Condensation problems

[Gary Goodson]

I don't have a problem taking the humidifier out that's not an issue but I don't think it is contributing to the condensation. That is because of the cold air being sucked in by the inline fan


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Try turning it off and this

You should pull in room temp air, and exhaust outside to the cold air (likely opposite of what you are currently doing). You are going to continually have this isssue if you are pulling 30 degree air into a 80 degree room with no buffer. If you cant maintain a normal temp in your tent without pulling in 30 degree air, your tent is too small or your light is too big and hot and its not vented properly to have correct air exchange. Room temp air is cool enough to cool an aircooled light. Its where you put the heat that most have the issue with. Follow this quick diagram I drew up and you wont have any issues with stink/heat/condensation.
View attachment 3611108

 

[GravZilla]

You should pull in room temp air, and exhaust outside to the cold air (likely opposite of what you are currently doing). You are going to continually have this isssue if you are pulling 30 degree air into a 80 degree room with no buffer. If you cant maintain a normal temp in your tent without pulling in 30 degree air, your tent is too small or your light is too big and hot and its not vented properly to have correct air exchange. Room temp air is cool enough to cool an aircooled light. Its where you put the heat that most have the issue with. Follow this quick diagram I drew up and you wont have any issues with stink/heat/condensation.
View attachment 3611108

Yup thats how its done. Though I like my carbon filter on the outside of the tent

 

[blue...yum]

You should pull in room temp air, and exhaust outside to the cold air (likely opposite of what you are currently doing). You are going to continually have this isssue if you are pulling 30 degree air into a 80 degree room with no buffer. If you cant maintain a normal temp in your tent without pulling in 30 degree air, your tent is too small or your light is too big and hot and its not vented properly to have correct air exchange. Room temp air is cool enough to cool an aircooled light. Its where you put the heat that most have the issue with. Follow this quick diagram I drew up and you wont have any issues with stink/heat/condensation.
View attachment 3611108

Thanks you for sharing that. Yes that was my next option was to reverse the fan I just wanted to try other options first lol it is such a pain in the ass to reverse the fan and disconnect the duct to do so. On the diagram it says filter to suck in warm air are you talking about a carbon filter? If so I thought those were used just for the odor.


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[HydroRed]

Yup thats how its done. Though I like my carbon filter on the outside of the tent

I know everyone has their own preference but keep in mind that most inline fans are meant to push -not pull. They will run more efficiently and quiet....and will likely last longer when pushing air vs pulling. I do understand not everyone has the room to keep the filter inside though & you gotta do what you gotta do to make it work for your individual situation.

 

[HydroRed]

Thanks you for sharing that. Yes that was my next option was to reverse the fan I just wanted to try other options first lol it is such a pain in the ass to reverse the fan and disconnect the duct to do so. On the diagram it says filter to suck in warm air are you talking about a carbon filter? If so I thought those were used just for the odor.


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They are for odor. You dont want everyone knowing what you are doing. When you set it up the way I have in the diagram, it will be expelling hot dank weed scented air out of your exhaust without a filter.

 

[blue...yum]

They are for odor. You dont want everyone knowing what you are doing. When you set it up the way I have in the diagram, it will be expelling hot dank weed scented air out of your exhaust without a filter.

How do you have your fan suspended?


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[GravZilla]

Thanks you for sharing that. Yes that was my next option was to reverse the fan I just wanted to try other options first lol it is such a pain in the ass to reverse the fan and disconnect the duct to do so. On the diagram it says filter to suck in warm air are you talking about a carbon filter? If so I thought those were used just for the odor.


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Yeah for the smell. Exactly as hydro red said. I cant put my filter in the tent due to size limitations. But that doesnt matter as long as your cooling your light with the air from the inside of the tent. Rather than the cold outside air you should have fixed your problems

 

[THE KONASSURE]

Has anyone encountered condensation problems in their grow tent. My duct work is pouring water everywhere and obviously it is because of the cold air being sucked in but how do I stop the condensation from happening while maintaining my healthy grow atmosphere. Everything is perfect except my humidity which is ironically still not getting above 34% even with a humidifier on max and the condensation. I have air circulation in the tent. Any thoughts or ideas?

