Vortex 172 CFM 4 inch overkill for 60cu/ft?

[kbc2007]

Hi.
I was thinking about adding a 400w hps to a 3.5 x 2.6 x 6.5 ft room.
For the fan I'm looking at the
Vortex 172 CFM 4 inch
Is this overkill for a room that has only 60 cubic feet?

I guess this one is also an option
http://www.bustan.ca/product_detail.asp?menuID=1&SID=13&PID=917
but I'm not sure about the brand "Active Air".

Thanks!

 

[PharmaCan]

I have a 6" Vortex in a 3'x6'x5.5' cab and it works fine. With all the twists and turns in my ducts, the 6" fan is probably down to about 200cfm, very close to what you are proposing.

PC

 

[FreezerBoy]

Just so you know, those things are LOUD! I got a 154 cfm Eleciant because it was the quietest of the type. After adding a speed controller, exhaust muffler and fan isolation box, it's STILL too loud. Though I may be seeking greater stealthocity than you.

 

[Guest]

I go with Pharmacan on that one. Look at the 4" with 39.5 square inches of opening and the 6" with 88.7 sq in, which is 225% greater capacity. The cost difference between the 4 and 6 isn't that much AND unlike the 4 that will be useless if you upgrade your grow area, the 6 can be used ad infinitum when you expand as most of us do.

Most hoods are 6" and the 8" units are making an appearance, 4" is, for all intent and purpose, obsolete and ineffective for all but the smallest of grows.

Place the inline fan at the point of discharge (so it sucks air) and keep duct runs short with the fewest bends in order to avoid airflow restriction.

Peace and Big Buds 2U,

Ty-Stik

 

[Guest]

The Vortex 6" is loud and sounds like a jet engine taking off. The 4" is definitely louder than the Elicent 4" in part due to the increased air flow. Good advice with kinks, bends and duct length reducing air flow. From what I understand a tight 90 degree bend can cut air flow as much as 50%. I've seen people put a 360 turn in the duct to reduce noise effectively. The noise is mainly on the intake side IME. It's hard to have too much fan due to what others have said regarding flow loss and a speed controller can do wonders. I like the IGS controllers as they give nice fine speed adjustment capability compared to something like a Speedster.

 

[Guest]

Just so you know, those things are LOUD! I got a 154 cfm Eleciant because it was the quietest of the type. After adding a speed controller, exhaust muffler and fan isolation box, it's STILL too loud. Though I may be seeking greater stealthocity than you.

You bet Freezerboy, the Vortex is a bit louder than the Elicient and the EcoPlus along with Lowes and Home Depot bathroom Fart Fans have very high Sones numbers.

Ty-Stik

 

[Guest]

The Vortex 6" is loud and sounds like a jet engine taking off. The 4" is definitely louder than the Elicent 4" in part due to the increased air flow. Good advice with kinks, bends and duct length reducing air flow. From what I understand a tight 90 degree bend can cut air flow as much as 50%. I've seen people put a 360 turn in the duct to reduce noise effectively. The noise is mainly on the intake side IME. It's hard to have too much fan due to what others have said regarding flow loss and a speed controller can do wonders. I like the IGS controllers as they give nice fine speed adjustment capability compared to something like a Speedster.

Go to "www.harborfreight.com", they have a Router Speed Controller, 120V/15A rated unit for about $12.00 (usd). I use a drill motor with mixer paddle attached to process Bubble Hash, the controller lets me hold the rpm down around 150-200, this avoids making mush out of the trimmings. For $12 you will have 2 uses, adjusting fan speed and mixing.

 

[FreezerBoy]

Note that same unit, when sold under the name of "Speedster," goes for $40. OUCH!

 

[Guest]

Thanx for the info. A buddy got a Speedster and I didn't like it as it was overkill. A fan is like 1 amp and a Speedster 15A capacity and you lose fine adjustment. I like the IGS units as I get much better control over fan speed. The IGS can't handle the high load but you don't need it anyway IMO.