2 cabs failed. I'm sick of fails.

I have a 150w hps with external ballast and a pile of CFL's. I've tried two different cabs with both lights but can't cool either of them even though I have a filter and fans.

All I want to do is a 12/12 from seed grow and I need a new cab for that. Should I build a box? Buy a small tent?

What's a guy to try next?

Feel for ya Earlyriser76, how do you mean ""fails" at what point(other than Temsp) did you notice things going wrong or Plants doing badly...and why does it have to be 12/12 from seed...is that some mission/goal you've set yourself...

Peace...

Assuming your cab is not a pc case, so long as you are exhausting out of the cab, how are temps getting too high with just a 150w? Do you have an air cooled hood?

heat shouldn't be too much of an issue with that light unless your cab is too small. I'll mentor you for a grow and get you through one if you want , pm me if your interested. I have a few journals on here in case you wanna check to see what i am capable of

how about some pics? what size cab? what size fans? is it hot where you are at or cold? do you exhaust into the room its in or outside?

Intake at the bottom of cab, exhaust as close as you can to the light (provided light is at the top of your cab). In order for a good air flow both intake and out-take fans should be operating at same flow speed. I remember when I put two intake PC fans and only had one mains powered exhaust, that the temps rose insanely high because too much warm air was circulating inside. It's all trial and error really. I cut 5 holes into different locations in my wooden micro box before the air flow and temps were perfect.

I would very much appreciate someone helping me. I had all but given up, but then decided I've done too much, spent too much just to have it all go to waste.

I tried first to build a tiny cabinet grow and then bought a mini fridge. I liked the idea of the mini fridge but the insulation inside won't allow it to cool. It's only 3'x17"x17" and I have a good fans. It still reaches 86* in there and there is nothing I can do.

This is a small medical grow. Just personal use only and I don't use that much. I would just like to grow enough to make my own medibales, vape what little I do, and try some topicals. Juice the leaves. Hell, I love cannabis.

Honestly guys, I don't think there is anything anybody can do to save the mini-fridge cab. I have active intakes and a decent outtake for the size of the cab. I have air movement, two themometers.

Ambient is 72-75 and just the fans alone drive the temps to 79, turn on the lights and I've been north of 95. I can't remove the insulation and it's holding heat it faster than I can cool it.

I need another box. The question is do I buy one or make one?

Here's what I do have.

6x 23w CFL's
150w HPS (no cool tube available) http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-HTGSupply-150w-High-Pressure-Sodium-Grow-Light
My outake is this fan S&P TD-100 http://www.amazon.com/TD-Mixvent-TD-100-In-Line-Duct-120V/dp/B003QL8JG2
My filter is the Phresh 4x12 200 Cubic Feet Per Minute Carbon Air Filter. http://www.amazon.com/Phresh-Filter-701003-Minute-12-Inch/dp/B007ZU6IUY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391461069&sr=8-1&keywords=Phresh+4x12+200+Cubic+Feet+Per+Minute+Carbon+Air+Filter

I have various 4" and PC type fans. Good ones. I have all the hardware and tools to construct about anything I need. What I don't have are unlimited financial resources.

Buy some wood and build a box.

And your hps is perfectly compatible with a cooltube.

Earlyriser76 said:

I would very much appreciate someone helping me. I had all but given up, but then decided I've done too much, spent too much just to have it all go to waste.

I need another box. The question is do I buy one or make one?

Here's what I do have.

6x 23w CFL's
150w HPS (no cool tube available) http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-HTGSupply-150w-High-Pressure-Sodium-Grow-Light
My outake is this fan S&P TD-100 http://www.amazon.com/TD-Mixvent-TD-100-In-Line-Duct-120V/dp/B003QL8JG2
My filter is the Phresh 4x12 200 Cubic Feet Per Minute Carbon Air Filter. http://www.amazon.com/Phresh-Filter-701003-Minute-12-Inch/dp/B007ZU6IUY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391461069&sr=8-1&keywords=Phresh+4x12+200+Cubic+Feet+Per+Minute+Carbon+Air+Filter

I have various 4" and PC type fans. Good ones. I have all the hardware and tools to construct about anything I need. What I don't have are unlimited financial resources.

Click to expand...

Know what you mean about Funds Earlyriser76 (LOL! what Funds?) I've been using cupboards/Closets whatever space I could convert..Would still Love a Proper Tent though...and I dunno guess it's just to be a bit more organized/Tidy...but I do love converting things..Shame you think the Mini Fridge is gonna be a No-Go..

Waffling: depends where you live and the Funds you do have...if woods cheap? build a small-ish box(Don't forgot about Flowering if you using the same space) or maybe check out the Charity Shops for a Cupboard/Wardrobe/Chest of Drawers...whatever you can find cheap that fits the bill and convert that..

If in the UK -

New 1.65m X 0.65m X 1.6m Portable Grow Tent
Silver Mylar Hydroponic Bud Dark Roo - £51.49 - Free PnP
Product Features:

(BLURB)
* Completely Light-tight, waterproof and air-tight material.
* Silver Mylar lined interior for maximum use of light.
* 600D polyester aluminum coating inside (not cheap 210D).
* Velcro fasteners.
* Mylar Silver lining, SBS Zips,Thick Cloth
* 100% PVC FREE - WILL NOT KILL YOUR PLANTS!
* Removable water-proof floor for spillages.
* Inlet/Outlet vents for fans.
* Quick and easy to assemble, lightproof, brilliant silver interior.
* Adjustable intake and exhaust vents.
* Military grade zips give full access to the crop.
* The ideal environment for home cultivation!

eBay item number:110951001682

Don't know anything about this product or seller just used as example..

Peace



Sounds like you got yourself a Mentor....Cool!

