Need to get a humidifier, but have no exp with them. Could i get some feedback on my choices?

[evergreengardener]

Man I really wanna do this. It would be difficult to work out with my work schedule. But electricity is cheaper at night and if I had the lights on then it would save a ton in heat. I just gotta give it some thought. I actually just did and I think I could easily make it work. I guess I'll just have to wait until the next round. I don't know how I'd completely change the light cycle like that while they're in flower.

Just leave the light off for a day and switch em, no harm no foul. Have done it many times since half the year I work nights half I work days, sometimes a run is still going so I change the schedule to fit my needs

 

[ClaytonNewbilFontaine]

I figure I'm on 12/12 right now. So those lights will still change at the same time just opposite. So I'd be watering at night instead of in the morning. Which would be much better. The autos and veg tent would just be shut off for 6 hours while I'm at work. This can def work. So no harm in the leaving the lights off for an extra 12 hours? I've had power outages that have lasted 7 hours but I've never gone 12 though. I'm going to do some looking around a bit. I've never actually thought about if it could work. But the more I think about it the better and better it looks. It really would work better.

 

[ClaytonNewbilFontaine]

Just leave the light off for a day and switch em, no harm no foul. Have done it many times since half the year I work nights half I work days, sometimes a run is still going so I change the schedule to fit my needs

You're right. It looks like it'll be fine with 24 hours of darkness. I'll start turning my lights on at 7pm and off at 7am. 18/6 doesn't matter at all. They'll just be in dark while I'm working. Thanks for the advice. It's really going to help this winter with heating costs. And power costs too.

 

[LeastExpectedGrower]

This is the one I use in my tent: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CXMV51C

I have it on an inkbird, but probably will change to a AC-Infinity controller plug. The trick is something that's not huge but doesn't have a 'electronic' on switch...needs to be a 'hard' switch or a controller will turn it off and when it goes to turn it back on it won't.

Use filtered, RO or distilled water or you'll get mineral dust on all the surfaces of your grow space.

When I want high-humidity in my admittedly smallish tent I fill it twice a week. Other times It really only triggers occasionally. If you're using it during the dry cycle, I'd have it turned to the lowest output level and make sure you have some ventilation fan happening.

 

[Greengrouch]

I got one of these recently haven’t had to use it yet, but will in winter harvests. Govee Smart WiFi Humidifiers for Bedroom, Top Fill Cool Mist Humidifiers for Baby and Plants, Work with Alexa, Auto Humidity Adjustment, 24 dB Super Quiet, Essential Oil Diffuser, 24H Timer, 3L https://a.co/d/8Q8FlCB

I like their products, I’ve got their Wi-Fi hygrometer/thermometer too, it was well worth the $12 I spent on it.

 

[NorwayFTW]

AC Infinity has himidy... it is nice, I wish I had it... instead I have a fan blowing on a touel sitting in a bucket of water. I bought a second hand one, still waiting to artive.

 

[ANC]

I have a 26liter one just under 300W at full tilt.. and it has a hard time if I go over 4x4 canopy in my room

 

[LeastExpectedGrower]

AC Infinity has himidy... it is nice, I wish I had it... instead I have a fan blowing on a touel sitting in a bucket of water. I bought a second hand one, still waiting to artive.

If you're using an AC Infinity controller you don't necessarily need their humidifier. I just got one of their outlets that can be controlled by the Controller 69, plugged my tent humidifier into that and created an automation that if the VPD is greater than 1.5 it triggers the humidifer to turn on. Once it's back to 1.5 or lower, it turns off.

 

[ClaytonNewbilFontaine]

Just leave the light off for a day and switch em, no harm no foul. Have done it many times since half the year I work nights half I work days, sometimes a run is still going so I change the schedule to fit my needs

Wanted to let you know I did switch the schedule that next day and it works so much better. There's like 5 different ways it benefits me.

