Am I overkilling it on lights?

[Stunx]

I have a insulated shed with a window AC that is struggling to keep under 85 in tent and 77 for rest of the shed. Tent has intake and exhaust and 3 fans inside.

My lights are 3(only using 2) bloom plus xp1500 (links below)
And an HLG elite 225 (links below)

I have a 4x4 tent, I'm currently mid flower on 3 plants running 2 of the bloom plus at 60% and the HLG 225. Can I get away and still find success in just the HLG and a single bloom plus XP at 80%?

My goal is to still get the most efficiency and get the temps down at the hottest point of the day by about a few degrees.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B093F8K87K/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_AKE50V3PFGQAPPWTZQVK?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

HLG 225

HLG ELITE is 225W LED lamp is powered with our custom designed high efficiency Full Spectrum White LED with boosted Red and Deep Red LED. HLG 225 is equivalent to 315W CMH.

horticulturelightinggroup.com

 

[hotrodharley]

The HLG alone should be able to cover 3 in a 4’ tent. Add one of the other with it and call it good.

 

[Grojak]

I’d say you’re on the money (if you can fit them all in you space. I use a 645w led in a 5x5 tent with amazing results.

 

[Stunx]

I’d say you’re on the money (if you can fit them all in you space. I use a 645w led in a 5x5 tent with amazing results.

Are you saying I should use all the available lights (it's so damn hot when I do) or that I am good with the hlg225 (3x3 flower) and a single bloom plus 150 (3x3 flower as well)?

 

[crimsonecho]

most efficient way to run those lights is hanging them all into your 4x4 and running them dimmed to hit 30w/ft2 (and above depending on your temps and plants reaction)

 

[Stunx]

most efficient way to run those lights is hanging them all into your 4x4 and running them dimmed to hit 30w/ft2 (and above depending on your temps and plants reaction)

I like that idea but how do I go about getting 30w/ft2?

 

[Billy the Mountain]

85F air temp is fine under LED, why change?

 

[Stunx]

85F air temp is fine under LED, why change?

Well, there's also nothing wrong with 80f. My issue is the rest of the shed is running too hot by about 5 degrees, I have a drying tent in the shed as well and I can reliably keep the rest of the shed 5-7 degrees lower than the grow tent.

 

[hotrodharley]

Well, there's also nothing wrong with 80f. My issue is the rest of the shed is running too hot by about 5 degrees, I have a drying tent in the shed as well and I can reliably keep the rest of the shed 5-7 degrees lower than the grow tent.

Go with the higher temperature for the plants under LED and figure something else out for drying. You can’t have it both ways in your present setup.

 

[Hiphophippo]

Well, there's also nothing wrong with 80f. My issue is the rest of the shed is running too hot by about 5 degrees, I have a drying tent in the shed as well and I can reliably keep the rest of the shed 5-7 degrees lower than the grow tent.

Do you exhaust your shed or just run the ac to control temp. A window unit can only work so much and if your in a hot area in the country it’s already working hard. I would see about exhausting the hot air and helping displace it will make your ac work less and better.

 

[Stunx]

Do you exhaust your shed or just run the ac to control temp. A window unit can only work so much and if your in a hot area in the country it’s already working hard. I would see about exhausting the hot air and helping displace it will make your ac work less and better.

I like this idea and it is definitely something that can be added. I have a few CO2 bags in the tent so I was trying my best to not refresh the air so often to take advantage, but I feel getting the temps in control that beat suit my set up is more important.

 

[Hiphophippo]

The higher temps aren’t that bad but your at that limit I try not to get above 85 ever some run higher but not me without any co2 added in I like 81-83 that’s my sweet spot. I’d try exhausting the shed though to see how it does

 

[Stunx]

Go with the higher temperature for the plants under LED and figure something else out for drying. You can’t have it both ways in your present setup.

Well, up until recent hot days my tent has been around 73-78 on a consistent basis, while my small dry tent has been under 70. I have a moving blanket in the middle of the shed to really help keep two different climates and the window ac unit is on the side of the dry tent. The window ac unit is one 6,000 BTU. I imagine I could have it both ways if I get a window AC unit with more BTU or go from 4 LED lights to 2, if I can still be efficient with 2.

 

[hotrodharley]

Well, up until recent hot days my tent has been around 73-78 on a consistent basis, while my small dry tent has been under 70. I have a moving blanket in the middle of the shed to really help keep tell different climates and the window ac unit is on the side of the dry tent. The window ac unit is one 6,000 BTU. I imagine I could have it both ways if I get a window AC unit with more BTU or go from 4 LED lights to 2, if I can still be efficient with 2.

Get AC and then you will have more control or options.

 

[Stunx]

I appreciate the input everyone. Now he's some eye candy .

 

[Lenin1917]

Do you have the tent exhausting out the shed? That should help remove some heat my tent was starting to get hot in its air conditioned room till I ducted my exhaust outside. Now I barely have to turn the ac on. I run my lights at night too which definitely helps with heat management during the warmer parts of the year.

 

[Stunx]

Do you have the tent exhausting out the shed? That should help remove some heat my tent was starting to get hot in its air conditioned room till I ducted my exhaust outside. Now I barely have to turn the ac on. I run my lights at night too which definitely helps with heat management during the warmer parts of the year.

First thing I'm going to do is try a 12,000 BTU AC. Then I'll try creating a new exhaust to the outside if that's needed.

 

[LeastExpectedGrower]

I'm running 3x HLG 225's in a tent that's about 90 cubic feet...I exhaust outside and generally have highs in the mid 80's (f) range.

Having a 'few bags' for CO2 really isn't doing anything, so I'd worry less about that and vent outside. Then your shed temps will normalize to whatever they usually are.

 

[Lenin1917]

First thing I'm going to do is try a 12,000 BTU AC. Then I'll try creating a new exhaust to the outside if that's needed.

Exhausting outsides gonna be cheaper. Both on initial investment $10- $20 on a few feet of ducting vs $200-$300 on the ac and the continued cost of electric. Ain’t hard either you just duct tape the exhaust fan to the ducting drill the right size hole in the shed wherever you want it exhausting run the duct to the hole where you’ll fix a flange plate like pictured and hook it up.

 

[Lenin1917]

The fresh air exchange will help your plants too. Make sure your ac is set to intake fresh air not vent or recirculate too. That way you maintain ambient outdoor co2 levels and don’t build up the ethylene the plants “breathe” out.