Designing first grow setup - Pics - Need help

daft

Member
Aight so I will try to not make this to long. I'm starting a new job and will have some money next week to put these plans into motion finally. Just got some small things I need to work out/ get some advice on. Remember to check out the included pics. Without further ado...

Important stuff:

PVC frame
Black white poly
120mm pc fans
2 - 4Xwatt CFL 6500K initially for veg
HTG supply 150watt HPS in the next few weeks
DIY Carbon filter/ scrubber

Questions:

1. The frame... Will 1" diameter pvc pipe be strong enough to hold up the hps reflector and bulb? The problem is from my online research lowes is the only local place that sells 3-way corner tees that I would use for...you guessed it the corners. The technical name for them is "side outlet elbow" and the largest size they sell them in is 1" diameter which limits me to that size pvc pipe.

2. The poly... What can I use to make passive intakes at the bottom of my tent? I've read that I can use a screen material from the hardware store or scotchbrite towels. I want something that free flows air but also fine enough to keep out bugs. (I've never had a problem with alot of bugs in the house but I've read alot about spider mites ruining grows.

3. Fans... QUIETNESS. That is the number one priority here. Most of the fans I found thru google ("quietest pc fans") have average 30db or less and flow around 30ish CFM...thats why I'm planning to use 2. I need suggestions on pc fans that will be quiet enough to not be heard once I close the closet door (sliding door, that fake wood fiberboard stuff). I might need to take this question to some computer forums or something I dunno. I've planned for two fans but do you think I could get by with one fan since I'm not working with a huge space? I'm also open to suggestions on other ways to mount the fans than what I have planned (pics).

4. Smell... Security is a big concern. I don't have to worry about unwanted people in this room but I don't want this to smell outside of the tent / closet with the door closed. I plan to make a carbon filter out of a car cone air filter or something like that with odor material wrapped around the outside and carbon pellets inside the filter. Double protection I would think right? Maybe get a small ona bucket and put it up on the shelf if need be as backup protection. Please take a look at the picture I included. My idea is to mount the fans in a thin layer of wood underneath the top layer of poly. Stick the wood to the top of the frame with silicone or something. Then I would make a separate wood box with a open bottom. Mount the carbon filter in that and place the box over the fans. Seal it down with tape or whatever.

This idea has the fans pushing the smell to the filter. Should I switch it around and put the filter sticking out of the tent into the box and the fans on top of the box? This would have the fans pulling instead of pushing.



Sooooo to wrap all this up I'm pretty solid on my plans I just want some suggestions mainly on fans to use, and any way to redo fans / carbon filter arrangement.IMG_3908.JPGpic.png
 

daft

Member
I totally forgot the last question...

Is it possible to curve those stick on zippers along the outside of the tent like I have drawn that messed up line in the second picture? Or is it only possible to stick in on in a straight line?
 

smokingrubber

Well-Known Member
Definately you should be PULLING air through the filter.... pass through the fan ... push the air into the attic. Failing to put the air in the attic means you recirculate the bad air, which will run you short of (natural) Co2 and high on humidity.
 

daft

Member
ThanQs alot man. I was starting to think I asked stupid questions. I just want to make sure I've got everything down pat for my first setup. I can't vent into a attic though unfortunately. So that means I should flip my external box idea around in the picture and put the filter on the bottom and the two fans on top? That would be pulling air from the tent up through the filter correct?
 
Bro i got something to get your wheels spinning, my grow box. Only problem at the moment is i got temps in the low 80's. That 140mm Fan cant pull through the scrubber....Been looking at getting something sturdier. Gonna get an duct fan and see how that does. I'm trying to be as efficient with my funds

IMG_0267.jpg IMG_0265.jpg IMG_0155.jpg

Heres the girls. One got too close to the bulbs XD.
IMG_0256.jpg IMG_0257.jpg
 

RAM305

Member
Dude wow this is freaking awesome!!! For a starter kit that's great if your on a budget.. Simple and looks to be effective...- the temp running around the low 80 ...bruh I mite need to take a lil draft of your set up, I need to start rite away...
 

daft

Member
Looks great jorge, but that setup is to short for the plants I plan on growing. ThanQs for the links though. The second link pretty much wrapped up my concerns with the fan and filter arrangement. When I finally get it all setup I'll run a test for a few hours before any planting to let the lights heat up and see how the temps are.

As far as the ventilation formula goes I don't see why two pc fans wouldn't work. 2x2x6 = 24...my actual setup will be smaller than this so these numbers actually work in my favor. 24 / 3 = 8. I plan on two cfl, hps, carbon filter, and the house stays around 70 degrees. I just added 40% for shits and giggles. That leaves me with 11.2 CFM. If I run two 30 CFM pc fans totaling 60 I don't see why I would have ventilation problems... If I do fuck it I'll add another fan or change the setup around.

...Payday come the fuck on:fire:
 
Dude wow this is freaking awesome!!! For a starter kit that's great if your on a budget.. Simple and looks to be effective...- the temp running around the low 80 ...bruh I mite need to take a lil draft of your set up, I need to start rite away...
For sure man, its my first grow and i got rent/college, so i'm broke. It covers the basics tho XD.
 
Looks great jorge, but that setup is to short for the plants I plan on growing. ThanQs for the links though. The second link pretty much wrapped up my concerns with the fan and filter arrangement. When I finally get it all setup I'll run a test for a few hours before any planting to let the lights heat up and see how the temps are.

As far as the ventilation formula goes I don't see why two pc fans wouldn't work. 2x2x6 = 24...my actual setup will be smaller than this so these numbers actually work in my favor. 24 / 3 = 8. I plan on two cfl, hps, carbon filter, and the house stays around 70 degrees. I just added 40% for shits and giggles. That leaves me with 11.2 CFM. If I run two 30 CFM pc fans totaling 60 I don't see why I would have ventilation problems... If I do fuck it I'll add another fan or change the setup around.

...Payday come the fuck on:fire:

Yeah space is kinda tight, i got a closet that'll work perfect if it gets impossible in there.

Factor in the resistance the filter will exert on your flow bruh. I started to notice a green planty smell lingering on so i installed the filter. It works pretty good i cant smell anything. The Cpu fan blows through it , and it works....but i'd like something stronger. I'm pretty positive it wont control the smell during flowering.

Been searching and best thing i found thats feasible is this duct fan. Been looking locally with no luck, and i hate buying without physically seeing it. Inline fans work but they run like 100+.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_185009-1061-DB206_0__?productId=3089845&Ntt=duct+fan&pl=1&currentURL=/pl__0__s?Ntt=duct+fan&facetInfo=
 
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