48 x 48 x 84 Ventilation & tent

Megalomando

Well-Known Member
I thought I might be able to get away with not using a tent but the scent is getting to be pretty strong so to keep everyone happy I need to enclose it and filter the air. I'll be using 400W of COB lighting, maybe I'll add another 200W, but not just now.

Since I hadn't planned on this I'm trying to read up on which equipment to get. I looked at the offerings at the local shop and they wanted close to $400 for the tent, the filtering was pricey too. I looked on Fleabay and found the right size tent for as low as $90 shipped. I looked at the VenTech VT IF6+CF6 inline duct fan with charcoal filter variable speed but wonder if that is more than I need for ventilation. Maybe the IF4+CF4 is adequate for what I need, the filter is smaller, 190 CFM vs 440 CFM and there's a $50 difference. Same company, maybe one is more reliable?

So here's the thing, maybe the tents on Fleabay are flimsy and won't last but they might be perfect. Maybe I should get the larger IF6/CF6 because $50 isn't a deal breaker & I can slow the fan and there's maybe more effective filtering done by that filter. I have no idea what is the smart thing to do & which tent & filter to get.

Any suggestions? & thanks.
 

Wrench&Weld

Member
When choosing between two models of ventilation fans if cost is similar I would definitely go with the larger unit. Especially with a fan controller, you will have the ability to move more air than needed so you can upgrade to better lighting later and also help with air exchange in the tent.
 

Megalomando

Well-Known Member
I'm guessing they are both going to be pretty quiet if I slow the speed down. I'll be having nice efficiency with the LEDs so the heat will be lower and I won't have to cool so aggressively as with HPS. Definitely want to get the odor out! Sounds like the larger unit is the way to go.

OK, what about the tent, anyone have any experience with the ones on Ebay? This one looks right. http://www.ebay.com/itm/48-x48-x84-Mylar-Hydroponics-Grow-Tent-4x4x7-100-Reflective-Non-Toxic-Room-/191271019630?hash=item2c88a4246e:g:hdcAAOSwT5tWGP4S

Just need to make a good choice first... ;)
 

DrCannaPath

Well-Known Member
Whats up bro ... there are many out there and many factors influence their price. One recommendation Id liie to give ya (just in case you are in my shoes some day in the near future) a tent that opens from 2 opposing sides is better than one with only one door. That said, i have a 4x4 tent with a scrog screen filling the entire tent. Although i can get underneath to tend to the girls in the back, I wish my tent had another door in the back to be able yo easily, comfortably and effeciently tend to all the girls and the scrog screen in the tent
Just my 2 cents brother ... happy growing.

Check out my current TriStrain grow:
https://www.rollitup.org/index.php?threads/883569/
 

Megalomando

Well-Known Member
@Vertical - Any suggestions on a reliable & quiet inline fan? I looked at some of the reviews on Amazon about the Ventech 6" and a lot of them mentioned the fan was noisy. Also, some mention of the VenTech filter being light on carbon & charcoal blowing out of the canister & making a mess outside. Not good if that's the case. Guess I need suggestions of good filters that won't berak the bank

@DrCanna - That's a good point I hadn't considered. Then again, I wasn't planning on a tent till recently so I haven't thought a lot of this through yet. I'm seeing some tents that have side windows and need to be sure they're open for access or have screening in them that doesn't come out. I can work with side windows. None of the one I've found in my 4x4 size so far, have a door on the back. Any brand you know of I should check out?
 

DrCannaPath

Well-Known Member
Sorry bro ... not off the top of my head .... I got my tent years back and I havent researched them since!
As far as the charcoal filter, do consider a DIY .... many on YouTube with the parts needed easily found at homedepot or any other hardware store. Those are great because you can reuse them just change the carbon! Thats what I did!

Check out my current TriStrain grow:
https://www.rollitup.org/index.php?threads/883569/
 

Megalomando

Well-Known Member
Thanks for that. I'll see what I can find on youtube, never thought about making one, the ones at the grow store look real nice, if I can make one that's as good, I'll be better off for it.
 

verticalgrow

Well-Known Member
Mega have a look @ can fans on ebay only 26db for a 6" and cheap.
Also use a stocking over the end of duct, not the perfect filter but gets the job done :weed::leaf:
 
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bird mcbride

Well-Known Member
Varible speed blowers are better than fans.

For those DIY'fers I had an old 12vdc car blower as my first blower and it can use a varible speed controler. I used an old power transistor and a potentometer on a battery charger to control this gizmo.

Later I went with rectifiers, power transistors, zener diodes, resistors etc (without transformers) to supply and control dc circuits, fans and blowers(because car blowers and other things like odd relays are easy and cheap to get). I even stumbled across an integrated ac voltage tripler for raising ac voltages.
 
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Megalomando

Well-Known Member
I've seen a couple of the Youtube versions of the filters now and they seem doable. One looks like a particularly fine design but if the container falls over when bumped, it would leave a real mess. I like the design though and think I'll use it but will add a coarse filter to the intake so it will keep the charcoal from coming out if I get clumsy.
 
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