Hey everyone! Long time Grasscity user, but new username. I have some experience with outdoor horticulture , but I'm new to the indoor game. Ok, so I have a small personal grow being set up in my attic. Like most attics, it is not insulated on top. Detection Any advice on avoiding detection would be great. It's a 2x4x5 tent, and I am running a 200w California Lightworks SolarFlare LED light (actual draw 160w). I will add a second identical LED panel when I can afford it. They're $450 a pop! I love the LED technology for its stealth factor, but I definitely need a second light to max out the tent's potential. The LED's should help out a lot with IR detection issues. 160w (eventually 320w) of actual power draw isn't much heat, especially considering that LED's are, watt for watt, rather cool. The one reason I'm paranoid about FLIR is because my tent is almost up against the crossbeams. Should I add a layer of insulation? Someone please tell me I'm going overboard with my concerns, and this won't show up on FLIR? ------- Venting Also, as far as venting goes, there are 3 passive vents in the attic itself. I could exhaust out one, but I think it may make more sense to just exhaust straight into the attic? I could use ducting to make one into an intake which wouldn't be a detection issue. I do not have fans or a filter yet. I need some advice on these. Is it worth the ~$200 for a 6" soler & palau fan, or will an $80 hydrofarm 6" be fine? I do not want the fan to be audible from the house, but $200 is a bit steep, and I won't pay it unless I think it is a worthwhile investment. As for filters, I know phresh is considered a good brand. Are there solid, less expensive alternatives? I won't skimp on this unless I can. Also, will CO2 be an issue if I do not have a powered air intake from outdoors? Heat issues Now, this leads me to heating. The attic is unheated / uninsulated, and we have a seasonal climate here. I'm not sure how to go about keeping heat high enough in the winter. Anyone have thoughts/ experience on this (The SolarFlare LED does make some heat, just not like HID lighting does)? I do not know how low the ambient temp drops eithers, heat does rise from the house obviously. I am not sure if the LED will produce enough heat to maintain 70+ daytime temps come the winter. If anyone has experience please chime in. I rambled a little, I may clean this post up later.
If you live in the US, thermal imaging and FLIR are not a concern for you at all. I've seen a lot of threads about this, and even created my own. If you plan to turn a whole garage or house into a grow operation, you would be seen with FLIR, but cops need a warrant to use FLIR now and if they've already got a warrant for your home, you're already discovered. LED lights are amazing though! As for heating/ventilation, I'm not too sure about that. Maybe a more experienced grower will chime in.
[quote name='"SnappinBowls"']If you live in the US, thermal imaging and FLIR are not a concern for you at all. I've seen a lot of threads about this, and even created my own. If you plan to turn a whole garage or house into a grow operation, you would be seen with FLIR, but cops need a warrant to use FLIR now and if they've already got a warrant for your home, you're already discovered. LED lights are amazing though! As for heating/ventilation, I'm not too sure about that. Maybe a more experienced grower will chime in.[/quote] Dude, I live in the US in a major city and the police don't fly around in their chopper all the time over residential areas for fun. FLIR is inadmissible in court but can still tell the cops who to take a harder look at.