Having a seriously rough time choosing a fan...

Gravity Man

Gravity Man

Member
Hey everyone. I've been reading thread after thread after thread and, despite having done so, I can't wrap my head around a price point or any particular fan in general. It seems like a huge undertaking to find a fan that will work with my DIY carbon filter. I can't help but think I need to spend upwards of $200 to get something somewhat decent for my little cab.

I am completely lost. I ordered a 92mm AC fan with a higher than average static pressure rating, but I can hardly feel the air come out of the carbon filter. I almost went to Lowes to buy a 6" Duct Fan rated at 160 CFM, but I keep reading that the static pressure rating isn't high enough to push through a Phresh filter, which is something I plan on purchasing in the future.

Please help. I am at a loss. I am depressed about it because it is the ONLY thing stopping me from starting my little babies.

Thank you so much. Your help is appreciated tremendously.
 
BygonEra

BygonEra

Well-Known Member
Gravity Man

Gravity Man

Member
BygonEra said:
What kind of carbon filter are you using? Carbon filters usually distribute the exhaust pretty evenly and there's a lot of surface area so you're not going to feel a whole lot of air coming through, if that makes sense. But, if noise isn't a huge concern, I'd find the 4" with the highest CFM... maybe aim for around 200. This looks like a good one: http://www.amazon.com/VenTech-IF4-Inline-Duct-Fan/dp/B005KMOJPK/ref=sr_1_3?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1375336032&sr=1-3&
Click to expand...
I actually made a filter. I did the Zen Style DIY filter with the two mesh pencil cups. The only problem is that the inner diameter is only 3.5 inches, which leads me to think that I need a 3.5" fan to mate to it, which is why I tried a 92mm AC Axial fan. Unfortunately, it doesn't work well, and I will be returning it most likely. Smell is such a concern of mine that I am just considering going with a Phresh and maybe the fan you just suggested. It'll cost me more initially, but it will save me from a potential headache later.

I just have to find a way to stealthify it. I don't have room in the cab for either the fan or the filter, so I'll have to get creative with ducting. I don't really NEED it to be stealth. I'm just obsessed with the idea right now.

Thanks for the suggestion. The ratings look good, and it will probably prove to be a good starter fan. I can get a fan controller too. I literally need a fan that can exhaust 1.2 CFM if I am to exchange the air once every 5 minutes, so I can really tone that fan down and probably eliminate most, if not all, noise using some basic insulating techniques.
 
Xrangex

Xrangex

Well-Known Member
If smell is such a major concern for you then you need quality supplies. Don't cheap out on the fan for your filter. & 3.5" diameter? I guess you could always get a 4-6" fan and tape the ducting to it? Not sure man

what do you mean "stealth isn't a major concern but your obsessed"? If its just 1 plant then don't even worry about a filter, just buy some Ona gel
 
prosperian

prosperian

Well-Known Member
I have a Rebel 4" fan ($87) with more than enough cfms to use a Phresh scrubber and run 6 plants with no odor from my stealth closet. I run it at 30% power with a variable speed controller.

http://monstergardens.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=9_12_329&product_id=1858

Here is a link to my equipment pic page: https://www.rollitup.org/members/prosperian-552192/albums/equipment-30859/



Good luck and odor control is very important to stealth grows, probably the most important, and second only to keeping your grow a secret!
 
T

treegoesmoo

Active Member
I actually used the S&P TD100. Was hooked up to a 4x8 phresh with a 150W HPS in a 1.5x1.5~. Temps actually got up to around 92F highest... with one 45CFM pc fan blowing in air for intake with another 4" hole just as a passive intake. (Plus a 5" desk fan for circulation) But my HPS was one with a built in ballast, so I think that explains the huge temp spike... As for the fan itself, it's actually a nice fan, blows decent air, but I wish I upgraded to the 100x. I haven't used another inline yet, so I can't compare the noise, but it's pretty loud, as in you can hear it in the room that it's in, but if you leave there's no noise whatsoever.