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They sell insulated ducting for this very reason buddy

 

[blue...yum]

They sell insulated ducting for this very reason buddy

thats a good idea to look into

 

[HydroRed]

Velcro straps work well connecting them to the support bars inside the tent. If not enough room, do as Gravzilla mentioned and mount outside of the tent. as long as the air is filtered before it gets vented to the outside. The inside tent air will be enough to cool the light with a nice even air exchange rate. You then hook your fan to a temperature switch so it only comes on at whatever temp you set it for.
As for the insulated ducting, You will only be covering up the problem. The water condensation is still there -its just trapped in insulation now. You will develop mold problems and mold is very unforgiving.

 

[THE KONASSURE]

Velcro straps work well connecting them to the support bars inside the tent. If not enough room, do as Gravzilla mentioned and mount outside of the tent. as long as the air is filtered before it gets vented to the outside. The inside tent air will be enough to cool the light with a nice even air exchange rate. You then hook your fan to a temperature switch so it only comes on at whatever temp you set it for.
As for the insulated ducting, You will only be covering up the problem. The water condensation is still there -its just trapped in insulation now. You will develop mold problems and mold is very unforgiving.

You think that he`ll get condensation inside the insulated ducting ?

No way not at them temps plus its sealed there`s no real way for the warm air to contact the cold surface dude, that`s the whole point of the insulation, I hate the stuff that dam fiberglass always fucks my skin up, but it won`t get wet the insulation will do its job as long as the outer metal surface is kept intact

 

[GravZilla]

Hydrored is very right. That would just cover up the problem. And any moisture on your HID bulb will not end well

 

[blue...yum]

I am going to go to Lowe's and buy more ducting along with some chains and tomorrow I will pick up a carbon filter at the local grow shop


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[THE KONASSURE]

Hydrored is very right. That would just cover up the problem. And any moisture on your HID bulb will not end well

how would insulating the cold metal away from the hot air cause more condensation ? also the insolation means that when the air is hot the pipe will still be cool meaning you can cool your tent better too

 

[blue...yum]

Thanks everyone for all the feedback. I have re-arranged my ventilation system and it is now working perfectly and no condensation. I have set it up like many of you had described and the only thing that is missing is my filter but that is because I don't want to attach it yet as my plants are just seedlings.

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[DesertGrow89]

Turn the huey off when your lights go oit otherwise RH will spike not sure if that's been mentioned

 

[hellmutt bones]

Just get rid of the humidifier!
No one i know now uses a humidifier..
Only the old school growers use it.. from the 70s..80s and shit..

 

[blue...yum]

Thanks everyone


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[Budley Doright]

I'm sure op has figured this out but for future reference, yes insulate the pipe with insulated flex when drawing in cold air and it won't condense trust me lol. Look at heat recovery ventilators and see how their installed in cold climates. The air being pulled in is not an issue, it's the inside air condensing on the cold surface of the pipe. And yes lowering the humidify will help but unless the pipes are insulated with the proper material it's gonna be a desert before its stopped. Insulated flex has a vapour barrier with insulation in the middle, no moisture will get in the insulation causing mould, again trust me lol. I draw -20 air in and I get no condensing. This is why grow ops ruin houses, very limited knowledge in ventilation that causes mould. If the room is drying out and your in a cold climate then there are two choices, less air brought in or humidify but I myself have only had to humidify once and that was a week at -35, so yup sometimes a humidifier is needed, but also I am old lol. Did I mention I hate Canada in the winter . Also the push pull thing with fans (inline) is a mute point in that the effectiveness does not change re air flow, what does matter is the effectiveness of what's attached. Carbon filters work better when pulling due to larger inlet surface area and fan motors work better at cooler temps, before the lights if cooled. If someone has a fan curve chart that shows pull versus push I would love to see it, I'm going to set up an test at work to measure the difference using manometer and amp meter next week to see what happens .

 

[hellmutt bones]

Bro! Just get rid of the humidifier!
Ull b ok.