Help with mounting cool tube

Dutchy018

Member
Hey guys, I'm about to purchase a small tent
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H2ULDR0

With an Apollo 400w MH/HPS cool tube light kit
http://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Horticulture-GLK400CT24E-Digital-Dimmable/dp/B00547I5I8

The tent is only 30''x18''x36'', small I know but perfect for the space I have to work with. I've done some research and found a few setups that have it vertically which would probably be a better idea in my situation rather than mounting to the roof. I have a few questions though

1) How would it effect growth? Wouldn't the nodes stretch horizontally in one direction towards the light source instead of vertically?
2) If the tube is mounted vertically, it can't be adjusted so should I get a dimmer as well?
3) If I attach the 400w tube to my 4in/190CFM exhaust, will it be sufficient to prevent burning leaf tips since they are bound to touch the tube at some point?

It seems to me, vertically mounting the cool tube is more trouble than it is worth, requiring additional hardware and attention. I'm wondering if anyone has run into these issues and what you did to deal with them. I seriously don't want to waist more money than I have to, so if mounting the light to the roof instead of vertically is a cheaper/simpler solution, I'd rather do that. Any suggestion welcome.
 

Nizza

Well-Known Member
from what i've heard vertical bare bulb is the way to go
check out "whodatnation" and his thread, whodat sticky trap or his other one, whodat back at it
some real insight, remember that glass is also going to cut down on lumens so why not just dial things in correctly and get the plants a little teeny bit further from the source than normal

but cool tubes do have a place IMO, in a sealed setup using CO2
 

Dutchy018

Member
That's epic, alittle past my paygrade lol.. I'm really just looking for some info on cooltubes in tents, however I'll definitely be reading up on his "sticky trap". Can't seem to find the other one, got a link?
 

Dutchy018

Member
Is it even logical to grow vertically without a vert scrog??

I'm thinking maybe stick with a ceiling mount until I got some more space to work with..
 

Nizza

Well-Known Member
dr. d i think uses no scrog screen but i think the screen is important

no screen i think you just rotate the buckets to keep them away from the light, i really like dr. d's setup; you'll find him over in whodats sticky trap
the mounting of the cool tube is pretty straight forward though, duct running from an inlet to the bottom of the tube, then the top of the tube ducted to the exhaust

you can leave the bottom of the tube open if you plan on running 1 exhaust, and want to use it as your exhaust, with a hole as far away from the tube possible, acting as a passive intake

i always recommend an intake filter to cut down dust levels and increase lighting efficiency (lumen loss through dust buildup)
 

Dutchy018

Member
dr. d i think uses no scrog screen but i think the screen is important

no screen i think you just rotate the buckets to keep them away from the light, i really like dr. d's setup; you'll find him over in whodats sticky trap
the mounting of the cool tube is pretty straight forward though, duct running from an inlet to the bottom of the tube, then the top of the tube ducted to the exhaust

you can leave the bottom of the tube open if you plan on running 1 exhaust, and want to use it as your exhaust, with a hole as far away from the tube possible, acting as a passive intake

i always recommend an intake filter to cut down dust levels and increase lighting efficiency (lumen loss through dust buildup)
I plan on having one inline exhaust with 190CFM/carbon filter combo.. haven't decided whether I want to tee off to the cool tube, or just have the tube vent into the tent and let the fan do all the work.. guess I'll just have to experiment and see how hot it gets. If I wind up going vertical, then I will defiantly have to hook it up to the exhaust with a passive intake. Thanks for the suggestions.
 

blackforest

Well-Known Member
I think your tent is going to get pretty hot. It's a pretty small environment for such a powerful light. I would recommend a larger tent for any HID lighting, at least a 4x4 or close to it.
 

rwbrock

Active Member
I ran a 400 in my closet that was 2x4x8 and had a 4" inline 180 cfm. I went from filter to hood to fan that pulled air from closet and sent it up to my attic. Worked pretty well but in summer would get a little hot in there. That tent is really small you need more vertical space. You could use it to veg but think about pot size, hanging light and distance required between light and plants. You just ran out of room. I am now in a 2x3x5 tent and using led so no more worrying about getting rid of all that heat. Sure it can be done but your ambient temps need to be cool.
 
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