Having problems with temps, tried many configurations...

I have a grow tent that is 3x3x7, the only problem with it is i bought it before i was really educated and to my dismay it only has 4" holes at largest.
Set up:
400w HPS hydrofarm sunburst(ballast built-in)
4" inline fan 170cfm w/ carbon filter
6" inline booster fan
and a bunch of 4" ducting.

Originally I had the light connected in a closed loop (with fresh air duct going into light, exhaust duct out and into the attic using the inline booster with reducer flanges to 4". Alongside that on the top of the tent I have the carbon filter with inline fan exhausting air out the top to the attic. This probably went up to maybe 90* max but probably a constant 84*.

I tried some other ways to do it too, and right now i ended not having the carbon filter installed and the inline fan is pulling air thru the light for exhaust and the inline booster is just pulling in fresh air from outside the tent. Now with this config its at 90* max and constant.

And the whole time the bottom flaps of the tent are open for ventilation.

What else can i do to pull the temps down into the 70's. In the next couple weeks im getting a portable ac for the room but i cant afford that right now. Am i doing the best that i can do with the first configuration.

I'm using about the same size tent with a 400w hps cooltube, 2 - 4" fans on speed controls....I duct in fresh air from outside which also cools my tent area.....I stay betweeen 77-81......with colder weather recently it's really easy to adjust temps.....fans stay on about 1/4 speed.....

what are your ambient air temps going into your tent?

booster fans are garbage for running air cooled lights you would be better with another 4 or 5" inline fan for that.


J

Oldreefer said:

I'm using about the same size tent with a 400w hps cooltube, 2 - 4" fans on speed controls....I duct in fresh air from outside which also cools my tent area.....I stay betweeen 77-81......with colder weather recently it's really easy to adjust temps.....fans stay on about 1/4 speed.....

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So your saying your cooltube pulls air out as an exhaust for tent and light, and you have another inline fan pulling fresh air in?

Im thinking i need to save up and get another inline fan, and a portable ac(but the weather should be down soon, but has been hot lately.).

Also ive been using a digital thermometer/hygrometer with the little wire to detect outside temps. Are these things accurate? I got it from the hydoponic store

jondamon said:

what are your ambient air temps going into your tent?

booster fans are garbage for running air cooled lights you would be better with another 4 or 5" inline fan for that.


J

Click to expand...

Yeah i figured out that the booster fan is garbage, this is my first grow. The temps going in are probably 80* (+/-5*). The a/c really sucks in this room and so far the temps are only going down at night. And its really messing with me cause i dont want it to drop to much at night so i leave the window closed and vent from the house and exhaust into the attic

oh ya, i forgot i have two 8" oscillating fans in the corners on the tent and different heights.

if temps going in are 80 and you can maintain 84 in your tent then thats ok.



J

Don't know much as I'm reading alot right now but they say those built in ballast set up get warmer as they hold both units in one. If you can do it try removing it and placing it outside the tent, read someone did it this way and shaved a couple of degrees but not much so idk if it will help. hope it helps

armartin421 said:

So your saying your cooltube pulls air out as an exhaust for tent and light, and you have another inline fan pulling fresh air in?

Im thinking i need to save up and get another inline fan, and a portable ac(but the weather should be down soon, but has been hot lately.).

Also ive been using a digital thermometer/hygrometer with the little wire to detect outside temps. Are these things accurate? I got it from the hydoponic store

Click to expand...

Yes, one fan pulling out through charcan and cooltube with another pushing fresh air in.......and yes, a build in ballast really adds some heat. I have a 150 w hps with built in ballast that I sometimes run along with the 400w cooltube but it definitely raises temps.....

Oldreefer said:

Yes, one fan pulling out through charcan and cooltube with another pushing fresh air in.......and yes, a build in ballast really adds some heat. I have a 150 w hps with built in ballast that I sometimes run along with the 400w cooltube but it definitely raises temps.....

Click to expand...

Yeah it was a bad idea to get this one but i thought it was going to be good idea. I might buy a new one next year but for now ill just keep this one.

I put the can fan w/ filter exhausting out the top and the in line booster pulling air out of the top too(I know it defeats the purpose of the carbon filter, but nothing smells yet). And a box fan on the outside of the tent blowing into the intakes at the bottom of the tent and the temps are around 84*.

I think this coming weekend im going to buy a portable a/c for the room and another inline can fan.

Got any pics of this setup? Very curious to see...Similar situation here too

Steverino

Here are some. I just dont get why the temps arent going down. seems like this would be enough.

Are you sucking heat straight off of the reflector? Something that I have to do to bring mine down. Also, you could try getting the coolest air intake.( careful not to drop temps way down when lights off).. just my 2 cents

Steverino

DVXSteverino said:

Are you sucking heat straight off of the reflector? Something that I have to do to bring mine down. Also, you could try getting the coolest air intake.( careful not to drop temps way down when lights off).. just my 2 cents

Steverino

Click to expand...

Yeah that is what those flanges are for, i had hoses connected but just the inline booster pullin air and it was horrible.

Are you using the 25% intake and 75% exhaust method?

DVXSteverino said:

Are you using the 25% intake and 75% exhaust method?

Click to expand...

I wasnt but i think the setup im using now is about that.