What would you do with this room?

[hush]

I'm not uploading pictures because of security reasons, but there is an external room on the back of my house that I would like to convert to a grow room, and I don't know if it's worth it. So, I thought I'd ask what others would do with this room if it became available to them?

Here's the history... it is connected to the house, and the pitch of the roof flows in to the main part of the house's roof, so it is all one straight line... In other words, it's part of the structure of the house, and it is formed from concrete block. But it is only accessible from the outside. It is separated from the house in this sense. So, it is not air conditioned, and there is no attic space above it for insulation.

There is a window with hand cranks, but the cranks and hinges look easily removable. This room was used by the previous owner as a laundry room, but it only has a washing machine, no dryer... therefore there are no exhaust vents already in place through the concrete block. The room is wired in 240 already, because of the washing machine. Oh yeah, that also means there is already water out there.

But the space is only about 6' x 8'. I know that is a relatively small space to invest lots of money in, which is why I am appealing to the knowledgeable ones here. I live in a hot, humid climate, so air conditioning will be essential. A quick glance on Amazon showed several 5000 btu window units in the $100 price range. But stealth will be a concern, and it is my understanding that window units exchange smelly air from the grow with the outside... If so, that won't work for me.

So I guess I started thinking about maybe setting up like a 4x4 tent inside of the room? And still use an air conditioner on the room itself? I'm guessing I could put a 1000w HPS in there, and run the exhaust through a carbon filter that way. I've never used a 1000 before, or even had a grow space this large before, so I don't really know the best way to use it to its full advantage.

Any advice?

(I'm sure I forgot to include pertinent bits of information, so I'll be editing this post as necessary).

 

[im me]

i would forget the tent. get two 600w hps use panda on the walls make air intake and vents andcarbon filters and fill it up!! and portable ac
for summer perhaps heater for winter since its not insulated.

 

[hush]

So how do portable AC's work? Don't they still exchange air with the outside, through hoses? I can't let any stink escape. But if they are different somehow then talk to me! I'm just a noob when it comes to anything larger than a 400w tent, lol.

I'm also not opposed to the idea of sealing the room and using CO2 if that's somehow feasible. I've already got the necessary equipment for that. Its just, I must use air conditioning, and I always thought the cheaper units exchanged air with the outside world.

Thanks for chiming in!

 

[im me]

So how do portable AC's work? Don't they still exchange air with the outside, through hoses? I can't let any stink escape. But if they are different somehow then talk to me! I'm just a noob when it comes to anything larger than a 400w tent, lol.

I'm also not opposed to the idea of sealing the room and using CO2 if that's somehow feasible. I've already got the necessary equipment for that. Its just, I must use air conditioning, and I always thought the cheaper units exchanged air with the outside world.

Thanks for chiming in!

they suck in air through a hose but don't vent back out they're great for your situation!
the one i have cost 208 plus tax. and it works damn good in my attic!

 

[im me]

and yeah you could seal the room for c02 all you gotta do is coat the cinder block. when i grew in the basement they had a waterproofing sealant at home depot that kept all moisture out it would make it pretty air tight on cinderblock and seal any openings the best you can and give it a shot!

 

[Granger2]

Several people have complained about wasting money on portable AC's because they exhaust lots of stank. Plus, pay attention to the EER rating. A lot of models are seriously inefficient.

My thru the wall unit [same as window unit] sometimes exhausts a slight bit of odor during the stinkiest times, but not enough to carry any distance. I just stick a small ONA near the exhaust so it blows on it for peace o' mind. Good luck. -granger

Here's a good portable, but it say nothing about smell exhausted.
http://www.compactappliance.com/Edg...y-Portable_Air_Conditioners-Residential_Units

 

[im me]

^^ really? That sucks the one I have doesnt vent anything as far as I know but than again im in the attic.and I go way overboard on odor control better safe than sorry.

 

[5th]

My portable is 12,000 BTU, 3 in 1...shes a fucking beast. Intake and exhaust are located on the back. I went over all the screws and any openings with silicone. Also had to cover the Dehumidifier screen with plastic (maybe didn't have to, but why risk it?)

So yes it exchanges all its air to/from outside...no it won't smell if sealed properly.

 

[Hammerhead]

I have one as well 12k BTU. It sucks in air from the room (recirculates the air) cools it blows the hot air out through 1 5" hose. Also has a dehumidifier on it. They are the most inefficient way to cool any space. They do work but a window unit or mini split will cost less to run.

