8" Hoods vs 10" Hoods

Trying to upgrade a couple lights and wondering what people think on the two? I am running 6" hoods now which are noisy, even with the insulated ducting/box built around the fan.. Could be my fan.. But anyways, from what i've read it seems whenever people ask, everyone always says the bigger the better.. I would assume 10" would be better, but more expensive. I also noticed less options with 10" hoods, seems as if the 8" are more popular. I was having a hard time finding similar threads/info. If anyone knows of any, re-directing would be great.

Would you all recommend getting 10" hoods, or 8" hoods with 10" ducting & a 10" fan?

Thanks!

Honestly, unless you plan on running more than 3 lights in a row on one fan than 6" is better. Try a vortex 6" fan they are very quiet, about $150 at plant lighting hydroponics.com. the bigger the opening the more loss of control on light concentration

seriously what he said.beautifully articulated.

6'' are the best based on there the most reflective. sound wise there is no noticeable difference in them. What are the 6'' hoods your trying to replace?

superstoner1 said:

Honestly, unless you plan on running more than 3 lights in a row on one fan than 6" is better. Try a vortex 6" fan they are very quiet, about $150 at plant lighting hydroponics.com. the bigger the opening the more loss of control on light concentration

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So what if someone plans on running more than 3 lights in a row? I appreciate the advice, I will def. look into the vortex fans, I have heard great things about them.

Let me make sure I understand correctly; The bigger the opening, the more loss of control on light because more light is leaking out of the ducting? Seems simple enough, I just wanted to make sure I understand correctly.

I got a buddy that runs 4 600hps's with 1 8'' hurricane fan. He runs all 8'' blockbuster hoods with no issues. Yes with a 8'' duct hole on hoods your loosing the 2'' of reflective material on each side of the hood compared to 6'' hoods.

Thanks everyone! booms111, from what I have read in Jorge Cervantes grow bible and several other books, the larger the ducting, the less the sound.. Which makes good sense to me. It's like whistling.. You make your lips smaller so it makes the loud noise.. If you open your mouth all the way you don't really hear noise coming out.. I know, a terrible analogy, but I was having a hard time coming up with anything to compare lol. Also, with larger ducting it would def. be easier to move larger volumes of air with less work on the fan.

In Jorge's Grow Bible he says that smart growers get 12" ducting/hoods; maybe this is completely incorrect based off what I am hearing from you all about the reflectivity?

As far as what hoods I currently have, they are sunleaves sunspot 6. Any comments on this hood/advice on new ones?

Booms, thanks for clarifying. What if he were running all thousand watters as opposed to 600, think the fan could keep up then? I've read great things about those blockbuster hoods.

I run 1ks. I only run 2 on each 8'' fan. Blockbuster hoods are the best in my opinion. Switching from your sunspot to a blockbuster will be a good improvement. I run noise insulated duct work and its super quiet. Like this stuff but mine says for noise dampaning http://www.homedepot.com/p/Master-Flow-6-in-x-25-ft-Insulated-Flexible-Duct-R6-Silver-Jacket-F6IFD6X300/100396935

Check out this link http://www.greners.com/reflector-test.html

booms111 said:

I run 1ks. I only run 2 on each 8'' fan. Blockbuster hoods are the best in my opinion. Switching from your sunspot to a blockbuster will be a good improvement. I run noise insulated duct work and its super quiet. Like this stuff but mine says for noise dampaning http://www.homedepot.com/p/Master-Flow-6-in-x-25-ft-Insulated-Flexible-Duct-R6-Silver-Jacket-F6IFD6X300/100396935

Check out this link http://www.greners.com/reflector-test.html

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Thanks homie. I actually read that reflector test before posting here which is why I said I have read great things about the blockbuster hoods. Seems as if they are some of the best out there based on this study.

Also, thanks for info on insulated ducting. I bought some a couple months ago and put just a small amount on the end of my setup and it seems to dampen noise a lot. Will run all insulated ducting soon, it's just so expensive!

So, if I wanted to run 8" blockbuster hoods and run 3-6 in a row (Due to a rectangular shaped grow area) would my best option be to add 8"-10" adapters and run a 10" fan/ducting? Or maybe even 12"?

Thanks again,
Ex

No, your best option would be to run 2 separate systems and if you insist use the 8" with 8" ducting and a good 8 or 10" fan with a speed controller.

how many fans ? lights watts . I use all 8 inch 1 monster fan splits off the 8 inchers into 2/2 so a y pipe then blows through 2 and 2 . works best . and every 4 lights has a different fan . can run 1000 watts per light . to stay cool . never seen 10 inch here in mi and I go into every hydro store for 50 miles distance of my home . never seen 10 inchers on ebay or amazon .

I currently have 18 8" dominator hoods in 3 rows of 6 with a 10" max fan with an 8" reducer and an 8" max fan in each of of the three rows that intake and exhaust outside of the room. With my ac units off my fans keep my room at an ambient 76 degrees without co2 and 82 with co2.

I forgot to mention I am running 1000watt lamps

kinddiesel said:

how many fans ? lights watts . I use all 8 inch 1 monster fan splits off the 8 inchers into 2/2 so a y pipe then blows through 2 and 2 . works best . and every 4 lights has a different fan . can run 1000 watts per light . to stay cool . never seen 10 inch here in mi and I go into every hydro store for 50 miles distance of my home . never seen 10 inchers on ebay or amazon .

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As far as how many fans and lights i'm trying to figure that out to make a informed purchase. So you essentially run a large fan to cool 4k watts? What size fan? I am thinking 4 8" lights total and am trying figure out what would be the most efficient purchase. I found 10" Sunspot reflecetor on amazon, but overall it sounds like it would be most efficient to go with the 8" blockbuster and a large fan?

Dr. KaNobie said:

I currently have 18 8" dominator hoods in 3 rows of 6 with a 10" max fan with an 8" reducer and an 8" max fan in each of of the three rows that intake and exhaust outside of the room. With my ac units off my fans keep my room at an ambient 76 degrees without co2 and 82 with co2. View attachment 3156501View attachment 3156502 View attachment 3156503 View attachment 3156504

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How many CFM is the fan? Nice set-up by the way!

@Extacie- so you want to run 4 8'' blockbusters right? Id get a 12'' fan around 1100cfm to cool them

I use these they are 1500 cfm each . more then enough to cool 4 lights . 8 inch . note you will have to remove the flanges so your ducting fits . only a few screws no big deal this will save you hundreds on that fan . keep in mind this fan is a bit noisy . so not good for an apartment . but In a real grow room we all know its noisy any ways . http://www.harborfreight.com/8-inch-portable-ventilator-97762.html

Thanks guys (and gals) I appreciate all of your help.

Booms, thank you for a general guideline and helping me out in general!

Diesel, that looks like one hell of a deal! I appreciate you informing me of that. I will def. keep in mind. I don't know if the noise reduction would be worth the extra $ on other fans or not. I like to be able to hear what's going on outside.. I guess I could always build a silencing box around it, that may help.