Help me expand!

[paperchaser825]

Could you just give me a rundown of your setup/equipment?

You say it's bigger? what are the dimensions?

I see a lot of switches and wiring going on, I see an inline fan connected to some ducting, what kind of fan? how many CFM? how loud is it? what kinda odor control do you use? what size bulbs are you running?

the more info the better!

I believe the dimensions are close to 6x4x5. The box is in an attic, so there are many special mods I have made that you won't have to in your situation.

The basic concept is the same though. 2x4 frame with a plywood skin, insulated with regular fiberglass roll insulation. 2x 5000 btu window ac's (you won't need these if you are using in home ac to cool system.

Other than that it has the works. 600w quantum switchable ballast w/ 6" inline exhaust that you were asking about. Not sure about the cfm on the 6" but I believe it is around 450cfm. The reflector is a cooltube just so I can exhaust as much heat as I can from the room. It get's hot as hell up there.

The room is also co2 supplemented with a small unit from hydroinnovations. I ran the line from outside the house to the unit in order to keep the propane setup outside.

The outlets were self installed. Nothing much to that you can look that up anywhere online. As for the grey boxes, those are controllers for my ac and heating.

Hydro system is based on Blazeonup's RDWC system though I am planning on upgrading to a URDWC or a BIObucket system for the massive circulation increase.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

 

[soursmoker]

Awesome, mine will be in an attic as well. A finished attic tho, not that it makes much different, it is horribly insulated...

There is a window A/C up here so I plan on placing the cab/tent right near the A/C

I will be running 400w CMH so heat will not be as big of an issue but will still be a problem for me. Most likely...

I am really still considering building a chamber because currently I can't order anything from the internet because my safe addy isn't all that safe right now.

What is the agreed upon best material for framing. wood 2x4s or PVC? wood is much stronger and sturdier I assume but harder to take apart...

Has anyone used insulation board for their walls before? I don't want to use plywood again... makes the cab too heavy... pretty much has to stay in place or be disassembled to move it...

Thinking about buying something like this

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Owens-Co...ft-Fanfold-10UM/100320301?N=baxx#.UX5M6MpYWSo

Could build quite a few cabs out of that $50 bucks.

I think I might buy this HPS setup and then just screw in my CMH bulb and be ready to go...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/High-Presss...t=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item9bff7a4a0e

Anyone have ideas?

 

[paperchaser825]

Well, I didnt know you were building in an attic, so let me back up.

HEAT WILL BE AN ISSUE DURING SUMMER.

Simply having your cab "next to" the window ac will not be nearly enough. You will need to build the cab out of something sturdy (wood is the cheapest, sturdiest for the cost) and you will have to insulate and seal the entire cab if you want any measure of success to occur.

Take a look at my setup again, I am having to run 2 5000btu window units just to keep it cool. Running in attics takes much care. I have a bit of experience but I am still also learning as I go.

Let me know if I can help more.

 

[soursmoker]

I was planing on framing out with 2x4s or something similar and then using insulation board as walls... then put something for reflecting the light...


the fact i am going to be running a 400w CMH compared to a 600w HPS is a big difference too...

I can keep the ambient temps pretty decent as long as I run the A/C a good amount. Also keep in mind I run the lights on at night to deal with heat as well.

thanks for the help and suggestions!

 

[paperchaser825]

I was planing on framing out with 2x4s or something similar and then using insulation board as walls... then put something for reflecting the light...


the fact i am going to be running a 400w CMH compared to a 600w HPS is a big difference too...

I can keep the ambient temps pretty decent as long as I run the A/C a good amount. Also keep in mind I run the lights on at night to deal with heat as well.

thanks for the help and suggestions!

Been my personal experience that when running in an attic, it's even hard to keep night time temps down, even when light not on. I run my light at night to offset temps and it still is a tough situation. As far as using foam for walls, you're not going to be able to hang stuff on the wall. Will make for a tough situation.

