The c02 question that never gets answered correctly

slappy13 said:

mindphuk:
mindphuk, I have not seen that. Interesting idea, but my space is a bit bigger: 2 rooms. I wonder what there output is from one fridge? gram/watt?

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Yea, I figure it was going to be kind of small for you, but I linked to it because of the principle they discuss of a complete closed-loop system. I think it will be impractical for anything of size since instead of cooling the air, it cools the walls which will remove the heat by conduction. I think you will find the cost to do many of these things will far outweigh the cost of just adding more CO2 to make up for the extra loss. I mean even if you have a/c running continuously, if you get a smart CO2 monitor, one with the fuzzy logic to help avoid overshoots, you can try to maintain a steady 1500 and I think if you use a bigger 35 lb. CO2 cylinder you would have an easier time because of the lack of heat. You said not to ask about room specifics but in this case it still wouldn't be feasible over a certain sized room and you would have to stay with a generator, so if you don't mind, can you share room dimensions or how many cubic feet we are talking about?

turn on your lights at night time cuz it cooler than the day time

FLoJo:

another option would be to look at something like the ice box from hydro innovations.. its basically a small radiator that attaches to your hood, which you run cold water through, and if you keep the water cold enough, would make the exhausting air colder than the air in the room, effectively turning it into an a/c.. the only problem with this setup is you would need a pretty hefty chiller, as well as the icebox units, which would mean a lot of money up front, but in turn it would be cheaper to run electricity wise, than the a/c, and you would run the generator less, saving on co2, and not needing to cool as much..

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FLoJo, I currently run Liquid Lumens with Adjust-A-Wing reflectors, which has a similar effect to the unit you are talking about, but being that there is no real 'hood', I can't really just bolt it on. My cooling resevoir is a pool outside, 5000gal, so I would need a crazy industrial chiller.


EverythingHydro.com:

Co2 is really only effective when ALL conditions are optimal. From the sounds of your set up I'm not sure the conditions are optimal. Turn your lights off for a few hours, run the a/c, let it cool then run the Co2 along with Mr. Slim.

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EverythingHydro.com, are you saying to not run 12-12 cycles? I'm not so sure that is a good idea. I'm no green thumb, but doesn't that fuck with the plant?


smartbadguy:

turn on your lights at night time cuz it cooler than the day time

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smartbadguy, this is a good idea, but the heat overwhelms the day/night difference. I am currently set to run at night.


mindphuk:

I mean even if you have a/c running continuously, if you get a smart CO2 monitor, one with the fuzzy logic to help avoid overshoots, you can try to maintain a steady 1500 and I think if you use a bigger 35 lb. CO2 cylinder you would have an easier time because of the lack of heat. You said not to ask about room specifics but in this case it still wouldn't be feasible over a certain sized room and you would have to stay with a generator, so if you don't mind, can you share room dimensions or how many cubic feet we are talking about?

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mindphuk,I currently have a controller, but it is without trending (fuzzy logic). I am using the growtronix system. I don't mind if you ask about room specifics, I just didn't want to have unrelated side talk going on in the thread. I have 2 rooms, each of which is about 10'x11' with cathedraol ceilings and 2.5'x5' closets. I think you are right about the c02 cylender, it would reduce the heat a bit, but I think most is coming from the lights still. Besides, I already have the damn thing installed! And it is bitchin!



Thanks for your input guys, I think I will probably end up with the MrSlim setup. It looks like they are similar to the units you see in motel rooms, with a big compressor outside feeding several rooms super-cooled liquid (freon sub?). I just hope my neighbors don't mind!

Hey Slappy..... The "Mr Slim" recommendation was just to give you an idea. I wasn't promoting a Mitsubishi product. What you're looking for is a "ductless" A/C system. Some of them even have multiple evaporators (which will address your multiple room situation) connected to one condensing unit. Personally I think they are expensive for what you get. In essence all they are is what's known in the HVAC industry as a "split system" which is identical in every way to a basic residential A/C system other than they're ductless. It would certainly be cheaper to buy a builders grade residential A/C unit, set the evap/blower in your room and connect minimal ducting.

One word of caution. Most residential a/c systems are NOT designed to run in the winter unless they have the option for a "Low Ambient" control. It is usually just a device that slows down the outdoor (condender) fan based on lower system pressures. If you're gonna require cooling during the winter months you might want to take that in to consideration when purchasing whatever product you decide on.

Good Luck!
GoHydro

You need a heat pump/heat exchanger of some sort. http://www.process-cooling.com/CDA/Archives/2f4576fc3c5b7010VgnVCM100000f932a8c0____
That might help.

