lighting my tent with a 600w dual spectrum - Help i'm a 1st timer

[topcat_121]

bought a tent kit that came with a 600 w (sunmaster dual spectrum) however even with my 5" fan and filter I'm running temps around 100f.

should i buy a lower watt Metal halide bulb for the veg stage? then switch at flowering with the addition of another inlet fan to keep temps lower during the end stages?

I've got the light approx 1 metre above my seedlings (running 18/6), they are stretching up (currently 2 - 3inches) and the 2nd set of leaves are showing through.

Would appreciate any help.

(they're planeted in peat pots with miracle grow potting compost)

[budbudding]

Hi m8 you need to get fan in there blowing directly under the light, and you prob will need to get yourself a 4" fan and some 4" ducting to get some cool air into the tent

[topcat_121]

so drop my current fan down below the light level? should i bring the light closer to the ladies?

then add an extra fan to create more airflow?

[319]

I believe what he's trying to tell you is:

1. Make sure you have a fan blowing air across the plant canopy.
2. Get a bigger fan if your having heat problems.

Are you ducting the hot air out of the grow space? If your not your recirculating the hot air and your fan isn't doing anything.

Follow the attached chart for more information about your heat issues.

276110

[topcat_121]

I believe what he's trying to tell you is:

1. Make sure you have a fan blowing air across the plant canopy.
2. Get a bigger fan if your having heat problems.

Are you ducting the hot air out of the grow space? If your not your recirculating the hot air and your fan isn't doing anything.
I'm venting the hot air out the top, i'll get another fan setup this week to bring fresh air in at ground level. Should i keep the current lamp set up?

Follow the attached chart for more information about your heat issues.

276110

My current fan is at the top of the tent and I'm venting that air. I'll get another fan set up this week to circulate more fresh air into the tent.
What about my lamp, is my 600 watt bulb going to burn the plants if i lower it?

[319]

This type of fan friend:
Amazon.com: MASSEY, NOW PMX, 4 inch Personal Fan, Gray/Silver: Kitchen & Dining (http://www.amazon.com/MASSEY-PMX-inch-Personal-Silver/dp/B004RBHCAO)

Walmart has this type of fan right now. Honestly I would advise anyone reading if you looking for a fan buy a few of these. There about 6 bucks right now. But there fan goes by a different name.

If you decide to buy another "inline fan" buy a 6 or 8 and use your other one as an active intake.

[budbudding]

And also where are you reading the temps from in your tent ?? Where have you got your tent?? upstairs ?? maybe you have a loftt above where your tent is ??

[topcat_121]

And also where are you reading the temps from in your tent ?? Where have you got your tent?? upstairs ?? maybe you have a loftt above where your tent is ??

The tent is in the loft, the digital thermometer is on the ground in the tent (with my pots)

My extractor fan is secured to the frame work at the top fo the tent with ducting venting the air out. I've just picked up a small portable fan ( about 5" ) and i'm pushing air into the tent with that. the temp has dropped to 93f. I'm still a long way off. I've taken the filter off the extractor to try and increase airflow.

But the leaves on one of my ladies is starting to yellow at the tips, I'm also struggling to keep them from drying out as I'm at work all day.

[budbudding]

K here a pic of my fan , see the ducting behind it? thats thats my intake i have that attached to a 4" fan in the loft , i lifted a tile and put the fan directly under it ! so the fan will send the cool air all around the tent , you must have your outgoing air going directly out side , no good having it pumped in the room the room air will get to warm !! 276120 and that will be the same fan your useing for your carbon filter !!

[Dayzt1]

Hey there topcat!

I've been growing in a tent for quite some time now and I can relate to your issues. From what I can tell - there's a few suggestions I can give:

1. When your plants are as small/young as they are, you might want to consider starting with a few floro lights close to your seedling instead of the big 600 just yet. I use power-bars with those plug-in light sockets and the warm/cool bulbs to start my plants off. The 600w light is drying out your peat-cups way to fast from the heat. Turn off the 600 for now and go in close with some small CFL lights to start.

2. Since you're in a tent, you want to get some 'negative' air-pressure going so that your tent walls actually get 'sucked in' from your fan exhausting the tent - then be sure to have passive intake holes at the bottom of the tent to allow fresh air to get sucking automatically... that will bring your temps down quite a lot.

Question - how big is your tent?

I hope that helps - please let me know if you need more help! =)

[topcat_121]

hey dayst

cfl?? are they just regular lamps?

[topcat_121]

cheers 319, i bought one of those little fellas at lunch time however it only gave me a drop of 8- 10 f.

[CanGroIt]

1. When your plants are as small/young as they are, you might want to consider starting with a few floro lights close to your seedling instead of the big 600 just yet. I use power-bars with those plug-in light sockets and the warm/cool bulbs to start my plants off. The 600w light is drying out your peat-cups way to fast from the heat. Turn off the 600 for now and go in close with some small CFL lights to start.

2. Since you're in a tent, you want to get some 'negative' air-pressure going so that your tent walls actually get 'sucked in' from your fan exhausting the tent - then be sure to have passive intake holes at the bottom of the tent to allow fresh air to get sucking automatically... that will bring your temps down quite a lot.



Do this topcat.... :thumbsup:Dayzt

cfl = compact fluorescent lighting, yeah, pretty much regular lamps...

CGI::::::

[topcat_121]

sorted.!! thanks very much fella's
i've got 2 60 watt cfls, temp is down to 68f. & no fans running

how long should i keep these lamps running?
still thinking about getting a smaller MH bulb for veg (400 watt? ) any ideas eagerly recieved


thanks again

[319]

You need to remove the hot air from the grow space. Not just the vent but far away from the room where your tent is. If you don't do this all the fans in the world won't help.

Give me about 15 min ill post some pics up for you.

[319]

Here you go friend. I failed to label them but Ill explain.

1.Your inline fan should be sucking air out of the tent.
2.That air should be removed from the grow space, not just the tent but the space. Look at my pics you can see that its being vented outside by my ac.
3.Those fans that I told you to buy should be blowing air on top of the canopy or some people use them a little lower, blowing air on the plant. I prefer the top.

let me know if you need anything else.

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[319]

You need to control temps with the light you have now. the 600w. It is summer and a little harder but, just read what I posted above and you should be alright. Now if you can vent outside the space, then you need to supply that room with AC. I use both in the summer.