Upgrading to CMH query

Renfro

Renfro

Well-Known Member
If that were to become my growing area, the first concern I would address, before ordering anything, is a hole in the concrete wall for a wall vent. Probably would go with an 8 incher at least so I could avoid having to make another hole later.

Next major concern I would address is power, I would pull enough power to handle any possible upgrades including, but not limited to, a dehumidifier (probably gonna need one).

I would also figure out how I will remove waste water, from the dehumidifier, from growing.

Also I would figure out how I will plumb water into the space. Carrying in buckets of water gets old and a hose run into the space would likely freeze in the winter.

Once I am satisfied with the resolutions to these issues I would then start building the grow, ordering gear and whatnot.

Growing isn't a cheap proposition when done correctly. When done incorrectly you end up wasting a lot of money and have poor results. Do it right the first time and save money in the long run.
 
Renfro

Renfro

Well-Known Member
I should also note that your space appears to be sealed up very well with the exception of the door. When we are exhausting heat and humidity, air must come into the space to replace it. As it stands it appears the only opening for the makeup air to come in would be around the door. It would be wise to assume one would want to seal those gaps to prevent light leaks, pest intrusion, excessive cold drafts in the winter... If this is sealed you have now created a situation where the exhaust fan will have a very difficult time doing it's job. So figuring out where you will get intake air from is a major concern. That air temperature and humidity is also a concern, we don't want to pull in hot/cold or humid air, thus most growers grab conditioned air from their home to use for intake air and I am not sure how easily that could be accomplished in your space.
 
Renfro

Renfro

Well-Known Member
I do hope that this information helps you in your quest. The more planning you do ahead of time the better off you will be when it comes time to grow. It is much easier to anticipate and address potential issues before you run into them growing when the situation becomes urgent and you have to work around the plants.
 
Renfro

Renfro

Well-Known Member
Also, it appears that you don't have any direct entry to the grow space from indoors. In order to prevent tracking in pests like mites you will want to have a clear path to your grow where you won't brush up against or step in any foliage that could be inhabited by pests. A paved walkway is ideal and you may wish to spray the plants in the area with something to eliminate pests. You can use products on the yard that you can't use on your plants. Once the bugs are on your plants your control options will become severely limited, especially in flower.
 
Nutty sKunK

Nutty sKunK

Well-Known Member
Sound advice from renfro.

One thing u would add is keep your pots of the cold floor. Even an upside down tray keeping it a couple inches clearance is enough. Otherwise the concrete floor is going to make the rootzone too chilly.

UK climate is hard to grow outside due to wild swings in climate. Can be sunny about 30c one day then wet and 15c the next.
 
Renfro

Renfro

Well-Known Member
Nutty sKunK said:
Sound advice from renfro.

One thing u would add is keep your pots of the cold floor. Even an upside down tray keeping it a couple inches clearance is enough. Otherwise the concrete floor is going to make the rootzone too chilly.
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Agreed, chilly roots result in very slow growth and reduced yields. Using a sheet of rigid foam insulation works well under pots. Not sure what the product name is over there but here we have stuff at the hardware store thats about 1.5 inches thick and sturdy so it can hold the weight of your plants. Another option is those little risers that you can set in a saucer and then set the plant on, serving two purposes at once these will prevent the plants roots from sitting in the runoff caught by the saucer but will also get the plants up off the cool floor.

If it was my grow space I would consider a flood and drain hydro system. I run this type of system for an entire growing cycle without a reservoir change out (only top offs and PPM /pH maintenance), limiting the amount of water that needs to be brought in and out of the space.
 
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dougens

Member
Renfro said:
Generally we use the fan to pull hot air from the top of the tent, with a carbon filter installed on the intake to control odor, the ducting off the fan is then routed outdoors so the heat doesn't get back into the tent. The tent has intake vents in the bottom that air flows into so as to replace the air exhausted by the fan.

I don't have much confidence in the fan you linked, it's an axial flow fan so it's not capable of handling static pressure loss well (duct work, carbon filter, bends). I will tag @coreywebster as he knows more about the various products available where you are located. I recommend vortex VTX series centrifugal blowers here in north america.
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Fantastic thanks so much for your help Renfro :)
 
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dougens

Member
Nutty sKunK said:
Sound advice from renfro.

One thing u would add is keep your pots of the cold floor. Even an upside down tray keeping it a couple inches clearance is enough. Otherwise the concrete floor is going to make the rootzone too chilly.

UK climate is hard to grow outside due to wild swings in climate. Can be sunny about 30c one day then wet and 15c the next.
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Is this the case growing in DWC also? I'm looking at 1-2 oxypots in this space......
 
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dougens

Member
Renfro said:
I do hope that this information helps you in your quest. The more planning you do ahead of time the better off you will be when it comes time to grow. It is much easier to anticipate and address potential issues before you run into them growing when the situation becomes urgent and you have to work around the plants.
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Very much appreciated renfro and looks like I have some more work to do planning as you say prior to buying kit.

More reading and work to do!
 
Renfro

Renfro

Well-Known Member
If it has a floor drain make sure the floor drain flows well and is not clogged before you start building the grow. Don't want to have to call in a plumber to power snake / root cut the drain line after you have a grow running. I have always done this.

During cleanup of the space prior to build out I would just use a hose and a drain cleaning bladder to blast out the drains, if that doesn't work I would get the plumber out with the power snake.
 
D

dougens

Member
Renfro said:
If it has a floor drain make sure the floor drain flows well and is not clogged before you start building the grow. Don't want to have to call in a plumber to power snake / root cut the drain line after you have a grow running. I have always done this.

During cleanup of the space prior to build out I would just use a hose and a drain cleaning bladder to blast out the drains, if that doesn't work I would get the plumber out with the power snake.
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There is a drain (open drain hole in the ground with plastic cover) just outside the space.
My kitchen water drainage from the house goes here and have never had issues with it backing up, yet!
Do you mean do I have a floor drain inside the space? In that case, no.
 
Renfro

Renfro

Well-Known Member
Well I assume you will end up using that drain when you drain your hydro system. Probably not too stealthy to run a dehumidifier hose out to it but I will let you decide on that, plus it will freeze in the winter so I could see dumping the dehumidifier water manually down that drain.

Since it is outdoors you may have leaf debris and whatnot restricting or clogging the drain. So make sure it has good flow and doesn't backup. I would just run a garden hose to it, turn it on and watch it for a few minutes to make sure it doesn't back up.
 
D

dougens

Member
Renfro said:
Well I assume you will end up using that drain when you drain your hydro system. Probably not too stealthy to run a dehumidifier hose out to it but I will let you decide on that, plus it will freeze in the winter so I could see dumping the dehumidifier water manually down that drain.

Since it is outdoors you may have leaf debris and whatnot restricting or clogging the drain. So make sure it has good flow and doesn't backup. I would just run a garden hose to it, turn it on and watch it for a few minutes to make sure it doesn't back up.
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Will do, I don't expect to have an issue with it backing up as there is a lot of rain here! And no issue with it backing so far but I will check as per your advice.
 
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