From my experience, pc fans, unless it's pushing 200CFM with a 70 dbm level, it's prob not gonna be working through a CF... Maybe a tiny DIY CF like yours, but if stealth really is an issue, I wouldn't skimp out on a nice fan and a good CF. I'm not sure how much of a difference it makes pushing vs pulling air through a filter, but I pulled through the CF b/c I heard pushing kinda kills the life on your CF.

All in all, I'm happy with the product, even though I had to switch over to CFLs b/c of the heat issue. More of a light problem, then the fan itself. But if you plan on going more than 150w~, get the stronger ones.
 
bb61

bb61

Well-Known Member
I'm using a Dayton 105cfm (120mm) thru the same carbon filter (mesh pencil cups) and its working perfectly fine in my rubbermaid
 
Gravity Man

Gravity Man

Member
Xrangex said:
If smell is such a major concern for you then you need quality supplies. Don't cheap out on the fan for your filter. & 3.5" diameter? I guess you could always get a 4-6" fan and tape the ducting to it? Not sure man

what do you mean "stealth isn't a major concern but your obsessed"? If its just 1 plant then don't even worry about a filter, just buy some Ona gel
Click to expand...
I'm obsessed with the idea of being stealth, regardless if I need to be or not. With any centrifugal fan, I'm looking at having to route ducting. I'm wondering how I can do so stealthily.

I have read on a couple of forums about people using ONA blocks with mixed results. I will have two plants at most. Do you honestly think that ONA will do the job? Obviously that would be my cheapest and most preferred option by far. I'm just concerned it won't work, and I don't want to have to overnight a fan/filter in case of emergency. I don't live anywhere near a hydro store.


treegoesmoo said:
I actually used the S&P TD100. Was hooked up to a 4x8 phresh with a 150W HPS in a 1.5x1.5~. Temps actually got up to around 92F highest... with one 45CFM pc fan blowing in air for intake with another 4" hole just as a passive intake. (Plus a 5" desk fan for circulation) But my HPS was one with a built in ballast, so I think that explains the huge temp spike... As for the fan itself, it's actually a nice fan, blows decent air, but I wish I upgraded to the 100x. I haven't used another inline yet, so I can't compare the noise, but it's pretty loud, as in you can hear it in the room that it's in, but if you leave there's no noise whatsoever.

From my experience, pc fans, unless it's pushing 200CFM with a 70 dbm level, it's prob not gonna be working through a CF... Maybe a tiny DIY CF like yours, but if stealth really is an issue, I wouldn't skimp out on a nice fan and a good CF. I'm not sure how much of a difference it makes pushing vs pulling air through a filter, but I pulled through the CF b/c I heard pushing kinda kills the life on your CF.

All in all, I'm happy with the product, even though I had to switch over to CFLs b/c of the heat issue. More of a light problem, then the fan itself. But if you plan on going more than 150w~, get the stronger ones.
Click to expand...
Great to hear! I needed some reviews, and there aren't many online. I will certainly look into it. It seems like I can get a nice setup for less than $200 bucks. That's not bad at all considering the stealth factor it provides.

Thanks for all the help everyone. I was able to sell a few things on Craigslist to obtain the cash I need to get a decent setup. Worry-free is the goal, and buying good equipment now will save me hours of worry later.
 
T

treegoesmoo

Active Member
Just keep in mind gravity, I'm giving you this review while it's attached to the CF. If I remember correctly, without it being attached to the CF, it was like a jet engine... Lol. Mind you I have it in a small cardboard box to cut down some of the noise, and I can still hear a hum, sounds almost like a small ac unit or something. But I heard you can fix that if you invest in some insulated ducting. I just chose not to b/c I was scared that fiberglass was gonna fall into my plants and I'd freak.

I've heard pretty mixed reviews about ONA. Most people said that it smells something like a gas station bathroom or a hospital idk? Either way, most people who've used ONA say that it definitely takes away the smell of growing cannabis, but replaces with something of questionable odor... So as long as you don't have anyone asking you why your place smells like it's been cleaned up after dirty mike and the boys came through, I think you'll be fine... But if stealth is a super important issue, don't skimp on the CF!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top