Wardrobe Ventilation Rates

[denots87]

Hey guys,

I've decided that I should invest in an Ikea wardrobe (or the like) since my last closet grow in an old apartment smelt really good to myself and friends, but was a huge security risk. Now in a new place with more space I can have a true stealth setup, less risk and me not being so paranoid. So my question is using a 600w cooltube in a 3-4ft wide by 20in or so deep wardrobe, what rate of air exchange should I be aiming for specifically for cooling with a carbon filter?

I ask this because it comes down to the must have need and expense of a fan. From your experiences what rates of airflow were used to keep a system like mine cool? Thanks for any advice, :rasta:

denots87 Reviewed by denots87 on 08-13-2008. Wardrobe Ventilation Rates Hey guys, I've decided that I should invest in an Ikea wardrobe (or the like) since my last closet grow in an old apartment smelt really good to myself and friends, but was a huge security risk. Now in a new place with more space I can have a true stealth setup, less risk and me not being so paranoid. So my question is using a 600w cooltube in a 3-4ft wide by 20in or so deep wardrobe, what rate of air exchange should I be aiming for specifically for cooling with a carbon filter? I ask Rating: 5

[NoDrugs4Me]

This is a suggestion and should be construed as that only... a suggestion.

The bigger the fan, the better. That would mean less time running to cleanse the air and you might be able to get away with 5 mins every hour or so...

Minimum 500 cu. ft./min.

If you are going to air cool your light, that would need to be on a second fan.

Think about the DIY carbon filter on this site.... it pulls the air through the filter, through the ducting, and then spits out clean air. There is NOTHING on the other side of the filter... it's capped off. That makes the filter pull the air through the activated carbon... thus cleaning the air. If you had a filter between your reflector/hood and exhaust fan, it would clean MINIMAL air.

My suggestion is this...
run 6" ducting from your air cooled hood and shoot it out of the cabinet... maybe into the wall. Remember that 90 degree bends in ducting increase the need of more airflow... the less bends, the better.

install your carbon filter with 4" ducting or so and also run it out of the cab.....
yes.... two exhaust ports.

that would be the most effective way to keep it cool and keep the smell down, IMHO.

[denots87]

Thanks for the advice and pointing out actual air exchange to light cooling. I sorta spaced on the two different venting issues, air cooling the light in a closed system and the actual changing of the air in the wardrobe.

A DIY filter for sure is the way to go, easy to build and not to mention expensive commericial filters. Seen it before and seems super easy to customize.

Using one centrifugal fan is a given for the cooltube, since heat has been the major issue on all of my grows besides feeding probs. A second one, as much as my wallet hates the idea, might be needed. I know carbon filters require a certain amount of pressure to work so I'm thinking that a second centrifugal would be needed, tell me if I'm wrong though and an inline fan would surfice.

My whole goal of this setup is to get the right parts together (fans, mylar, filter, other odd ends) and build it once and not spend time messing around with having to upgrade or change stuff, especially once full swing into a grow.

Next challenge, fan selection. Any suggestions on who to go with (Eclipse, Vortex, Hurricane, Can-Fan, etc)?

Peace

[NoDrugs4Me]

If you have an air cooled hood... run that size ducting to an in-line fan... sorry, never actually done this, but it's round with the inlet and exhaust in a straight line... kinda looks wheel shaped...

For the carbon filter, I would prefer an in-duct fan. I'll try to find a pic, but you can get them in home dePot. It's basically a fan blade sitting inside the duct work. Pretty sweet, actually, and fairly cheap, I believe. Then you just make the filter, size on the DIY on here is about right for a cab grow, and run the ducting... and the fan is IN the duct work!!!!! I, personally, would make the ducting AFTER the fan route back into the room... filter the air, then put fresh air in the room instead of through the wall, ya know? It will definitely get you through the veg stage and would probably suffice during flower. Leave that fan running 24/7 if it has a low CFM... you can probably put a dimmer switch on it as well (Radioshack has potentiometers if you're on a tight budget, just check the specs on them). You may be able to throw it on a timer if you feel it's working well and don't need it on all the time.

I'm about to start the ventilation and HPS setup as well, so we can help each other out on this. Buddy up!

I have my yahoo userID posted. Feel free to add me! If not, I'll be more than glad to stick to the forums. This site is a blessing from God, and everyone on here is great, so long as you don't ask TOO noobish questions and show you've done some research.

Sorry about all the edits... just added little words here and there to make it make more sense!

Take it easy bro.

[NoDrugs4Me]

I check my questions/posts very often, so don't think I've abandoned you. Goin to bed so I can get up early and register for classes! PZ DUDE!