u/Illustrious_Act1287

​Hi everyone,

​I’m building a custom DIY botanical enclosure out of a plastic barrel (about 80L / 21 Gallons, 80cm tall) and I need a serious safety and engineering reality check on my current setup. I'm doing this as a hobby to learn some basic hardware skills, but I want to make it 100% safe.

​I have two main questions:

​1. De-bulbed 230V DOB LED Insulation

​The Setup: I am running 5x 13W DOB (Driver on Board) E27 AC LED bulbs (total 65W, 230V mains). I removed the plastic diffusion globes to maximize light efficiency.

​The Hazard: The PCB tracks, components, and solder joints are now completely exposed and live at 230V.

​Current State: I put some electrical tape on one plate just for a quick test, but I was warned that these aluminum plates can easily reach 185°F to 203°F (85°C - 95°C) under continuous load. The tape adhesive will obviously degrade and fail, creating a major short/fire hazard.

​Available Materials: I have some flat PP5 (Polypropylene) storage lids, about 1-2mm thick.

​The Question: Can I safely cut these PP5 lids to form small, individual protective caps/shields over each naked LED plate (with drilled air holes)? Or will the continuous radiant heat cause 1-2mm PP5 to suffer from thermal creep/warping over time, risking direct contact with the live 230V components?

​2. Axial Fan vs. Carbon Filter Static Pressure

​The Exhaust: I have a 120mm (4.7") In-line Axial fan rated at 17W, with a declared airflow of 90 CFM (152 m³/h).

​The Resistance: It needs to push/pull air through a 4" (100mm) carbon filter with a 1.5" (38mm) thick carbon bed.

​The Question: Knowing that axial fans have notoriously low static pressure, will a 17W fan be completely choked by a 1.5" carbon bed? I'm worried it will kill my airflow entirely, leading to a thermal runaway inside the enclosure.

​I'm attaching photos of the exposed PCB plates, the tape test, the overall enclosure layout, and the fan specs.

​Any data-backed advice on how to properly insulate those live plates and manage the pressure drop would be massively appreciated. Thanks!

Hi everyone, working on my first space bucket and need a strict safety/ engineering reality check before I flip the switch.

1. De-bulbed DOB LED Safety (Calling u/SuperAngryGuy)

The Setup: Running 5x "BELLALUX" 13W DOB (Driver on Board) E27 bulbs (total 65W). I removed the plastic globes to maximize lumens.

The Problem: The PCB tracks and solder joints are now fully exposed and running on mains voltage (230V).

Current state (Photos): I slapped some black electrical tape on one plate just for a quick test, but Gemini warnings say these plates reach 185°F to 203°F (85°C - 95°C), meaning the tape glue will melt/fail, causing a fire/short hazard.

Available materials: I have a couple of PP5 (Polypropylene) storage container lids, roughly 0.04" - 0.08" (1-2mm) thick.

The Question: Can I safely cut these PP5 lids to make individual protective shields over each naked LED if I drill air holes? Or will the radiant heat cause the 1-2mm PP5 to warp/creep and touch the live 230V components?

2. Exhaust Fan vs Carbon Filter Static Pressure

The Fan: 120mm (approx. 4.7") Brico Axial fan. Rated at 17W with a declared airflow of 90 CFM (152 m³/h).

The Filter: 4" (100mm) Hon&Guan carbon filter with a 1.5" (38mm) carbon bed thickness.

The Question: Will this axial fan have enough static pressure to pull/ push air through the carbon filter, or will the filter choke it completely?

Attaching photos of the exposed LEDs, the tape test, my bucket layout, the PP5 lid, and the fan.

Thanks for saving my life and my yield!

p.s. My bucket is about 80cm high (about 80L)

Hi everyone :)

I'm about to drop a Cream Orange Auto seed into the dirt, but I'm hitting a mental wall regarding odor control before I officially start.

I'm in a 20sqm studio apartment (top floor) in Milan, and the bucket is sitting just 1.5m away from my front door.

The Build Specs:

Enclosure: 2x 52L White Bins (stacked) | Total Height: ~80cm | Diameter: ~35-40cm.

Lighting: 4x LED Bulbs (E27) - Total 52W. (2x 2700K + 2x 4000K).

