So if a sealed grow has an exhaust, then by your definition its not a sealed grow. I think your the one with an improper use of the word.
And just because a grow isn't sealed doesn't mean cops can smell it, that's ridiculous.
Not gonna argue with you, but you ask a question, heat is your problem, and you say it gets very cold there, so I'm suggesting you use the environment to help you. Whether you want to do it, are mentally capable of doing it is your deal, it is possible to do tho.
Wood,
Hey, Bro. I think we're just kind of on different pages, here. You've been around long enough to know that I never add fuel to a brewing fire, especially if one of the old guard (YOU!) is involved. Let me try to put this to bed without any further tension.
I am well versed in the system and controller you speak of. I have a Sentinell controller that can work similar. The reason I do not use that anymore is because during the cycling, the CO2 levels vary too much. It has been my experience that when enriching, it's important to maintain levels withing about 10% of the desired level. Even setting the deadband too high can reduce growth when the levels swing toward the low end of the deadband. For many years I used such a system. This was before we had the controllers of today. We had to coordinate several controllers to do the "dance". It was very challanging to fine tune the enrich - hold - exhaust - enrich cycle. During this time period I read an article in the book: "Hydroponic Vegetable Production" regarding CO2 levels. Basically, it pointed out that once a plant gets used to above ambiant CO2 levels, lower levels will result in stunted growth. Several articles followed this one. I ran my own series of modest tests and found it to be very true.
This actually ended my use of CO2 enrichment foir several years. I found that I actually got the same or, even better growth without CO2 because I was not maintaining the levels consistant enough. Then in around 2001, I visited my first totally sealed grow room. It was also when I met Commercial J. The room was running 1500 ppm with a very tight deadband. As I stood in the room watching the CO2 meter, I noticed it never got above 1500, or below 1450. The temp was 80F, the humidity 50%, and everything looked like an operating room. Commerciual J explained to me that the A/C units were oversized enough to bring the room temp down to UNDER 70F if he desired. He could drop the RH to under 30% if need be, as well. He had total control. I knew that this solved the problem with fluctuating CO2 levels. Like you, Wood, I did not like the idea of using an A/C unit during the colder winter days. Shit, why us A/C when I have all this cold ass air right here, just waiting to be pumped into the grow. In a few days Commercial J had me convinced that it was the only way if I wanted those perfect CO2 levels and tight temp and RH deadbands.
Wood, I believe that both myself and Tommyo are "mentally capable" (your quote, and suprisingly insulting coming from you) of using the outside air to cool the grow room. It's a choice to not introduce outside air, and instead continue to condition the air already inside the grow. I hope we can all take a step back from this before people start saying things they don't mean. It's just a style of growing. Certainly not worth an argument.
The concept of a sealed grow op requires
totally sealing the room from any air exchange. A/C and dehumidifiers are used to maintain the atmosphere at the desired levels. Even when it's asshole cold outside, the A/C is still used rather than venting. I fully know how inefficient and silly that sounds. But, it is how a totally sealed grow op works. Many air conditioners are not well suited for sealed grows. The portable units, even the dual hose models, create an air exchange. Many window units exchange air, as well. This little bit of exchange defeats the whole purpose behind he sealed grow. Our whole goal here is to only have to provide the CO2 that the plants use, and whatever CO2 escapes when we open the door.
