I NEED HELP, grow cab issues (PICS)

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Cubieman

Well-Known Member
I am having some issues with my grow cab. First of all temps hit 79-80 and I'd like to be able to lower that. I only have one 80mm PC fan for an intake so I thinking by switching that to 2 120mm fans that problem will be fixed.

But my MAIN ISSUE IS SMELL. I only have two plants and my whole apartment smells pretty bad even running my carbon scrubber.Granted my cab isn't light-proof so maybe some smell could escape? But I should have enough negative pressure or a "vacuum" effect going on in there that small holes shouldn't even matter.

When I stick my nose into the exhaust I can still faintly smell pot. The smell is bad enough that people have mentioned "what's that smell" right when they come into my place. One plant is Kannibia "Smile" which I have read smells really bad but still, that's what the scrubber is for!?
I want to fix this issue before I start anymore grows, cause this is unacceptable where I live.

I think the problem have something to do with where the Scrubber is positioned in the cab. I tried to show the layout of my cab the best I could. But is is a cab stuffed into a closet, very cramped to say the least. So it's hard to get good pictures. Please click on my pics to see them larger so you can get a better idea. My Srubber is sitting just above the light in a corner. Is having it in a corner not allowing optimum air flow possibly? It's not pressed into the corner by any means though, but it only has maybe an inch around it in the corner area. I just wonder if I need to put the scrubber else where?

I have included all specs in my pictures but here they are:
5.5" High , 3.5" Long , 1.5" Deep(wide)
Total Sq. Feet= 28.875
INLINE FAN=190cfm
400W 6" Cooltube
DSC_0165.jpgDSC_0166.jpgDSC_0168.jpgDSC_0172.jpgDSC_0167.jpgDSC_0170.jpg
Scrubber->Inline Fan->4" Ducting->4"-6" Converter->6" Cooltube->6" Ducting->Out
 
Mr.Natural

Mr.Natural

Active Member
Alright Cubie thats a pretty cool rig you built there. More intake is the answer but I bet a passive intake will do just fine intake fans are usually a waste. What is the ambient room temp? Your filter if its a good one should be kicking ass where you have it. I'm guessing you have it turned all the way up? I can see the controller on the wall. I have a similar fan and filter and still have to use ONA gel and liquid at flower....You think it smells now , wait until you have to chop her......Try the ONA its worth it....
 
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cervezacorona

Active Member
Cubieman said:
I am having some issues with my grow cab. First of all temps hit 79-80 and I'd like to be able to lower that. I only have one 80mm PC fan for an intake so I thinking by switching that to 2 120mm fans that problem will be fixed.

But my MAIN ISSUE IS SMELL. I only have two plants and my whole apartment smells pretty bad even running my carbon scrubber.Granted my cab isn't light-proof so maybe some smell could escape? But I should have enough negative pressure or a "vacuum" effect going on in there that small holes shouldn't even matter.

When I stick my nose into the exhaust I can still faintly smell pot. The smell is bad enough that people have mentioned "what's that smell" right when they come into my place. One plant is Kannibia "Smile" which I have read smells really bad but still, that's what the scrubber is for!?
I want to fix this issue before I start anymore grows, cause this is unacceptable where I live.

I think the problem have something to do with where the Scrubber is positioned in the cab. I tried to show the layout of my cab the best I could. But is is a cab stuffed into a closet, very cramped to say the least. So it's hard to get good pictures. Please click on my pics to see them larger so you can get a better idea. My Srubber is sitting just above the light in a corner. Is having it in a corner not allowing optimum air flow possibly? It's not pressed into the corner by any means though, but it only has maybe an inch around it in the corner area. I just wonder if I need to put the scrubber else where?

I have included all specs in my pictures but here they are:
5.5" High , 3.5" Long , 1.5" Deep(wide)
Total Sq. Feet= 28.875
INLINE FAN=190cfm
400W 6" Cooltube
View attachment 1526244View attachment 1526250View attachment 1526247View attachment 1526245View attachment 1526248View attachment 1526243
Scrubber->Inline Fan->4" Ducting->4"-6" Converter->6" Cooltube->6" Ducting->Out
Click to expand...
I use ONA, it works, smells like a urinal cake, but it is faint, and no other smells can be detected. I use an Ozone Generator from time to time just for added
measure. I never once used a carbon filter. Maybe someday if I do anything bigger. ONA has different flavors besides "Polar Crystal", (the urinal cake scented
one), they have Clean Linen, and Professional (unscented). You can also buy an Ionic Filter, those work great, as long as you don't have really powerful smells.

79-80 is nothing to worry about. It is practically ideal.
 
C

Cubieman

Well-Known Member
Yeah, the inline is turned up all the way. I used to have my thermometer on the floor and temps were 74F with the lnline 40%. Then I thought to move the thermometer to the canopy level and temps were about 94F. Whoops! So now it's gotta be all the way up but I'm sure a better intake will help. But shit man....I thought that scubber would have taken care of the smell. But it's bad. Maybe it's just a shitty scrubber I bought? I really want to get some ONA as well.
 
