Quiet. The Neighbors Can Hear You (Sound Control Thread)

[Don Tchawanna Kno]

DUDE, HANG YOU FANS, DUCT WORK, BALLASTS AND EVERYTHING USING RUBBER BLACK BUNGEES, USE 3" DRYWALL TO MAKE LATCHING POINTS. YOU CAN HEAR A SLIGHT BUZZ FROM A NOISY BALLAST, BUT WALK AWAY FEW FEET CANT HERE IT, BUT WHEN BALLAST IS MOUNTED, THEN FLOOR BOARD VIBRATES, THEN UNCLE FESTER IS PISSED ABOUT THE BUZZING OR VIBRATION, ALL YOU GOTTA DO IS HANG IT WITH A BUNGEE, ANOTHER OPTION DEPENDING IN SITUATION, BUT OUT BALLAST IN OLD COOLER, (FOAM COOLER) AND COOL DUCT IN ON ONE SIDE OUT THE OTHER, i HAVE A FEELING THE VIBRATION DELETION IS THE TRICK TOOK ME 2 YRS TO THINK THAT ONE UP, LIKE AN IDIOT, HAHHA

 

[Clarke28]

Why do you have the air duct running right from your lighT??

 

[zeropercentthc]

For drywall, I've heard great things about Quietrock and Quietglue.

 

[growingtophish]

A speedster variable controller is also an easy option though no where near as effective as some of these options listed above. think the home built housing for the inline fan is an awesome idea and would be building mine right now if there was space in the room im working with

 

[slow3dup]

I currently am awaiting a Panasonic whisper inline fan. It's 6" rated at 240cfm and has a 1.4 sones or mid 30ish dba. Its rated for continued use and if I push it through my carbon filter I think it will be quieter. Anyone have any knowledge of this fan? I'll post when I try it out how it works.

I use a rubber mouse pad for my air pump which cut down on the vibration a lot but it still hums. The egg crate lining helped to reduce the noise a lot which is good for my stealth grow.

 

[thedude27]

I currently am awaiting a Panasonic whisper inline fan. It's 6" rated at 240cfm and has a 1.4 sones or mid 30ish dba. Its rated for continued use and if I push it through my carbon filter I think it will be quieter. Anyone have any knowledge of this fan? I'll post when I try it out how it works.

Yes they are REAL good. Much quieter than vortex fans. Do not connect a fan controller to it they are not rated for that(You will read that in the manual). The only issue I had (I have the size larger than yours) was flexible ducting since it moves a lot of air, the fan itself is very quiet the rushing air is the only real noise. Straight ducting would have been better but insulated stuff works well. Also if you put it in a box (I did) because my room is dead silent and as the air enters and leaves I found the most noise was created(I measured it with an SPL meter that I use to calibrate my home theater), they do not overheat even if you pack them in a box surrounded with insulation. I cant recommend these highly enough.

Also digital balasts are the way to go my 400s makes almost no noise and my 1000 makes very little noise.

Lastly, I mentioned my Sound meter, you can get one for like 40-50 bucks (from radioshack/etc), if you are really working on quieting down your system this gives you concrete measurements on how well certain mods work and what areas to focus on. It was very helpful to me.


Thats the extent of my helping now I have a question:

I'm thinking about switching to hydro in my med grow (yea its legal but I dont like to advertise) and I will need about a 1000GPH pump. How much noise do these make? What kind of pump should I get Magnetic/mech/hybrid? Submersible/non?

 

[Uncle Giles]

"WHITE NOISE"

I was concerned about the sounds of my new, larger exhaust fans. I had to think about finding some way to "mask" that constant noise from the neighbors.

I had a "Dream Machine" (a multi-sound generating device) that I bought some time ago at a yard sale. Other manufactures have similar 'sleep machines' too.

I first installed my Machine outside and I made sure my Machine was weather protected. Install the machine outside somewhere between your fan exhaust and your neighbors. You may need a extension cord if you don't have a convenient AC outlet outside?*

Turn your Machine on and select "BABBLING BROOK". That sound mimics "WHITE NOISE" very well. Now over a few days slowly turn it up just enough to "mask" the fan noise and no higher. Now I know my fans are running, but I have to really listen to hear it. Now my backyard sounds like a babbling fountain is gently running 'somewhere' and my neighbors love it ~ I do too!