 

[soursmoker]

I am not doubting it is a tough situation, I have dealt with it before when I was only using CFLs so I know the issue is there. I am just saying I think the fact that I am going to run 400 CMH vs your 600 HPS, will be a big difference in heat.

If I have a good ventilation system in the cab. And it is sitting right next to my window unit A/C I think I will be ok. Notice I said think, I do not know. I don't have the option to put an A/C in my cab so if this doesn't work then I guess I am done in the attic or back to CFLs

Why would I want to hang something by the walls? Isn't everything hung by the ceiling?

I would build a decent sturdy frame...

Roughly basing it off of this design...

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=22822

 

[castout]

TOH and I will be here later today, to help build one like ours!!!! have a good one, and don't fret, you will be rocking the SCROG in a minute!!!

 

[paperchaser825]

I am not doubting it is a tough situation, I have dealt with it before when I was only using CFLs so I know the issue is there. I am just saying I think the fact that I am going to run 400 CMH vs your 600 HPS, will be a big difference in heat.

If I have a good ventilation system in the cab. And it is sitting right next to my window unit A/C I think I will be ok. Notice I said think, I do not know. I don't have the option to put an A/C in my cab so if this doesn't work then I guess I am done in the attic or back to CFLs

Why would I want to hang something by the walls? Isn't everything hung by the ceiling?

I would build a decent sturdy frame...

Roughly basing it off of this design...

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=22822

Just all depends on where you live. Towards summer it gets around 95F outside where I live. In the attic it gets 120F+.

I hang stuff like CO2 gen from wall, fans, electrical outlets, ballast....that sort of stuff.

 

[soursmoker]

TOH and I will be here later today, to help build one like ours!!!! have a good one, and don't fret, you will be rocking the SCROG in a minute!!!

Im scared of the SCROG tho! I need my strains!!

Just all depends on where you live. Towards summer it gets around 95F outside where I live. In the attic it gets 120F+.

I hang stuff like CO2 gen from wall, fans, electrical outlets, ballast....that sort of stuff.

yeah you are right... I think I'll be able to manage.

Right now I am thinking fuck buying a tent. I can build a cab fairly cheap and easy.

frame it out with some 2x4 or 2x3s

Buy some R3 Insulation board (reflective on one side)

cut to size for walls...

cover exterior with layer of pond liner to cover light leaks.

cut intake/exhaust holes

put in equipment and plants...


as far as hanging from wall, only thing on that list I will be dealing with is a fan and I already have an idea where to hang that. ballast will be placed outside of cab to help deal with heat problems...

thanks so much for all the advice. critiscism is always welcome!

 

[trichster]

use metal duct tape to seal your insulation boards, its the kind you have to peal the back off. I would get at least a 200cfm minimum fan with can33, 100cfm isnt going to cut it. personally id get a 6'' fan and a speed controller. Put around a 12'' intake vent in on ac side of box. What are you doing with the heat from the exhaust? is it being exhausted out of attic?

 

[soursmoker]

use metal duct tape to seal your insulation boards, its the kind you have to peal the back off. I would get at least a 200cfm minimum fan with can33, 100cfm isnt going to cut it. personally id get a 6'' fan and a speed controller. Put around a 12'' intake vent in on ac side of box. What are you doing with the heat from the exhaust? is it being exhausted out of attic?

thanks for the tip on the metal duct tape... do you have a link to that? I couldn't find it on Home Depot's website, only on Amazon. I am trying to build this without ordering anything off the internet, but I know that is going to be difficult...

As far as the fan goes, the biggest my space will be is 2x4x5 = 40 Cubic feet. The TD-100x has a High rating of 135 CFM and Low of 100 CFM.

ON low I would be exhasuting 2.5 times per minute... I know the filter will slow it down, but isn't that going to put me right about where I want to be for ventilation?

also the can 33 reccomends 2 different fans, each under 200 CFM so I don't think I NEED a 6" fan. It is a good idea though because I will probably need one in the future...

