hi there, sour
wow, a lot is going on in this thread. you seem to change your mind 2 times on every page
tent -> cab -> tent -> cab -> tent -> cab
don't get me wrong, i hear where you're coming from and i fully understand your dillemas / concerns.
not sure if i can be of great help but i will try.
i think that you need to sit down with a pen and list all your key requirements and must-haves. by prioritizing items from your list you will narrow down your choices to what will meet all/most requirements. the final solution may not be perfect in regard to lighting /or grow area but it will allow for a safe - and still happy - growing.
the idea of growing in the attics always gave me thrills as i know this calls for super efficient venting due to heat issue in summer.
ok, a couple thoughts from me:
1. cab or tent?
if i got it right, you're on a budget and this may be a temporary build? plus you're reluctant to buying over the internet.
in such case (and if DYI is an option for you - but i think it is) i would not spend hundreds of $$$ for all this equipment you mentioned before (well, some of it). i would look around and search a decent cab that looks like every other regular cab (= is stealthy) and i would adapt it to my needs.
why not browse garage sales if you have those in your location? people get rid of good stuff for peanuts, especially now when spring calls for 'house clearance'.
maybe a friend of yours wants to get rid of one? maybe your HomeDepot or other local supplier have some cabs that they used as temporary display? or maybe your perfect cab is sitting in the room next to yours but you never looked at it this way?
i personally wouldn't buy a tent since they look totally not-stealthy to me (all can notice it is not a normal piece of furniture). besides i am a DYI rabbit and enjoy to build my own contraptions.
plus a tent would increase your spend considerably!
2. lighting
i can't help you much here as i don't know enough about HID lighting just yet.
i am quite experienced with CFLs but HIDs are a new story to me too.
however i do think that a 400-watter must be a bitch when it comes to cooling it down...
3. ventilation
i have only grown under CFLs so far and these bulbs can heat up the grow area like hell too. cannot imagine 400W HID in a small area and a poor fan on top of it.
so make sure this is done right. i think it is your most sensitive issue.
so what i recommend:
a) get as much gearas possible OUT of the cab. this will allow more grow space and will reduce number of factors that could cause overheating.
b) make sure your inlets are way bigger than the outlet - but you know that already, don't you?
c) get a decent fan
when it comes to fans, i think Bulénath summed it up as good as it gets in his thread, read carefully his first post here.
i am totally fascinated with his venting system in that thread.
if i was in your situation, this would be the only gear that i would not hesitate to invest my $$$ in. after all, it is only 100 bucks, comparable to many inline fans, eh?
why not copy his 'silent fan' project? this would give you both: ventilation & scrubber
personally i would choose a more powerful unit for this 400watter you're planning to install, i would probably look at 200-300 CFM.
hope this all helps. should anything else come to my mind, i will post again.
stay cool and first plan it well, buddy
