400W Tent Plans

[hobosapien]

hello,

plan on getting together a 2'6"x3'x6' cab together to house a 400w HPS.

i have been stressing about the exhaust. in keeping with the 50w/sq. ft. rule i want to keep this space compact, and well utilized.

i plan on incorporating a 300 cfm (ball park, speed controllers, etc...) in-line fan with a carbon filter, the issue i have is with potentially needing an air cooled hood. i have a decent budget, and already own el cheapo batwing... should i compromise on the fan/filter for coolable hood OR go big on the fan filter and run it slowly, and efficiently?!

i also plan on having an active intake. i believe mediocre ventilation is a resignation to mediocre results, therefore i am interested in the suggestions of those more experienced gardeners.

 

[Mackawber]

Good stuff to get

Good stuff to get

400 watt HPS magnetic ballast with a CMH bulb

CAP TMP-1 thermostatic controller

2 inline fans for active intake and exhaust

1 desktop or clip on fan to keep the tops/canopy cool

Remote thermometer/hygrometer to monitor the environment without going in it.

Small energy efficient dehumidifier for late flowering

different size planting containers---beer cups, 1 gallon, 5 gallon square pots

Organic nutes/soil---Alaska fish fert, Fox farms, EarthJuice. Pure Blend, etc.

See if you can bring in cold outside air for cooling from the bottom. Discharge it towards the top to cool that hot air. Exhaust hot air out from the top.

 

[KUSHEATER1]

use a 6 in vortex some may say overkill but you can never have enough exhaust power

 

[KUSHEATER1]

temps of the room the tent will be in are your concerns,you want that tent to run no hotter than 78 degrees for great results, along with feeding times,pest and disease control it all plays a role in a great grow...no need for aircooled hood..

 

[hobosapien]

mackawber- Right on, the basic principles... GREAT tip on the CMH, very interesting stuff.
Kushheater1-i am in a well insulated environment. ambient prolly dips to 50 at night in the winter. this is the first real cab i have set up, so i am trying to nail this ventilation stuff, it has hung me up in the past. i hear you on the AC hood, i'd just rather be safe than scrambling come summer... we'll see.

i may be considering an err on the side of overkill but hear me out...

i saw these axial fans, dayton makes them... they are 6"x1.5" or somthing, move about 265 CFM at a low static pressure...

would one of those take care of an air cooled hood, allowing a smaller 4" inline for exhaust/carbon, allowing me to focus on ambient temps, rather than displacing heat.... or just use the axial as an active intake and run the 6" inline on a speed control or thermostat, so my capabilities of displacing said heat are equal to the task...

thanks for the tips and time fellas.


side question: what is static pressure, and how much is necessary to effectively move air through a carbon scrubber?

 

[AndreNicky]

Why do u insist on so much ventilation? I do just fine running a 400watt in a aircooled hood with a 4" 171cfm cent fan(passive intakes), i don't really seee the need on wasting money u dont have too. I could see that night time temp hurting u tho, 65-68 is optimal maybe look into getting a small heater.

 

[hobosapien]

thanks..

feeling a little gadgety lately...

i'll prolly end up running the lamp at night.

you know that grey area between the imaginative womb and the birth canal of creativity? sometimes i get anxious..

psst. andre what size space you working that 400w in, what kind of hood?

 

[AndreNicky]

My tent is slightly larger then your dimensions (about 3'x3'x6'), I got the square sungro hood from sun systems

 

[FunkBomb]

In the small spaces air movement is key. I use a DR80 which is about 2.8x2.8x6 feet. I air cool a 400w light with a 4" Vortex and push through the filter outside of the tent. KISS keep it simple stupid.

-Funk

 

[hobosapien]

FunkBomb thanks for dropping in.

KISS the mantra of many... i will adopt it.

thanks for seconding my feeling that ventilation is 'key'.

when i get this thing together, i'll post some pics, tips, tricks....

be real.