Cool Tubes.. anyone else run one?

[Carty]

Hey fellow sticky finger fan's.

I would like some opinions from anyone whose run a cool tube in the past or is using one now. Just not sure I"m very happy with the light pattern it puts out. Only had it for 2 grows now, but to me it seems like yields are a bit lower. I was running it in an open room and wasting SOME lumens, but not enough to warrant such a big loss in production.

I was hoping someone else could give me their experience with a tube setup and see if it's just me.

Also, if anyone could recommend a nice reflector with a sealed hood to air cool with inline fan. Are some better then others? Grow room is 2ft deep x 6ftw x 5ft high. The Super Sun 2 looks nice.

thanks in advance for your help

Amon

 

[toohighmf]

Tubes dont really throw directional. they just throw WIIIIDE. they are great for serious heat removal in larger setups with a LOT of bulbs running. to be honest I get the same with a tube as I would a pie tin bent to shape.. http://www.icmag.com/ic/gallery/sho...o.php?photo=375592&size=big&cat=&ppuser=22454

I'm running box hoods in 1 room & tubes in the other. I like the throw of big reflectors more.

 

[geopolitical]

Yes, I run one. Mine isn't very directional, it throws a rectangular pattern. Different tubes have different reflector setups.

 

[lysol]

I use one, yeah some lumens are wasted but you can basically more than make up for it by keeping it closer

 

[D Rock]

I run a 250 watt in a wardrobe closet my hood is a cool tube. So far so good. The bulb is kinda small in the 18 inch cooltube. I think a 400 or 600 would fit in there better.

 

[Nughit]

IMHO cool tubes suck. They work but there are such better options out there. The Super Sun 2 is nice. If you need to throw a large pattern the Magnum XXXL cann't be beat.

In your case I would go with because of the size of you closet I would get the SUPER SUN 2.

 

[Hold Your Fire]

Super Sun 2's kick ass.

 

[FunkBomb]

Super Sun original also kicks ass

-Funk

 

[Greyskull]

SSI or II....
about the same cost with much better results

 

[JackTheGrower]

Three in a 4x4

Three in a 4x4

Trying out 3 on a rack this season..

I run 14 hour days and I over grew my space in about 5 weeks from seed.

4 feet tall.



This is due to new genetics and three different strains growing at three different rates. Had to cut them back but, nothing lost as I will now cross these for some fresh seeds and work with clones later.


Jack

 

[SmokyMtnToker]

I have two cool tube units; one is typical and round, and the other is square and attached to a round tube above the glass enclosure. I am using the round tube for a 1000 hps and the square one houses a 600 hps. I get plenty of light for an 8 x 12 room, with the 600 suspended over my Aerojet 24 site unit, and the 1000 is over my soil plants. I have one piece of ducting, 6 inch, connecting both lights. One centrifugal fan pulls the heat nicely, it is a 6" . The temps from the 1000 would be too high even with the fan pulling, so I added an A/C unit to get it right.

I think glass cool tubes are necessary for some areas, as the heat MUST be vented and not allowed into the room. They may lose some lumens, but too much heat is worse than losing some lumens...as long as you get enough to the plants.

I am sure that as technology advances, we will seee water cooled tubes soon that don't cost an arm and a leg and can get within inches of a plant at high wattage.

 

[Carty]

This is what I love about this site. The amount of good responses I get from one simple question. Thank you all very much, very helpful information.

I run a 600w cool tube setup. The cool tube is 24" with 18" exposed glass after fittings on ends.. cooled by Vortex 450 cfm inline fan. Temps could be a bit cooler even after switching light to be on during night hours. Air is forced in from A/C bedroom at 80cfm..
Question: How do I fix the issue of removing more heat with current setup.

A). Add a 4" passive hole to the equation. Just might allow the 450cfm inline fan to draw/move more air volume as it may be experiencing to much negative pressure for that small of a room. 80cfm air in versus 450cfm out needs a passive hole added maybe eh?
B). Add a "Y" connector right at the inline fan connection so the fan can clear out heat from the cool tube & additional rising heat faster by not trying to pull all the rooms heat thru the cool tube first.


smokentoker: I've seen the cool tube with the added glassed in area beneath the tube and it seemed like it might put off a better spectrum for a small grow area then the basic tube setup.. do you like it more?

Like I said, I'd really like to switch to a different sealed reflector and now I think I"m on the right track.. have been seriously looking at the SS 2 for what I need. so really appreciate everyone's input.. cheers.

 

[lysol]

B). Add a "Y" connector right at the inline fan connection so the fan can clear out heat from the cool tube & additional rising heat faster by not trying to pull all the rooms heat thru the cool tube first.
View attachment 20958

Air travels path of least resistance. This would vent ambient cool air and cause the light to get hotter. Get an AC or put a small fan blowing between the canopy and the lights.

 

[2uptown]

i run six cool tubes in a row and they are the best period. i run a sealed room and all other hoods have way too many air leaks. im not into taping the glass and all that. yes they throw a wide but narrow pattern. 1000wt hps covers a 3' x 6' really nice. stack six in a row and there you go. throw a diffuser in the mix as well as the added reflector an the outside to direct more of the light down instead of to the sides. works great. the new hoods they are making the xxxl ochos are funny. remind me of the old KING DOMES that measured 7' across. make a new hood and they will come to buy it. LOL just my 2 cents. run what you like and fuck everyone else!!!!!

 

[PuReKnOwLeDgE]

I have ran vented/glassed hoods and cool tubes. I am currently still running cool tubes due to their cooling ability. Sometimes I do miss having the huge reflector going to work, but I do not miss taping them up and hitting my head on them. I run 4 1000 watt hps in cool tubes with a 6" inline 464cfm fan, works out nicely but one day I may upgrade to the 8 inch tubes.

 

[Joe Hawkins]

 

[smalltymer]

I have ran vented/glassed hoods and cool tubes. I am currently still running cool tubes due to their cooling ability. Sometimes I do miss having the huge reflector going to work, but I do not miss taping them up and hitting my head on them. I run 4 1000 watt hps in cool tubes with a 6" inline 464cfm fan, works out nicely but one day I may upgrade to the 8 inch tubes.

wow. do you have good temps? seems like 464cfm wouldnt be enough for 4-1000w.

anyone else running anything like this? how hot are the tubes?

 

[JackTheGrower]

Air travels path of least resistance. This would vent ambient cool air and cause the light to get hotter. Get an AC or put a small fan blowing between the canopy and the lights.

Yep..

With three tubes I am looking at changing the ducting.. This turned out to be awkward.. I will need to adjust air per tube @ the opening of the cool tube.

Always something to do with the setup huh! Love it..

Oh what I am seeing is the Solar effect is awesome in a cool tube.. Like a day on the beach @ soil level with the 1k..

 

[toohighmf]

in my 10K room I have a 435 cfm per string of lights. thats a fan for 1 string of 4, and fans for 2 strings of 3. I also made my own clear poly duct which is has about the best air flow your gonna get.

 

[smalltymer]

in my 10K room I have a 435 cfm per string of lights. thats a fan for 1 string of 4, and fans for 2 strings of 3. I also made my own clear poly duct which is has about the best air flow your gonna get.

are the tubes hot?