Had to make some changes yesterday due to heat issues (getting into the 80's). Was hoping to do this grow much earlier in the winter and not have the need to hook up the cool-tube but things don't always go as planned. Since I don't have a lot of room in the grow area I had to position the light diagonally so I could hook up the ducts. I'm not as happy with the light pattern, but much happier with temps. Since I still have a long way to go I felt it best to get a handle on the heat now before it became a problem. I rotate my plants daily so they will all get good light.
Sweet set up on the light. The air ducts prob pulled up nice when you said the lights. I got a cool (lol) Idea now.
They really do Headcase. Sucks all that heat right on out before it gets into the grow area. I am running the exhaust fan on a speed control setup so I can control heat through how fast (or slow) I run the fan. I was running the fan at 100% without the ducts hooked up and the temps were creeping up past 80F at the plants. Now I have the fan running around 30%-40% and temps are right at 70F. This gives me room to play with when my outside temps start to rise. I'm pulling air from under the house so that helps too.....temps under my house are much cooler than outside. Thanks Check....you know me...I like to keep things simple and still get the best performance possible. This little setup works pretty damn good and is easy to raise or lower the light as I need to. Glad I could inspire you to cool ideas. That's what GK is about after all.
Actually, and I'm putting my nerd hat on just to warn everybody... The ripples in flex duct create Eddie currents perpendicular to flow that reduce the effective cross section of the duct. Per the international mechanical code, flexible ductwork is to be pulled taught between two metal fittings. That said it does make it easy to move the light around, you will use less watts to move more air if the duct has a smooth interior. The same can be done with adjustable B-vent pipe. This is available in up to 36" lengths that extend to 4-1/2 or 5' I think. Can be had in any diameter 3" - hugeness If nothing else it would do you good to remove the excess so that it's taught at its most extended position. Otherwise, with no nerd hat, it looks like it works as it is...but if you pay someone to install flex duct and it looks like an octipus, they should fix it for free...taught between two metal fittings...ok off my soap box
You are correct Goblin. The ribbing also creates more sound from the air passing over them, but for my application I have no other choice. My old grow box incorporated straight pipe ducting and I'm sure was much more efficient. Not too worried about it though.
Today was cloning day. I have a friend that wanted some clones and since I had already planned on topping the plants in order to get more tops I decided to try my hand at cloning again. been YEARS since I've done this but I think I remembered OK. Anyone remember my old chicken containers?
Today was transplant day. The plants have had sufficient time to recoup from the topping and were in great shape for their new homes. I was having some nutrient issues...or dare I say lack there of, but I have remedied that with some low-dose feedings of some old MetaNaturals 3-3-3 I still had on hand. I still love that fert even if it's no longer available. I'll use what I have till it's gone! However.....the new medium is something I have been working on since Dec. 2016. A fresh new batch of AWESOME compost. I started building the soil as soon as I moved into my new house here and this stuff looks DAMN good. It's got every goodie you can think of in it too. I was saving this soil for just this purpose. Mixed in a little perlite and some Amend soil to lighten things up but so far the drainage is spot on. I'm really looking forward to seeing these plants grow now. This compost is what I have been growing in going on 7 years now for my veggie garden and it friggin rocks! Let the fun begin. AK Widow47....How about them roots eh? Chocolate Cream....LOVE those roots! Gorilla Bomb..... Hashchis.....
Continued..... Sweet Soma..... Whole grow in action. Had to lower the lights to accommodate the new pots but it all looks good. Even the clones are kicking ass....chicken containers RULE!
