First Grow, CFL 1 Plant

nicoelchico

Well-Known Member
This will be my first grow. This is more of a "what will happen" experiment rather than trying to go big and pro about it, which I'd like to do in the future. But for now, this is just a lil' science experiment for fun. I'm currently growing in a plastic tub that was just sitting around at my house. Its dimensions are 23.75''x17''x16.5''; it's lined inside with white paper. Right now I have 1 seed/sprout in some organic compound seedling starter from Lowes (I forgot the name, threw the box away. They come in small short very hard cylinders and when you add water they expand out to a soft and moist medium). For lights I have 3 Daytime 23W 6500 K CFL's, giving a total of 4800 lumens, in a triangle together all 4'' above the sprout. For (somewhat) ventilation, I have a 6'' fan blowing from the inside across the tub and (somewhat) exiting some slits I made into the side. Right now I'm having a problem with the heat. I bought a thermometer but I'm not sure how accurate it is...It's telling me the temp. is around 80-85-90 F but when I feel in there it seems no way. Any suggestions on how to keep the temp. down? Should I make holes/slits on the opposite side of the side with the slits? Should I buy some smaller fans to also blow air in? I'm having trouble finding some really small mini fans, like maybe 2''-4''. Here are some pics of what I got goin' so far. Any other suggestions about anything else are very much appreciated! Thanks a lot! +rep for helpers!
 

Attachments

Budweaver

Well-Known Member
Yes, you'll want intake as well as exhaust vents...IMO for a small space like that, your much better off with a passive intake/active exhaust, or passive on both with your fan just circulating air letting it enter and exit the vents as needed. You should be taking your temps at soil and/or plant top level...putting the thermometer above your lights will give you inaccurately high readings. Keep that little plug good and moist until you see the first sprout then keep those bulbs as close as you can get without burning the plant. Good luck.
 

nicoelchico

Well-Known Member
So I thought because I didn't have any intake with the little exhaust I had going, that it wasn't circulating enough, which was making it hot. But I recently bought a new tub and rigged up 2 80mm cpu fans, one for intake and one for exhaust, both fit into each side of the tub. I have them both facing the same way so one is blowing in and the other out. The exhaust fan is connected to a 12V adapter and the intake 9V. Should this be the other way for better circulation? I knew one is better to have more power. Also is there a different fan I should have gotten to take air out opposed to just facing the fan outwards? But now that I think of it, I never have the top on so would it even matter...? I thought the heat may have been because of the closet, but even when I let it out into my room the temp. doesn't seem to change much. Maybe the thermometer I have isn't too accurate, would a digital thermometer be more accurate? Because it really doesn't feel as hot as it says it is (80-90 F). I also have another fan inside connected to a 12V but is quite bigger, so there's quite a bit of circulation. I don't know what's the deal with the temps in this thing. I'll post some pics, someone please help me out here! Thanks
 

Attachments

guy incognito

Well-Known Member
Why not put something over it to reflect the light back in and still use the intake/exhaust fans? It looks like a lot of light is shining right out of the top.
 

Mr.Luso

Well-Known Member
you can always use 2 pc fan one for intake and one pulling air out its cheap and effective. its what i use i have a grow in a 3 square ft and i use 2 fan for intake and 1 for out and the temps are very stable in the dark period i only use the one pulling the air out. my temps are 77f° light time and dark period. good luck
 

pbbro

Member
If I were you I'd just use both fans to exhaust and have passive intakes. Make sure the passive intakes are twice the size as your exhaust
 

BenzoBoy

Member
Where did you get that light rig? Do the lights slide on the rod, or do you just have them taped on the rod?
 
Top