A easy way to test if this approach is good for your needs is to get a used FM radio and tune it between stations where a similar "WHITE NOISE" is heard! Don't pick on a ratty portable, but try to use a smaller desktop radio. A FM radio with tone control is even better so you can tailor your 'brook' for best sounds. This approach should serve you well too. If you are satisfied with the approach, you may want to invest in a 'real' sleep machine... the choice is yours!

Also important ~ No matter what you do, keep your equipment dry.

I remain,
SOGLAD

*NOTE: What I actually did was to unplug the Machine, remove 3 screws and I drilled one hole in the plastic body just big enough for the smallest speaker wire I could find.

I soldered the 2 speaker wires to the internal speaker and added a simple knot in the wire to help keep the speaker wire from pulling out. I ran the speaker wire outside to my new speaker up perched up in a eave under the roof line. I picked on a smaller inexpensive speaker to compliment the high-frequency part of the sound(s). Once I had the wire and speaker this less than 15 minutes to complete.

The eaves added sound depth and dispersion. You may not choose to go through this kind of effort, but so far this very inexpensive project is serving me extremely well!

I bought my sound machine for $4 used. Check eBay for: "sleep sound machine". Or, place a ad on CraigsList looking for a used one.

Excellent suggestion.

I've just (skim) read through the topic and thought I'd add my tuppence worth from a different angle, albeit similar in some respects to CaliforniaGlad:

Ever noticed how you only "hear" your refrigerator when the compressor switches off? There's a bit of useful psychology to be used here - people tend to notice changes in noise rather than a continuous low-level sound. So if your grow-room noise is borderline, try to avoid sudden changes in the sound it makes. OK si this isn't really practical for ballasts, but IME ventilation is usually the main contributor to noise pollution.
I leave the fan for my cooltubes on 24/7 and the extraction fan has a continuously variable speed controller so any changes in noise are very gradual.

Gives me peace of mind!

 

[slow3dup]

Yes they are REAL good. Much quieter than vortex fans. Do not connect a fan controller to it they are not rated for that(You will read that in the manual). The only issue I had (I have the size larger than yours) was flexible ducting since it moves a lot of air, the fan itself is very quiet the rushing air is the only real noise. Straight ducting would have been better but insulated stuff works well. Also if you put it in a box (I did) because my room is dead silent and as the air enters and leaves I found the most noise was created(I measured it with an SPL meter that I use to calibrate my home theater), they do not overheat even if you pack them in a box surrounded with insulation. I cant recommend these highly enough.

Also digital balasts are the way to go my 400s makes almost no noise and my 1000 makes very little noise.

Lastly, I mentioned my Sound meter, you can get one for like 40-50 bucks (from radioshack/etc), if you are really working on quieting down your system this gives you concrete measurements on how well certain mods work and what areas to focus on. It was very helpful to me.


Thats the extent of my helping now I have a question:

I'm thinking about switching to hydro in my med grow (yea its legal but I dont like to advertise) and I will need about a 1000GPH pump. How much noise do these make? What kind of pump should I get Magnetic/mech/hybrid? Submersible/non?

Yep! Just got it and hooked it up and wow. Really quiet and when pushing through my filter almost silent. Kind of bulky but man does it deliver in power =). I DWC so I'm not to sure about the pumps but I would think the submersible would be quieter but just not sure. Good luck man I'm a convert from the soil grow also and I think you'll like the flexibility of hydro setups. I can say DWC is easy and requires just topping off daily and you can grow several in one container seeing you don't have to worry about root balls and they grow fast.

 

[Aseret]

hey hedgehunter try the box it will work rather well.. you can also add insulation to the inside of the box to help reduce noise. i also live in an apartment and sleep right next to my room>>>>>>>>>

thnx for the response Kenbud.

JohnnyPotSeed\... as i said i think it is an issue overlooked by some growers and it could be resolved as easy as this housing..

if anyone has any other ideas too reduce sound feel free too post...