 

[DrDukePHD]

If you're using an AC Infinity controller you don't necessarily need their humidifier. I just got one of their outlets that can be controlled by the Controller 69, plugged my tent humidifier into that and created an automation that if the VPD is greater than 1.5 it triggers the humidifer to turn on. Once it's back to 1.5 or lower, it turns off.

Can you give us the part links for that exact outlet & humidifier.

Your heater & inkbird part list was spot on. I'm getting all my equipment lists from you from now on

 

[PopAndSonGrows]

Just make sure to get a humidifier that's top-fill, otherwise you'll have to remove the tank to refill it constantly. It's a pain in the ass. With a top-fill humidifier, you can just keep it going & fill it with a pitcher of water or something.

Not required, but my advice to reduce scaling, use distilled water.

 

[LeastExpectedGrower]

Just make sure to get a humidifier that's top-fill, otherwise you'll have to remove the tank to refill it constantly. It's a pain in the ass. With a top-fill humidifier, you can just keep it going & fill it with a pitcher of water or something.

Not required, but my advice to reduce scaling, use distilled water.

I prefer to remove the tank...easier for me to fill outside the tent and I can one-hand place the tank back on rather than trying to pour in the tent with a jug of water. I use the same filtered water I feed with, but I've also used distilled.

 

[LeastExpectedGrower]

Can you give us the part links for that exact outlet & humidifier.

Your heater & inkbird part list was spot on. I'm getting all my equipment lists from you from now on
View attachment 5237221

I can't remember if that switch is light-up or not on the heater, but either way, I have mine taped over with black gaffer's tape in the on position. I like that lil' heater...doesn't get so hot that I worry about anything melting or burning and has kept my tent at a good temperature with lights off. Doesn't use enough power to be noticeable on my bill.

I think most 1L humidifiers that don't have an electronic control (think switch to turn it on and knob for how much vapor) will work for you.

This is the humidifier I have:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084NWS196 I picked the pink one because it's about 5$ cheaper than the blue or grey one and IDGAF what color it is. The knob, right of center turns off any lights it has (left of center turns them on).

I was using the Inkbird IHC-200 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01J1E5LWM/ for the controller, but would probably opt for the WIFI version if I needed another. I've moved to the AC-Infinity smart outlet https://acinfinity.com/hydroponics-growers/controllers/smart-uis-controllers/uis-control-plug-for-outlet-powered-equipment/ to control the humidifier when I upgraded to the AC-I Controller 69Pro. One less controller, one less sensor in the tent and the Controller 69Pro lets you trigger the humidifier by VPD if you want (which I like).

 

[pahpah-cee]

Evaporative > ultrasonic

if you use ultrasonic you need to use distilled or RO water to prevent white powder (mineral) buildup on surfaces + your lungs.

 

[Jsnbaxter]

I can't remember if that switch is light-up or not on the heater, but either way, I have mine taped over with black gaffer's tape in the on position. I like that lil' heater...doesn't get so hot that I worry about anything melting or burning and has kept my tent at a good temperature with lights off. Doesn't use enough power to be noticeable on my bill.

I think most 1L humidifiers that don't have an electronic control (think switch to turn it on and knob for how much vapor) will work for you.

This is the humidifier I have:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084NWS196 I picked the pink one because it's about 5$ cheaper than the blue or grey one and IDGAF what color it is. The knob, right of center turns off any lights it has (left of center turns them on).

I was using the Inkbird IHC-200 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01J1E5LWM/ for the controller, but would probably opt for the WIFI version if I needed another. I've moved to the AC-Infinity smart outlet https://acinfinity.com/hydroponics-growers/controllers/smart-uis-controllers/uis-control-plug-for-outlet-powered-equipment/ to control the humidifier when I upgraded to the AC-I Controller 69Pro. One less controller, one less sensor in the tent and the Controller 69Pro lets you trigger the humidifier by VPD if you want (which I like).

