Mini-Split Question

Hey guys, getting ready to set up a new grow in a large 3 stall garage. I was thinking of doing 2 flowering rooms on opposite 12 hr cycles (12k per room) on a switch box using only 12 ballasts. I am pricing out mini-splits to cool this down.
1. Should I run a sealed room? The pro at the hydro store says I should take advantage of the cold Michigan winters and use a large 12" exhaust fan hooked up to a control box. I was thinking I wanted a sealed room. I will be running a co2 burner. What are the benefits to each? I want to maximize with the most efficient way possible to keep the energy bills down.
2. Is there a way to effectively cool 2 different flowering rooms with one mini-split or should I eventually get 2? I was thinking it would be nice to have 2 just in case one goes down unexpectedly and I don't lose my entire grow.

Let me know what you guys think. Thank you!

I am going to be In similar size room soon ~ would like to see your set up design
Are you soil or hydro?

Also I am intrested how you set up a 24 light using 12 ballist ~~ I like your idea of using ballist 24 hours a day
Do you have a link or Photo To Show How one could hook this up?

they dont make a mini split large enough for the application you are wanting, you would need at least a 3 tonne air handling unit to cool 12k sealed.
as for the other comment, look up a ballast flipbox. simple as that, they are a ready made thing

I have a few mini splits. The highest rated I have is a 27k btu with 2 inside blowers, 12k each, with seperate control settings powered by a single outdoor unit.
I was running 6000 watts and ducting the hoods,, I still needed to run a 10k btu movin cool to maintain temps. 12000 watts will produce a lot of heat and each light should provide a 5'x5' footprint, 25 square feet. 12k watts will penetrate 300 sq ft of plant space. I don't know how much space you have, but 300 x 2 =600 square ft. You could realistically grow 250+ plants with 24 lights. And I agree that you should vent them with outside cool air whenever possible. Happy buying, and building! Just don't buy too much equipment. You will only get 50% on the used market

You would need about 4 tons of AC to cool 12k worth of lights. The running rate is a minimum of 4k BTU of cooling for every 1k of lights with co2.

I would take advantage of the winter and save up for a mini split come summer.

ANd don't take this the wrong way, but if your planning on running 24k watts of juice and you have these types of questions... you may want to seriously think about maybe bitting of a smaller chunk to chew. That is ALLOT of money on gear. I just set up a 14 light setup and I think i put upwards of 20k into it. Shit adds up fast on that scale dude. I spent $1300 on light bulbs...

oakley1984 said:

they dont make a mini split large enough for the application you are wanting, you would need at least a 3 tonne air handling unit to cool 12k sealed.
as for the other comment, look up a ballast flipbox. simple as that, they are a ready made thing

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they make big mini splits now, http://www.ebay.com/itm/42-000-BTU-Floor-Standing-Ductless-Mini-Split-Air-Conditioner-LF425HV-LG-/360406920835?pt=Air_Conditioner&hash=item53e9ed2e83

Im running 2 flower rooms, 6k inside each room with a switchbox to run with just 6 ballasts on 12 lights... im thinking of putting 2 inline fans. One pushing into other room. Both room sealed but those fans help disperse heat when lights off in one room and on in another. I have co2 burner in both rooms. So it may use more co2 from night time but my room holds co2 fast.

Found a way run 20 1000w hoods off 5 ballist dual 1000 ballist & flipper
2 10k grow rooms ~Ive Priced out between two sites
20light flipper, 5 2k Ballist, Vwing Vented hoods, Titan Control Box, & bulbs = 4k BEST PRICE FOR MAX WATTS

^ ummm. So what?

Wow your priced a system out online? Sweet dude!!

So can you afford your $1200/ month power bill?

I know right ^^ 12k is alot of light to run.. 4k btu per light is a good guide line. Just remember that if the enviroment is not perfect your money/plants will suffer in the end you would be better doing less wattage and leaving room for expansion.

edit: what is your experience in these things? what medium you using nutrients??? Beause that can alter how you should setup your cooling and what not. I prefer sealed rooms cause its less construction. Just have to spend money on good oversized ac so it will have some downtime 24hrs running on a system that is barely designed to keep up is asking for something to fail.. You mention garage you will be growing in where is power coming from?? A big ass ac, 12k 24/7 = lots of energy. Just things to think about.

Thanks for the helpful input and also for the criticism. I have been growing for a couple years and still have a lot to learn, but I manage to run a 4k grow on the side and work 60 hours a week at my job. I am thinking about going full time on the grow since I am moving into this nice big space. Right now I grow in sub's super soil with good results. I plan on continuing on with this. I have been averaging 1 lb. per light with this setup. I have changed my plans slightly and will start out with 8k and one flowering room with room to expand to a second flowering room later if I can handle it. Still not sure on what to do about the ac but I have a few months to think about it before the weather gets warm. The rooms will be insulated and drywalled and I will be venting to outside the garage with a fresh air intake to take advantage of the cold outside air. I also understand the electricity costs, I am not some 16 year old kid on his parents computer dreaming of growing pot. I understand the cost of electricity, I pay a good amount now and I am sure it will double or more with the new setup but I am getting along just fine now and will be even better with room to expand

Right on. If its just a grow room..screw the drywall and just hang panda film. Cheaper, way easier, and mold free

legallyflying said:

Right on. If its just a grow room..screw the drywall and just hang panda film. Cheaper, way easier, and mold free

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Yeah I thought about that but it is in a garage in michigan....winters get cold as hell here and I thought the drywall would insulate much better. I didn't want to have to use any heat out there if I don;t have to especially during lights off. What do you think?

Your going to need to run a heater...or face lots of stretch and really slow growth