Al B. FAQt

hey Al... I know this is kind of a crzy question but whats the difference between a exhaust fan/blower and a inlinefan?? if both can be used for exhausting a growroom and cooling a cooltube/air cooled reflector..

The 'inline fan' or 'duct fan' commonly referred to by US posters is an inexpensive, low quality axial fan mounted in a section of galvanised duct, readily available at hardware stores.


4" - 80CFM


6", 160cfm

These will work for small grows but they don't move the most air per watt. Ordinary plain bearing motors, inefficient impeller blades with sloppy blade to housing tolerances are to blame. Usually rated about 80-160CFM.

The next step up are good quality brushless AC fans with duct flanges for inline mounting.



Blowers like this have efficient impellers, ball bearings and 40-60W motors, usually good for about 200-300CFM in 150mm (6") dia.

If you need to move some serious air or run a carbon filter, centrifugal blowers are the go.



This is a Spectrum Customline C250H, 250mm centrifugal blower. 480W motor, about 900CFM. Well suited for carbon filters. Note it only has a duct flange on the outlet end. Blowers like these are mounted within the grow room or nose through the wall/ceiling to drive an exhaust duct line.

I was wondering if the 6 inch ductfan can cool a 400watt hps in a cooltube.. Or do i need a centrifungal fan for the cooltube??I plan on getting a 4 inch centrifungal fan with a filter for $119.. do you think i should put the 4inch fan on my reflector or leave the 6inch duct fan???

wyteberrywidow said:

I was wondering if the 6 inch ductfan can cool a 400watt hps in a cooltube.. Or do i need a centrifungal fan for the cooltube??I plan on getting a 4 inch centrifungal fan with a filter for $119.. do you think i should put the 4inch fan on my reflector or leave the 6inch duct fan???

Click to expand...

The 6 inch duct fan can provide more than enough cooling for your cooltube if it is not impeded by alot of 90 degree turns, a filter, etc...

Use the 4 inch centrifugal with the filter for your filtration and exhaust air system and use the 6" duct fan to run air through that is not part of the grow.

alright thanks man..i knew those fans were good for something..ill always have time to upgrade later..

Thanks...so the dimmer can not adjust the high end temp of the soldering iron enough to bring it low enough for the dryer? Also, What's the MSC in that wiring diagram?
Thanks again
Lobo

Oh yeah, one more thing...My dimmer doesn't seem to adjust the temp at all. I've been moving it very small increments, but it just seems to turn on full power about halfway through the rotation? Am I wiring it wrong maybe?

High Al, I am on page 5 of this thread but I have one question for now. You know me your royal pain in the ass again. I was reading what you had to say about fytocell and the RW tightly in the bottom. I have 4" RW cubes that can't be used with what I have now so can I break it up and use it in the bottom of the pots with Fyto and what is the best way to break it down to put it in can I just cut it in to small pieces to fit in bottom of pot? Also what do you use to plant germinated seed in? Anyway thanks again bro and burn one for me Peace and out the Ole Hippy DUGOUT

Hi Al,

I only have a couple days home then out for a couple weeks.

I'm setting up a flood/drain system (just veggies for first run/learning)
100% hydroton. Seeds were started in areogarden (c'mon, it isn't that bad. Good for clones, experiments, starting seeds, and kitchen herbs, etc.)

But its basically 40 x 65 x 12cm tray on top a tupperware bin and and pump and air pump (air running 24/7).

My Q's are:

What should be the flood level? I have it at about 9cm. (seemed about right)

How often should I cycle the pump? (I remember you said to run it just long enough to hit the top of the drain tube. I have a .01 minute resolution that I ca adjust from the road.) It will be on a 18/6 light sched.

Does plant and/or root ball size have any effect on watering times/schedules?

thanks.
(I'd do a search/re-read, but time is tight. Gotta hit the accountant, make calls to customers, pack, chores, etc. Gotta fly out Sunday noon)

Al B. Fuct said:

dang. Well, if greenstar can put in an exhaust that vents into the attic, he'll get the aircon into the space via the feed duct and will get fresh CO2 drawn into the grow, too, as the volume of air that the exhaust removes will enter the structure via air leaks.