I have this controller. Does the controller prioritize humidity over temp or do they work in conjunction to optimize the vpd? Do you mind sharing your settings?

 

[LeastExpectedGrower]

I have this controller. Does the controller prioritize humidity over temp or do they work in conjunction to optimize the vpd? Do you mind sharing your settings?

With the 69, I have the smart outlet set to trigger with a VPD if it goes over 1.5, and I don't have my heater on the AC-I controller but a separate Inkbird. So what I have going is:

AC-I 69 Pro:
#1 Exhaust fan (T6) Set to base level 2, ramps up at temps above 84f & humidity above 55%
#2 Intake fan (S6): Same as above, but a base level of 1 instead of 2
#3 Cloudray 6" Oscillator: Timed to go on with my lights, and off at dark (another fan goes on at dark)
#4 Smart Outlet w/ Humidifier: set to trigger if the VPD is above 1.5 (flower). If I'm in veg, I set it lower.

Inkbird heater: Triggers to go on at 78, only really goes on when dark and keeps temps between 76-78 when on.

The AC-I 69 will allow you to trigger whatever you want with VPD, so you could do two outlets, one for humidifier, one for dehumidifier (similarly heat/cool, etc), and from there you could have your humidifier kick in if the VPD gets too high and the dehumidifier if it's too low. But for me it's easier to get the temps working in a reasonably tight 'zone' let the fans handle humidity and then use only a single VPD trigger. Part of that is also that the 69 will only allow 4 independent programs, and my priority is the ventilation first.

 

[Jsnbaxter]

With the 69, I have the smart outlet set to trigger with a VPD if it goes over 1.5, and I don't have my heater on the AC-I controller but a separate Inkbird. So what I have going is:

AC-I 69 Pro:
#1 Exhaust fan (T6) Set to base level 2, ramps up at temps above 84f & humidity above 55%
#2 Intake fan (S6): Same as above, but a base level of 1 instead of 2
#3 Cloudray 6" Oscillator: Timed to go on with my lights, and off at dark (another fan goes on at dark)
#4 Smart Outlet w/ Humidifier: set to trigger if the VPD is above 1.5 (flower). If I'm in veg, I set it lower.

Inkbird heater: Triggers to go on at 78, only really goes on when dark and keeps temps between 76-78 when on.

The AC-I 69 will allow you to trigger whatever you want with VPD, so you could do two outlets, one for humidifier, one for dehumidifier (similarly heat/cool, etc), and from there you could have your humidifier kick in if the VPD gets too high and the dehumidifier if it's too low. But for me it's easier to get the temps working in a reasonably tight 'zone' let the fans handle humidity and then use only a single VPD trigger. Part of that is also that the 69 will only allow 4 independent programs, and my priority is the ventilation first.

Thank you. I’m finding my tent exhausts before I can get the humidity up. Even if I could get the humidity up the heat goes up pretty fast. Have you had this scenario?

 

[LeastExpectedGrower]

Here's the read out for the past 24 hours or so, and it's pretty typical for most days.



And with a pin so you can see the values I'm seeing on the graph:



Humidity in the 'lung room' is ~30% so if the fans start pulling, then the humidity will drop pretty well. The temps in the same room are averaging around 70f or so. I have the triggers set so I don't exceed the mid 80's if it gets really warm:

Ventilation fans (this is the exhaust, but the intake is the same, but the base setting is one notch lower):



My humidifier setting. It triggers if the VPD rises above 1.5; I do have a good amount of tent ventilation and circulation so I'm not worried about keeping in the mid 50% range:



And this is what my panel looks like with the lights on:



I'd err to the side of keeping your fan levels low and find that 'balancing point' for me the fans are usually in the range of 2-3. You do have to pick which variable you're weighting. For me it's temps...that's my priority. I could drop my humidity down into the 40's by running the fans harder, but it would then drop my temps down into the mid to upper 70's and I'd rather have it in the 80's.