Not a newb, BUT, filter not effective for 3x3x5 grow cabinet.

Hey all. Never used to have to worry about smell control, BUT, indoors now and close neighbors. Built a 3x3x5 cabinet/closet in my basement. Have two plants, one almost done budding and the other just getting under way. They are small plants, the bigger of the two is around 14 inches and compact, the other is in a 2 liter bottle, both 12/12 from seed.

Plant 1 is bagseed and stinky. Plant 2 not so much smell. Anyway, bought a 4 inch fan and filter combo from HTG supply, set up according to information gleaned from this site. It should be more than enough for my size cab. My passive intake is a 4 inch hole bottom left of cabinet, it has a 3 inch flange on the outside to prevent light leak plus black pantyhose on outside rim to discourage light leak. Inside it runs into ventilation tubing so as to let it flow on the opposite side of the filter above, you follow? The filter/fan combo has 5 inches of vent tubing between filter and fan, then another two feet running through sealed hole to outside of cab. It is sealed very well with clamps, etc... There is negative pressure evident since the door takes a little nudging to open and the inflow through the passive intake is strong enough to hold paper, filters, etc... to it while testing.

Temps steady around 80 degrees farenheit. Humidity varies between 55 to 65%, it has hit 70% a few times after watering. I understand high humidity levels can not allow the carbon filter to work. I also have ONA gel in a shallow pan mixed with water outside the cab underneath the outflow vent tubing blowing into it. There has been a few days when I walked into the house and smelled my plants and the ONA gel too, LOL. So, I am confident that the fan/filter is setup properly, but my question is does anybody think it's just the cheap filter from HTG supply, and that if I buy a Phresh or Mountain Air filter the problem will suddenly disappear? Or, is it possible there is too much fresh air coming into cabinet, not allowing all the air to get scrubbed? I can post pics tomorrow if needed. Some days, usually when the plants are due to be watered and they are dry, I can not smell anything even in the basement. Any help is appreciated. Peace

Make sure u have a negative pressure , more air being sucked out then air being pushed in .... like that even the air outisde the cabinet/closet will get sucked in from under your door , have a good 1

You should have two 4 inch holes for intake with a 4 inch exhaust

dunkin73 said:

<snip> Some days, usually when the plants are due to be watered and they are dry, I can not smell anything even in the basement. Any help is appreciated. Peace

Click to expand...

The days you can smell something...is that when you've opened the tent and worked with the plants? It really does not take much. I can open my tent and not even do anything and you can smell ganja in the rest of the house.

Mattemil said:

You should have two 4 inch holes for intake with a 4 inch exhaust

Click to expand...

Wow, I guess I didn't read enough, I didn't know that. There is an 1/8 inch gap at the bottom of the door with a black door sweep attached to prevent light leak, I assumed air would be pulled through that and into the cab to supplement the 4 inch passive intake. I guess the science is the opposite of what I thought, I figured the less fresh air available the more "smell" would be scrubbed. I have the speed controller at the lowest setting, if I turn it up to medium or higher the smell gets worse. So, I will cut another 4 inch passive intake on the opposite side of the cab. The filter and fan are secured at the top of the cabinet. I use CFL's so heat has been a non-issue. One more question, my humidity in the basement outside the cab is at 45 to 50%. I vent into the basement, not outside, it's not possible due to the location of the cabinet and wanting to stay stealth. Do you think my humidity will also be less when I add another passive intake? Thanks again RIU, peace!!!

brotherjericho said:

The days you can smell something...is that when you've opened the tent and worked with the plants? It really does not take much. I can open my tent and not even do anything and you can smell ganja in the rest of the house.

Click to expand...

Sometimes, but usually I am asleep and the girlfriend comes home from work after 8 to 10 hours and notices.She bought the filter and fan for me as a gift since my hobby keeps me home and happy, LOL. I am guilty of opening the door and gazing at the goodies sometimes, usually as soon as I get home from work. I am like a little kid at Christmas. Thanks for the input, Peace

I added a couple pics of my almost done bagseed, 12/12 from seed, BUD PORN. What do you think of CFL's and ventilation setup??