Can an Open Window replace an Exhaust System?

My basement is a large size. Near the small window down there, I'm going to set up 2 plants. If I have a window fan blowing fresh air in from outside and onto my plants, will that be sufficient?

I don't need massive yields. I'm just looking to get a small crop going for medicinal purposes. I have a dehumidifier down there to control humidity, and it generally stays in low 70's high 60's temp in the basement. I'm going to setup two 5gallon hydroponic buckets, run a 300watt led light above and fill around the plants with some CF bulbs.

What do you think, will an open window and a large open basement area give enough fresh CO2 for the plants?

im not an indoor guy but im pretty sure thats asking for trouble for your grow.molds,mildew,bugs,pests all have an open invitation with the window open.

Yes, if your temps stay in range and air is circulated and your not talking 100s of plants or a full room of plant matter.
Somewhere on the internet there is a formula for how much air is exchanged via passive exchange into a room via door of x size. You would be surprized.

natureboygrower makes a valid point too.

But to answer specifically on if co2 would be replenished quick enough, YES.

When you flower you're gonna need to block the light coming in that window.

Well I'll definitely have fans oscillating around the plants to keep things flowing and prevent stagnation. With the dehumidifier, I'll be able to keep excessive moisture at bay.

Since I'm not growing in soil, I'm less concerned about molds and bugs etc... Am I correct in assuming this?

I may close the window at times, but since it's summer, I can mostly just leave it open. Good to know it should be sufficient co2 for the plants. Thank you

BadlyDrawnBoy said:

Since I'm not growing in soil, I'm less concerned about molds and bugs etc... Am I correct in assuming this?

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No

toaster struedel said:

When you flower you're gonna need to block the light coming in that window.

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Yeah I thought of that. If I have the lights shut off at 7pm and turn back on at 7am, there will be only very light leakage in for only a few minutes after 7 pm and before 7 am. The window is under a deck, so at night and morning much less light comes in than it normally would.

I think I'll run 18/6 for veggie stage. Seems more natural for the plants than 24/0 does

coreywebster said:

No

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What should I keep an eye out for, specifically? I'm going to change the water weekly.

BadlyDrawnBoy said:

What should I keep an eye out for, specifically? I'm going to change the water weekly.

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Depends on where in the world you live I suppose as to what are the greatest threat.

I imagine, spidermites, thrips, aphids

have a look here, http://www.growweedeasy.com/bugs-pests-symptoms-marijuana-grow

coreywebster said:

Depends on where in the world you live I suppose as to what are the greatest threat.

I imagine, spidermites, thrips, aphids

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I'm in the northeast USA area. I will read up on the link you sent. Thanks, I appreciate it.

Here's a "Play Book" of how your Grow should go... http://www.ilovegrowingmarijuana.com/hydroponic-growing-schedule/

As long as the plants have a supply of fresh CO2 and other requirements met, 2 plants should not cause issues.

BadlyDrawnBoy said:

What should I keep an eye out for, specifically? I'm going to change the water weekly.

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powdery mildew

another thing @BadlyDrawnBoy .basements are notoriously wet and humid locations.unless youre in the desert,keeping a window open while running a dehumidifier is just going to pull more moisture from outside in(plus not very effecient on your wallet).your dehumidifier is going to run nonstop and your humidity is not going to drop.those dehumidifiers can be pricey to run daily on your meter.something to think about before you recieve your first electric bill.you wont be saving yourself any money by keeping the window open.look into an inline exhaust fan.you already have a window to run it through.GL

natureboygrower said:

another thing @BadlyDrawnBoy .basements are notoriously wet and humid locations.unless youre in the desert,keeping a window open while running a dehumidifier is just going to pull more moisture from outside in(plus not very effecient on your wallet).your dehumidifier is going to run nonstop and your humidity is not going to drop.those dehumidifiers can be pricey to run daily on your meter.something to think about before you recieve your first electric bill.you wont be saving yourself any money by keeping the window open.look into an inline exhaust fan.you already have a window to run it through.GL

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Yeah i realized this today when I was down there with the window open. i was trying to avoid buying the inline fan and everything just because it seems a bit daunting and also carries a fairly heavy price tag. I may as well just buy a grow tent too while I'm at it, if I'm buying an exhaust fan. That was the main reason i wasn't going to get a tent, just because i'd have to buy and rig an exhaust system.

The LED light i am thinking of getting doesn't have the circle openings on/in the hood, where i see other setups running duct work into. Would I just have an open duct in the grow tent then, without connecting it to the light? I'm having a difficult time understanding the exhaust setup properly.

Also, wouldn't I need to leave the window open anyways if I'm running duct work to and out of it?

There is a small room down there where I had originally wanted to grow. It has it's own door, separate from the rest of the basement. If I simply ran duct through that wall and into the larger section of the basement to expel air coming out of the grow tent, and the room that the grow tent is in, would that be alright? The wall opening where the duct would be coming through would be right next to the window. I could easily rig it to go out the window, but...is it definitely a necessity?