Ventilation

Kind Sir · Feb 20, 2015

I truly think there should be a solid thread for people (notice I dont say only virgin growers) who dont have an efficient ventilation system. I personally just started growing, its a big step to cut holes through your walls and if doing so, one should be confident in their planning.

Also, if one has a large room should they grow in the corner, or make an enclosed area possibly in the corner?

With my ventilation, Idk if i should suck or blow the air..i wanted to possibly have a filter and inline fan in another room, push or pull the air into my grow room and thru my cool tube, not sure what to do after that. My other question is, do i need anymore ventilation as I have a warm air intake right next to my reflector on the ceiling not sure if i could use that somehow?

joespit · Feb 20, 2015

Sonce you've the one fan it's best to set it up as an exhaust and should you decide to make an enclosed corner, it will provide good negative pressure.

But I say go ahead and cut the walls, it'll grow back

JSB99 · Feb 20, 2015

Kind Sir said:
I truly think there should be a solid thread for people (notice I dont say only virgin growers) who dont have an efficient ventilation system. I personally just started growing, its a big step to cut holes through your walls and if doing so, one should be confident in their planning.

Also, if one has a large room should they grow in the corner, or make an enclosed area possibly in the corner?

With my ventilation, Idk if i should suck or blow the air..i wanted to possibly have a filter and inline fan in another room, push or pull the air into my grow room and thru my cool tube, not sure what to do after that. My other question is, do i need anymore ventilation as I have a warm air intake right next to my reflector on the ceiling not sure if i could use that somehow?

Cutting holes in your wall is very easy to do. Get a drywall hand saw at HD (they're inexpensive). It'll have a sharp point. Put the sharp point on a spot where you want to start cutting and use the palm of your hand to get the blade into the drywall. They you just cut. After you put whatever it is in the hole, use some caulk with a caulking gun to create a seam around the edge to blend it to the wall so you don't have any gaps showing. Save the cutout piece in case you want reverse it later. Then it's as simple as using a board for a backplate and screwing the old piece back in place. Then caulk it and maybe use a little spray texture to conceal the cut.

These kinds of instructions can easily be found on home improvement forums

Doesn't make much difference if you push or pull the air. Some people say putting the fan post-light will heat up the fan, but it probably doesn't make much difference.

Don't get one of those home depot booster fans. They're crap and will not cool properly. Look on amazon for inline fans from can fan, hurricane, etc. Just search for 6" inline fans and you'll see them. You will also see fan/filter combos. Those are usually a good deal. Consider getting a fan controller because you may not need to run it on full all or even part of the time. You can get them for $20 on amazon. When these fans are at their max they can get loud. You can also get a fan muffler that will help a lot with the noise.

If you use the corner of the room to start then you already have two of your walls built. Less building = less cost and work. Having it enclosed can get more light to the outside plants because you can use mylar to reflect light back onto the plants. There are benefits and downsides to each but I would go with an enclosure rather than the whole room unless you are planning on using the whole room to grow.

Try to get your intake as low as possible. Warm air rises. Even if you use some duct tubing to extend the intake to ground level it will help.

Hope that helps

Kind Sir · Feb 20, 2015

I like the idea of not sealing it..but im going to try sealing it first. I was going to use 2x4 for the frame and then nail/staple/glue some foamular or something for the walls, what do you guys suggest i use?

JSB99 · Feb 20, 2015

Kind Sir said:
I like the idea of not sealing it..but im going to try sealing it first. I was going to use 2x4 for the frame and then nail/staple/glue some foamular or something for the walls, what do you guys suggest i use?

That'll work fine. You can use liquid nails and a caulking gun to attach the foam board to the framing. I have framed with 2x4s but found that 2x2s work just as well and don't take up as much space and they cost less. You can get 4x8 Styrofoam panels at home depot pretty cheap and they will work fine. You can also use 4x8 sheets of 1/2" plywood, which is also pretty cheap. The advantage to plywood is you can screw it in and then unscrew it if you ever decide to take it apart. It's also more rigid.

But again, either should work fine.

JSB99 · Feb 20, 2015

Also, if you cut a 6" hole or two at the bottom of a panel then the cooler fresh air will come in at the bottom, go through your plants up to the filter which would be connected to your air cooled hood with flexible duct. Then the fan could either be before or after the light to exhaust the air out of the space. This is pretty much a standard way of using a single inline fan to bring in fresh air as well as cooling your hood. Keep all the ducting sizes the same. In other words, if you have a 6" fan, use a 6" hood and a 6" filter.

