Hawk, thanks for the suggestions and encouragement.

I just got done with a one hour test run and the results were interesting. The temperature this time is actually higher than before; now at 88 degrees.

I think that the placement of the temp gauge definitely has something to do with it as I moved it about two feet below the light (you can see it in the second picture).

The ballast is out of the room (and hot as hell as expected) and the filter is directly above the light...but doesn't seem to be doing much.

The plastic on the floor will be removed and replaced with something else; probably Mylar (good idea?). The plastic actually poofs up really big when I run the fan with the door closed so I know there is suction in the room. Maybe when the plastic poofs up it's blocking the intake...

Any other suggestions before I drop $100+ on an air cooled hood? (after reading some of Jeorge Cervantes's book I'm not too fond of the DIY cool tube shape).

Pictars:
Moved the filter directly above the light and added chains to both


Going to remove plastic and cover floor and door with Mylar