Grow space build/ sealed no ac!

All-right, I have decided to share the build of my new 3x3x7 grow space.

Goal: Achieve a sealed co2 enriched space without ac. Don't know if it will work, I'll give it my best shot

Equipment:
Digi 600 Ballast
600 watt hps
7 variable speed computer fans
1 oscillating fan
1 100cfm intake fan with back-draft damper (can fan/insulated for noise)
1 160cfm extraction fan with back-draft damper (can fan/insulated for noise)
1 260 cfm fan for light cooling (can fan/insulated for noise)
1 cooltube
30 gal external res
20 pound co2 tank
co2 regulator/ counter
The plants will be pump fed via a drip manifold

Most of my equipment is still tied up in my current grow, so I will post pics of progress and as my equipment becomes available

Feel free to comment!


Unity

unity said:

All-right, I have decided to share the build of my new 3x3x7 grow space.

Goal: Achieve a sealed co2 enriched space without ac. Don't know if it will work, I'll give it my best shot

Equipment:
Digi 600 Ballast
600 watt hps
7 variable speed computer fans
1 oscillating fan
1 100cfm intake fan with back-draft damper (can fan/insulated for noise)
1 160cfm extraction fan with back-draft damper (can fan/insulated for noise)
1 260 cfm fan for light cooling (can fan/insulated for noise)
1 cooltube
30 gal external res
20 pound co2 tank
co2 regulator/ counter
The plants will be pump fed via a drip manifold

Most of my equipment is still tied up in my current grow, so I will post pics of progress and as my equipment becomes available

Feel free to comment!


Unity

Click to expand...

That's a proper job you done there Unity, no wonder your Black Domina looked so good, it grew in a 5 star hotel! I'm not sure I understand why you insulated the outlet ducting.

I have got a bit more done today and might be ready to start flowering the 3 biggest plants tonight. it depends on me getting some plastic sheeting to seal the flower room off.
I got my new HPS today and it has thrown a spanner in the works. The ballast is built into the light fitting and weighs too much to hang where my current one is so now I will have to veg where I wanted to set up the flower room. I have took a couple of pics and will put them in my gallery in a minute.
Oh yes, I managed to make use of the cooker hood for an extractor, I just need to run some ducting off it.

Hey Barking, I didn't do a grow in this space yet, I'm still waiting for my current grow to finish up
The external ducting is insulated for noise

Unity

Nice cab! Look forward to seeing it grow some beauties! rep to ya

unity said:

Hey Barking, I didn't do a grow in this space yet, I'm still waiting for my current grow to finish up
The external ducting is insulated for noise

Unity

Click to expand...

Ahh right, that makes sense, I thought you was insulating the heat and couldn't see why.

Why not throw out that ganga coffin and just grow the whole damn garage.

That Smell said:

Why not throw out that ganga coffin and just grow the whole damn garage.

Click to expand...

Yes, I can dream of that, but it would seriously push me over my 8 plant limit. I have kids and a wife and have to stay on the low down

Unity

Well, the moment of truth has come and I have to admit I'm failing miserably at achieving my goal (no ac/ sealed room)
I think what makes this impossible is the heat radiation transfer as well as the excessive humidity build up.
So, I got an 6000BTU AC (check pics)

This is where I'm at with my equipment:

- Drain to waste set up (I'll have to dial it in still)
- Chiller (ambient is now 73 in my garage, the chiller only has to bring it down 3 degrees)
- AC (maintains 77 degrees and 50% to 60% humidity)
- 600 HPS (digital ballast less heat in the cab)
- X-tra Sun Reflector (believe it or not but it cools better then my Cool Tube)
- Co2 Counter/Controller (on1350/off1600)
- 30 Gallon Res.

Today I'm left with dialing it all in, camouflage a bit (build it out some more so the ac is hidden, pics will follow)
I also want to add up what this shit all costs, so I can get ripped for how much more I could have gotten if I had done it your way,lol)
Check out the screening in the shots, I love it, now I can look at my babies without freaking about the bugs,lol)

Happy smoking mates,
Unity

glad you got the ac!


looking good!

LoudBlunts said:

glad you got the ac!


looking good!

Click to expand...

Thanks Blunts, I hate to admit failure, or ignorance, witch ever sounds better My problem is that with the higher temps my bud will not get very tight and that's what I want. So, my choice was easy, spend the extra $250 for the ac

Unity

I'm done with my grow space (still have to camouflage it)

Scope: Build 3x3x 7 grow space sealed,co2 and without ac.

MISSION FAILED

On the bright side, due to all the maddening insulation and sealing I did I will be running very efficient

Ambient temps are as follows:

Res: 74 degrees (chiller needs to move the temp down 4 degrees to 70)
Air: 76 degrees (AC needs to compensate for heat build up during sealed operation)
Humidity: 65% (AC moves it to avrg 55%)

My co2 runs on an avrg setting of .3 cfh, that is down from 1.5 , so a tank will go at least 3 weeks now My controller maintains levels at 1075 ppm.

My new cab environment is:

Air Temps 76-78 degrees (AC Controlled)
Reservoir: 71 degrees
Humidity:48%-62%

Here is how much all this shit costs about:

Lighting related:
600 Watt HPS Digi $450
268 cfm can fan $245
Related ducting and fittings $130
Sub-Total $825

Reservoir related:
Reservoir $110
Circulation pump for Chiller $75
Chiller $420
Feed Pump $50
Cycle Timer for feed pump $110
Related fittings & tubing $150
Sub-Total $915

CO2 related:
Co2 Controller/Reader $210 (used)
Co2 controler for tank $150
Co2 20# Tank $120
Timer (controls intake,exhaust fans) $35
Sub-Total $515

In the Cab:
AC $260
Misc. power supplies & Timers $250
Misc. Fans $150
105 cfm intake can fan $125
145 cfm extraction can fan $145
Related ducting $130
Carbon Filter $90
Astro Foil $110
Sub-Total $1260

Building the cab:
Materials (I had most of the stuff laying around)
Labor 2-3 days Priceless

Bottom line $3500 +Labor

So, the shit adds up, but I think if we want to grow shit that looks right, smells right, is dense etc. and want to grow it year around inside then we will have to fork out some cash. A lot of the stuff can be bought used, but we shouldn't fool ourselfs into believing that we can grow the best with the least, nothing that I like works like that

If you have questions hit me up! I'll be updating this as I dial everything in (energy consumption etc.)

I'm probably forgetting shit, let me know if something obvious is missing


Unity