Have the filter mounted high and at the opposite end of your intake holes so the air travels the longest distance to the filter. That'll provide more fresh air going through your plants.

Kind Sir · Feb 20, 2015

JSB99 said:
Also, if you cut a 6" hole or two at the bottom of a panel then the cooler fresh air will come in at the bottom, go through your plants up to the filter which would be connected to your air cooled hood with flexible duct. Then the fan could either be before or after the light to exhaust the air out of the space. This is pretty much a standard way of using a single inline fan to bring in fresh air as well as cooling your hood. Keep all the ducting sizes the same. In other words, if you have a 6" fan, use a 6" hood and a 6" filter.

Have the filter mounted high and at the opposite end of your intake holes so the air travels the longest distance to the filter. That'll provide more fresh air going through your plants.

Thanks dude i finally got the idea of how i might do my set up.

Its going to be cold for awhile still and i have central air, i could judt have an open air intakewith a fan blowing at it?

Im used to seeing the inline fan OUTSIDE of the grow..im using a homemade carbon filter for now ill get one before it flowers though..ill have it like this?(obviously filter on other side and on top of grow room?)

Filter>small amount of duct>hood>duct to a different room maby through a hole>inline fan?

Will this make the correct pressure?

Im not sure what dimension i should make the grow with my 600 watt;my hood is radiant 8 inch, i have to get 8 inch duct and fan then right? I thought an 8inch inline wouldn't be necessary but ill have to get a co troller then too huh?

JSB99 · Feb 20, 2015

Kind Sir said:
Thanks dude i finally got the idea of how i might do my set up.

Its going to be cold for awhile still and i have central air, i could judt have an open air intakewith a fan blowing at it?

Im used to seeing the inline fan OUTSIDE of the grow..im using a homemade carbon filter for now ill get one before it flowers though..ill have it like this?(obviously filter on other side and on top of grow room?)

Filter>small amount of duct>hood>duct to a different room maby through a hole>inline fan?

Will this make the correct pressure?

Im not sure what dimension i should make the grow with my 600 watt;my hood is radiant 8 inch, i have to get 8 inch duct and fan then right? I thought an 8inch inline wouldn't be necessary but ill have to get a co troller then too huh?

You should have an air intake, otherwise you will end up with a lot of negative pressure and a lack of fresh air to your plants. I wouldn't use a fan on the intake. Keep it passive. What you can do is make a couple 6" holes towards the bottom and then get starting collars like these http://www.homedepot.com/p/Master-Flow-6-in-Starting-Collar-Take-Off-Snap-Together-SCF6/100396966 to mount in the holes. Then get some nylon pantyhose and cover them so they act like a filter.

Yes, you can absolutely duct to a different room.

Like I said, the correct pressure will depend on the amount of air you are letting into your grow area. If it doesn't have enough air then you will end up with a lot of negative pressure. So you'd want those holes cut to allow air to come into your grow space.

Wiith an 8" fan you can actually get a reducer to 6" and have a 6" hood and filter. That would work fine. But, you should consider getting a fan speed controller like this http://www.amazon.com/VenTech-VTSPEED-Variable-Router-Controller/dp/B00EVYGPJQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1422488203&sr=8-2&keywords=inline fan speed controller because you won't need to run your fan at max speed. You can slow it down which will reduce noise, negative pressure, and power consumption.

Kind Sir · Feb 20, 2015

I already have an 8' hood coming. Ill get the controller as well.

Lastly, what ppm meter and ph meter do you use?

hydroMD · Feb 20, 2015

JSB99 said:
Cutting holes in your wall is very easy to do. Get a drywall hand saw at HD (they're inexpensive). It'll have a sharp point. Put the sharp point on a spot where you want to start cutting and use the palm of your hand to get the blade into the drywall. They you just cut. After you put whatever it is in the hole, use some caulk with a caulking gun to create a seam around the edge to blend it to the wall so you don't have any gaps showing. Save the cutout piece in case you want reverse it later. Then it's as simple as using a board for a backplate and screwing the old piece back in place. Then caulk it and maybe use a little spray texture to conceal the cut.

