Hello RIU. Im planning the setup of a medical grow. It is bigger and more complex than im comfortable/confident with doing without advice from more experienced growers. Ive always used the sog technique so things like spacing im unsure of. Ill basically go over everything i have planned, and if theres you think could be more efficient PLEASE let me know lol. Bare with me i believe theres going to be a lot to read. I guess ill start at number of plants and area they each need.We can have 18 plants max in flower. Obviously i want to grow these as big as possible within light limits. I was thinking (correct me if im wrong) about vegging to roughly 3 ft. Finishing around 6ft? We decided to try 10x ten gallon pots and 8x 5 gallon pots. The 10 gallons are going in the center of the room where there is lots of vertical height (check picture). Being generally a 6ft plant and maybe* 8-9 ft plants in the center. I was thinking they each need to be placed about 3 feet apart. To light the room we decided to buy 12x 1000w HPS's and arranging them like so. (picture) And arranging the plants like so (picture) Points to note-no topping,indica dominant strains,no co2 Discuss- http://i56.tinypic.com/2zewm4n.png
12K Medical Grow. Looking for some opinions/info.
- Thread starter Byron
- Start date
Venting : / Unfortunately i dont have any experience in this. Dealing with this kind of wattage i can safely assume its going to get hot. lol. So we need a good, hopefully efficient venting system. Seeing as how the roof of the area is completely open to the peak. We decided to install a fan at the top since the heat will rise into that space. As you can see (picture below) the "in" fan would be at the other end of the room. It would actually be lower than the floor as you can see(pic). How big of fans? Are they in good location? Do we need more? Where? Points to note- no cool tubes, We will buy a window A/C. We have toyed with the idea of buying cool tubes. But its either cool tubes or better reflectors im afraid. Id prefer not to "tube" them if necessary. If i did though...roughly how much ducting would i need? Discuss- http://i52.tinypic.com/67sl8x.png front view http://i53.tinypic.com/15ewuwz.png side view My browser isnt letting me correct these images. : / I know its a lot to read, but i look forward to opinions on anything. Thanks Byron
Yahoo! Wow - what fun you guys are having!
I have a couple ideas - but they are just that. Take them with a grain of salt - nutrient salt that is!
I would stick to the same size pot throughout the room to make irrigation easier. The 10 gallon pot (or larger?) is the way to go. Any single plant with 4 x 4 foot area and a 1000 watt lamp will easily fill a 10 gallon pot.
I think you are drastically underestimating the cooling requirements of a 12K watt room. You will need every bit of a 5 ton split AC to cool this zone - or an incredible amount of fresh air exchange with outdoor ambient air temperatures 65F or less while the lights are on. This is just math. Calc the cubic footage of the zone. To use fresh air cooling you will need enough fan power (multiple intake and exhaust fans) to replace the air in the zone 1 - 3 times per minute with a minimum 10 degree temp intake differential. You will also NEED to use air cooled hoods if not running AC.
What about the electrical? All this stuff may take a little power... haha
Keep us posted with pics and stuff.
a mongo frog
Well-Known Member
u also need 60 plants in that room. 10 gallon pots.
dudeface
Active Member
each 1000 watt light with ballast will produce roughly 3000-3500BTU/hr... Your choices are to use 2 12000btu A/C and have the fans cooled from sealed ventilation or a 4-5 ton A/C Unit (mini split or split).
Cheapest option is 2 10" inline fans each split to 2 8" ducts and each cools 3 lights, the ducting could be gathered back into 2 12" ducts via reducers/expanders on the ducting after the lights. You would still need a couple portable A/C units (or mini split preferrebly).
12kw of lighting is a lot of power.
If cost is a problem, maybe scale it over time? 18 plants under 6k (figure out what cooling is needed) then bump it up...
just a thought, the size of this will be more than a full time job every week.
Cheapest option is 2 10" inline fans each split to 2 8" ducts and each cools 3 lights, the ducting could be gathered back into 2 12" ducts via reducers/expanders on the ducting after the lights. You would still need a couple portable A/C units (or mini split preferrebly).
12kw of lighting is a lot of power.
If cost is a problem, maybe scale it over time? 18 plants under 6k (figure out what cooling is needed) then bump it up...
just a thought, the size of this will be more than a full time job every week.
a mongo frog
Well-Known Member
u need more patients in on this grow. like 3-4 and 2 people work it. 16,000 btu a/c will work with air cooled hoodes. 2 150 size carbon filters ran off 1 12 inch inline fan. hook the filters up to a controller in the cooling plug in so when it heats up past your desired temp those clear the room.
Soaking this in. I have underestimated the cooling/venting issue. Its looking like ill be choosing the cool tubes. The mini split will have to come later since they are too expensive to fit in my budget for now. So i think ill go with the portable ac's. Im lucky i have an electrician in the family. Which helps. Patients might come later. Not sure. anything else anyone would like to add? Opinions welcome.
a mongo frog
Well-Known Member
sir but u cant have 18 plant under 12 lights.
