Hey DGC! Long time listener, first time poster. I’m on my second grow in a 2×4 tent using an Electric sky es180 v2 and I’m having a blast. My first grow went really well, but there were a couple things that I noticed could use some adjusting for the next grow.
I live in Colorado so have very low humidity around this time of year, plus my grow space is unfortunately limited to an area that is up against a brick wall that doesn’t have any additional insulation from the outside. So I’m constantly fighting off colder temps in the grow room (low 60s) and low humidity (30s-low 40s).
Now I’ve tried a couple of things to help sort this out including: small ceramic heater (just gets too hot and tends to Produce dry heat which dries out pots quickly) I also have a heated humidifier and a cool mist humidifier. The heated brings the temps to a good spot but doesn’t quite get humidity up high enough and also just runs through water. Using the cool mist dumps humidity but is no help in heat dept…running both the warm humidifier and cool mist together creates an inconsistent humidity and the dials on they are specific enough to get them to work well in sync.
my question to the DGC is, what would you recommend doing to help boost humidity and temperature in a controlled manner? Right now I feel like I’m just pushing it until RH or temp gets too high and then dialing back, then it gets too low, so I turn it up , rinse and repeat..
What do y’all think as far as solutions that won’t break the bank?
Describe this space with a brick wall…what size area. Basement?
Also, are you familiar with controllers for equipment?
If not…
They are basically a switch that plugs into the wall and the humidifier/fan/etc plugs into the controller and will turn the power on/off at set points that you choose.
Automating your environment is key to keeping it stable.
It sucks to have to use floor space in a.small tent, but get back to me about the grow space and I can help coming up with something affordable and effective.
….insulating that wall an option? There a simple ways to do that without making it permanent.
Yea definitely try to seal up that wall if you can. Environment is the trickiest thing to get dialed in for sure. Do you have circulation fans in the tent? Humidifier should handle a space that size. You’ll probably need heater on temp control and cool mist humidifier on humidistat.
Appreciate the info, Coach. The Brick wall is about 9ft tall x6ft wide, but has some shelving built up against it, Its in my closet. I could try to insulate it, but wth all the shelving that may prove difficult.
Im looking into getting a controller to help with Temp, and have been looking into some humidifiers that have humidistat on it, doing some research to not get some BS humidistat. Looking at some in the $80-$120, as it appears that that price range and up has the only reliable humidistats. Any advice/ recommendations are welcome.
As far as the heat, the light I have isn’t mine, and I’m getting my own HLG 260 V2 Rspec in the next week or so (again recommendations welcome, but seemed like a good fit for my 2×4 as far as quality and $$$), Im not sure where this will change temp compared to what i have, but will tackle that once i get the light installed and see how it impacts environment. My thoughts at the moment are to try to use a heater in my closet with a controller to not apply as much direct heat inside my tent, and vent it in throughout the day(I use intake/Exhaust ventilation). What are your thoughts.
Cheers!
Another helper would be bu a couple sheets of 2″ thick rigid insulation and put them on the walls. You can use a construction adhesive and just put a dot in the corners to basically keep it from falling, don’t go crazy with the adhesive as it will be a bear to get off or just use 1 masonry screw in the center
Thanks for the reply Boston. There are some shelves built against the brick wall which may make this difficult, but i like the idea and will keep it in mind as I figure out how Im gonna dial this in.
I second the controller idea. Infinity fans or even the InkBird monitors are affordable and will help you dial in that sweet spot better. In my 2×4 I have a 4 inch Infinity Fan on the top set to control the fan speed based on temp. The fan has a “smart” feature that gradually increases the fan’s speed as temps rise and fall. The fan turns on slowly 10 degrees prior to the SET temp so there are not any SPIKES in temp or humidity. I have used this method in both summer and winter without any issues.
Growers Love!
-GFK
Thanks for the info GFK. Ive been looking into getting one of the AC Infinity fans, they are pretty cool. Do you think that they would help in my situation. I can see how they would do a good job of venting tents that are too hot/ too humid, but how would it help in a situation where I’m too low on temps/ humidity? or are you suggesting that i add it to my current scheme to avoid blasting heat and humidity out of the water and keep it regulated?
I can relate Chrishwags. I live in Chicago and the heating registers make it really dry. It’s damn near impossible to control our grow environment winter or summer with a/c. Frankly the very best we can manage is to perhaps come close a good portion of the time; tent has its fan and the little humidifier running like crazy next to it (two gallons h2o a day!) and pumping out all that damn dust everywhere. There are simply too many environmental variables here and every fix creates another f*&%ing problem. I’d have to build a separate structure with its own environmental system to do it right, and Jeziz, it’s only a tiny non-commercial 2×4 grow. Reminds me of the bumper stickers you used to see on old beat up cars that said: ” Be patient, I’m pedaling as fast as I can!”
I guess that’s what I’m struggling with: For a very small personal grow, where to draw the line at expense vs. benefit; when will it end?. If I was in to make money I’d feel differently.
At least were getting a little bud out of it…. Wishing you the very best with yours. 🙂
MC
@Maryjane Calyx
I feel your pain. I detached the ducting from my furnace vent (bedroom) and capped it off. Now I use that connection to dump the room. RO filter is a must for running through that much water in a humidifier, I’ve come to learn.
🙂 Thank you Coach Steve. I guess I’m looking for an affordable water filter. The humidifier was only $20 after all.
Shit. Might as well wtf the Illinois plant limits and turn the entire lung room into a grow since it’s getting to be so dams expensive… Hmm.
Oh well, could be worse. Happy Friday Everyone!
MC
Thanks for the info MC! Im from Chicago, born and raised! So, i can really understand your growing pains with those seasonal swings! I getchu though, the expense vs benefit struggle is ongoing. Hardest part for me is that i know ill end up investing in something nice, that will last EVENTUALLY, but what solutions can i come up with in the meantime lol.
I have my carbon filter fan on a t-stat and then I just use a cheap heater that plugs directly into an outlet on my power strip with no cord an it has a t-stat. As for humidity I just use a cheap bottle top one and use a 2l bottle. I also have a 2×4 tent
Check out those ac Infinity fans with the smart temp/humidity control. They will give you a lot more options and control over your ventilation which will really help dial things in. It’s a ton easier to manage your environment when you can adjust your fan speed manually or let the smart controller manage it for you.
I also recomend getting an oil filled radiator style heater like one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-TRH0715-Oil-Filled-Radiator/dp/B000FT1XZW
You can use that to keep the room warm and it will be a lot safer and more energy efficient than the type of heater you are currently using.
Thanks Soup! AC fans are on my list of things I want. To start Im looking to upgrade my humidifier to one with an accurate humidistat. I’m also getting a new light here soon (looking at HLG 260 V2 Rspec for my 2×4) so im going to see how that impacts my environment before addressing the heat issue. Thanks for the oil filler radiator recommendation, ill do some research!
Cheers
Cheapest fix would be to use the heated humidifier. If your humidity is 30s to 40s, you can probably maintain 45-50% RH with the humidifier, and that’s fine, don’t concern yourself with vpd unless you’re ready to spend some cash on automation. Best scenario is an inkbird or ac infinity type environmental control. Only problem is, AC infinity doesn’t have anywhere to plug in a humidifier or heater, it’s just designed to kick on its own fan. Perfect if you need to exhaust high humidity and temperature, but not great if you’re trying to kick on a heater and humidifier.
Does anyone have any recommendations on quality digital or mechanical timers?