How critical is an exhaust? thin sheet metal instead of Mylar / Panda?

All,

I was in the midst of making a PVC tent (L)5 x (w)4ft x (H)5ft using a shoplight a 4ft shoplight that holds 4(T bulbs. How important is an exhaust, I know i'll have an oscillating fan in there for air circulatoin but if I make a couple of vents will that be adequate?

Instead of Mylar or Panda film anyone have any opinions on thin sheet metal?


Thank you in advance my seeds are germinating so I got a few days to get this up and going, pictures soon! Peace.

I'm pretty new to this...but I've recently set up a room and I'm starting to learn a little. Depending on your lighting (HID, CFL's, LEDs, etc.) you will need to rid your space of the stagnant, sometimes hot air that will be produced. I won't get technical for risk of sounding stupid and saying something that doesn't make sense, but the plants will NOT respond well to a room that is not ventilated. It can create pest and mold issues, which will destroy your plant. I'm a noobie, but the exhaust fan is a must if I had to say. Don't know much about sheet metal, but I currently use Mylar. It's very good on reflecting light. Good luck!

ventilation is "key" to indoor growing.. you could get cheap computer fans @ radio shack.. you will need them to not only replenish all the co2 that them girls are going to use up but also to keep the room cool

Cool thanks for the response guys... going to assemble the PVC tonight and look for some fans!! Guess I'll be searching for some mylar or panda film etc...

Actually this room is always dark and we rarely go in there do you think if I just leave the front of my PVC tent open and have a fan in there that will be good enough in regards to ventilation?

get a digital thermometer from wal mart for like 8$ , tells temp and humidity , keep temp between 75-80 when light is on

Hey before you go spend money on fans (don't want you to waste money, labor, and time)... go ahead and think about odor control. Unless you don't mind your room/house/neighborhood smelling like a funky skunk you'll probably have to integrate a carbon filter and that means an inline fan (or squirrel cage fan) as part of your exhaust.

Oh and about the sheet-metal - I'd avoid using it simply due to conductivity/shock/fire hazard when around water and lights - and for substandard reflectivity. Panda film (and mylar) is probably cheaper as well.