Hydro/Aero location - attic vs garage vs 5' crawl space

[oldschoolfarmer]

I'm setting up a new area and am trying to compare/contrast different options. I'll explain each one and hopefully the community here can help pursuade me in one direction or another

Attic - 10'6" x 10' x 6'6"
good: ventilation, excellent security (no windows, only accessible through bedroom closet ceiling)
bad: HOT, no water faucet, only 1 electric outlet, haul everything up 2 flights of stairs :doh:

Garage - 20' x 20' x 13'
good: stays cool, decent security, plenty of space, water faucet, plenty of electrical outlets
bad: security could be better, tons of bugs, would like to use the space for vehicles

Crawl Space - 20' x 25' x 5'
good: stays cool, great security (no windows, only accessible through closet floor), plenty of electrical outlets, easy access
bad: possible humidity issues, height restricted, dirt floor


If you were planning on growing using a 12 bucket system, which place would you chose?

Personally, I would prefer the attic if it wasn't so hot. Is installing an AC unit worth the added security?

TIA

 

[Sam the Caveman]

You should put a voting poll at the top of the thread.

I vote for the crawl space. I wouldn't want any leaks coming from the attic and the garage is bad for security.

 

[oldschoolfarmer]

Good suggestion, thanks!

 

[Bulldog11]

The first set up I had was in a basement that was full hieght (6ft) and the floor where dirt also. My grow temps and humidity wasn't a problem but bugs where a major problem. They live in the dirt and even if you bomb they will always come back.

The attic, really? On a 100 degree day your attic can get up to 160 degrees F. THis would be the worst place in my personal opinion.

My system I use now is in a garage. Ever since I have had no bugs and temps are fairly easy to control. Bomb your garage for bugs before your first grow and you will be good. As far as security goes, I have turned my door handle around so the dead bolt is facing my kitchen. That way if you want to get into the garage you would have to have a key. It sucks not being able to put a car in the garage but my harvests have been great harvest after great harvest in my garage.

 

[oldschoolfarmer]

Bulldog - thanks for the reply. I agree the attic in summer is much too warm. Do you think an AC unit would be worth the added security? The high temp where I live rarely leaves the 70's but the low gets to -40F.

Growing in my garage has been ok. I like your idea of bombing for bugs, but security is my main concern. Anytime the utilities need to be serviced, the workers have to go through the garage (it's where the panels are located). I've sectioned off the grow for now, but most people ask about the "paint booth" lol, and the idea of having the grow completely hidden from view is quite appealing.

 

[Sam the Caveman]

I was in my attic doing making some measurements for a sealed grow room and thought about some security concerns.

Especially for you being in a cold climate, if the ceiling of your grow room is the bottom of the roof rafters there will be a spot on your roof when it snows or gets frost on it from heat emitting from your grow room. Where I live, if it does freeze, its only for a few hours.

 

[Bulldog11]

The poll is all tied up!

 

[JBlaze]

I doubt your garage will be viable if the temps dip down to -40 unless it is heavily insulated and has its own ventilation.

 

[Taokali]

voted Crawl Space

 

[VerdantGreen]

hmm, hydro in the attic might be risky, would you not do soil???
heat wise for the attic all you have to do is duct the air from the house into your grow then it's problem solved. small hole in the closet ceiling or somewhere discrete and your set!

crawl space would be ok - 5ft is fine if you are still planning to do scrog.

 

[oldschoolfarmer]

Verdant - thanks for your input! I'm definitely going back to hydro, soil was just an experiment for summer. I am still planning on Scrog but am a bit worried about bugs in the crawlspace.

"I doubt your garage will be viable if the temps dip down to -40 unless it is heavily insulated and has its own ventilation." It is and it does. Look at my gallery for some previous grows...

Sam the caveman - good point. I hadn't thought about snow melting above the attic, and that is certainly a concern.

 

[dubdi3mond]

i vote for the garage, just make it stealthy and if a room is not built inside your garage then please dont open the garage door for the world to see lol

 

[p1ninja]

I'm setting up a new area and am trying to compare/contrast different options. I'll explain each one and hopefully the community here can help pursuade me in one direction or another

Attic - 10'6" x 10' x 6'6"
good: ventilation, excellent security (no windows, only accessible through bedroom closet ceiling)
bad: HOT, no water faucet, only 1 electric outlet, haul everything up 2 flights of stairs :doh:

Garage - 20' x 20' x 13'
good: stays cool, decent security, plenty of space, water faucet, plenty of electrical outlets
bad: security could be better, tons of bugs, would like to use the space for vehicles

Crawl Space - 20' x 25' x 5'
good: stays cool, great security (no windows, only accessible through closet floor), plenty of electrical outlets, easy access
bad: possible humidity issues, height restricted, dirt floor


If you were planning on growing using a 12 bucket system, which place would you chose?

Personally, I would prefer the attic if it wasn't so hot. Is installing an AC unit worth the added security?

