battling indoor heat, on a budget. What will help most in my UDWC setup

[IPuFF]

flower room has a 2x1000 watt and 1x600 watt lights
Just setup a 10 bucket UDWC total water capacity of about 75 gallons.


-6kbtu window a/c rigged with a heat box in the closet blowing cold air into the room (gheto) sucks air from the room which is not good leaking smell and cold air.

-120 watt air pump that puts out a bunch of heat and noise.


currently only running the 600 ,room temps run about 78-80 and rh 35-40% but my water temp is high at around 79.

I know as soon as i kick on the rest of the lights the room is going to heat up hardcore and I want to know what i should invest in first.

My options are:

-replace gheto rig ac with portable ac(14k btu) $420 roughly
-buy a water chiller 1/4hp sufficient? $4-450
-upgrade air pump to a more efficient brand. More DO for plants, less heat/noise. $200
-setup co2 and seal up room already have a tank. room size (8x12x8)


Im leaning towards the A/C as the first investment over the chiller because even though my lights are in a cool tube, 2600w will be overwhelming during this summer weather. Will a stronger air pump be able to overcome warmer temps in the water?



Any educated opinions appreciated.

 

[IPuFF]

bump.

I was doing a little more reading any many people were saying the water chiller is necessary with udwc. Even if i chill the room to a proper 75 the water temps will still be out of optimum range.

water temps are more important than air temp correct? Is the water chiller capable of pulling some heat out of the air through the water?

just hard to justify spending 450$ on a 1/4hp chiller when i can get the 14000btu a/c for 50$ more.

In the end, what will help my ladies the most?

My outdoor summer temps will be reaching into 90- 105 on the hotter days and i am trying to make a purchasing decision soon.

I only have a budget for a 1/4hp chiller ~450$ for a (75 gallon setup, will this be enough?) || Active Aqua Water Chiller 1/2 HP is the next step up for 600$ I can try to get it financed if it will really make the difference
or a whynter14000 btu ac for $500

 

[Puscifer]

Even a 14k btu portable won't help you. Take the $$$ you planned on spending on a chiller and portable and buy yourself a cheap brand 24k btu mini split.

 

[IPuFF]

ambient air temp in the house stays around 78-84.

Also note that the lights are all contained in cool tubes moving a good amount of air so they are not heating as much as open lights.

The flower room is only 96 ft^2

Ive looked at the mini splits but at the moment i cannot afford one, the cheapest 24k BTU minisplit I found was around $1000 shipped. The 12k minisplits are more affordable but after the extra cost + having to run another 220v run, will it be any better than a portable 14kbtu which would cost about %75 as much as a minisplit??


Im putting as much time and $ into the setup as possible for me, one thing iv'e learned is that you get out what you put in and to not be cheap.

my last few setups ive battled issues with mites, powedery mildew, root rot, and even fungas gnats. I understand getting my temps in control will help me greatly with these issues.

 

[Puscifer]

I suggested a cheap unit because I figured you're strapped for cash....I completely agree that you get what you pay for. Normally I'd suggest a Mr.Slim...
Since your tubes are cooled then drop down to a 18k btu mini.
My current room is 10 x 5 (x8) with 2k watts uncooled and I use a 14k btu Mr.Slim in that room. That's an example of what it takes to cool a room here in Florida.
My partner runs the same size/brand unit BUT his room is 11 x 7 (X8) with the same wattage as you but uncooled and his unit runs full blast when the lights are on.
I know your dilemma, it's hot as hell down here...

 

[IPuFF]

appreciate you taking the time to reply.

Im getting southern cali weather and its notorious for getting hot as hell in my area for a few months. at least its not humid.

Its cool right now but supposed to hit 104 next week and i know ill be running into issues soon.


If only there was an easy button somewhere!

 

[LyryC]

Haier Commercial Cool 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner

400$ home depot.

Mini splits are cool if you can have the outside unit and run all the tubing/hoses for the system. Would be ideal for your size room / lights.

The portable would do just fine as well. My buddy uses 2 1000 watters with no ducting - just the 12kbtu haier cooling the room - works like a charm.

Run your light cycle at night!

 

[IPuFF]

Haier Commercial Cool 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner

400$ home depot.

Mini splits are cool if you can have the outside unit and run all the tubing/hoses for the system. Would be ideal for your size room / lights.

The portable would do just fine as well. My buddy uses 2 1000 watters with no ducting - just the 12kbtu haier cooling the room - works like a charm.

Run your light cycle at night!

been running my cycles at night since i started, helps so much!

I was looking at this dual hose unit instead for an extra bill.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0028AYQDC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Its slightly more efficient pulling the same power but claiming an extra 2kbtu?
either way, dual hose will be necessary for my application.

good to know that your buddy was handling it with the 12kbtu though, gives me a little more hope.
My 6kbtu cooler is holding 79 without working too hard but that's with ok weather and 1 out of 3 lights on.

 

[LyryC]

Nice find - I want - but don't need one of those

The heat has yet to arrive here in Socal

He was using the Haier 12k btu unit as well - just had it in the room with it pointing at hte lights - not even in the direction of the duct holes lol.

