4x4 garage grow set-up. Suggestions?

Beepborp

New Member
Hi. I have been growing for a few years now without a regulated environment. I felt it was time to upgraded my setup with heat, hum and a better light to try push the quality of my grow. I'm about to veg a new grow and wanted to hear thoughts on my current set-up and see if anything could be improved.

4x4 grow tent
6" can max fan
sf4000 light
Humidifier
Various osculating fans

I live in a moderate climate and generally need to add humidity and heat to the garage grow to keep stable temps 80F/55RH in veg. I regulate the temps with 2 ink bird controllers. 1 for temp (heater) 1 for humidity (humidifier). This has stabilized my environment a lot, but have some concern with co2 and airflow.

In previous grows my tent ran cool because I was using fan-cooled cheap LEDs. My new SF4000 has been great at stabilizing the tent at around 80F without running the exhaust fan. In previous grows I had also kept the exhaust fan running 24/7. Since heat is less of an issue now, I connected the exhaust fan to the humidity controller to keep things creeping up too high. In doing so, my exhaust fan is running a lot less than it had previously. Instead I was thinking of connecting the fan to an interval timer. Any recommendations on how often I should run the exhaust to increase co2? Heard 15 mins every hr.

The 6" Can fan has a bit too much flow for my 4x4, even on the built in speed-controlled setting :1. I use passive air intake (6" hole at the top of tent and 4" hole which is connected to the heater) which tends to pull the tent in slightly when the fan is running. Adding more intake holes gets complicated with light sealing, so I used roped to help with this. Ideally wish I could speed control this fan even further, but heard that speed controllers are NOT compatible with brushless type motors. Anyone have experience further controlling the speed with this kind of fan? Should I add an intake fan?

Smell hasn't been a huge issue for me in the past so I have avoided adding a carbon filter. Are there reasons why I should?

Thanks for your thoughts/suggestions.
 

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Stoned Cold Bulldog

Well-Known Member
To control speed of exhaust fan accurately and without damaging fan motor, get a 3amp variac

If smell is not an issue, no need for filtration
is their a formula for matching the variac to the fan. i saw this on their selector page here

from what i recall we want to use the the Variac Variable Transformer type is that correct ? and what determines whether we choose 0-140VAC vs 0-280VAC ? thx.

i looked at the prices and am so glad i just hit a bowl smdh. i can't afford them. i don't want to buy a chinese clone and end up with a fire ... do you know of an economical but safe alternative in the usa ? thx

Portable VARIAC Variable Transformers
Single Phase VARIAC Variable Transformers

120VAC input, 0-140VAC output
120VAC input, 0-280VAC output
240VAC input, 0-280VAC output
240VAC input, 0-560VAC output
480VAC input, 0-560VAC output

Includes Single Phase models with various options including open construction, enclosed, manually controlled and motor driven units.​
 
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themda

Well-Known Member
I use the carbon filter at around week 3 of flowering. If you are growing in soil I’d recommend getting a 4x4 flood table and putting all your pots in it that way the run off can all be connected at one drain outlet.
 

visajoe1

Well-Known Member
is their a formula for matching the variac to the fan. i saw this on their selector page here

from what i recall we want to use the the Variac Variable Transformer type is that correct ? and what determines whether we choose 0-140VAC vs 0-280VAC ? thx.

i looked at the prices and am so glad i just hit a bowl smdh. i can't afford them. i don't want to buy a chinese clone and end up with a fire ... do you know of an economical but safe alternative in the usa ? thx

Portable VARIAC Variable Transformers
Single Phase VARIAC Variable Transformers
120VAC input, 0-140VAC output
120VAC input, 0-280VAC output
240VAC input, 0-280VAC output
240VAC input, 0-560VAC output
80VAC input, 0-560VAC output

Includes Single Phase models with various options including open construction, enclosed, manually controlled and motor driven units.​



You're on the right track. This is the exact one I have, but it only cost $60 when I bought it

1590620914483.png
 

Beepborp

New Member
I use the carbon filter at around week 3 of flowering. If you are growing in soil I’d recommend getting a 4x4 flood table and putting all your pots in it that way the run off can all be connected at one drain outlet.
That is a great idea. Are these typically slanted allowing the water to move toward a drain?
 

PJ Diaz

Well-Known Member
Add a bit more ducting to the input of your exhaust fan, so that it pulls air from a foot or so above the floor, instead of from the top. Heat rises, so you're pulling heat out by having the intake at the top.
 

themda

Well-Known Member
this is what ive got, built a wood frame table with the back legs being 1" taller. then I have a 3/4" fitting thats siliconed at the bottom of the slope catching the water in a drain bin below the table
1590624348341.png
 

themda

Well-Known Member
Do you find going edge to edge with the 4x4 tray ok?
you mean as in taking up the full tent space? It’s been fine for me, gives me more freedom for moving pots around and catching any splashes when I hand water (completely sucks carrying 4gals a day; need to do a pump a reservoir set up)
 

themda

Well-Known Member
Also want to note that it blocks some of the passive vents and duct openings that are down below (table height up to the lip is about 18”) but I use all the ones on top
 

Beepborp

New Member
Add a bit more ducting to the input of your exhaust fan, so that it pulls air from a foot or so above the floor, instead of from the top. Heat rises, so you're pulling heat out by having the intake at the top.
Interesting.. So maybe pulling air from the bottom of the tent will allow me to keep the fan running more often.
 
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