TIA

Garage without a doubt brotha. Too many temp and humidity issues in the attic and crawl space that you can avoid by going with the garage. The dirt floor in the crawl space will likely be too moist and too much humidity (maybe not depending on your geographic location). Plus it will be easier for you to sanitize a garage as opposed to an attic or crawl space (bugs bugs bugs!!!).



Cheers,

 

[madpenguin]

The high temp where I live rarely leaves the 70's but the low gets to -40F.

Attic all the way then (money permitting). You need to insulate and hang sheet rock tho. If you have a chase all the way to the basement, then running a cold water pvc pipe and a larger drain pipe along with some #6 for a 50A sub panel and your set. You can grow in style. Yes... That takes alot of money and time to setup but it's well worth it IMO. You can run insulated duct from the soffit areas for air cooled lights as well. You would need an AC unit to combat residual roof and dehumidifier heat.

Even tho it's the most expensive option on the table, that's what I would do. No bugs, great security and possible leaking smells stay high up to hopefully be carried away on the wind (hopefully this is a 3rd floor attic). But If you've insulated and hung drywall/spackled correctly, then there should be no leaks. Not unless you want to vent outside but that should be scrubbed anyway....

I grow in a finished 3rd floor attic and my temps stay in the mid 70's with a 10k btu window unit, dehudifier, 2 600's (air cooled) and a crap load of T5's in a veg room. Yes, heat can be an issue, but with proper planning and construction you can keep it cool with little power consumption. Ditch the air cooled lights in the winter and now you need no heat or AC.

Summer temps in my area can push 100 F and my electric bill is at $215 per month with about 1.75lbs every 2 months. Not bad for a small attic grow. Lay down a bunch of roofing rubber that overlaps the first 6 inches of the walls and you've basically got a leak proof area.

 

[Lazyman]

Though you could do as madpenguin suggested, that is a LOT of work/money to set up something you already have in your garage, minus the heat issues.

Garage all the way, you need lots of power and water (both in and out) and neither the crawl space or attic has these in abundance.

 

[MAZEinaHAZE]

i do an attic grow -- i live in FL with a lot of heat, most of the year. i don't have a "real" attic like found up North or in Europe. Mine is actually just the center triangle of my trussed roof. the opening is also in a bedroom closet

i redirected 2 a/c ducts from the living room and guest room....so when i cool my home, i cool my grow. the cost was not a major factor, but the back pain and sweaty work was !! i have NO light leaks.....NO visitors have ever suspected anything......i don't even use a carbon scrubber -- i have 2x 400w aircooled with a 8" vortex. its sucks outta the grow room and vents into the ridgevent of the roof....and poof -- out the attic space into thin air !! no smell ....

at the highest peak, i have only 57" of vertical grow space, minus the rez !!

in my set up, i have made the decision to use DWC in individual, non-recir buckets. I can NOT afford to have anything clog or back up in my situation. I might be losing a little on yeild....maybe have to maintain my system a little more, but i have the most security and leak proof system ......which makes me feel the most comfortable !!!!

 

[Bulldog11]

How in the world are you going to get sheet rock up in your attic? My guess is your access point is fairly close to the top of your roof peak and is no wider than 2.5 feet.

Also, How in the world are you going to make sure that you never have a single leak? You want to know a security breach? How about you sitting down to dinner with your family and friends and then all the sudden 50 gal of water comes crashing through your ceiling. No body would notice that right?

Garage all the way, screw anybody that wants to come in your garage, just tell them that is where you keep the house mess. Turn your lock around, and forget all this other crap. Take it from me, you wont be happy in basement or attic.

 

[oldschoolfarmer]

Crawlspace is officially out of the race. I had to do a bit of work down there today and quickly realized height is important for grower sanity

I like the direction other attic growers have gone, and fortunately I can get sheet rock, etc up there if necessary. But, lack of water and power has me thinking garage.

Maybe I could build a "fort" inside the garage? (Meaning a 6 walled, sealed, cube?) Anybody recommend a good journal for framing/drywalling a small room?

 

[gmanwho]

section off part of the garage and insulate the room as well, and still may have room to get a car in there.

Im sure u could check the HD or lowes sites on framing, or do a google search. Also, go with smaller diameter wood for studs if its not gonna be a permanent structure. sheatrock the outside and poly the inside.

If you put it to a corner of the garage u may only have to put up 2 walls if u use the corner of the existing garage frame. then just ads a door.

Bsafe

 

[Bulldog11]

I agree with gmanwho, go to Home Depot and buy a book on framing or maybe even just google it. Make sure you are able to build a door, because this may be the most important part of framing up a room. The door must be light tight. I would also try to put room in corner so all you have to do is connect two walls, easy as pie. The only thing I disagree with is you should use 2x4's. That way you can keep a high R value in your insulation. Insulation is also a very important step. If you build with 2x4 then use R-13 insulation. Hope this helps.