Im sure the majority of you guys that would even consider building this box have run across a sound/acustic dampening material such as Dynomat/Tackmat, and all the hundreds of nockoff versions that work 95% as well as the original desiging company for 1/3 the cost. Anywho if not Im almost POSITIVE that this material mounted to the actual housing of the fan, ballast, and anything else making a noise/vibration would tremendously reduce if not cease the sound/vibration altogether. ...Now Ive never used it in this mannor I do know that a single 1 sq inch piece just stuck to the item would be a noticeable diference... If not I do know of Several products Just like the one fabricated above made by these same companies that you could fit the fan into. Just saying because that MDF Fiberboard in the picture isnt cheap. And the type of wood used WILL make a difference in the amount of damping... Not to mention that it will ahve to be a sealed box/ one without leaks in the joints where they meet. IE sound waves leak.

 

[Aseret]

And later down the line youll have to access that fan for service/ cleaning....Just like the fan in a computer... you first buyem and they're compleatly unheard... a Year later you hear the fan...Two years later its all you hear from the computer even over a disc drive.

My point being (minor) that over time of screwing and unscrewing into that type of board will eventually get stripped and have to be replaced or modified. Meaning its not the 100% answer to the problem at hand. A Great idea none the less!

Fans collect dust on the blades adding to the air disturbance and therefore causing more sound.

 

[Aseret]

Hanging by bungees does wonders for vibrating fan noise. I've got that covered, but now the loudest part of my closet is the air pumps. Anyone have a good suggestion for getting rid of that annoying hum?

Sadly this is a manufacturing issue. Im not saying the one you have is cheap. But I know for a fact that they sell airpumps that are actually completly quiet...they are not cheap. I would go INSANE if I had to listen to my Aquariums all over the house... almost one in each room....try excaping that Buzz. ::NOTE:: Just becaue the package says wisper quiet dosnt mean that it actually is. Ive been through I dont know how many pumps claming to be soundless until I flat out refused to buy it until I could plug it in at the store and hear it...or eventually in my case NOT hear it anymore. Now youd never know Ive got a pump running in almost every room of my house.

 

[Aseret]

just thought id check this thread...AND lol! without reading it i came up with the eggbox foam idea a few days ago, its doing 2 jobs , light proofing my door frames and helps with noise, keep this thread going anyway
Cheers

Never thought of that before... Ive been having problems with leaking light from my doors like you mentioned... so far Ive just made a 2 in lip of ducktape on the frame and one on the door, so that they overlap a good 4 inches or so... over time the as i walkthrough or brush agains the tape it would stretch slightly then over time not sit flush with the other flap and hence causing my light leaking that is now occuring... I would image I could find some Strips of really cheap dense foam strips from a scrap pile somewhere that would suffice... Thanks tons for the ideas Its a good one!

 

[Aseret]

Hey guys, I just moved to a new apartment this weekend. Went from a place with no worry about noise issues and now I am getting nervous about this new place.

My main concern is the humming of my ballast. I want to build a box for it and line the inside with foam. My concern is that it will get too hot. Earlier today I placed the ballast inside a cardboard box with towels wrapping the box, took care of the noise, but it quickly got too hot.

Any ideas? will a properly constructed box get rid of the heat issue?

Id stay completly away from any flamable items on or even near something that has an issue with temperature. Lets just say that if the device's safty cut off fails (if there even is one). This maybe commonsense to most but you never know or just keep saying to your self it wont happen to me. Another example would be to keep your nutes away from heat items as well. IF your do any of the above atleast have a forsure nonfail safty in place and perhaps spray all wood and other flamable materials with a fire retardant material (Just give yourself a fighting chance to save your gear). If not it may just go up in flames ALOT faster than you think!


Idea! Take your Air Intake line and run a splitter to it to also divert the heat through and out of that box with the same single fan. Much like it does for aircooled lights only we're not talking about temperatures that will reach anywhere near the same as a lightblub.

 

[Aseret]

This is the second time Ive seen you ask about doubling up the box... No a single 3/4"MDF Board is completly effiecent enough.... after all when it comes to car audio we're talking HUGE sound waves and HUGE vibrations(and the 3/4 to 1" MDF Board is all they use)...along with a sealant in the butting joints.... a bead of caulk/sealant along the inside rims. The problem I see would be where the boards meet. Just screws are not enought to sound proof a box. If air can pass through it, it will leak a sound and hence the vibration still continues defeating the purpose of what you were doing in the first place. Perhaps if you could make a door using weatherstripping for door frames AND adding a LockDown Latch MUCH like those old fashion smell proof jars we all have seen at our parents/grandparents place growing up. Or a magnetic strip like a Fridge or Freezer.

