Testing Grow Tent Environment?

[tonedub]

Just having a random thought. I'm gonna attempt first grow in about a month or so. And was just wondering if anyone has tested there set - Up without plants growing? For example, having all of lights and fans running, maybe even carbon filter for about 3 days without plants growing to see what the temp or humidity is like? I'm sure the plants play a role in the environment but I was thinking maybe this could give a general idea of how it would be? Or would this even be a good experiment? Electricity cost is not a issue

 

[NanoGadget]

You very definitely should. Anytime i make any changes to my space or am setting up a new space i run it for at least 48 to 72 hours so i can get a general idea of what to expect for temps/RH/airflow before a plant ever gets involved.
As you said... enviromemt will change a lot with the addition of plants, but its nice to have some baseline numbers first so there are no major surprises when the health of you plants is on the line.

 

[Kingrow1]

Better off learning how to read air temperature and humidity first, most do this, place meters directly under the light then spend ages wondering how to cool their tent.

next wind, we dont need it or like it, are you making a grow tent or a wind tunnel.

So work your heat out with science then set your extraction to that level and your air movement should be great.

I can set a tent up and after five mins i know if its gonna grow dank or fail

 

[Dr. Who]

Just having a random thought. I'm gonna attempt first grow in about a month or so. And was just wondering if anyone has tested there set - Up without plants growing? For example, having all of lights and fans running, maybe even carbon filter for about 3 days without plants growing to see what the temp or humidity is like? I'm sure the plants play a role in the environment but I was thinking maybe this could give a general idea of how it would be? Or would this even be a good experiment? Electricity cost is not a issue

You very definitely should. Anytime i make any changes to my space or am setting up a new space i run it for at least 48 to 72 hours so i can get a general idea of what to expect for temps/RH/airflow before a plant ever gets involved.
As you said... enviromemt will change a lot with the addition of plants, but its nice to have some baseline numbers first so there are no major surprises when the health of you plants is on the line.

Ineffective !!

You'll get a whole nother set of values and times to temps/RH with plants under the lights!

You have to dial in with plants IN the op...

 

[NanoGadget]

Ineffective !!

You'll get a whole nother set of values and times to temps/RH with plants under the lights!

You have to dial in with plants IN the op...

It's not ineffective in finding out if your light+your tent+your lack of a humidifier results in 110 degrees at 15% RH. As i stated, its about finding out how your equipment interacts with your space before you get plants in there to correct anything extreme. I very clearly stated that all the numbers would change when plants are involved, but I've seen too many noobs have seedlings or clones die because they didn't realize that it was 30 degrees too hot in yheir tent.

 

[Kingrow1]

It's not ineffective in finding out if your light+your tent+your lack of a humidifier results in 110 degrees at 15% RH. As i stated, its about finding out how your equipment interacts with your space before you get plants in there to correct anything extreme. I very clearly stated that all the numbers would change when plants are involved, but I've seen too many noobs have seedlings or clones die because they didn't realize that it was 30 degrees too hot in yheir tent.

If the tent hits 30c then your either not using extraction or the room the tent is in is pretty darn hot.

 

[Daveindiego]

If I was going to do this, I’d do it with an open bag of soil or coco inside the tent to attempt to make the environment as close as possible.

 

[Dr. Who]

It's not ineffective in finding out if your light+your tent+your lack of a humidifier results in 110 degrees at 15% RH. As i stated, its about finding out how your equipment interacts with your space before you get plants in there to correct anything extreme. I very clearly stated that all the numbers would change when plants are involved, but I've seen too many noobs have seedlings or clones die because they didn't realize that it was 30 degrees too hot in yheir tent.

Sorry, other then yeah, you did mention it would change with plants in it.....
I still don't see your point!
If you set up a tent or an area......I would hope you did it proper and have ALL the intake and exhaust, not to mention the lighting set up before hand...
An inaccurate temp value and RH value that your going to have to make major adjustments to.......
Serves no real needed benefit - in my book....

I do suggest a laser temp gun for real time canopy temp metering....
Whats it going to cost my way? Simply sitting there for an hr or so and making adjustments as it changes...You will make RH adjustments over the next day or two anyway...

I still say - "You have to dial in with plants in the op...

 

[Dr. Who]

If I was going to do this, I’d do it with an open bag of soil or coco inside the tent to attempt to make the environment as close as possible.

Water the soil.....Even then, the plant puts out an RH value that makes the area higher then ambient over damp soil....More so in bloom too!

 

[xtsho]

You're overthinking. I don't think the experiment is worth the time. I'm not trying to be a jerk. I'm just answering your question.

 

[NanoGadget]

Again.... we are talking to a first time grower. We tell people not to test run their space and then talk down to them when they post 3 weeks later because their plant is being roasted alive because 'i didn't know i needed an extraction fan bro!'. Whatever. Yes, an experienced grower is going to know what to do and what not to do and will be able to start with a good baseline and then dial in as the grow progresses. But a first timer with equipment they have never used? Test it.

 

[xtsho]

Again.... we are talking to a first time grower. We tell people not to test run their space and then talk down to them when they post 3 weeks later because their plant is being roasted alive because 'i didn't know i needed an extraction fan bro!'. Whatever. Yes, an experienced grower is going to know what to do and what not to do and will be able to start with a good baseline and then dial in as the grow progresses. But a first timer with equipment they have never used? Test it.

Nothing wrong with turning everything on to make sure it works, setup the timer, etc... and run everything for a couple hours. That's normal and you would get a reading of the temp in that time. There is no reason to do a three day dry run.

 

[NanoGadget]

A couple hours is not enough time to really see what the thermal properties of your setup are. There is no reason to not do at least one day/night cycle with a new setup if for no other reason than to make sure there is nothing extremely out of wack.
Next time you're in the noob section of the forums and make a note of each problem you see being discussed and i promise you that 80% of them could have been prevented if the new grower had done some research and/or testing ahead of time.

 

[coreywebster]

Proper preparation prevents piss poor performance..

 

[NanoGadget]

Proper preparation prevents piss poor performance..

I should just let you write my posts. You said in 6 words what i said in 3 paragraphs.

 

[coreywebster]

I should just let you write my posts. You said in 6 words what i said in 3 paragraphs.

But your far more eloquent than I..

 

[NanoGadget]

But your far more eloquent than I..

I'll just ask for your help if i need to edit my ramblings down into something readable. You'll get 20% of a revenue as an editor's fee of course. Lol.

 

[tyke1973]

I build a fair few Rooms ,And all the rooms i build even my own i leave running for about 3/4 hour during day and then same at night ,checking temps .Not a stupid thing to do,More should do it then any problems you have can be sorted before the plants go in.