I don't want to stray away from the S&P TD-1-- series though because I have heard good reviews and they are supposed to be very quiet.

The exhaust unfortunately will just be dumped into what I guess you could call the "lung" room... Box will be placed right near A/C and hopefully constantly recirculating fresh cool air. I have nowhere to vent the exhaust out of the attic...

 

[RockstarsEarWax]

Since you are going to be building your cab, I believe that you could get away with framing with 2x2's. Using the insulation that you mentioned for the walls should work. The exhaust fan and filter you mention will work just fine as well. The recommended exhaust rate should exchange the air at least once every 5 minutes. However, IMO, $72 for a 100 cfm fan is not very cheap considering that you can get a really decent 450 cfm fan and a fan speed controller for a little more money, leaving yourself room for expansion. You should always go bigger in anticipation of expansion. If space is the concern, consider mounting all the hardware on the outside of the cab. How big is this window ac unit that you will be running? (meaning btu's)? I would think about just cutting a square hole in the cab wall the size of the face of the window ac and literally just but it right up and into the cab, providing the inside with fresh cool air at all times. Then run some duct tape around the edges to help better seal it. A CMH is still going to make pretty hot ambient temps, especially in a smaller area like that. Then you could just run your exhausted air into the attic which will probably make the surrounding room a bit warmer but as long as the cab stays in the mid 70's all should be well for your ladies. If the ac is big enough, maybe you could get away with just scrubbing the air instead of exhausting. That will however take up some room inside the cab. Either way, it will most likely get fairly warm in the attic because of the cab due to the HID light whether it's on in the day or at night unless you have an ample ac unit. Running it at night might save you on running the ac a little bit, but probably not because the cab will still need the cool air. The other option would be to exhaust out the same window that the ac is in. They make plastic window attachments used for portable ac units that fit the windows and have holes for ducting. Or you could try your hand at making your own out of some plywood or a 2x8 or 2x12.

If you're not ordering off the internet, how do you plan on getting that light/ballast kit you mentioned off of ebay? And how about the exhaust fan and carbon filter you mention? Surely that's not available at Home Depot. And if you do order off ebay, surely you can get a tent for just as cheap as materials and time/labor. Plus then it will have the mobility that you're looking for.

I think the first step in doing all of this is to come up with a solid game plan, and then sticking to it.

I hope these ideas help give some insight...

 

[trichster]

look up " foil " tape to find what your looking for. Ive ran a can33 before but had to run a 6'' vortex with it turned down half way. I would get a fan not intended for bathrooms like vortex, valuline, even a cheap hurricane fan would be better that are designed to run with carbon filters the size of a can33. You need to get that HOT exhaust air out of the attic somehow someway!

 

[soursmoker]

Since you are going to be building your cab, I believe that you could get away with framing with 2x2's. Using the insulation that you mentioned for the walls should work. The exhaust fan and filter you mention will work just fine as well. The recommended exhaust rate should exchange the air at least once every 5 minutes. However, IMO, $72 for a 100 cfm fan is not very cheap considering that you can get a really decent 450 cfm fan and a fan speed controller for a little more money, leaving yourself room for expansion. You should always go bigger in anticipation of expansion. If space is the concern, consider mounting all the hardware on the outside of the cab. How big is this window ac unit that you will be running? (meaning btu's)? I would think about just cutting a square hole in the cab wall the size of the face of the window ac and literally just but it right up and into the cab, providing the inside with fresh cool air at all times. Then run some duct tape around the edges to help better seal it. A CMH is still going to make pretty hot ambient temps, especially in a smaller area like that. Then you could just run your exhausted air into the attic which will probably make the surrounding room a bit warmer but as long as the cab stays in the mid 70's all should be well for your ladies. If the ac is big enough, maybe you could get away with just scrubbing the air instead of exhausting. That will however take up some room inside the cab. Either way, it will most likely get fairly warm in the attic because of the cab due to the HID light whether it's on in the day or at night unless you have an ample ac unit. Running it at night might save you on running the ac a little bit, but probably not because the cab will still need the cool air. The other option would be to exhaust out the same window that the ac is in. They make plastic window attachments used for portable ac units that fit the windows and have holes for ducting. Or you could try your hand at making your own out of some plywood or a 2x8 or 2x12.