 

[Aseret]

Most if not ALL have a fan to regulate temp... Thus is uses outside air aginst those cold coils of Freeon and into the freezer/fridge. Think about it you put your veggies and other orgaincs in the fridge already... if they got NO O2/CO2 they would wilt and rot. Ideally if you could increase the fan Blower rate in a fridge and dial up the temp you would have a perfect enviornment for your control... Control means that you can adjust/tweek anything and everything, and unless YOUR the one who made the change...a change wont occur EVER! IE in Chemistry/Biology/Physics Class in school we all had to do controlled experiements on something.

 

[Aseret]

I'm still living at home so i have no chance of hiding a growroom but theres a few plants at the side of the house. (my father smokes anyway so if he finds them he wont get mad, its my mother kicking me out im worried about).

One think i must ask is wouldnt people notice you carrying all this grow equipment into your new apartment? surely someone would see something when your moving in. Oh well.

First if you know your dad smokes then he'll prolly think it was something he caused by empting a bowl or flicking a J on the side of the house. As far as moving equipment think of might be seen... Large Tupperware Tubes...Normal for a moving person. Utility Lights, Ok how about this ITS NOT ILLEGAL TO HAVE THE EQUIPMENT. Its illegal to Grow, Posess, and Sell..IF you dont have a license. IE you cant get a license if its illegal where you live.

Answer to this: Move to where its legal, Farm it, and Sell it to Clubs and dispenseries. You dont want to fuck with distribution ANYWAY. Lol if I was passionate enough about it thats what Id do and sell it by the pallet... (Starts to day dream)

On another note its illegal to do so with other plants too without a license. You can get into trouble for grownig daisies and selling them for profit without a nursery/business licenses. I believe its even illegal to buy and sell seeds without a license. Big Brother wants to know everything! Forunatly enough though I seriously doubt someone would even bat and eye in your direction even if you did. Some things intended to regulate industries are completly BS.

 

[Aseret]

For DWC: My problem isnt at the pump, its at the end of the tubing. I have an idea on how to fix this but havent tried it yet, ill update you guys when I do. My DWC bucket is a 3gal, Im going to set it in a 5gal stuffed with foam of some kind to absorb the sound. water cant pressurize so it will move the walls of what ever it is sitting in (if it can) (concrete buckets anyone?) ... so ill let you guys know soon. also, maybe it would be possible to create a pressure stabilizing "muffler" before the airstone.

Here is another untested idea, for whooshing duct noise. Besides the fan, the noise is created by the air moving past the ribbed walls at hig speed. SO. at the fan outlet use a duct size adapter to increase the duct size, and use a larger size ducting to exhaust. You will move the same volume of air at a lower speed, thus reducing "woosh".

good luck!

Ive got a Problem with a LOUD as HELL gurggling noise just as my Ebb n Flo completes its drain... its gravity feed... anyone know if I can rig an inline breather tube somewhere in the line to eliminate this noise?

 

[Mudslide9791]

Good shit!!!!!

<----- Condo grow, 4" inline hanging by bungees running carbon scrubbed air into the wall that separates my condo to the condo next door. There was a draft when I popped the hole in the drywall. Cold ass air meaning there was a draft from outside (autumn air) somewhere and my warm odorless air is being swept away by the current of cold airflow.

Bam bitches, my grow lab is an entire walk-in closet and it's sexy as hell, little sound and no odor =)

Keep growing bitches, and keep the creative ideas flowing! (I'm high as hell)

 

[zuuluu]

You can always line the wall with cardboard drink holders like on hustle and flow lolz. It actualy works prety good. Also get a fan just the size you need cuz normaly the biger the more noise it makes ut then again ive used some little whisper fans that where realy loud. You can also use a fan control to make the fan a little slower which should be a lil bit more quiet. I personaly have no trouble. Some people say air is a big concern wich is true and if u dont get realy good air ventilation ur gana kill ur plants but all I do is have a vent for air to seek into and I use a lil 6 inch fan from the hardware store to help pull the air in. Simple, cheap and quiet. As for the ballast I have digital ballasts and they dont make a sound.

 

[spookie child]

I am concerned about the whooshing of air coming from the end of my vent . Any ideas on how to quite it down ?