Without a decent sized return (i.e. door closed and 1-2" gap at floor level) and with no vent to the attic, I have some concerns about temp control.

Click to expand...

Yeah NLXSK1 is dead on about our homes in the US. I have 2 return vents that are very large. One of them is located just outside the door to my grow op.

Ok Al B, almost got this sorted. I'll be running 2 tents, one for moms, and one for flowering. Should I:

A. Run ducting from both tents to the attic (don't know how I'd do that at all, 1 ducting cool, but 2?) or

B. Get a bathroom type fan (the kind that pulls air out of the room, like when you drop science in there) and install it in the middle of the room,? I thought about this prior. I have a ceiling fan in the middle of the room. If I replace that with an exhaust type fan sucking air out, I could put it on a timer, perhaps.

Help! I'm almost done with design so I can move forward

Thanks for your time Al. I think you understand my setup so I'm just trying to solve these last issues then it's time to start spending $.

my rickwool cubes appear to be very dry in my DWC setup......i have not seen any nute burn yet but i se rockwool and hydroton pebbles have white residue ( i am assuming salt from nutes) and look very dry what should i do

Hey al, I have read all the way through harvest every 2 weeks and a few other 100+ pagers of yours. Love your logic, Keep on keepin on man.

So, I have a few spare 1000w hps/mh ballasts and hps bulbs. A freind of mine wants to use them but he knows that his system could only support 1200 more watts. Can i somehow dimm the 1000w Ballasts to 600w each? as to not blow the fuse? I mean i have heard that logn extenstion cords cause lights to dim so im guessing its POSSIBLE, Any light you want to shed on the subject? (hehe ... light... to shed... get it...

Also i see you argue against light movers, and i agree, its strange to have an op that has a light that literally leaves half the op dark for 1/2 the time, but what about shortening the length it goes so that the light is just less intense at one side?

Also how bad is it to have some dead roots in the hydraton? how thoroughly should it be cleaned in between uses?


What mediums in an :ebb n flow /grow system using buckets would you reccomend using OTHER than hydraton or MIXING with hydraton? I Really dont like that the roots cant grow THROUGH the rocks, i like that with those mini grow cubes, soil, rockwool, and many other mediums, it can just grown right through it if the root wants to.


Also GH Hydro 3 Part is inorganic correct? meaning NO h202?

Thanks in advance for your answers

Hello Al
I wanted to know my closet is 77" H X 60" W X 24" D I bought a 600 watt cool tube like you said would like to know if this fan would work to cool it down. My intenstions are to use this fan for the cool tube only. Panasonic Fans - WhisperLine FV-40NLF1 Bathroom Exhaust In-Line Fan (440 CFM 2.1 sones) [FV-40NLF1] - $190.05 : Wave Plumbing, Luxury Kitchen, Bathroom & Bar Vessel Sinks, Copper Sinks, Faucets Also my smaller closet is 77" H X 24" W X 24" D, To haouse mother plants I wanted to use the same inline fan as the link but in a 240 CFM both those panasonic fans are designed for multiple-task ventilation. wanted to vent mums room and flower room with this fan Panasonic Fans - WhisperLine FV-20NLF1 Bathroom Exhaust In-Line Fan (240 CFM 1.4 sones) [FV-20NLF1] - $137.31 : Wave Plumbing, Luxury Kitchen, Bathroom & Bar Vessel Sinks, Copper Sinks, Faucets
Also for exhuast fan I need two for both closets? to a Y fitting and into the filter is this correct or am I mistaken. if you have a diagram of how to set this up would really appricate. thanks al

HAZEOHOLIC said:

My intenstions are to use this fan for the cool tube only. Panasonic Fans - (440 CFM 2.1 sones)$190.05

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Cooltubes are 150mm dia, this blower is 8" (200mm)- and way too exxy. You don't really need that much blower for a cooltube, look for a 150mm, ~200CFM unit. I get them for about $35-40.