C

cervezacorona

Active Member
I don't know too much about carbon filters, but people swear by them. I'm sure there are plenty of bad ones out there. And plenty good ones.
94F is no good. Maybe run the carbon filter/fan by itself, so it doesn't have to pull through the tube. And get a separate fan for the cooltube,
draw air from outside the cab, through the tube, and blow it right back out of the cab. The only problem maybe the amount of noise. Those fans
are pretty loud.

Or, take the filter off, thus unrestricting the airflow, and use the ONA, and an ionic filter. There should be less odor issues than you have now, and
cooler temps. But 80 F is totally acceptable if thats your canopy temp.
 
pazuzu420

pazuzu420

Well-Known Member
Hmm...It could be that you don't have enough neg. pressure in the cabinet. A quick way to tell is to take a bic and hold it up to one of your leaks and see if the flame is sucked into the hole. If not the you have positive pressure in the cabinet that can be easily solved by removing the intake fan and using passive intake.
I was wondering what brands ppl were using that were having problems with the carbon scrubber not effectively getting rid of odor. I went with the Phresh brand as they seem to have gotten alot of positive reviews. I can stand in my cabinet and burn one with no smell comming out the exhaust. Ofcourse, I went with a slightly larger scrubber with a larger fan so I could dial it back.
With temps problems the suggestion always seems to be exhaust as far away from your intake as possible or you are just recycling the same hot air that is leaving your grow area..
Possibly takin in air from another room or a window if possible, which isn't always possible when going stealth. Although, there are lots of intuitive solutions on the forums for disquising your intakes and outtakes....
Just a few thoughts to chew on....
 
G

Gartner

Member
Temperature can be maintained by an exhaust fan, also with proper ventilization,
check the humidity level of the atmoaphere which is the major factor for high temperature,
and to remove the smell, use a carbon charcoal filter,
just pass the exhaust throught the filter,
so that the smell will be vented outside, also the smell will be absorbed by the carbon filter
 
J

jack ripa

Active Member
I think the key is having the carbon filter disconnected from the direct output. The way you are set up now the air gets scrubbed once. If you have the carbon scrubber, turned up and circulating air around in the cab and a separate fan sucking air out, the air in the cab gets scrubbed a few times over before getting sucked out. Then (depending on exhaust fan) you would have less flow out of the cab and more heat build but I would look at an AC for the room the cabinet is in if that is a problem. You could easily get to 85 88 degrees and not be too awful.
 
Mr.Natural

Mr.Natural

Active Member
Cubieman said:
Yeah, the inline is turned up all the way. I used to have my thermometer on the floor and temps were 74F with the lnline 40%. Then I thought to move the thermometer to the canopy level and temps were about 94F. Whoops! So now it's gotta be all the way up but I'm sure a better intake will help. But shit man....I thought that scubber would have taken care of the smell. But it's bad. Maybe it's just a shitty scrubber I bought? I really want to get some ONA as well.
Click to expand...
I've had that moment before. More intake was my fix. Some scrubbers are better than others. I guess yours is new. I had a couple runs without one and mine makes a big difference. I like the linen scent, the pro really smells like a gas station mens room. BUT NOT WEED AT ALL... super super strong.....
 
C

Cubieman

Well-Known Member
This is the setup I bought. Although I really don't want to think the filter is crap. It looks/feels as well made as any other filter that I've seen at least. Yes, it is a small filter but I've only got 28sq. ft here. Natural, I'm getting some ONA for sure. Although it kinda sucks, here I was thinking my setup was a done deal. Always more $$$ to be spent. But I guess ONA is cheap and maybe my next strain (NL#5) won't smell as bad.

http://cgi.ebay.com/4-INLINE-FAN-CARBON-FILTER-COMBO-ODOR-CONTROL-SCRUBBER-/230603383675?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b108637b
 
Mr.Natural

Mr.Natural

Active Member
Looks like all the others to me. I got the HTG 4" equivalent. I have to run it full blast but it works. Click on the link on under my signature. I just chopped I have it running in the same room as the drying bud. I tried turning it down....whoa ..... not yet...
 
M

minigrows

Member
Think efficiency. Any where you can get rid of equipment and maintain your environment. For example flip that filter so that it pushes down into the hood, removing some ducting and the bends with it. Get rid of the intake fan and increase the inlet hole size a bit. Also take some time and seal up that box, plain old duct tape is a wonderful tool. Your exhaust as stated previously needs to be away from your intake. But it looks like this whole box is inside a closet behind a door. You said you live in a Apt. so cutting in the wall is most likely out. If you can keep that door open during lights on and keep that room cooler then normal you will easily get those temps down.
 
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Cubieman

Well-Known Member
Yea, I guess it isn't totally stealth. I leave the door cracked about 3-4 inches and you can feel all the hot air exiting the top of the closet. But if someone comes over I can turn down/off the fan and close the door for a bit. I am def. going to increase the intake hole size and ditch the intake fan. And then seal everything up really nice. But if you notice in my pics I am in somewhat of a good position in that my AC vent is close to my intake. I wish I could draw from it, but the stealth would go away with that.
 
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