High Humidity

JohnCee

Well-Known Member
I'm 15 days into flowering and I already have tiny little buds forming and everything looks pretty good so far, but my RH is sitting at 80-88% most of the time. I have a 3x3x6 area constructed from plastic for my room, which is in my basement.. was wondering if I should get calcium chloride, or a small $40 dehumidifier to have just in that area. I have three questions regarding this though..

#1). Would a dehumidifier in that small of an area with a 5-gallon bubble bucket filled with water be an issue?

#2). What kind of calcium chloride would I purchase? I see there are differences like anhydrous and dihydrate.

#3). Which is the most efficient at lowering the RH and the most cost effective solution out of the two?
 

Sweeve

Active Member
damn 80 percent.....thats too high, i run mine at no higher then 50......i have never had this problem but conventional wisdom would say a dehumidifier should do the trick. You going to get mold at that rate, damn 80 percent, thats insane
 

Bugeye

Well-Known Member
You can spray them with some Green Cure once a week to prevent mold until you get your dehumidifier figured out.
 

Red1966

Well-Known Member
3x3x6 Eh? What is the ambient humidity? Are you venting? A dehumidifier is going to take up a lot of your room. If venting will cure the problem, that's the easiest why to go. Screw changing calcium chloride out all the time. If you grow a plant that makes the most use of the room, it will transpire close to a gallon a day.
 

JohnCee

Well-Known Member
It has a capacity of 8.5 oz a day. Your plant will put out 100 oz a day, so no, not nearly enough.
I really cannot afford to purchase/run a massive dehumidifier.. so I'm accepting all viable options as a solution for this problem.
 

JohnCee

Well-Known Member
get your temp up around 86-90f with plenty of air circulation.
Air circulation is proving to be difficult, because I have no way to draw air in. Besides, I live up north and within a couple of weeks the air will be too cold to bring in.
 

brimck325

Well-Known Member
controlling ambient temps in your basement will be easier then your little room. set an intake fan on temp controller.
 

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
Check thrift stores NOW up north for used dehumidifiers. Some items you just have to spring for. A tiny dehumidifier is good for your electric company and not much else. I'm assuming you are growing without people knowing?
 

Red1966

Well-Known Member
I really cannot afford to purchase/run a massive dehumidifier.. so I'm accepting all viable options as a solution for this problem.
I bought a used dehumidifier for $40 (I think, it was a while back). Your cheapest and easiest alternative is to ventilate your chamber into your living space. You'll enjoy the benefits of the co2 you and any pets exhale, a constant 74 F temp, and your household A/C will keep humidity in check during warm weather while your heating system will do the same in cold weather. I used to run a sealed grow, A/C'ed, co2 augmented, dehumidified/humidified, the whole she-bang. Now I just vent into the house. So much simpler and knocked $100/month off the electric bill.
 

Thor_

Well-Known Member
Not sure on what they have in your location. A dehumidifier is of course the best solution but if you are short on cash. You can get these little boxes with white things inside, maybe some type of foams. They do the trick, Amazon in your country should sell them. Over here we can get 2 for £1. I'm also told bowl of rice does the trick but can't confirm myself.

Use them for now and shop around for a good deal on a dehumidifier.
 

hotshotisdashit

Well-Known Member
I went on craigslist and bought a 60 pint one for 50 bucks. Perfect. Only thing is that it raised my temps about 4-5 degrees and my light bill 50 bucks. But i wouldnt have a successful crop without it.
 

JohnCee

Well-Known Member
I bought a used dehumidifier for $40 (I think, it was a while back). Your cheapest and easiest alternative is to ventilate your chamber into your living space. You'll enjoy the benefits of the co2 you and any pets exhale, a constant 74 F temp, and your household A/C will keep humidity in check during warm weather while your heating system will do the same in cold weather. I used to run a sealed grow, A/C'ed, co2 augmented, dehumidified/humidified, the whole she-bang. Now I just vent into the house. So much simpler and knocked $100/month off the electric bill.
What exactly do you mean by venting into the living space? Am I pulling or pushing air into the living space?

Purchasing the dehumidifier is not the issue.. it's just going to cost an arm and a leg to run it constantly.. that's what I am trying to avoid. The old lady isn't too happy with the bill as it is..
 

Red1966

Well-Known Member
What exactly do you mean by venting into the living space? Am I pulling or pushing air into the living space?

Purchasing the dehumidifier is not the issue.. it's just going to cost an arm and a leg to run it constantly.. that's what I am trying to avoid. The old lady isn't too happy with the bill as it is..
Yes.
If the old lady isn't happy, just say. "Yes, dear." and do whatever the hell you want anyway. She'd just waste the money on food or something anyway......
 
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