Also my smaller closet is 77" H X 24" W X 24" D, To haouse mother plants I wanted to use the same inline fan as the link but in a 240 CFM both those panasonic fans are designed for multiple-task ventilation. wanted to vent mums room and flower room with this fan Panasonic Fans - (240 CFM)

Click to expand...

These Panasonic fans are far too expensive. Any fan can vent multiple spaces, but the inlet restriction to both spaces must be identical or one area will be well ventilated while one will not be. Better to use an individual exhaust blower for each.

Also for exhuast fan I need two for both closets? to a Y fitting and into the filter is this correct or am I mistaken. if you have a diagram of how to set this up would really appricate.

Click to expand...

wyteberrywidow said:

I was wondering if the 6 inch ductfan can cool a 400watt hps in a cooltube..

Click to expand...

should be fine.

Or do i need a centrifungal fan for the cooltube??

Click to expand...

nope, you only need a centrif for the room exhaust blower, as it will be driving a carbon filter in your setup. The cooltube should have an independent ducting system, keeping grow room airmass separate from the cooltube air, so it does not need any filtering.

I plan on getting a 4 inch centrifungal fan with a filter for $119.. do you think i should put the 4inch fan on my reflector or leave the 6inch duct fan???

Click to expand...

A 4" blower is really quite small. Whether it is sufficient or not depends on the volume of your room and whether or not you are running cooltubes. With cooltubes, the exhaust blower can move 1/3 of the room air volume per minute, i.e. a 300cu ft room gets a 100CFM exhaust.

Lobo69 said:

Thanks...so the dimmer can not adjust the high end temp of the soldering iron enough to bring it low enough for the dryer?

Click to expand...

It should be able to control the top temp just fine, especially if the soldering iron element is well thermally connected to your heatsink.

Also, What's the MSC in that wiring diagram?

Click to expand...

It's a fan motor speed controller. It's used to slow the fans down to make them a bit quieter (you don't need a wind tunnel to dry buds); also, in winter, slowing down the fans allows the air temp to come up to 29C even when the intake air is very cool (10-12C). It's optional, but you may find you'd like to have the ability to slow the fans down.

Lobo69 said:

Oh yeah, one more thing...My dimmer doesn't seem to adjust the temp at all. I've been moving it very small increments, but it just seems to turn on full power about halfway through the rotation? Am I wiring it wrong maybe?

Click to expand...

It should be in series with the LINE lead.

Try connecting the dimmer to a 25W incandescent light bulb. Turn up the dimmer and see what happens to the light. Many cheap dimmers don't turn on the voltage until you turn the control about halfway, but then you can dial it down.

Dugout said:

what is the best way to break it down to put it in can I just cut it in to small pieces to fit in bottom of pot?

Click to expand...

I'd just tear the things apart by hand and pack the stuff in the pot bottoms.

Also what do you use to plant germinated seed in?

Click to expand...

40mm RW cubes, dealt with in much the same way as I handle clones.

BigBudBalls said:

What should be the flood level? I have it at about 9cm. (seemed about right)

Click to expand...

Should be like this:



Nest the cube in the pellets so the cube bottoms are 1/2" above the overflow level.

How often should I cycle the pump? (I remember you said to run it just long enough to hit the top of the drain tube.

Click to expand...

5x/lights-on for small plants. Large plants can be flooded up to every 2h beginning at lights-on, avoiding watering in the last 2h of lights-on unles the plants would otherwise wilt without being flooded.

Does plant and/or root ball size have any effect on watering times/schedules?

Click to expand...

Yep, larger plants need to be flooded more often.

greenstar said:

Should I:

A. Run ducting from both tents to the attic (don't know how I'd do that at all, 1 ducting cool, but 2?) or

B. Get a bathroom type fan (the kind that pulls air out of the room, like when you drop science in there) and install it in the middle of the room,? I thought about this prior. I have a ceiling fan in the middle of the room. If I replace that with an exhaust type fan sucking air out, I could put it on a timer, perhaps.