Impossible? Alright. What would you do to maximize yield? Working with what ive told you. Im interested ofc.
a mongo frog
Well-Known Member
go to the shut the fuck up thread farming 101. i posted a picture of your grow.
redeyez420
Member
my setup is about the same as yours i have some tips if you would like.
you will need 12 inch inlines to vent the area and bring air in.i have 10 inch ones and wish i would of just got the 12. i am from the NW so heat isnt a problem right now i just pull the cold air from outside to inside and my temps stay at 75-77 all day. at night i turn down my intake and temps are about 63-67. an AC will be good if needed, myself i havent got to the point where i need it yet. i also have a co2 generator which produces heat when its on but isnt really a problem the charcoil filter sucks all the hot air out the top of the room. alslo i would use the 10 gallon pots on all of them if you have the room.air cooled hoods are a good way to go, i personally like them a lot because when flowering i drop that 1000 watt light right on top of those babies like 10inches away and they love it with no burning.a dehumidifier also is a must during flowering. i dont now thats all i can think of for now but anything else you wanna now? also you will need some kind of main circuit box to run all your lights through, i had a electrician make me one with timers on it and running 240 v instead of 120.this is hooked up to the main one in my garage
you will need 12 inch inlines to vent the area and bring air in.i have 10 inch ones and wish i would of just got the 12. i am from the NW so heat isnt a problem right now i just pull the cold air from outside to inside and my temps stay at 75-77 all day. at night i turn down my intake and temps are about 63-67. an AC will be good if needed, myself i havent got to the point where i need it yet. i also have a co2 generator which produces heat when its on but isnt really a problem the charcoil filter sucks all the hot air out the top of the room. alslo i would use the 10 gallon pots on all of them if you have the room.air cooled hoods are a good way to go, i personally like them a lot because when flowering i drop that 1000 watt light right on top of those babies like 10inches away and they love it with no burning.a dehumidifier also is a must during flowering. i dont now thats all i can think of for now but anything else you wanna now? also you will need some kind of main circuit box to run all your lights through, i had a electrician make me one with timers on it and running 240 v instead of 120.this is hooked up to the main one in my garage
Very nice setup mongo. More plants than i can carry lol.
Very informative. I am still going through with my plans. I made some estimates/figures and i have roughly 3600sq ft and $2500 left over. I will get the 12 inch inlines and tree off the ducts as dudeface suggested. Looked at the mini splits as well. 1200 bucks : / I will be getting one eventually tho.Im thinking an industrial shutter fan or something similar will work with cool tubes and 15-20k btu a/c(s). I just dont see how i could keep any heat in during the winter time with such a large exhaust system.
Comments?
Very informative. I am still going through with my plans. I made some estimates/figures and i have roughly 3600sq ft and $2500 left over. I will get the 12 inch inlines and tree off the ducts as dudeface suggested. Looked at the mini splits as well. 1200 bucks : / I will be getting one eventually tho.Im thinking an industrial shutter fan or something similar will work with cool tubes and 15-20k btu a/c(s). I just dont see how i could keep any heat in during the winter time with such a large exhaust system.
Comments?
a mongo frog
Well-Known Member
theres not much there, 3 patients. less than what u want. oh put your exaust on a thermostat. or a controller.
mxyz250newb
New Member
Just make sure to figure in some UVB/UVA lighting for flowering and you will have connasiuer nugs :d
Yes mongo i know its over kill. I may just set up 9 ish at 1st. Id like to grow these big though. Ill be vegging maybe 2 months, and flowering. I def see room to get patients. I know a few who would be more than willing, but i dont want to complicate it anymore until i get at least 1 grow in here.
Fans will def be going on temp timers.
I guess ill be venting my tubes into the house in the winter to help with heat. Scrubbed of course.
If i put my exhaust on a temp timer and it doesnt run for say 20 mins wouldnt that kill my proper air exchange?
Fans will def be going on temp timers.
I guess ill be venting my tubes into the house in the winter to help with heat. Scrubbed of course.
If i put my exhaust on a temp timer and it doesnt run for say 20 mins wouldnt that kill my proper air exchange?
a mongo frog
Well-Known Member
no it wont. some of the best grow rooms, sealed rooms dont have any in or out venting.
True. But as i understand thats only with co2. Correct?
Googling about uva/uvb lights now, but no luck yet. Anyone have any info/experience on those?
I answered my own questions above. They seem dumb now XD Shifting gears a little here. Going with co2 and 8 inch cool tubes. My ballasts will be hung about 13 feet in the air 6-7ft above my girls. No exhaust(besides cool tubes) . Will be using the branching ducting system like dudeface suggested for the cool tubes. How much will cooling the lights effect my need for more btu's? Seems i could get away with a 23k btu A/c with them cooled.
I have the opportunity to get a 2.5 ton central ac unit for 225$ new in box. Since i only plan on cooling this room what would be the easiest way to cool the room? Obviously will be placing the coil above my room in the *attic* area above my grow area (see pic 1st page if necessary). Would i need to duct the coil? Use a fan? Also wondering how much it would cost for the HVAC guy to come fill with freon, and start it. Thanks a ton riu