Green Air Co2 Gen / 1000w Evolution Digital / CAP PPM-2a Fuzzy-logic CO2 Monitor

[Guest]

dont have them yet this article disscouraged me from buying one due to the light output...but now im running A/C i might have to buyone just to be able to run 1000w digital and A/C on a 15A circuit...

http://www.bghydro.com/BGH/static/articles/0506_digiballasts.asp

this is the new thread...
http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=29460

 

[Guest]

I read that peice from BG hydro before I bought my evos. I did other research as well and still bought them based on what I came up with.

I'm a bit skeptical about their test results. I think they are pushing the lumatek and that's what they want to sell. The evolution ballast is distributed by Natl Garden Wholesale so I would not be surprised if the evo is less profitable for BGH to sell....just my opinion.

I have a few bones to pick with their test so if you are interested to hear them let me know.

 

[rr14]

with the ppm control, I'm going through a co2 tank every 10 days. At $20 a fill, that gets expensive. I'm looking into generators now.

 

[Guest]

RR14: im gooing to get all the free co2 from the water heater..but im still going to get that fuzzy controller...

 

[coolx]

you prob got your stuff by now, but my 2c .... I have the CAP PPM-2a and Vortex 8 inch Inline Fan - work fine. Was thinking of getting some of the evolution dig. ballasts, but that bghydro article I read put me off and I'm thinking of getting the lumatek dig 600's instead - I'd love to know the additional reading that gronut did.

I got the 6" cool sun ballasts but didn't use the air cooling until last week cos then I added another light - before that the window 10K BTU was fine. I noticed before that a tank of CO2 lasted maybe 2-3 weeks, now it lasts 3 days!!!! I don't think those hoods are airtight.

Also, if you didn't get the evolution and went for mag/coil ballasts you gotta have 'em in another room, so you might want to get the reflectors with the 25' cord.

 

[coolx]

I read that peice from BG hydro before I bought my evos. I did other research as well and still bought them based on what I came up with.

I'm a bit skeptical about their test results. I think they are pushing the lumatek and that's what they want to sell. The evolution ballast is distributed by Natl Garden Wholesale so I would not be surprised if the evo is less profitable for BGH to sell....just my opinion.

I have a few bones to pick with their test so if you are interested to hear them let me know.

gronut - do you have any links/info for the other resarch?

 

[2buds]

bandan, I grew some when I was a teenager in the utility room with the gas hot water heater, in the winter it kicked ass but in the summer, whew, had to give it up to much heat. The water heater is a good source of co2, good call making use of what you got.
Peace

 

[pico11653]

I would recommend using a burner instead of the tank. You will be lugging those damn tanks around all the time to fill up. the propane lasts A LOT longer and you can fill it up at your local gas station. Much cheaper in the long run if you can handle the little extra heat.

Save money and go with the PPM-3 from CAP, the non "fuzzy logic" unit. I use it and it works great with my Green Air CD-12 generator and CT-DH3p temp/humidity/co2 controller. I just set it around 1400 and depending on how far away the generator is it will usually bring it up to around 1550 or so and then turn it back on around 1350. If you can, get a bigger burner than you think you will need and then it will fill the room faster.

I am using some digital 600 hps ballasts from www.hidhut.com I was skeptical at first because they are cheap ($175), but they work great. Fast shipping and good service from the guy over there. I would like to test their lumen output and power usage but I don't have all the tools for that yet. I can deffinately say the ballasts are a lot lighter and produce less heat than my magnetic ballasts. They are so light it makes it really easy to mount them on the wall/ceiling.

Personally I don't like those digital timers, I find the mechanical type to work great. I have about 6 broken digital timers around the house...

Don't tell anyone, but I get my buckets at Dairy Queen. Call up your local Queen and ask them for 3 or 5 gallon buckets. I buy the 5 gallons for a buck a piece. 3 gals are cheaper. Sometimes they just give them away. I have one near me that I can buy hundreds of buckets from. They are green and good quality. I don't know if I should have let this one out of my bag of tricks. I have been meaning to call McDonalds and see what kind of goodies they might have for growing.

Get 8" flexible insulated ducting from home depot. You are going to want the insulated stuff for cooling your lights so the heat gets outside. 25 foot sections are usually around $40.

Also, did I see that you planned on having the Carbon scrubber inline with the aircooled lights? The best way to set that up would be to have the intake/exaust for the aircooled both going outside. You don't want to lose the co2 enriched air you are providing the plants until it gets too hot in there. Then you would have your carbon scrubber just running inside the room to keep all the smell down. The other option would be to hook it up to your room exaust to just cut down the smell you are exausting outside. Personally I like it running inside the room all the time.

If you are thinking about getting a $200 dehumidifier, you might think about getting an air conditioner. You can get a window mount unit for around that much and it will dehumidify as well. A portable one would cost more. A nice portable will have 2 hoses and will not exchange any room air outside. This will allow you to use less co2 because you won't have to exaust your room because of temps as often.

Just a few things to think about. I am going to put up some pictures of my room setup fairly soon. I will be using a lot of the things you are looking in to.

Good luck

hehe I get it...


this is prolly whats gonna happend...

CMEMORY ROUTE!! but It will allow me to run 1400w for 16 plants with CO2...



CASH::

CAP REG-1 CO2 regulator and Valve $130
OdorVent OV20 Refillable Carbon Filter System 15x15x8 Space $270
Vortex 8 inch Inline Fan 747 CFM $190
???20LB CO2 TANK FILLED!! $100.00
Cool Sun XL Reflector - 8" $185
Intermatic Digital Programmable Timer $25
8" Flexible Alum. Duct Hose - 8' long $20.00
16 x 2gal buckets $40.00
Maccourt Products ALL-PURPOSE SUPERTUB $20.00

2 x Fox Farm Big Bloom .01-.3-.7 Organic Nutrient Gallon $60.00
4 x Perlite/Light Warrior 5gal (3 soil 1perlite) .. $75.00
!!!$$1114.00

CREDIT CARD::

White Kenmore 50 pint Dehumidifier $200.00