negative effects, but it will unlikely show any positive effects.  We want our plants in the best condition possible all the time.  The gloves will also protect you from sprays or bugs on the plant and the possibility of an allergic reaction.

Safe growing!