These kinds of instructions can easily be found on home improvement forums

Doesn't make much difference if you push or pull the air. Some people say putting the fan post-light will heat up the fan, but it probably doesn't make much difference.

Don't get one of those home depot booster fans. They're crap and will not cool properly. Look on amazon for inline fans from can fan, hurricane, etc. Just search for 6" inline fans and you'll see them. You will also see fan/filter combos. Those are usually a good deal. Consider getting a fan controller because you may not need to run it on full all or even part of the time. You can get them for $20 on amazon. When these fans are at their max they can get loud. You can also get a fan muffler that will help a lot with the noise.

If you use the corner of the room to start then you already have two of your walls built. Less building = less cost and work. Having it enclosed can get more light to the outside plants because you can use mylar to reflect light back onto the plants. There are benefits and downsides to each but I would go with an enclosure rather than the whole room unless you are planning on using the whole room to grow.

Try to get your intake as low as possible. Warm air rises. Even if you use some duct tubing to extend the intake to ground level it will help.

Hope that helps

Dont cut your drywall like this...

Buy a 6" hole saw and attaching to a drill. One clean hole.

If you have a vent in your ceiling already why even cut a hole in your wall?

Run a carbon filter ---> can fan---> hood---> vent into ceiling space.

Put the carbon filter as high up as possible. It will pull warm air out of your room amd put it in your ceiling space which will also help insulate.

If you have a window and you have cold air to work with, run ducting from your window through the hood, and exhaust into your ceiling. Will cool your hood better but you won't be scrubbing the air. Another fan attached to your carbon filter canbe implemented sseparately or you can T one into your setup.

Kind Sir · Feb 20, 2015

Ill borrow one from work. I want to vent it into the warm air intake i dont know where it would go thats all. If it gets too warm ill use the window for an intake, as of now i was thinking of doing passive intake and buy an inline fan for my hood.

Im buying a fan RIGHT NOW, vortex is too expensive right now as i need an 8' fan for my 8' hood, correct?
Do you know of a reasonably priced ppm meter and ph meter?

Thanks for all ur help im so excited to get going

justugh · Feb 20, 2015

Kind Sir said:
Ill borrow one from work. I want to vent it into the warm air intake i dont know where it would go thats all. If it gets too warm ill use the window for an intake, as of now i was thinking of doing passive intake and buy an inline fan for my hood.

Im buying a fan RIGHT NOW, vortex is too expensive right now as i need an 8' fan for my 8' hood, correct?
Do you know of a reasonably priced ppm meter and ph meter?

Thanks for all ur help im so excited to get going

u can use a reducer on the hood to go to 6 inch .........the 8inch is ment for longer rows of lights the higher cfms counter the heat so allows it to hook 4 or 6 together before the thermal senor in the motor cuts the fan off

as for ppm and phing .........if u are going long use u need one that has detachable/replaceable probes

Kind Sir · Feb 21, 2015

I have an 8 inch radiant reflector coming i got the reflector a 600watt phantom and hortilux eye for 275$ cuz thry were out of 6' radiant.

What brand inline are ok to buy besides vortex?

JSB99 · Feb 21, 2015

Kind Sir said:
I have an 8 inch radiant reflector coming i got the reflector a 600watt phantom and hortilux eye for 275$ cuz thry were out of 6' radiant.

What brand inline are ok to buy besides vortex?

Look at Hurricane or can fan max

JSB99 · Feb 21, 2015

hydroMD said:
Dont cut your drywall like this...

Buy a 6" hole saw and attaching to a drill. One clean hole.

This is a lot easier, but they run like $30 at home depot and if you only use it once it's a waste. Of course, if you can borrow one then definitely do that.

justugh · Feb 21, 2015

Active air has the lows sound ratings

mr sunshine · Feb 21, 2015

Kind Sir said:
Thanks dude i finally got the idea of how i might do my set up.

Its going to be cold for awhile still and i have central air, i could judt have an open air intakewith a fan blowing at it?

Im used to seeing the inline fan OUTSIDE of the grow..im using a homemade carbon filter for now ill get one before it flowers though..ill have it like this?(obviously filter on other side and on top of grow room?)

Filter>small amount of duct>hood>duct to a different room maby through a hole>inline fan?

