I can't believe I'm having temp problems

[DHarvester]

Seriously... I can't believe I'm having temp problems.

First the room: HomeBox CloneBox Approx 4'x2'x4'

Lighting: I'm running a 4 ft. 4 bulb t-5 and a DIY remote ballasted, cool tube'd 100W (that's not a typo...lol) HPS.

Cooling: I'm running a Stanley blower exhausting through the cool tube and have another blower type oscillating fan running at a decent clip at lower plant level to help with transpiration. I'm relying on passive air intake as I am trying to use as little electricity as possible

Temps are running in the mid to high 80's and on warm nights it has hit 90.5. Ambient right now is about 81.

Tent's packed a little on the snug side. I am flowering out an old mother and her last 9 progeny. I know that the amount of plants in there is part of the problem; temps have been rising the fuller the girls become. For a while, I was running a degree below ambient (don't ask me how 'cause I don't know; just reading the thermometer) but it's beginning to become problematic. I have 3 weeks to go and I am concerned about heat stressing them and causing them to go herm. The reason for my concern is that she came from a girl that went herm and polinated another girl. So kick ass! feminized but, there's always a chance that she and her cuttings could go herm.

So, I'm calling out to all of the exhaust wizards out there. Please help me get my grow back under control.

Thanks in advance,

D.

 

[Guest]

It seems that you started a GROW without a balanced knowledge of ventilation, circulation and cooling.

Dry run first, before plants are introduced. Don't do a thing until the environment you intend them to grow in is balanced. That is not rocket science, that is just common sense.

TyStik

 

[DHarvester]

This isn't my first grow in this system, however, it is my most packed. Also, from what I've read from your other postings, you are a HVAC guy. So...little help here???

D.

 

[Guest]

DHarvester---it is not a case of HVAC, it is about having a successful grow.

I wish you well. Do the numbers.

 

[DHarvester]

I wish you well.

Gracias Ty and thanks for the encouragement.

D.

 

[asdfqwerty420]

Ambient right now is about 81.

If that's your fresh air temp, then I'm surprised your temps aren't higher!

 

[Guest]

If what you say is correct, then your only hope is to "force" more air into the grow....unless you can increase the passive air intake cross sectional area.

Both your passive air intake, and your forced air intake if you do that...should be as close tothe floor as possible. Air near the floor in my apartment is almost 5 degrees cooler than air at waist level.

And/or remove the HPS. It isn't doing that much for you anyway IMO.

Not to "turn the knife" in you, but Tystik is right. Too many people don't plan.

Pedro

 

[TGT]

Is it possible to get an AC in the room your grow box is in? It would cool you during the hot months and get your ambient down, thus lowering your grow temps.

TGT

 

[NorCalFor20]

ur ambient temp is too high my amb temp is 68 in my house and its still high 70's in my grow room. lower amb temp.

 

[Guest]

These guys are right about getting ambient room temps down.

Last summer I lowered my spare bedroom(Grow room) ambient temperature 3-4F by setting a Hoenywell fan on the floor of the doorway...pointed INTO the room. This brought cooler air from outside the room...into the room...along the floor which is where I wanted it.

Pedro

 

[Guest]

My clone room is 3' wide x 7' long x 7.5' high. There is a 6 tube t5 in there. Heat can be a problem so I usually only run 4 tubes in late spring and summer due to outside high temperature infiltration. There is an exhaust to the outside, thermostatically controlled.

Air is pulled in from the adjacent flowering room where temperatures are controlled with A/C (when needed), Fresh Air inline intake and 2 carbon filters attached to inlines discharging hot air to the outside.

I hope you are exhausting to the outside. TGT is on point and if you are pulling from the room and venting back into the room the box is in you will need an AC.

Peace and Buds 2U

tystik

 

[DHarvester]

Thanks all (especially Ty) for the replys, I appreciate the help!

First off:

If what you say is correct, then your only hope is to "force" more air into the grow....unless you can increase the passive air intake cross sectional area.

I know for sure that if I raise my lights up a foot, I will eliminate my problem. Problem with that though is, I only have the 4 bulbs and mini hps, so I will be giving up some light energy = lower overall yield.

Both your passive air intake, and your forced air intake if you do that...should be as close to the floor as possible. Air near the floor in my apartment is almost 5 degrees cooler than air at waist level.

All of the vent flaps are on the bottom of the tent, and last night I tried putting a small duct fan (either 65 or 85 cfm, I don't remember, and the label has worn off.) in the lower opening, to no avail.

And/or remove the HPS. It isn't doing that much for you anyway IMO.

It's in there because the T5 doesn't fill the tent from front to back, there is a shadow about 1ft wide in the back. Also, I've noticed that the plants that are under it are shorter and have tighter internodal spacing. Bonus. I don't believe that the hps is adding to the problem because it is cool tubed and remote balasted. I am working on venting to the outside, but I gotta be damned sure that there is no odors because I live in very close proximity to my neighbors.

Not to "turn the knife" in you, but Tystik is right. Too many people don't plan.

I apologize Ty for getting snippy with you. It was out of frustration.

I actually have a great deal of respect for Ty and the quality of his grows, which is why I got frustrated with his responses. He is an exceptionally knowledgeable and talented grower with a tremendous amount of experience. I have followed several of his threads and have learned a great deal from him.

As I stated earlier though, this isn't my first grow in this setup, it's just my most packed setup. I realize now that based on my local climate that I can't pack them in as much as others are able to get away with. I love the hobby of growing my own, but if it's gonna cost me more than what I'd be paying out there, I have good friends with good connections.

That's the reason I'm asking for help, I want to grow, and I love to tinker with my setup, and I want to get the maximum potential out of my setup.

D.

 

[DHarvester]

Is it possible to get an AC in the room your grow box is in? It would cool you during the hot months and get your ambient down, thus lowering your grow temps.

During my last grow, I used a/c for the entire length of the grow (lights on only). Plants came out great. Electricity bill came out bad. Cost me a bit over $300! And that's not the whole bill, just the amount that I used for my grow; ouch! And my yield from 3 plants was just under 2 oz fully cured. I'd like to spend less or the same on electricity and get more finished product; that's why I put through 9. But, like I said in my previous post, I've learned from this current grow that I can't pack em in like others can.

D.

 

[DHarvester]

I hope you are exhausting to the outside. TGT is on point and if you are pulling from the room and venting back into the room the box is in you will need an AC.

I think that you both are right about the venting, I will definitely work on that. I just need to be certain about the scrubber. It works great, in my room you can't smell anything, but you know how it is, I made it myself so, I don't necessarily trust it with my freedom.

Peace and Buds 2U

Thanks Ty