 

[5th]

Yeah mines designed to intake from the outside, not recirculate...problem was it would have been a 5" ducting logistics nightmare to run properly. (booster fans n' shit) I stuck a carbon filter of sorts on the intake as I was drawing in growroom air. Like mentioned, not very efficient...but I don't care about shit like that. I just wanted cold air and I wanted it yesterday....

I am liking the mods done to the window bangers though...

 

[sneaky_g]

I would definately go with a window AC rather than a portable.. . you said you can remove the crank shaft on the windows easily.. would it be a security risk to hang a window out of the opening? What kind of circuits are you working with? no 240 i'm guessing since no dryer?

 

[hush]

I'm pretty sure when I looked at at the plug for the washing machine, I saw a 240 cord? I'll have to check again, but for now, let's assume I have 240 in there. Regarding the window unit, no, I don't think it would be a security risk to have one hanging out the window. Most of my family and friends know that I'm heavily into aquariums, so all I would have to tell anyone who asks is I have setup a fish room, for breeding, and no one would bat an eye at that.

 

[hush]

So, I'm still feeling unsure about this. I've looked at the prices of the portable units, and they are considerably more expensive than a window unit. What are these "mods" that people are doing to the window units, that 5th referenced? Are they mods that seal the air from the outside world? For odors? If so, that sounds good to me... any links?

 

[im me]

if you can do a window unit safely do it eliminate the head ache the only reason i use portable is cause i think it would look weird if i cut a hole in the roof for an ac lmao

 

[5th]

What are these "mods" that people are doing to the window units, that 5th referenced? Are they mods that seal the air from the outside world? For odors? If so, that sounds good to me... any links?

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=95491

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=261354&page=2 Post #20

 

[hush]

Those look like some mighty helpful threads, thanks.

 

[sneaky_g]

Yeah i used a window banger that i had sitting in my garage and saved 550 bucks for a portable that probably would last a year. here are some pics .. at the moment i am not even using an inline 6" to help my exhaust and its still pushing air out . intake has no inline fan atm. just relying on the unit itself to pull air from outside. Requires a inch thick plywood board cut with two holes (one for intake top for exhaust). I used some PL caulking glue and some foam than just simply closed my horizontal window shut. I'm renting so if my landlord comes i can just pull the board out drop a sheet over the window infront of the bilnds (where i cut), and hang my plywood on a hook next to the opening . still connected to my AC.

 

[hush]

Okay, so all the modifications I'm seeing have nothing to do with sealing the odor off... they are just ways of using window bangers as portable AC units, right?

So I feel like we're getting off track here... I am able to put a window unit right into a window, where it belongs. I don't necessarily need to have a portable AC unit, do I? If so, can someone explain why?

I'm trying to upgrade from a 400w in a small tent to a nice sized grow space, and I'm a noob at this. I really need assistance. Should I just hook up a window unit and call it a day? Should I set up a 4x4 tent in there that can be run through a carbon filter? A 5x5 tent? Should I seal it and not use any tents at all?

What would you do with this room?

 

[Jhhnn]

The easy answer is a tent w/ all the usual appurtenances including odor control & a window A/C.

Window units don't necessarily circulate air from inside to outside, at all. It depends on how they're built, and it wouldn't be difficult, in general, to make sure that they don't. I have an inexpensive GE unit on our bedroom that only recirculates room air thru the evaporator with a separate air circulation loop thru the condenser, outside.

Without a tent, I'd want to create a light tight foyer for security reasons. Open the outer door, step in, close the door behind you before opening the inner door. This also helps with odor control. Beyond that, creating slight negative pressure with a small speed controlled exhaust fan thru a dryer vent & charcoal filter would be good. Whatever air leaks in gets scrubbed before going out. It's easy enough to knock a hole in the block, mortar in a dryer vent. You really want very low flow if you're using an A/C unit.

Something to consider is sheathing the outside in foamboard & siding to upgrade the look of the house & to allow the cement block to act as a heatsink into the ground... extend the foamboard into the earth a foot or so. If the rafters are open, insulate & sheetrock the ceiling.. you could tear out existing sheetrock to do that, too.

Aim for 50-70 watts of HID lighting per sq ft to get good yields, in any case.

 

[hush]

That's good info right there, thank you! Yes, one of my concerns has been allowing proper stealth, in regards to light never escaping... But I could never really figure out how to do that without putting a tent inside of this room. But that idea of a foyer opened my brain up...I see what you mean by that!

Thank you, that was very helpful!