Let's design a 16K basement grow (3d images)

kerdiggz

Active Member
Hello everybody!
Been a while since I've posted... but I've always lurked in the shadows around here. I have about a decade worth of experience with everything from ebb & flow, aero, dwc, and drain to waste (the last being my fav). I've used hydroton, coco, rockwool, as well as net pots with foam inserts and no medium. Haven't ventured past the 4K mark as of yet, but that's about to change...

So let's get to it. My buddy has purchased a house and is eager to get started, as am I. So... I need help with whole design of the basement. Ideally I would like to shoot for 16K, but we will see. The equipment has not been purchased yet but will be soon. I would like to have mother/clone room, veg room, and 2 flowering rooms so I can stagger the light cycles to battle the heat. I am not in a hot environment but the summers get to around 90.

With that being said, i need to figure out how to run co2 in both flower rooms as well as cool all areas. here is the setup I am considering:

2 - 3 ton mini splits (dual zones)
Co2 generator using natural gas
16 - 1,000 w Hps for flowering (8k in each room)
2 Power Boxes ran on dryer outlets
3-4 1,000 w MH for veg
T5s for clones/ mothers

Still unsure of whether to run open bulbs or use air cooled hoods. Would like sealed rooms as to not waste co2. Haven't figured out which method of growing I will be using yet, I guess it will depend on the air/ co2 setup. Plant count is not a concern. Budget not to big of an issue, but not unlimited. Looking for maximum yields.

Tell me how you would do it... and I just might do it that way! (And please no negative comments)

20160518_112448.jpg
HOUSE 1.jpg
 

Growdict

Well-Known Member
i dont have too much experience, but with a co2 system your going to want sealed hoods running to roof exhaust . otherwise you are dealing with way more heat than you need to. if that basement doesnt have a sink installed, that should be a priority, including some sort of filter system so you can direct water. also need a space for working, mixing nutes, drying and trimming. my 2 cents. cheers. i think those 2 top rooms can be used for mother, clones and veg no problem. i think your veg will use up 1.5/2 of the space but not an issue. with your lower ceiling height you are going to be running smaller plants with higher counts anyways.
 

Alienwidow

Well-Known Member
A three ton mini split will struggle to keep six open lights cooled. You may have to air cool plus run the minis. Or go to a full size house unit over the minis. Youll also need commercial 170 pt or larger dehumidifiers for each flower room.
 

redi jedi

Well-Known Member
A three ton mini split will struggle to keep six open lights cooled. You may have to air cool plus run the minis. Or go to a full size house unit over the minis. Youll also need commercial 170 pt or larger dehumidifiers for each flower room.
I'm cooling 8k vert bare bulbs with 3 tons no problem, Mitsi P-series not cheap but worth it.
 

Alienwidow

Well-Known Member
i dont have too much experience, but with a co2 system your going to want sealed hoods running to roof exhaust . otherwise you are dealing with way more heat than you need to. if that basement doesnt have a sink installed, that should be a priority, including some sort of filter system so you can direct water. also need a space for working, mixing nutes, drying and trimming. my 2 cents. cheers. i think those 2 top rooms can be used for mother, clones and veg no problem. i think your veg will use up 1.5/2 of the space but not an issue. with your lower ceiling height you are going to be running smaller plants with higher counts anyways.
You dont really need sealed hoods with exhaust. A mini split has its own cooling coil in the head unit that cools the air that it takes in from inside the room. Making a sealed room possible since theres no inside-outside air exchange. That way you can keep the co2 where it needs to be. But definately a good idea with the mixing station. At least 100 gallons id say, probably three 55 gallon drums would be good but he can have them in each room as well. Also sink is a great idea. I like mounting the floor style mop sinks.
 

Growdict

Well-Known Member
still if you have 16k in hps with a sealed room doing CO2, wouldnt sealed hoods make more sense? what are you losing in light, 5%? what do you gain in heat efficiency, 50%?
 

kerdiggz

Active Member
...if that basement doesnt have a sink installed, that should be a priority, including some sort of filter system so you can direct water. also need a space for working, mixing nutes, drying and trimming. my 2 cents. cheers. i think those 2 top rooms can be used for mother, clones and veg no problem. i think your veg will use up 1.5/2 of the space but not an issue. with your lower ceiling height you are going to be running smaller plants with higher counts anyways.
No sink yet, but you're right. Will definitely add one. As far as the trimming & drying and all that, I'm not too concerned about that because the house will be vacant. We can use the main floor for that kind of stuff
 

kerdiggz

Active Member
You dont really need sealed hoods with exhaust. A mini split has its own cooling coil in the head unit that cools the air that it takes in from inside the room. Making a sealed room possible since theres no inside-outside air exchange. That way you can keep the co2 where it needs to be. But definately a good idea with the mixing station. At least 100 gallons id say, probably three 55 gallon drums would be good but he can have them in each room as well. Also sink is a great idea. I like mounting the floor style mop sinks.
My thoughts exactly on the bare bulbs with co2. Would rather not waste any co2 if I don't have too. I'm sure I will probably use the 55 gal drums too
 

Growdict

Well-Known Member






No CO2 wasted. normal air is moving through the lighting/duct system but doesnt co-mingle with CO2 rich air.
 

evergreengardener

Well-Known Member
most basements have atleast one window that opens (around here anyway) that is where youd pull air from to run thru the light hoods and run the exhaust out of the dryer vent since i doubt there will be any laundry getting done in that basement
 

redi jedi

Well-Known Member
You're not lying about them not being cheap. Just looked, $8k for the 3ton lol. Good to know tho
Just a fyi, a dual zone unit divides the cooling between the evaporators. So a 3 ton dual zone will be 1.5 tons per zone (assuming two zones). I thought I could go that route myself but not so.
 

redi jedi

Well-Known Member
Also, whatever make AC you decide to go with, make sure its available with a low ambient kit. This allows year round operation. Unless you live somewhere it doesnt get very cold.
 

kerdiggz

Active Member
Yea I'm aware of the dual Zone dividing the btu's... but I wasnt aware i needed the low abient kit on the mini splits. Good info! Much appreciated. :clap:

To anyone else who is unaware:
"A low ambient kit is only used to continue creating air conditioning in temperatures below 55°F"
 
Top