Hey all

So, i'm doing a bit of planning for my more recent space, and have come to the point where I have to make a decision.

My plan is to basically put all the environmental controls in this space, I'll be able to keep the temp/humidity/co2 level exactly as I want it. The thing is, I dont want to ventilate the air a lot...intake and exhaust fans are the only part of this grow which might be noticeable...plus it wastes CO2.

so long story short, i'm planning on creating this perfect environment (with an exhaust for the AC unit of course) without ventilation. I figure if i'm supplying the perfect air conditions, there is no need to change the air on a regular basis. this will allow me to save money on CO2, by sustaining the CO2 levels for long periods of time without having to recharge the air because of a vent cycle.


now, i've run this idea past a few other growers...and no one agrees. they keep saying the air will get 'stale', and that new fresh air is vital.

I argue that i'm supplying everything in the air that the plant needs, and what exactly are they saying will be wrong with the air?

all they ever reply is that it will be 'stale'...I suppose there is some magical, unquantifiable ingredient in air which none of them know about yet have complete faith in.

so, anyone have input here? I'm still gonna do it my way, just wondering if someone knew what this magical ingredient in the air is.

You have to exchange the air.Plants use a certain amount of co2 but need fresh o2 also for complete photosynthesis and the air as others have told you will get stale and poison the plants.You get less yield and fluffier buds with slower growth rates. Thed co2 will be on only during lights on times.Exchange the room air every 2 hours and you ll be fine.Keep all air moving and a fan blowing up from the floor as co2 is heavier then air and will fall to lowest area so get it recirculated.

ok, so you're defining staleness as general loss of oxygen?

what about the fact that plants produce slightly more (on average) O2 than they consume?

also, with the normal air being 21% O2, even if the plant does consume a little more o2 than they produce...there will still be more than enough oxygen in the air.

so, I appreciate the response...but have to disagree.

Quite a different story on your cloning thread.. I guess finding some space to grow was on your priority list hah. Interesting idea for a grow though. The only thing I can think of that might help you control the variables, is ducting off 1/2 of the A/C units intake so that draws fresh air. I'm not 100% sure it needs to be done though as I've never tried a grow that controlled. Give it a shot and let us know!

well, if you check what I said it was "dont have time (I dont at the moment...hopefully in a few months) dont have the space at the moment (this thread is part of my research while planning my space, which is not suitable at the moment) and have no need (to clone from a fan leaf)

anyways, not being a prick, just dont want to be misunderstood


and I should mention (as I should have in the original post) that the AC unit will be inside the space, sucking the air from inside the chamber, and venting it out. hm...i'm realizing now that this will create a negative pressure, and air will be sucked in from any cracks in the door. I dont even know if I can make this thing airtight...guess i'll have to pick up a vacuum gauge or something.

anyways...I know the dogma, fresh air fresh air fresh air...but I cant recall ever hearing of an experiment like this. i'm sure its out there somewhere, but i've not seen it. although i'm open to any more rebuttals...this place is great as a sounding board.

Yes, turn the air over. Stay in that room with your plants without turning the air over for an extended period and see how you start to feel. Not turning the air may not kill them but they wont be as healthy as they could be.

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Natural selection applies to humans as well.

I mean...I know. I know the normal dogma of this issue...of COURSE ventilation is good for a plant. I'm really just trying to make an educated quantification of the effect on the plant. I just dont see oxygen being limiting for respiration, even when the lights are off and photosynthesis stops.

is there any other way people identify stale? maybe like...higher particulates in the air? I need an air scientist up in here. is there such a thing?

im all for experimenting. But i spent the couple hundred for ventilation because that is what people who are growing lots of herb are doing.

There are some pretty easy ways to run a clandestine exhaust. i found a video on youtube which showed how. And there are pics in my grow journal is you wanna see a simple, cheap way to run an intake and exhaust to your plants.

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Check out my grow below...

http://www.rollitup.org/grow-journal...ian-punch.html

Well, have you ever been in a house or apartment that has been unoccupied and locked up for an extended period of time? Know that musty smell that just seems to hang in the air? Its kinda like that.

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Natural selection applies to humans as well.