Best way to ventilate a 4'x4' grow tent

In a 4'x4' tent, I plan on setting up ventilation by sticking a 440 CFM fan outside, connect it to a carbon filter (also outside) and then run a duct from the filter to the top of the tent. Then the duct will connect to a Y-shaped duct connector inside the tent. The bottom part of the connector will remain open to provide fresh air to the tent. The other end of the connector will have a duct running through my cool tube reflector and then out the other side of the tent, as a heat exhaust.

This way I'm using one fan to supply and remove air. I figure if I leave an opening at the bottom of the tent, it will also create some sort of air flow.

Do you guys think it's not smart to set it up this way? If so, please explain why and also let me know a better way to do it, even if I need an additional fan or something.

Maybe this terrible drawing will help somewhat. The arrows represent direction of air flow.

filter directly on fan or duct between, then duct from fan to cool tube and duct cool tube out of tent...easy. The negative pressure created by exhaust fan will draw in fresh air through gaps and intake port.

Filter then inline fan pushing air through the cool tube then exit outside . One 160+ cdma inline fan taking air from outside and blowing it inside tent. Ran constantly or on a temp controller. If using a temp controller watch for high humidity.

I got:
Filter--->600W Hood--->400CFM Hydrofarm Fan--->outside

All controlled by a VSC-DNE by C.A.P

What is the benefit of a fan on the intake? Also, how would I filter the intake?

The way mine is set up, I cut a hole in a strip of cardboard the length of my window. stuck the duct in there, and closed the window on the cardboard panel and duct taped up the edges. That duct goes into the tent, through my hood and out the other side of the tent and vents into my room which is nice because it heats the air and I don't have to run my heater as much (its 30 degrees here). Then I have 2 computer fans pulling air through the tent itself for airflow, and a fan on the inside that circulates it.

Just make sure you're pulling air through the tube/tent and not pushing, you'll put less stress on your fan that way and it will last longer.

I have heard the exact opposite actually. Pulling hot air through the fan will wear it down more than pushing cool air. Is that incorrect?

I live in a warm state so I'll just be pulling air from the room which will be air conditioned.

BTW thanks to everyone for the tips.

bluntz48 said:

I have heard the exact opposite actually. Pulling hot air through the fan will wear it down more than pushing cool air. Is that incorrect?

Click to expand...

I believe they work best when sucking air, like exhausting your tent for example. I have seen a youtube video suggesting using the fan to push cool fan over a hot bulb, which will give you positive pressure in your hood/cooltube, so any leaks wont take up dust. I have read about and experienced fan wear and failure, because the fan was sort of cheap and was pulling hot air for a long time, some internal components were warped and all the lubrication was cooked off. As I am running a 1000watt ballast I have decided to use an independent fan to blow cool air over my bulbs and out of the tent as the vidya suggested, rather than using warm exhaust air to cool my bulbs, or pulling hot air out of my reflector with my 80 dollars fan. I do have to buy extra fans, speed controllers, etc, but hopefully they will last longer and my hood will stay cooler.