Maximize grow

Sentinel VCG-27NG HA - Mine is the high altitude version thus the HA in the part #. You likely don't need one this big but it is adjustable so you can turn burners off. Always nice to have equipment that can handle expansion in the future.



I use an autopilot greenhouse master controller (APCECOTH) in my setup. It controls the CO2 output, runs my blower for backup daytime cooling / night ventilation of ethylene gas, controls my swamp cooler to keep humidity up (we have mega low RH% out here). If you intend to use it to control a dehumidifier you need a dehumidifier that will restart after power outage.

Does it cool output or does your minisplit take care of that?

You should be able to get the 2 ton AC, autopilot, CO2 generator all for under $2500 not including installation. You may consider upsizing the AC, it allows you to add side lighting in the future and whatnot. I use a 4 ton in a room with a max light output of about 10kW (if all my lights are cranked up) and it has the CO2 generator heat also. That is about all it can handle and this is a basement setup. If you have to cool heat from the outside then insulation helps a lot but add some BTU of cooling to help there (you could do a quick manual J calculation to estimate that load)

dalack said:

Does it cool output or does your minisplit take care of that?

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The minisplit does that. The cooled CO2 generators are a PITA.

Keep in mind the CO2 generator only runs here and there, it's not on constantly. Allowing the AC to handle this heat is just way simpler. Properly configured, the autopilot will stop running the CO2 burner if it has to take over cooling with the blower due to an AC failure.

dalack said:

What type of unit do you use for co2 via natural gas? I've seen a cooled co2 generator for around $300 on Amazon but it doesn't get good reviews.
Only propane has in my area so hopfully there's a conversion kit

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You can spec the gas type LP or NG when you purchase or even change it later, it's only a different regulator.

I have a free Daikin 2 ton mini split and I install them for a living..
You're saying that the unit won't put out much heat because it's not constantly running?
The shed is only 9*9 so that unit c02 unit is probably overkill but it might be more cost effective than using tanks

dalack said:

You're saying that the unit won't put out much heat because it's not constantly running?

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Exactly.

It's way more efficient than tanks for me, but I have my fuel pumped into my home. I assume your running the propane off a whole house pill or are you hauling tanks of propane?

I suppose one could calculate how much CO2 a given amount of propane generates and then compare the costs of refilling a CO2 cylinder vs refilling a propane tank. Factor in the BTU's you have to cool also. cost wise I am not sure what works out better. in my case having the natural gas just pumped into my home makes it so convenient that I wouldn't mind if it costs more but I doubt I could run my area for $60 bucks a month if I hauled heavy CO2 bottles back and forth.

So as far as lighting goes.

- (4) 1000w se hps (with adjustable ballasts for 600w mh bulbs)

- (6) 600w hps

- (6) 630w Cmh (dual bulb preference but de would do great as well)

- (12) 315 Cmh

- 3200 watts of higher end Led. (Honestly anything with samsung 301b diodes would be great.)

If it were me I'd probably grab (12) qb96 or (12) 315 cmh and run two each over (6) 2x4 trays and train each for a solid scrog run, To give myself some equipment/working room.

Thanks for all the great info.

What about 4 1000 watt de CMH fixtures? Would they better than 1000 watt de hps light for heat and efficiency?
They are pretty reasonable at $350. About the same price as a 1000 watt de HPS and sun system 315 cmh

I have yet to try the 1000 watt DE CMH but if I were building a grow from scratch right now I would go with them instead of the 1000 watt DE HPS that I have now. Where did you see them for $350, I wanna check em out.

Grower's Choice 1000W Double Ended CMH All in One Fixture with Bulb
$364

There might be cheaper or more expensive ones but found this on a Google search...can't post links

Need to do more research but seems like 1000 watt cmh will be perfect.
12 315 cmh lights will cost me $3600
4 1000 watt de cmh $1460
Less replacement bulb cost and much easier to deal with 4 lights than 12.
Maybe the 12 lights will give better coverage but will also be a pain to work with

If you get a titan lighting controller get one with dual trigger cords. You can run one side of the controller thru a high temp cutoff switch so if the room gets too hot for some reason, every other light shuts down. This maintains your lighting cycle and keeps from burning the plants up.

Once all is dialed in thats an easy 8+ pound room.

You think I can get 8 pounds with the right strain and conditions with 4 1000 cmh lights?
That would be amazing

Maybe supplement with some red Leds during flowering to get closer to the hps reds?

dalack said:

You think I can get 8 pounds with the right strain and conditions with 4 1000 cmh lights?
That would be amazing

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Yeah with CO2 enrichment and everything dialed in you should hit 1 gram per watt.

I typically do right about 1 gram per watt with my setup. If you did 1 gpw x 4000 watts --> 4000 / 453.592 = 8.8 pounds

dalack said:

Maybe supplement with some red Leds during flowering to get closer to the hps reds?

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Or just run HPS. lol

I'm still trying to figure out the grams per watt figures..
From what I've read hps is supposed to get 1 gram per watt, cmh 1.5 per watt and led up to 2 grams per watt all growing conditions being equal.
Maybe I have this wrong and I've been reading to much marketing