Wow, didn't realize I missed a couple pages That mitsubishi unit looks pretty convenient. http://air-n-water.stores.yahoo.net/spaircosy.html this appears to have a bunch of choices.

best way is with a water cooled commercial a/c unit with a sealed situation only need one hole for chiller line and no air is vented just recirculated.watch urban grower growroom makeover on youtube. hope this helps peace.

My point was to get the room as cool as possible when you are going to implement Co2, that's all.

Question Answered.

There's something you hook onto your 6" light flange i think it's called an ice box. It's a heat exchanger. Some of the more expensive grows on here use them, but it's what you need. If i'm wrong on the name a little searching will find it.

even better here's a link i saved.

http://www.hydroinnovations.com/product3.htm

If you are getting most of your heat from the light still with a liquid lumens setup and you cant get a chiller to get your 5000 gal res cold you could go with the setup more like they have it on you tube with the "air conditioner type" chiller and smaller res to conect to your existing setup. I believe you want the res at a constant 72 if possible.

Or if you cant do that you can air vent the light as well and use inline fans to outside room and you wont loose any of your co2 while your exhausting heat from lights!!

I am surprised with the 5000 gal res you aren't keeping the lights cooler. Is your outside temp pretty warm at this time of year?

OK so ive also been dealing with how to cool a sealed cabinet when using co2. There are a couple ways to do this and most have been mentioned. What I have found to be the most cost effective for a smaller cabinet are electrical enclosure air conditioners. Keep in mind these are for electrical enclosures more like the size of a closet. these keep air inside the enclosure cool without venting. The drawback is the air outside the cabinet will be heated. I found these used units for sale. For around $100 dollars the problem is solved. The ductless mini split air conditioners are the best choice but they are very expensive. I will be buying one of these used enclosure air conditioners. I will let everyone know how it works. Heres a link to the site selling the used units.
http://www.hgrindustrialsurplus.com/sub/search_results.aspx?k=1&searchKeyword=Air Conditioner&searchCategory=&sortExpression=&sortASC=&pageSize=&searchMethod=description

danksmoker77 said:

OK so ive also been dealing with how to cool a sealed cabinet when using co2. There are a couple ways to do this and most have been mentioned. What I have found to be the most cost effective for a smaller cabinet are electrical enclosure air conditioners. Keep in mind these are for electrical enclosures more like the size of a closet. these keep air inside the enclosure cool without venting. The drawback is the air outside the cabinet will be heated. I found these used units for sale. For around $100 dollars the problem is solved. The ductless mini split air conditioners are the best choice but they are very expensive. I will be buying one of these used enclosure air conditioners. I will let everyone know how it works. Heres a link to the site selling the used units.
http://www.hgrindustrialsurplus.com/sub/search_results.aspx?k=1&searchKeyword=Air Conditioner&searchCategory=&sortExpression=&sortASC=&pageSize=&searchMethod=description

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whats the difference between and enclosed a/c then a portable a/c

I have a similarly described setup. So....................I got up in my attic ( I have central air ); and I ran a dryer duct, off of the one going to that room, and dropped it through the ceiling of the sealed room. Cold air comes in. Frolics with the hot air. Gets tossed around by a fan. Then it's sucky sucky time out the exhaust!

When your plants have co2 they can with stand extraordinary amount of heat up to 95F.

The best way is to not run your CFM fan while co2 is on.

Co2 is heavy and falls down you can use a fan to move the co2 air around and your plants will have no heat problems

Hello, Mr. Engineer! I say scrap ur whole feckin grow and re-engineer the somebeech, since there was an obvious failure 2 engineer properly in the first place. Just my $.02

slappy13 said:

FLoJo:
FLoJo, I currently run Liquid Lumens with Adjust-A-Wing reflectors, which has a similar effect to the unit you are talking about, but being that there is no real 'hood', I can't really just bolt it on. My cooling resevoir is a pool outside, 5000gal, so I would need a crazy industrial chiller.

!

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option1
use a 200 gallon res and chiller and you will get better results then useing your pool
or even just have chiller inline so after leaveing pool water runs through chiller droping water 10 degrees or more before entering light setup

option2
use a window shaker on a closed circit and little to no air /co2 will get out

option 3
buy a mini split
i talk to a local hvac guy and he says mini splits are overpriced for a good one and the cheap ones are garbage

option 4
and probaly the best get a split ac unit
it will give you 100 % control over temp

here is a really nice unit aim at growing
http://www.gchydro.com/Excel+Air+Stealth+Cooling+System.html

here is a really nice rooftop installable unit that would kick ass
http://www.alpinehomeair.com/viewcategory.cfm?categoryID=62


i think you could probaly find any house central ac unit and make it work though.