The planned setup: 2 plants (hybrid of white widow + skunk + northern lights) Tiny closet (28" wide, 20" deep, and 8' tall) 2 fluoros (24" 20W) + CFL (25W) There's a 1" gap underneath the door - no other place for air to get in/out and I can't drill holes. There doesn't seem to be any place to put computer fans, so I bought the air filter (below) hoping to kill the odor and circulate the air inside the closet, and hopefully have the rest of the air come in and out through the 24 square inch slit under the door. Will this be enough? And if you want to really make my day, do you think the above lighting will be enough? I'm a long-time smoker but a complete noob when it comes to growing. [ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000063D6F/ref=ox_ya_oh_product"]The air filter.[/ame]
Ventilation is more about controlling heat than about circulation and air filtering. Also, once you put you plants into flower, you MUST have them in %100 darkness when the lights are off. This means that the crack in the door will leak light and cfls in that closet will eventually raise the temperatures too high. I detect from your description that you are in a space that can't be modified like an apt or a rented house. I suggest that you look into building a cabinet style grow box. Maybe even a rubbermaid set up would work. Everything you need to know to help you decide which way to go is available right here on GC! Take your time and read through the DIY guides, also read a few indoor grow journals. From the DIYs, you can see what is within your price/skill range. And in the grow journals, you might find a growing technique that fits your space/budget/personality. Hint: Do a search for threads with keywords like, "stealth", "cab", "diy", "rubbermaid" Good luck!
It is also very important that fresh air be brought into the room from the outside. Just moving the same air around inside your grow room will not work.
my closet has been working very well. heat/ventilation can be an issue. get a fan going & keep it running - it's good for the stems as well. when mine gets too hot i open it partially & blow air in with one fan & out with another (i have sliding closet doors). also - if the room has a/c then you should be ok. cfls don't put out a whole ton of heat & tubes put out almost no heat - in my setup the fan cools the lights & the plants. use a humidifier if you can fit one in as well. having the rh around 60 (or even more) is ideal. using that setup i've got 5 lovely girls growing (out of 5 planted). i'm going to begin flowering as soon as i've rooted some cuttings successfully. i'm gonna upload new pics soon. good luck!
Thanks; I built a grow box in my last apartment but I had to abort and trash the thing. The closet door is rather thick, so I'm not sure how much light will get in, especially if I paint that area black and with the plants well above the crack. Well in any case, my current roommates will be replaced by 420-friendly roommates in 2 months, so maybe I can start vegging soon and then transfer the plants to a darker area before flowering. Forgive the noob question, but why is that important? Oxygen is a gas - it finds its way into even the stuffiest of spaces. As long as I keep the air clean and cool, why would fresh air be an issue? If anything, wouldn't the closet trap the C02, and don't plants like C02?
The plants will use up the CO2 and so need a source to replenish it. You will need to drill/cut some holes or that space won't work. Can you buy a cheap door that fits on the closet, cut it (and mount fans and light-traps), store the original while growing, then re-install it unharmed later?
If you are only using those lights, the temps will probably be fine. But you will need fresh air to come in and to old air to leave. Chances are you will have to open the door quite a bit through the day. Which will make the whole house smell. That air filter will be almost worthless, because it's designed for pollen and dust, not something as potent as the smell of MJ.
The plant will use up the co2 when the lamps are on and also oxygen in darkness. Insufficient light - and with that kind of light you are proposing dont even worry about the need to cool anything with an 8 foot celing like u have. "Ventilation is more about controlling heat than about circulation and air filtering." Sorry not true - air circulation gets rid of humidity and during flowering if you have a strain that has huge buds this is a life or death situation. Definately put a towel in front of the door during the night cycle and or drill 2 holes somewhere and use a fan. U should have a fan blowing around the inside air no matter what. - They sell clip on fans at Wallmart for 7 bucks that will work fine for that. I just love the way my house smells. or http://forum.grasscity.com/general-indoor-growing/330714-mr-bubb-es-carbon-filter-2.html peace to all. I am stoned so my answers are probably incoherent - I hope someone understands. lol