Sealed Grow Room - What do I need?

[xIPhobiaIx]

Hello all,

What is typically needed for a sealed grow room to control temperatures, humidity, etc.? (AKA no air coming in or going out due to using CO2)
I have my lights (6x1000w HPS Gavitas), insulation (spray foam, fiberglass, foam board), and almost the panda film up in my 10ft (W) x 15ft (L) x 9ft (H) shed and live in a Zone 5 climate (Michigan) where it gets pretty cold. Anyways, with two little heaters the room stays nice and warm and this is without any lights on. There are no light or air leaks.

Again, my question is simply if giving a shopping list of things I would need to pickup... what would I get? Michigan is typically cold and cool for most months of the year and the humidity pretty OK.. not to dry not to damp although we do have the great lakes, etc. Again, the goal though is to almost care less about outside environment and just control inside.

So list would be:
AC?
Dehu?
Humidifier?
... more?

BONUS question.... What does ballasts do for lights? Should I use them? Are they needed at all or mandatory? Do some lights like Gavitas come with them built in?

Thanks a bunch!

 

[a mongo frog]

BONUS question.... What does ballasts do for lights? Should I use them?

You must be doing this venture with a buddy who has grown indoor before? You sound like a great person, I just didn't know if you knew you are going to have close to a 12k start up? You also going to need a co2 source, and your list looks good so far. Yes Gavitas come with ballasts that you do need.

 

[BurnzAU]

If you have your lights you should have ballasts? Yes you need them.

You're going to need a big split system aircon and big dehumidifier and you need to make sure you have enough power in your area to run everything.

2 little heaters your room stays warm? That's cute. When you fire up those 6x 1000w Gavitas you have 6 big heaters buddy.

 

[bk78]

First of you need to do research and a LOT of reading.

 

[bk78]

Doesn’t know what a ballast is?

 

[xIPhobiaIx]

You must be doing this venture with a buddy who has grown indoor before? You sound like a great person, I just didn't know if you knew you are going to have close to a 12k start up? You also going to need a co2 source, and your list looks good so far. Yes Gavitas come with ballasts that you do need.

I am actually yeah but they have been busy as of late so during the downtime just trying to learn and double check what I need

 

[xIPhobiaIx]

Doesn’t know what a ballast is?

I dont sorry again just trying to learn

 

[shroomhaze]

Holly fuck that's way too big of a plan for a first-time indoor plan. Go small first or have someone who is experienced and knowledgeable with you on this and gang bang this thing out with him lol

 

[xIPhobiaIx]

You must be doing this venture with a buddy who has grown indoor before? You sound like a great person, I just didn't know if you knew you are going to have close to a 12k start up? You also going to need a co2 source, and your list looks good so far. Yes Gavitas come with ballasts that you do need.

The funs are there just double checking on what is needed and why. thank you!

 

[xIPhobiaIx]

Holly fuck that's way too big of a plan for a first-time indoor plan. Go small first or have someone who is experienced and knowledgeable with you on this and gang bang this thing out with him lol

My first time but the person I am with has been doing for 10+ years but also like to try and learn myself ahead of time

 

[shroomhaze]

Maybe be try more efficient LEDs that use fewer watts there for less heat? Heat and humidity are going be your major 2 problems with this plan

 

[Rurumo]

One thing that might matter, depending on where you live is...do you have access to someplace that sells co2? I live in a rural area with no access to co2, so that's off the table for me, so I will need a propane powered co2 burner for my co2 needs. Just something to consider, which type of co2 system you will use. It will get roasting in there with the lights on-the dehumidifier will contribute a lot of heat, as will a co2 burner if you end up using one.

 

[MICHI-CAN]

One thing that might matter, depending on where you live is...do you have access to someplace that sells co2? I live in a rural area with no access to co2, so that's off the table for me, so I will need a propane powered co2 burner for my co2 needs. Just something to consider, which type of co2 system you will use. It will get roasting in there with the lights on-the dehumidifier will contribute a lot of heat, as will a co2 burner if you end up using one.

In OP's state. Co2 is easily available at most propane distributors upon request. Delivered if already using them. If not talk to the nearest mechanics or country welders. They tend to be very accommodating. And use torches.

 

[xIPhobiaIx]

In OP's state. Co2 is easily available at most propane distributors upon request. Delivered if already using them. If not talk to the nearest mechanics or country welders. They tend to be very accommodating. And use torches.

We will be using a CO2 tank with timer and PPM reader etc.

 

[MICHI-CAN]

We will be using a CO2 tank with timer and PPM reader etc.

I had a solenoid valve empty my tank once in 5 or 6 years playing with gas. I suggest a redundant set up on the valving. Out of that stuff now. But worth knowing.

 

[BurnzAU]

We will be using a CO2 tank with timer and PPM reader etc.

You're gonna be using so much CO2 if using tanks, and don't know how accurate 1 sniffer in a big facility will be. I would use a couple burners, way cheaper.

 

[a mongo frog]

You're gonna be using so much CO2 if using tanks, and don't know how accurate 1 sniffer in a big facility will be. I would use a couple burners, way cheaper.

Isn't a 10'x15' room still in bottle range? 20'x20' makes the switch to burner? I could be way off though.

 

[kingromano]

bottle is expensive and a headache IMO
for a 10x15 room the pilot flame of a small burner would be enough to keep a constant 800ppm
plus propane/NG is cheap and easy to replace. a 13kg bottle of propane last months

do not gas during rooting, it's too early. they need atmoshpheric co2 levels until they root
also plants develop a tolerance to CO2 over the weeks

meaning that if you use too much during veg plants will be acclimated fast and it will be inneficient during bloom

dont forget to stay in the vpd range at each stage, its really important for co2
use a vpd of 1.0 during veg, 1.2 for early bloom and 1.5 late stages of bloom

 

[getogrow]

Isn't a 10'x15' room still in bottle range? 20'x20' makes the switch to burner? I could be way off though.

IMO , yes thats small enough to use tanks.

Its only 10x15 , if he wants to try it first before a smaller grow then so be it. its his time and money....
6000w is going to be HOT so the ac has to be big. You may be running ac during the coldest months of the year. (during lights on, lights off and the heat will be needed)
A dehumy with a 4+ gallon res....bigger is better.
plenty of fans
Co2 tanks and all the gear to moniter/regulate it. My opinion , it will be too hot to try and use co2 burners.
You will need an intake and outake. 2x8" will work. (4x6" may work better for you or 1x12" just depends on you)

Might as well grab controllers for all 3: Hvac/ dehum-hum/co2
Thats just a start....

 

[xIPhobiaIx]

It is a 10x25 ft room so you are saying only a burner would get my ppm up high enough?
That would add too much heat I am sure.
I will be getting a 3ton mini split (36k btu) and not even sure it could handle the burner addition, etc. But if using tank or bag it wont get high enough? Hmmmm if that is the case than should I even use CO2 at all? Skip the mini split and exchange the air using a high CFM inline fan with intake and exhaust 6in or higher?