How Much Air Is Enough?

T.H.Cammo

Well-Known Member
I've read anywhere from 5 exchanges per minute - to 1 exchange every 5 minutes. That tells me it's really not that critical! I'm thinking that 2 or 3 exchanges per minute sounds about right. Let's hear what anybody else has to say, how many air exchanges per minute does your ventilation system provide?
 

Rurumo

Well-Known Member
I'd lean towards the 5 exchanges per minute-that will take care of potential heat issues and get your tent temps closer to your lung room temps. Good ventilation is key-I have an 8" AC infinity on my 4x4 and don't regret it at all. Big fan on small tent gives you a lot of flexibility and I find them to be much quieter on low speeds than the smaller fans on mid/high speeds.
 

T.H.Cammo

Well-Known Member
Thanks for the replies guys. I agree with both of you, to a point. However; I have recently moved to Arizona and the RH here is absolutely arid, typically single digits to low teens! I find the excess humidity to be a benefit and I want to avoid the "Windtunnel Effect". With LED lights heat isn't really an issue and like I said, I want to retain the moisture level as much as I can - I just want to give them enough fresh air to "breath". With that being said: In my case; can I justify 2 or 3 exchanges per minute, or should I let 'er rip?

Anybody else?
 

Herb & Suds

Well-Known Member
Thanks for the replies guys. I agree with both of you, to a point. However; I have recently moved to Arizona and the RH here is absolutely arid, typically single digits to low teens! I find the excess humidity to be a benefit and I want to avoid the "Windtunnel Effect". With LED lights heat isn't really an issue and like I said, I want to retain the moisture level as much as I can - I just want to give them enough fresh air to "breath". With that being said: In my case; can I justify 2 or 3 exchanges per minute, or should I let 'er rip?

Anybody else?
Maybe a swamp cooler till flower
 

solakani

Well-Known Member
I would use a 6 inch exhaust at the ceiling and 4 inch intake at the floor capable of 500cfm. Working on a fan speed controller with sensors for temp, RH, TVOC
 

420 Garden

Well-Known Member
I'd lean towards the 5 exchanges per minute-that will take care of potential heat issues and get your tent temps closer to your lung room temps. Good ventilation is key-I have an 8" AC infinity on my 4x4 and don't regret it at all. Big fan on small tent gives you a lot of flexibility and I find them to be much quieter on low speeds than the smaller fans on mid/high speeds.
I run an ac 8 inch in my 5 x 5 as well.
 

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On the Fence

Active Member
portable swamp separate manual controls for pump, fan, oscillation. Behind the fill tray, I took a hot knife to the back so I could add ice if needed. Keeps tent at 80F/60-64RH
Pretty much turns off with the lights and small humidifier takes over unless further cooling is needed which it hasn't yet.
IMG_20220821_1.jpg
 

On the Fence

Active Member
I would use a 6 inch exhaust at the ceiling and 4 inch intake at the floor capable of 500cfm. Working on a fan speed controller with sensors for temp, RH, TVOC
My best friend is a engineer that designs computer hard drive cooling systems, big ones. I asked about having pusher and puller fans. He said absolutely not needed and can be detrimental in fact in most cases. He did go on to say that if the fans were matched CFM, came on and went off at the same time there would be little to no issue but no improved performance depending on the restrictions in the room. And then he went on to ask if this was a clean room or have dust in the air and the performance lost of dust on pusher blades vers pullers and harmful harmonics with both fans. Pullers are more efficient in dusty air and fans last longer. Something about how the particles collect on the blades vs the housing of the two types of fans. Also there is a difference between pusher fans and puller fans in how they are designed. He is obviously splitting hairs but that is what they do.

I should ask him if he has any models he could show us with our real world scenarios. Don't you just love to hate Brainiac's?
 

On the Fence

Active Member
My best friend is a engineer that designs computer hard drive cooling systems, big ones. I asked about having pusher and puller fans. He said absolutely not needed and can be detrimental in fact in most cases. He did go on to say that if the fans were matched CFM, came on and went off at the same time there would be little to no issue but no improved performance depending on the restrictions in the room. And then he went on to ask if this was a clean room or have dust in the air and the performance lost of dust on pusher blades vers pullers and harmful harmonics with both fans. Pullers are more efficient in dusty air and fans last longer. Something about how the particles collect on the blades vs the housing of the two types of fans. Also there is a difference between pusher fans and puller fans in how they are designed. He is obviously splitting hairs but that is what they do.

I should ask him if he has any models he could show us with our real world scenarios. Don't you just love to hate Brainiac's?
I got a quick reply.
There will be a system imbalance of the positive/negative pressure which can affect the fan motors and cause them to fail.
Cost twice as much to run but very little CFM gain out the end. You can only push so much through a fan at a certain rpm. You can increase pressure but not CFM so much.
If you need more airflow increase fan and direct flow in tent to where is needed not path of least resistance.
I'll talk to him more later after work.
 
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On the Fence

Active Member
Leaving runoff in drip trays (as long as pots aren't sitting in it) can increase the RH around the plants as well.
I mop up with a towel and leave it hanging over the pot. Suc the pan dry as the pot sits down in it.

I don't see how you can maintain RH and temp if you are doing 5 air changes a min.
 

A e o n

Well-Known Member
Its really not that critical, unless on commercial scale, just adjust to suit your needs. Always oversize fans and put on speed controllers if possible.
 
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