Upgrading to 2 x 600w mh/hps. Could use some help with heat issues.

Ok, so to just throw the deal-breaker right out there...Not only does my roof have sh*&%y insulation from like the 60s, but My grow closet is in my attic. So I can understand why I cant even grow all year round with my current 2x400w MH/HPS (unable to grow from may to september due to only using one hid to start veg). The winter is totally fine though, considering the 2 400w that I have are neither sealed nor air cooled and I just use the Night time light cycle method so the roof isn't being hit by the sun.

So what I'm getting at is I would like to be able to grow year round. With 2 600w which would be air cooled and sealed. Im thinking whether I stay in my grow closet or have to move into a bigger room in the basement: a hepa filter bringing fresh air in, six in. ducting to in-line fan which would be blowing THROUGH the 2 air cooled hoods to exhaust ducting back to the outside possibly with a muffin fan on the exhaust side??

So what I'm asking of anyone that could help is what cfm fan would be suitable for 2x600w w/ air cooled hoods to keep temps. relatively in-line. Also I run C02 which I'd really like to keep.

I'm thinking another reason I'm having heat issues is that I do not have good intake and exhaust air movement. I was really trying to keep the closet mostly sealed due to the CO2. just an average intake fan and a bigger exhaust The pictures are with the doors off for a better view. I'm going to invest in a squirrel cage blower if I stay in the closet.

pros and cons:
ATTIC grow closet: Smell is not an issue when venting air outside or in the house period.
-Its literally right where I sleep, two steps away from my bed.
-Where the hoods are now in those pics is the highest they go. Just because the ceiling is slanted cuz of the roof which is a pain in my A$$. so height is a limitation (3 1/2ft. max).

BASEMENT:
-In the basement I'd have to totally finish the room. (worth it)
-Venting outside smell would be an issue in basement.
-Basement has a perfect grow room with a sealed back room for mothers and veg.
-But the RH goes through the roof.
-Can grow triple what the closet can with no space limitation.

I think I just answered this question for myself. After my current grow maybe I'll do two more in the closet, I'll order some lowryder strains.


There are some pics of my new brand new d.i.y 5 gal recirculating top drip 8 site along with the closet (doors off) and then some of the future basement grow room showing the unfinished room and back room, new 600w digital ballasts that just came. Any input would be well appreciated.

Thanks

You should setup your basement, you'll have better control over conditions in your grow area.
If your worried about smell down there, set up a carbon filter on your exhaust, or better yet setup a sealed room.
Use sealed lights with fresh air into your light and exhaust out of our room (no smell in that air). You might need airconditioning in the summer months to keep things cool. You can manage co2 very effectively with no waste or better use a chiller with iceboxes on our lights, you can keep your res cool also.
My opinion if you need to build a new room set it up right once. Check out some setups from guys on here and you'll do just fine.
Just 1 other thing paint your buckets black or wrap them to keep the lights away from your roots.
Looks good
Good luck.

Would just painting the outside buckets black suffice? I was aware that roots do not like light I just didn't know it would be a problem with a bucket in a bucket so two buckets blocking light...that is how my systems set up

Thanks for the reply Rush

Those HomeDepot buckets are almost see through.
You can get some metal tape and tape them up probly quicker and less messy or just go to your local hydro store and buy some black buckets.
I used homedepot buckts before had nothing but problems.

Good Luck.

Rushed said:

Those HomeDepot buckets are almost see through.
You can get some metal tape and tape them up probly quicker and less messy or just go to your local hydro store and buy some black buckets.
I used homedepot buckts before had nothing but problems.

Good Luck.

Click to expand...

Home depot buckets aren't see through, and I doubt any problems you had while using them were because of light on the roots.

Painting / taping the buckets is just a needless / paint in the ass step imo.

The big thing when setting up is planning. I'm not sure how your house / basement is setup, but I'd start by taking inventory of where hot and cold water lines are, where drains are, where you can get air in and out, where gas lines are if you are doing co2, where you can get power from, the amount of breakers you can free up, ect. It might not be as fun as building hydro system, but adding something like a utility sink or a water line or even a chair / desk can save you a tremendous amount of time down the road.

either way I say you need a big carbon filter (6") and a large cfm fan. The exaust out of the room or in your case out of the basement room should be at least 400 cfm if not more. If possible get an 8" carbon filter and a 750 cfm fan for out. That will create negative air pressure in the room and smell will not be an issue (air will come in through cracks not out, only going out through your carbon filter).
I definately vote basement. No need to finish it, buy a tent. I have sunhut 4x4 (oversized its like 5x5) and I love it.

tibberous said:

Home depot buckets aren't see through, and I doubt any problems you had while using them were because of light on the roots.

Painting / taping the buckets is just a needless / paint in the ass step imo.

The big thing when setting up is planning. I'm not sure how your house / basement is setup, but I'd start by taking inventory of where hot and cold water lines are, where drains are, where you can get air in and out, where gas lines are if you are doing co2, where you can get power from, the amount of breakers you can free up, ect. It might not be as fun as building hydro system, but adding something like a utility sink or a water line or even a chair / desk can save you a tremendous amount of time down the road.

Click to expand...

Just put a lit light bulb in your homedepot buckt and look at the glow through your bucket. Thats light penitrating through. They need to be light proofed.

Tibberous has sme very good points with knowing were everything is and how you should plan your setup.
It could save you lots of dough $$.

Good Luck