okay, just going to edit this original post with a new question instead of creating a whole new thread. so basically I'm confused as to how I should set up my ventilation system.. here is what I have: 4x4x6.5 tent 600watt MH / HPS setup (air cooled reflector hood enclosed with piece of glass) 1x 440cfm exhaust fan 1x clip on fan 1x charcoal filter all ducting / port holes are 6 inches. My assumption is that I should simply hang the charcoal filter at the top, back-middle of the tent with ducting coming out of that into my light and then into the exhaust fan which will be PULLING air out of the tent and out of a window to the outdoors. I will also place a small amount of ducting (curved like an L inside the tent to help prevent light leaks) on the bottom two ports for passive intake. Is this correct? If so, should I blow some compressed air through the filter outside to get debris out before it goes through the air cooled light hood? Any other advice would be greatly welcomed. Won't be starting any seeds for a month or so but would like to get the system running to make sure everything is in working order beforehand. [original post:] what's up GC? needing a little advice on an indoor tent setup. going to be running a 600w HID setup inside a 4x4x6.5. The room it's in is roughly 15 feet by 25 feet and has a mini split AC unit. Is it safe to exhaust from the tent back into the same room or should I be sending the air outside through a window? also curious on how to keep fresh air circulating inside of a room this size, especially during the summer when windows being open means that the AC needs to run more and the humidity levels are up. any info / insight would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
You should find a way to vent your air being pulled from the tent to outside. If not, you’re blowing your hot humid air right back in the room and recirculating it. It’ll make it much harder on your A/C to bring your temps down. If you run your vent out then whatever air your A/C blows in and any air in the room will suffice as your fresh air
thanks! so if i'm intaking air from the room and it's being sucked out of the window, wouldn't the AC still need to run more since all the cool air is being sucked outside?
Technically yes it will, whether you go out the window or through a vent in the roof, your A/C will still have to make that difference up. But with a like stated,with that little tent and very little heat you won’t notice. Just use a fan control and run it slow.
I'm just curious as to what the heat situation will be. My 4x4x6.5 with 480w of QB gets my tent up to 78 at canopy. And that is only if I keep my house temp at 67-68 or lower. If the house gets warmer the heat can easily hit 82 at canopy. 600w of HID is gonna kick out way more heat than my 480w QB setup. As far as ventilation, I have an older home that has cold air return vents as well as heating vents. I exhaust my tent into the cold air return and haven't had any problems.
That’s best case scenario is if you have a cold air return close to your vent. Then it just gets recirculated by your A/C. I’m sure your HID is going to run your heat up, but I can’t say how much... it’s been years since I ran HID
when my mini split is on 72 it is pretty cold to me at least. I will be running a 440 cfm exhaust fan plus clip on as well for below the canopy. If the hot air is being vented outside I can't imagine needing to run the AC at 68 but I guess we will see! going to get a window adapter and duct the exhaust outside. don't really want to mess with hot air inside the room really. EDIT: i will actually be doing passive intake and 1 440cfm exhaust fan. might buy an additional oscillation fan for inside below or above canopy. Only have one currently.
just added a new question to the top of this thread instead of creating a whole new thread. this post is for bump! cheers.
The set up your new question asks sounds right. As far as running elbows for light leaks you’ll just have to try it and see what works for you. (Unless you’re running autos, and then I wouldn’t worry as much about a little leak).
yeah I will probably also add some panty hose to the outside to help with reflections and such.. this first run will likely be full of trial and error while I dial everything in. and i'm honestly not sure if they're autos (doubt it). it's dispensary bagseed (C99 & Grape Ape) might just run 2 plants (can only legally do 4 anyways) and veg longer so that the flower period doesn't start til mid September or so which could help since humidity should be naturally lower by then. currently looking at 65% in the room..
It is a good idea to treat your heat and stink as two separate issues. You need more airflow to get rid of the heat. You will be wasting the charcoal filter forcing a bunch of hot air through it.
so.. how would I use the filter then? fortunately smell won't be an issue since it's a legal grow so I might just not use it if it's just going to cause more issues than it will solve..
If your venting outside and its legal, i wouldnt run a filter. That being said, you do realize if you are venting a tent outside on a 100 degree day, that same 100 degree outside air has to come back into your house somewhere, right? Venting outside is rarely the answer. This is my air cooled setup. Fan pulls air in through filter and pushes it out through the hood and tent.
that doesn't really make sense to me, no. but if that's the case, it's still better than just recycling the same air in the room that the tent is located in, no?
I disagree. I have been running my inline fan on top of my filter outside my tent for years with no problems. As long as I have a window cracked for fresh air, all is well.
I cycle the air from the tent to the rest of my house. Keeps the whole house super fresh all winter when its closed up for 8 months straight. Tent also helps heat the house.
I don't use a filter (legal grow) and I vent the stink through the roof/bathroom vent. I installed a one way valve so the stink exhaust can't be blown back into the chamber should there be high winds or the fan sits down for some reason. For heat, I just vent into the attic. I use a 4" Vortex for the stink (on a speed control) and a 6" Vortex on the heat (on a speed control as well).
Disagree. First off you want rid of the heat. Second rid of moisture 3rd your AC has to handle a bigger load if you just circulate through the house