Exhaust: 8W Bathroom Axial Fan (Rated ~70 m3/h) mounted on top.

Intake: 3W USB fan.

My idea for the pot: 7L Pot | Bottom layer: Expanded Clay (2cm) | Mid layer: Super Soil (Organic concentrated) | Top layer: Light Mix.

Monitoring: Digital Thermo-hygrometer with probe.

Location & Climate:

I'm in Milan. Right now it's about 20°C, but in a month this top-floor studio could hit 30-35°C easily. I run AC, but I need to balance temps vs. smell. The bucket is in a nook 1.5m from the main entrance. I don't care if my 20sqm studio smells like a forest, but I cannot have the smell leaking into the hallway. If it smells 1m outside my door, fine. If it hits 2m+, I'm in trouble with the neighbors.

Carbon Filter Dilemma:

I have 4mm Activated Carbon Pellets, aluminum ducting, and a few flanges.

Problem: My exhaust fan is only 8W (~70 m3/h). We all know Reddit says DIY filters fail because of static pressure.

Question: Is there any DIY configuration (radial, thin-bed, oversized diameter) that can actually scrub the smell without choking this 8W fan and frying my plant this summer? Or am I dreaming?

Plan B: Should I just give up on DIY and buy a 4-inch Inline Fan (like a 200/300 m3/h) even if it's overkill/loud for a 20sqm room? I would rather avoid.

I haven't planted the seed yet. I'm waiting for your expert confirmation on the filter and the 7L pot setup.

Is the DlY filter a suicide mission for my temps/security, or can it be done?

Hi everyone :)

I’m about to drop a Cream Orange Auto seed into the dirt, but I’m hitting a mental wall regarding odor control before I officially start.

I’m in a 20sqm studio apartment (top floor) in Milan, and the bucket is sitting just 1.5m away from my front door.

​The Build Specs:

​Enclosure: 2x 52L White Bins (stacked) | Total Height: ~80cm | Diameter: ~35-40cm.

​Lighting: 4x LED Bulbs (E27) - Total 52W. (2x 2700K + 2x 4000K).

​Exhaust: 8W Bathroom Axial Fan (Rated ~70 m3/h) mounted on top.

​Intake: 3W USB fan.

​My idea for the pot: 7L Pot | Bottom layer: Expanded Clay (2cm) | Mid layer: Super Soil (Organic concentrated) | Top layer: Light Mix.

​Monitoring: Digital Thermo-hygrometer with probe.

​Location & Climate:

I’m in Milan. Right now it’s about 20°C, but in a month this top-floor studio could hit 30-35°C easily. I run AC, but I need to balance temps vs. smell. The bucket is in a nook 1.5m from the main entrance. I don’t care if my 20sqm studio smells like a forest, but I cannot have the smell leaking into the hallway. If it smells 1m outside my door, fine. If it hits 2m+, I’m in trouble with the neighbors.

​Carbon Filter Dilemma:

I have 4mm Activated Carbon Pellets, aluminum ducting, and a few flanges.

​

Problem: My exhaust fan is only 8W (~70 m3/h). We all know Reddit says DIY filters fail because of static pressure.

​Question: Is there any DIY configuration (radial, thin-bed, oversized diameter) that can actually scrub the smell without choking this 8W fan and frying my plant this summer? Or am I dreaming?

​Plan B: Should I just give up on DIY and buy a 4-inch Inline Fan (like a 200/300 m3/h) even if it's overkill/loud for a 20sqm room? I would rather avoid .

​I haven't planted the seed yet. I’m waiting for your expert confirmation on the filter and the 7L pot setup.

​Is the DIY filter a suicide mission for my temps/security, or can it be done?

Hi everyone! :)

​I just picked up this inline fan and trash can for my first space bucket build. I’m planning to pair them with two 13W 2700k LEDs and two 13W 4000k LEDs. What do you guys think? Am I on the right track?

Hi everyone! :)

​I just picked up this inline fan and trash can for my first space bucket build. I’m planning to pair them with two 13W 2700k LEDs and two 13W 4000k LEDs. What do you guys think? Am I on the right track?

Hi everyone! :)

​I just picked up this aerator and trash can for my first build. I’m planning to pair them with two 13W 2700k LEDs and two 13W 4000k LEDs. What do you guys think? Am I on the right track?