Will this make the correct pressure?

Im not sure what dimension i should make the grow with my 600 watt;my hood is radiant 8 inch, i have to get 8 inch duct and fan then right? I thought an 8inch inline wouldn't be necessary but ill have to get a co troller then too huh?

yesterday I set my light up in my tent... I haven't set up my ventilation or air cooled the hood yet .. It's just a 1000 watt in a 4x4 tent ...I was curious to see how hot it would get without any ventilation .. It climbed from 71 to 100 in 37 minutes... I think I can keep it at 85 with the proper exhaust and intake and also air cooling the light..I'm going to need an ac to bring it into the mid 70s though .I have central air in the house but it's still to hot I need a portable ac that I can vent into the wall along with the air cooled lights and the exhaust ...

JSB99 · Feb 21, 2015

mr sunshine said:
yesterday I set my light up in my tent... I haven't set up my ventilation or air cooled the hood yet .. It's just a 1000 watt in a 4x4 tent ...I was curious to see how hot it would get without any ventilation .. It climbed from 71 to 100 in 37 minutes... I think I can keep it at 85 with the proper exhaust and intake and also air cooling the light..I'm going to need an ac to bring it into the mid 70s though .I have central air in the house but it's still to hot I need a portable ac that I can vent into the wall along with the air cooled lights and the exhaust ...

Yeah, those 1Ks heat up a lot. But, with the fan hooked up you'll get that air out pretty good. With the 1K you'll find yourself having the hood higher above the plants than a 600. 85 is pushing the limits unless you're running CO2. Ideal temps are between 72 and 75. I don't think you'll have any problems though if the room is cooled with central air. But, you'll make your central air work much harder and that'll really effect your electric bill.

I'm going to be doing something similar. What I'll be doing is covering the vent to my room and running a portable AC like this...http://www.homedepot.com/p/LG-Electronics-8-000-BTU-Portable-Air-Conditioner-and-Dehumidifier-Function-with-Remote-Control-48-Pints-Day-LP0814WNR/204684040?keyword=8000+btu+portable+air+conditioner

I'll have the AC in the room and my exhaust fan will bring in that air from the vents on the bottom of the tent. The cool air will then go through the plants up to the filter which is drawing in air from the inline fan. Here's the thing though, the exhaust duct from the portable AC gets really hot. What I did in my last setup with a portable AC is put an insulation sleve on the duct and it isolated the heat really well. Couldn't feel any heat from the exhaust duct at all.

Here's an insulation sleeve...http://www.homedepot.com/p/Master-Flow-6-in-Diameter-R-6-Ductwork-Insulation-Sleeve-INSLV6/100396953

Pretty cheap at Home Depot. Only $6.45 and it makes the world of difference.

Hope that helps.

JSB99 · Feb 21, 2015

Kind Sir said:
I have an 8 inch radiant reflector coming i got the reflector a 600watt phantom and hortilux eye for 275$ cuz thry were out of 6' radiant.

You mentioned that you had a 1000w light you were testing but this post says you're getting a 600w. Which are you running? for a 4x4 area, 1K may be too much. You can cover a 4x4 area with a 600w and a 5x5 area with a 1000w. The 600w is the most efficient light and it allows you to get closer to your plants without having to fight as much heat. You can still use the 1000w if you have enough cooling and the height in your grow space.

You said you were getting an 8" fan and an 8" hood. Is that correct?

For what you are looking to do in a 4x4 space, the ideal setup would be a 600w light in a 6" air cooled hood (the sunsystems blockbuster hood gives a nice square 4x4 footprint), a 6" inline fan and a 6" filter. From what I've read, 8" hoods are less efficient than 6" hoods. Since you're only using a single hood, I think any component you have at 8" would be overkill and since you'd be using a reducer, it'll be like a bottleneck and in the end you'd probably only be moving the same amount of air as a 6" fan...especially since with the fan controller you'd have that thing running fairly slow to avoid too much negative pressure. If you run your fan too high with a filter, you will end up exhausting smelly air because the activated carbon won't be able to capture all of the contaminants because it's pulling to hard.

Let us know what you have going on right now and we can try to get you going with the right setup.

Kind Sir · Feb 21, 2015

That was someone else lol they had a 1000.

I have a 600 watt phantom w/ a 8' radiant reflector coming.

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