EDIT: just went for a piss and idea popped into my head...I'm thinking now about getting a Tent of the right dimensions and then building a wardobe for it to fit into..keeping ballast and some other bit serparate...more $$$ but would be Stealthier than what I have now...hmm Funds, Funds, Funds...

tip top toker said:

Buy some wood and build a box.

And your hps is perfectly compatible with a cooltube.

Click to expand...

I phoned HTG supply and they said no cool tube was available for my unit. Is what they told me untrue?

Any idea where can I get box plans?

This will probably go in my bedroom and I don't want it too loud. It doesn't have to be super stealthy, meaning everyone in the house will know about it. I do live in an apartment with neighbors above, and below me so odor control is an issue.

You can build a cooltube for fairly cheap, especially using hurricane glass or look for a bake o round on Ebay.

Speaking as an owner of a mini-fridge, currently, a pc fan is not going to vent a HPS, I don't know what fan you got going on, but 86 isn't bad, not regarding humidity.

You want negative air pressure, so that you can continually draw fresh air and Co2 in, all while balancing humidity and heat.

My intake spans the bottom on the outside of the fridge and you can see the placement of the my fans if you look at my sig....I went to LEDS and its a dream come true.

Ps[ Taking just the insulation out of the door of my fridge dropped temps a little too.

Patience is a virtue or some shit. If it took everyone no time to dial in a cab, everybody would be growing........

This should be a piece of cake.....

Earlyriser76 said:

I phoned HTG supply and they said no cool tube was available for my unit. Is what they told me untrue?

Any idea where can I get box plans?

This will probably go in my bedroom and I don't want it too loud. It doesn't have to be super stealthy, meaning everyone in the house will know about it. I do live in an apartment with neighbors above, and below me so odor control is an issue.

Click to expand...

No, they most likely stated that based on them not offering a cooltube option on that item. But an his bulb is an how bulb, they all use the same plug. The reason that they don't offer it is because there should typically be no need for a cooltube for such a low watt light. You are just using a light too powerful for the box you've chosen, a fridge.

You don't need plans for a box so to speak, just build a box of the size you want, as you would any box, and add a door and appropriate hanging fixtures and ventilation holes. Shouldnt need a plan too knock that together, child's play.

I also have 2 of these 4" fans. I'm using these as active intakes. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003LNOE28/ref=pe_385040_30332190_TE_3p_M3T1_ST1_dp_1



I've tried sucking air out of the back.

Mini fridge is way to small. If you are willing to spend a few more bucks you can buy a cheap tent on ebay or amazon for around $100 or less depending on the size. They aren't the greatest tents, you may need to check for small light leaks with some duct tape. I've been running a similar one but bigger for over a year now and for a $100 tent I'm happy.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Indoor-Grow-Tent-Room-32-x32-x63-Reflective-Mylar-Hydroponic-Non-Toxic-Hut-Gift-/141085355212?pt=US_Hydroponics&hash=item20d957accc

This is probably about the size you want for that size light. If you ever would want to upgrade you can probably get away with up to a 400w in there. You pretty much have everything else. Keep that fan/filter at the top of your tent or cab so you are extracting the warmest air. I take it that is a 4" fan/filter. You shouldn't have much trouble keeping a tent cool this time of year. BTW I like you idea for the air intakes that is clever. You're just working in too small of a space.

sonar said:

Mini fridge is way to small. If you are willing to spend a few more bucks you can buy a cheap tent on ebay or amazon for around $100 or less depending on the size. They aren't the greatest tents, you may need to check for small light leaks with some duct tape. I've been running a similar one but bigger for over a year now and for a $100 tent I'm happy.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Indoor-Grow-Tent-Room-32-x32-x63-Reflective-Mylar-Hydroponic-Non-Toxic-Hut-Gift-/141085355212?pt=US_Hydroponics&hash=item20d957accc

This is probably about the size you want for that size light. If you ever would want to upgrade you can probably get away with up to a 400w in there. You pretty much have everything else. Keep that fan/filter at the top of your tent or cab so you are extracting the warmest air. I take it that is a 4" fan/filter. You shouldn't have much trouble keeping a tent cool this time of year. BTW I like you idea for the air intakes that is clever. You're just working in too small of a space.

Click to expand...

Yes, it's a 4" fan for the filter. The other 4" fans I used 6" to 4" convertors, they make a super tight seal. Those fans are very good ones and move a lot of air for their size.

ThView attachment 2984279

The fan is rated at 100 cfm and the filter is 200 cfm. I'm not sure if that's an issue.

For the price....you can find a 5 foot tall 2'8x 2'8" tent for 80 bucks. Earthworth brand and super nice. Very sturdy great quality.

Way cheaper than wood and nails and time.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Rollitup mobile app

tip top toker said:

No, they most likely stated that based on them not offering a cooltube option on that item. But an his bulb is an how bulb, they all use the same plug. The reason that they don't offer it is because there should typically be no need for a cooltube for such a low watt light. You are just using a light too powerful for the box you've chosen, a fridge.

You don't need plans for a box so to speak, just build a box of the size you want, as you would any box, and add a door and appropriate hanging fixtures and ventilation holes. Shouldnt need a plan too knock that together, child's play.

Click to expand...

Right, but like you said, I have a cab too small for that light. My other cab was too small for the light as well. I keep selecting the wrong size cab. What's to say I won;t do that again?

The whole ventilation thing eludes me. I have drilled holes inside holes, top to down and still can't get it to cool off. I've made an investment in fans.

The hold up is the cab and until I can figure out what size cab I need, the grow will continue to be a non-starter.

Fact is , even with 4 23w cfls and mini-fidge was too hot. How in the hell the PC growers do it, is beyond my comprehension.