air cooled reflectors

[herbollah]

Hi everyone. I'm a first time grower and I'm looking for some advice on air cooled reflectors. Can they be used without a fan attached to them? I'm going to be spending a few quid on a grow tent hydroponic system (which already has an extraction fan/carbon filter combo that wont be any further than about 1 or 2 foot from the light) and I can't really afford to buy another fan. The set-up already has a reflector but I want the light virtually sitting on top of the plants. I've been looking at the Supernova with the glass pane. Thanks in advance for info

BTW it's a 400w set-up

herbollah Reviewed by herbollah on 01-08-2007. air cooled reflectors Hi everyone. I'm a first time grower and I'm looking for some advice on air cooled reflectors. Can they be used without a fan attached to them? I'm going to be spending a few quid on a grow tent hydroponic system (which already has an extraction fan/carbon filter combo that wont be any further than about 1 or 2 foot from the light) and I can't really afford to buy another fan. The set-up already has a reflector but I want the light virtually sitting on top of the plants. I've been looking at Rating: 5

[xcrispi]

how big is the tent ?
w/o a blower i'd be willing to bet the hood will become 1 big hotspot .
look into a 4in. or 6in. inductor duct fan atleast . i got mine for my cabinet for 20.00 each at homedepot .
peace
crispi

[MisterE]

I have a 'Cool Breeze' reflector with a 400watt bulb, and I just use a tabletop Vornado fan blowing sort of into one end of it, and I tell you it is cool enough for me to just lay my face on it if I wanted to, lol. BUT, I have an attic vent above where I let my hot exhaust air go.

So *IF* the fans purpose is JUST for cooling the reflector hood, then you may be able to use a normal fan.

But if you need to force that hot air OUT (which it sounds like you would!), then a fan and ducting is obviously better.

[herbollah]

Hi guys, here they are: (1) the tent

http://www.1-hydroponics.co.uk/start...deluxe-kit.htm

(2) reflector

http://www.greenfinger-hydroponics.c...?ArticleID=823

[dusto2k3]

hey bro, look into getting a hydro hut. It is cheaper and I've had and still am having great results.

[harris7]

I would strongly recommend buying a reflector with a cool tube built in.
They are very effective at removing heat from the grow room. And you can place the bulb closer to the plants with a cool tube.

You can hook a cool tube right on to your ventilation system, as it needs a very small amount of air flow to work well. (as low as 60CFM)

[DrGreenBean]

I too recommend a cool tube, $80 ebay, reflector and tube only.

I got my 1k hps cool tube ballast and reflector for under $200

They are super effective. I mine in a 3'w x 3'd x 6'h room, inline 6" turned way down and temps no higher than 70 degrees. I used to run the cool tubes just with just one $40 duct booster that I got on ebay and it never got over 75 degrees.

I fought heat problems with other air cooled hoods for years. If you spend any money to air cool something go with the tube and save headache after headache.

Just my .02