A/C is such a hard decision because you are stuck w/ what you got and its hard to find that perfect fit - without getting a 1 ton(24KBTU) or large unit that you know will do the job but might not completely need.

Anyone can chime in on what a 1200 watt set up should need in a 5x5x8 space?

 

[hobb3s93]

if ur in socal, im sure u can find a reputable spot to get used ac's. i got a refurbished soleus air 1ton portable in a box for around 300. if u close to la in can point u in the right direction, they should also have refurbished minis aswell.

i dont know if i missed it but are u air cooling ur lights? i had alot of heat issues aswell ultimetly running my lights 10pm to 10am, switching to 600s and air cooling lightts with alot of inlines helped me alot.

i run coco but used to dwc but inboth cases we used 20gal ice chests as rez because they are insulated. 20gal is a small for recircualting dwc or coco dtw but u can cool ur water pretty quik in them with frozen 2liters.
hope that helps cheers

 

[IPuFF]

yes, lights are air cooled. makes hell of a difference if you ask me.

I need to find a way to insulate the whole setup, maybe some of that bubble foil stuff. all my buckets and pvc are white. I have a black pond liner on the ground though that's probably soaking up some heat. Upgrading to insulated ducting will probably help a little bit to i suppose since its warm to the touch.

I tried the ice route with a smaller setup consisting of 4 buckets total. It ate the ice like nothing so this will not help in the bigger setup unfortunately.

does anyone know if 1/4hp chiller is enough for 70-80 gallons?

 

[delta9nxs]

hi, ipuff! the easiest thing to do would be to switch to a grow system that does not require a chiller and is impervious to heat.

i run my solution at around 80f intentionally and do not get any root issues at all.

please check out the "big plant ppk" thread in the vert section.

 

[IPuFF]

delta, thats a rather valid point but i just spent alot of time and $ putting together this UDWC system after having multiple issues with different mediums. I want to give this system a chance to prove itself.

id also like to bring to the table that a portable ac can be used as a dehumidifier to where a minisplit cannot. is this correct?

If i were to go the mini split route, i would also have to get a dehui since it will be a sealed room.
At this moment i thinking the portable ac is my best bet.


EDIT: I now see that was a typo, minisplits have dehumidifying capabilities.

 

[Puscifer]

Portable, window or mini split, you'll generally need a dehuey regardless. When lights go out and no heat signal sets off the AC your humidity will spike in a room full of plants AND a hydro system.
You could set your AC on dehumidify mode right before lights go out I guess...

 

[EShred]

frozen water bottles in rez

 

[IPuFF]

Portable, window or mini split, you'll generally need a dehuey regardless. When lights go out and no heat signal sets off the AC your humidity will spike in a room full of plants AND a hydro system.
You could set your AC on dehumidify mode right before lights go out I guess...

very valid point. That explains the higher humidty at lights out. So far the a/c kicks on even when the lights are off, just not as much.

I decided to jump on the portable a/c.
it'll be here in 2 days thanks to fast shipping.
I believe the overall room temperature and dehumidification will make the biggest difference upfront.
If i have to scratch the whole grow atleast ill have a nice little AC for my bedroom!


I saw a thread that shows how to ghetto rig an old ac into a water chiller. if i get stonned enough i might just do that to the ac ill be replacing.

 

[IPuFF]

and to the people suggesting ice bottles.... your just plain crazy. aint no way ill commit to 2-3 bottles of ice a day, just to much work and sounds silly.. ive tried it already

 

[LyryC]

What A/C you get sir? Link to a grow threaD?

 

[IPuFF]

so the 14000btu ac is holding up well so far.

I got some reflectix and insulated the rez, tubes and buckets. about %70 covered
I also deflected some of the fresh a/c air into the rez with a 6" duct. temps have dropped from 79 to 67 and holding steady. Im stoked, this should get me by without a chiller this summer.
I also got some 6" insulated ducting for the a/c intake and exhaust as well as the light hoods.

shortly after getting all the cracks sealed up i will try to incorporate co2

 

[babelfish]

Haier Commercial Cool 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner

400$ home depot.

Mini splits are cool if you can have the outside unit and run all the tubing/hoses for the system. Would be ideal for your size room / lights.

The portable would do just fine as well. My buddy uses 2 1000 watters with no ducting - just the 12kbtu haier cooling the room - works like a charm.

Run your light cycle at night!

been running my cycles at night since i started, helps so much!

I was looking at this dual hose unit instead for an extra bill.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0028AYQDC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Its slightly more efficient pulling the same power but claiming an extra 2kbtu?
either way, dual hose will be necessary for my application.

good to know that your buddy was handling it with the 12kbtu though, gives me a little more hope.
My 6kbtu cooler is holding 79 without working too hard but that's with ok weather and 1 out of 3 lights on.

so the 14000btu ac is holding up well so far.

I got some reflectix and insulated the rez, tubes and buckets. about %70 covered
I also deflected some of the fresh a/c air into the rez with a 6" duct. temps have dropped from 79 to 67 and holding steady. Im stoked, this should get me by without a chiller this summer.
I also got some 6" insulated ducting for the a/c intake and exhaust as well as the light hoods.

shortly after getting all the cracks sealed up i will try to incorporate co2

you have all your lights on now?