Build your own grow box vs. buy a ready-made one
Ready-made grow box sets appear very practical at first glance: they are ready for immediate use, technically sophisticated and perfectly coordinated. This can be an attractive solution for beginners without manual skills - especially if comfort, safety and a professional design are important. Most sets offer an optimised combination of light, ventilation and odour control and are often light-tight and compact.
However, ready-made systems also have their downsides. They are often significantly more expensive than do-it-yourself versions, and spare parts can quickly become expensive for extensions or repairs. You are also less flexible in terms of size and set-up - so if you want to use a special space at home, standard solutions quickly reach their limits.
A self-built grow box, on the other hand, offers maximum freedom. Whether it's an old wardrobe, IKEA shelving unit or a DIY grow box made from wood, you can customise the shape, size, lighting and ventilation exactly to your needs and those of your plants.
For skilled hobby gardeners in particular, building your own garden is often not only cheaper, but also an exciting project. Even with low budget can be used to create a functional grow box that can compete with purchased systems in terms of efficiency.
Of course, self-build also brings challenges. Planning, technology and craftsmanship require time and expertise. If you make mistakes here, you risk sub-optimal growth, excessively high temperatures or poor air circulation. DIY solutions also often look less „clean“ - unless you invest the appropriate time and effort in the construction.
To summarise:
Ready-made grow boxes are ideal for anyone who wants a simple, safe and quick solution. DIY, on the other hand, is worthwhile for anyone who wants to save money, be flexible and personalise their project.
Preparation: What you need to know
Before you start building your own grow box, you should make a clear plan - because good preparation will determine the future success of your indoor grow. Here are the most important points you should consider in advance:
1. what size and shape do you need?
Think about how much space you have available - both in terms of height and width. The size of your grow box depends primarily on the number and type of plants. A compact model (e.g. 40×40×120 cm) is often sufficient for small projects, while larger grows require more volume and height - especially in the flowering phase. A rectangular shape is usually easier to ventilate and illuminate.
2. how many plants do you want to grow?
A common mistake is to fill the box too full. Plants need space to grow and for air circulation. It is better to have fewer, but healthy and strong plants - this way you avoid mould growth, lack of light and competition for nutrients.
3. which light source is suitable?
Light is the most important growth factor in indoor growing. Modern LED grow lights, such as those offered by Bonsanto, are particularly energy-efficient, durable and develop little heat. Make sure that the lamp matches the surface area of your grow box and has the right light colour (full spectrum or flowering/growth-specific). For self-build grow boxes, it is also worthwhile reflective foil or White interior walls to distribute the light evenly.
4 How do you regulate the air circulation?
A good Ventilation is essential. Fresh air supplies the plants with CO₂, prevents heat build-up and prevents mould. You need at least one Exhaust air fan with activated charcoal filter (against odours) and a Recirculation fan, that keeps the air moving. At Bonsanto you will find compact, low-noise ventilation systems that can be easily integrated into self-built grow boxes.
5 How do you protect yourself from pests and diseases?
A clean environment is the be-all and end-all. Pay attention to hygiene when watering, avoid open soil in living spaces and keep the temperature and humidity in the optimum range. Helpful here is the Bonsanto thermo-hygrometer, which allows you to keep an eye on values such as humidity and temperature at all times. This allows you to intervene at an early stage before pests or mould spread.
Before building, lay out a small Checklist and check that you have all the components - from the light source to the ventilation and the timer. The better prepared you are, the smoother your grow will run.
Important facts about light
The right Lighting is the be-all and end-all of indoor growing - without sufficient light, plants will not grow. The following have proved particularly successful Economical but powerful LED grow lights, such as those from Bonsanto or Sanlight, which are specially designed for indoor cultivation. They offer an optimum light spectrum for the growth and flowering phase, generate very little heat and are significantly more energy-efficient than conventional light sources.
Depending on Size of your grow box you should definitely look for the right Luminosity and radiant surface pay attention. A lamp that is too weak is not sufficient to supply all plants evenly - a lamp that is too strong, on the other hand, can consume unnecessary power or cause heat problems. Rule of thumb: per square metre of growing area, you need approx. 200-300 watt LED output.
To utilise the light even more efficiently, it is advisable to cover the inner surfaces of your DIY grow box with white colour or reflective foil to be lined. This distributes the light evenly throughout the room, giving your plants more energy and allowing them to grow more evenly.
Correct air flow
Reliable ventilation is essential - without it, mould, heat build-up or bad odours quickly develop. For the exhaust air area a Activated charcoal filter set which is ideal for small to medium-sized grow boxes. It filters the air effectively and ensures odour-free, fresh air exchange. Good experiences have been made with the Silent/Max Activated carbon fan from Bonsanto, exhaust air Eco complete set from Growshop-24 and Prima Klima ECO-Line from Growmart.
We recommend using the Air inlet in the lower area of the grow box so that fresh, cool air can flow in. The Exhaust air should be at the top as warm air rises to the top. This creates a natural air flow that ensures a stable and plant-friendly climate - without any major technical effort.
With the Max or Silent activated charcoal filter this is particularly easy: both models can be Screw easily into the existing opening using a nut - quickly mounted, securely fastened and ready for immediate use.
How you can save money when building a grow box
Want to create a grow box without blowing your budget? Use existing furniture, simple materials from the DIY store and inexpensive but high-quality components. This is how you can build a functional grow box for under €100 - perfect for beginners or as a second project.
You can also use the grow box with favourable accessories combine, such as. Fertiliser, timer, or a set for binding down, to support the growth of your plants. The best thing is that you can buy many of these materials cheaply yourself or use materials from your household - such as wood for the body or shelves from old furniture. This not only saves you money, but also allows you to show off your DIY skills.
How much does it cost to build a grow box yourself?
Is a self-built grow box just as good as a ready-made one?
What size is ideal for beginners?
Conclusion: Build your own grow box or choose a ready-made solution?
A Self-built grow box is ideal for anyone who wants to remain flexible, save costs and customise their project. With the right planning, efficient LED lighting and reliable ventilation, very good results can also be achieved with a DIY solution.
However, those who value Convenience, safety and a ready-to-use solution is laid with a finished grow box or grow cabinet system the best advice.
👉 Our tip: Think in advance about how much time, space and budget you want to invest - then the decision will be quick and easy.
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