Click to expand...

Either will work, but directly ducting air out of the tents into the attic will work better.

SilkShaker14 said:

my rickwool cubes appear to be very dry in my DWC setup......i have not seen any nute burn yet but i se rockwool and hydroton pebbles have white residue ( i am assuming salt from nutes) and look very dry what should i do

Click to expand...

Once the roots have escaped your netpots and are being watered in the DWC, it doesn't matter what happens to the RW cube. It is there only for supporting the plant before it is put into the pellets and automated watering system. Doesn't matter what happens to media on the tops of the netpots. If the plants are being watered, it's all good.

GodsGift said:

No. HID lighting can not be run on dimmers.

I mean i have heard that logn extenstion cords cause lights to dim so im guessing its POSSIBLE, Any light you want to shed on the subject? (hehe ... light... to shed... get it...

Also how bad is it to have some dead roots in the hydraton? how thoroughly should it be cleaned in between uses?

Click to expand...

Really bad. All dead root matter has to be removed fully before you re-use pellets.

What mediums in an :ebb n flow /grow system using buckets would you reccomend using OTHER than hydraton or MIXING with hydraton?

Click to expand...

Fytocell, perlite, rockwool, lots of options.

I Really dont like that the roots cant grow THROUGH the rocks, i like that with those mini grow cubes, soil, rockwool, and many other mediums, it can just grown right through it if the root wants to.

Click to expand...

Pellets are used in certain systems specifically because they don't hold much water and thus can be watered frequently. Mixing an absorbent material with them defeats that purpose. You may not like that roots can't grow through pellets, but the roots filling the gaps between the pellets is more than sufficient.

Also GH Hydro 3 Part is inorganic correct? meaning NO h202?

Click to expand...

No. Inorganic nutes are compatible with H2O2.

Click to expand...

permalink
Thanks Al....

Yes there is water dripping off the stems, They are sprayed from the water pump pushing through those little red mist heads--which seems a little violent to me, not airsones/airpump (although it came with an airpump/stone to o2-ate the res)

I am having trouble finding a digital minute-timer in stock around my part of the world so I have had to order one online--should be here in a couple days.

I have been lowering the water temps in the aerocloner slowly to try and get them down to 26-28*C and keep them there. The offspring on the heat mat look good so I don't feel it was gardener error on the ones in the EZ Cloner, same cut process, same hormone, etc...I'll keep you posted

Thanks again, happy harvesting/manicuring, lol---at least its only a couple lbs huh..may your scissors stay sharp and your buds be fat.


I gave up on my Ez cloner, seriously, can't stand the thought of the thing! I would typically get root rot, even with H2O2, then during transplant they would always get shocked, and so I went back to basics....Anyone want to purchase a few Ez Cloners? LOL! I wish I could give you great suggestions but I am affraid I didn't learn how to perfect the system, but on the other hand Al and I can give you the basics on rooting in a plug!

Hi Al, im a new member on the site but ive already extensively read a lot of ur threads and u are clearly a well-educated grower, so if you dont mind i might be asking for some advice from time to time,i have just started my first grow using flood tables in a XXL Budbox but when i move out in 2 months it will be done on a bigger scale,a bit like urs, so any help would be appreciated, anyways, thanks for all the help uve unknowingly given me already

daddychrisg said:

I would typically get root rot, even with H2O2, then during transplant they would always get shocked, and so I went back to basics.

Click to expand...

I had similar results with stem tip rot in aerocloners, but didn't usually have transplant shock probs. It's also the reason I went back to RW cubes.

The offspring on the heat mat look good so I don't feel it was gardener error on the ones in the EZ Cloner, same cut process, same hormone, etc...I'll keep you posted

Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer....as you can see my old-school cuttings "a la Al B Fuct" are performing well. May get a 100% strike rate but only time will tell.