If you're not ordering off the internet, how do you plan on getting that light/ballast kit you mentioned off of ebay? And how about the exhaust fan and carbon filter you mention? Surely that's not available at Home Depot. And if you do order off ebay, surely you can get a tent for just as cheap as materials and time/labor. Plus then it will have the mobility that you're looking for.

I think the first step in doing all of this is to come up with a solid game plan, and then sticking to it.

I hope these ideas help give some insight...

Hey thanks alot! Awesome to see someone put in a lot of thought towards someone else's project!

First off, agree 100% one should always be looking ahead and expecting expansion, but honestly I don't know how I could hide a 450 CFM fan, even on a speed controller! From what I hear, those things sound like jet engines! this is the reasoning for the fan I picked out... I will eventually need a bigger fan, but I will also probably be in a better situation to hide it...

Next, space is a concern and I am considering mounting most of the hardware on the exterior of the box... could use some help on figuring how to go about that...

I am not sure how big the A/C is, it's actually a wall unit, not a window unit, it was here when we moved in...

I can not put it in or DIRECTLY next to the cab in anyway...

It is in a weird spot, only way for you to understand would be for me to take a pic... I'll get on that later..

I know that the CMH will still create heat but it should be less than a HPS, that's for sure...

I plan on running at night, as I have been...

Like I said A/C is not a window unit, so can't exhaust out of there...

Inevitably I will enventually order off the internet, that statement was referring to building a bigger replacement cab for what I have now and switching all the equipment...thus not ordering anything off internet...

the eventual upgrade (CMH, new fan, carbon filter) will come later... when I gain a safe addy again.. hopefully sooner than later

and I agree, I need to make up a solid plan and stick to it! I have ADHD when it comes to this shit...

look up " foil " tape to find what your looking for. Ive ran a can33 before but had to run a 6'' vortex with it turned down half way. I would get a fan not intended for bathrooms like vortex, valuline, even a cheap hurricane fan would be better that are designed to run with carbon filters the size of a can33. You need to get that HOT exhaust air out of the attic somehow someway!

thanks for the tip on the foil tape, any specific type or brand to look for? extreme weather?

As far as fans, why did you HAVE to run a 6" Vortex?
How loud are the fans you speak of? The reason I picked out the fan I did is because it is efficient and quiet...

I know i need to get the hot air out, I still need to figure this out...

 

[trichster]

tape wise mine says 3M on it. Had to run 6'' fan cause using smaller fan was louder then turning vortex half way down and ran hotter with smaller fan(200cfm) with can33 hooked up to.

 

[Resistance]

Exactly. Don't think "I'll get a bigger (whatever) so I can expand later" Think, I should go overkill now so I don't regret it this summer halfway through my grow.

 

[soursmoker]

Ok well if everyone is totally against the S&P's...
can you point me in the right direction?

You are saying go 6" no matter what? what brands aren't extremely loud?

 

[soursmoker]

shit scratch that, i think I found my own answer...

how does this look?

http://www.amazon.com/In-Line-Fan-Watts-Includes-Active/dp/B002JQ14F8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1367454470&sr=8-2&keywords=6%22+inline+fan

 

[Resistance]

They all sound the same. Loud as fuck when plugged in, quieter with a scrubber on it, more quiet with a scrubber and a speed controller on it, even more quiet with a scrubber, speed controller, and a muffler on it.

 

[Resistance]

lol...it looks like every other inline fan...