Heat issues, seeking advice, 4x4 tent w/ 90F canopy temps

Fizzdizz

Fizzdizz

Member
I have a 4x4x6.5 tent, in testing the tent for several hours canopy temps are reaching 90F (central AC in living area is kept at 73F). My setup contains a carbon filter (310cfm) at the top, followed by a 6" inline centrifugal/vortex style fan (206 cfm). The fan pulls the air through the filter, into 6" alum ducting to one side of a YieldMasterII classic with a 600w HPS bulb, out the other side and then out through more 6" alum ducting out the top of the tent via a 6" to 4" reducer. I have also tried using a 6" inline duct fan (240cfm) outside the tent which feeds into the lower tent port through some 6" ducting and a 6" to 4" reducer but it doesn't seem to make a large difference in temp. I originally had the inline fan up top and the vortex style fan at bottom but it seemed like the inline fan wasn't pulling enough air through the carbon filter. I know the vortex is pulling more air through, because with it I can even feel air leaking out the sides of the glass on the reflector (which could be adding to the heat since hot air is going out the reflector rather then being vented out the tent).

So my question is, where should I go from here in bringing the temps down? My thoughts were to purchase another vortex style fan (maybe 4") to put down at the intake to aid in getting fresh air in as well as a fan controller or controllers (to turn down the top fan from pushing so strong as well as to help with noise). I am already keeping the temperature in my living area down to 73F so I don't want to go any lower there. I thought about a portable AC unit, but am reading suggestions otherwise. Another idea could be instead of releasing the hot air into the room (which is maybe 12x12 at most and often stays door closed) I could duct that heat elsewhere (attic, outside). Would completely exhausting the hot air out of that room be enough to bring the temps down significantly and eliminate the need for a active intake?

Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated. I am sure this question has been asked before, but every setup is a little different. Thanks!
 
hellraizer30

hellraizer30

Rebel From The North
ice_flow_bg.jpgIm using one of these in a 10x10 tent with x4 600 6in vented shield 440cfm vortex and a intake 4in and the ice flow is plumed into the 6in outake
look into it cheeper that ac and its water cooled, you can find it on the advanced nutes web site. o yah my temps are 68 to 70 never higher
 
Nubby Tubbs

Nubby Tubbs

New Member
dude youre conna have to cut a hole in that room to duct it...no choice. didnt know what u were getting in to did ya?
 
Fizzdizz

Fizzdizz

Member
I have non qualms with cutting a hole to vent the exhaust out if that's what I need. I was prepared to cut holes as needed when I originally planned this for a closet as opposed to a tent, so no worries.

Do you think an active intake is even necessary with venting out? If so is the inline fan fine or should I go out and purchase a vortex style?

A fan controller would still be a good idea to turn that fan down from pushing air out the sides of the sealed reflector correct?
 
FootClan

FootClan

Well-Known Member
Fizzdizz said:
I have a 4x4x6.5 tent, in testing the tent for several hours canopy temps are reaching 90F (central AC in living area is kept at 73F). My setup contains a carbon filter (310cfm) at the top, followed by a 6" inline centrifugal/vortex style fan (206 cfm). The fan pulls the air through the filter, into 6" alum ducting to one side of a YieldMasterII classic with a 600w HPS bulb, out the other side and then out through more 6" alum ducting out the top of the tent via a 6" to 4" reducer. I have also tried using a 6" inline duct fan (240cfm) outside the tent which feeds into the lower tent port through some 6" ducting and a 6" to 4" reducer but it doesn't seem to make a large difference in temp. I originally had the inline fan up top and the vortex style fan at bottom but it seemed like the inline fan wasn't pulling enough air through the carbon filter. I know the vortex is pulling more air through, because with it I can even feel air leaking out the sides of the glass on the reflector (which could be adding to the heat since hot air is going out the reflector rather then being vented out the tent).

So my question is, where should I go from here in bringing the temps down? My thoughts were to purchase another vortex style fan (maybe 4") to put down at the intake to aid in getting fresh air in as well as a fan controller or controllers (to turn down the top fan from pushing so strong as well as to help with noise). I am already keeping the temperature in my living area down to 73F so I don't want to go any lower there. I thought about a portable AC unit, but am reading suggestions otherwise. Another idea could be instead of releasing the hot air into the room (which is maybe 12x12 at most and often stays door closed) I could duct that heat elsewhere (attic, outside). Would completely exhausting the hot air out of that room be enough to bring the temps down significantly and eliminate the need for a active intake?

Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated. I am sure this question has been asked before, but every setup is a little different. Thanks!
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Ok so your exhausting your air back into your room that the tent is in?? theres your problem right there......you MUST exhaust ALL the hot air from your tent OUTSIDE eather exhaust it into your attic or better yet exhaust it into your attic then OUTSIDE.....when you blow your hot air back into the room it then heats up the ambient temps in the room then it gets sucked back into your tent to be heated up some more then back into your room and so on...Its a snow ball effect......You must exhaust all air outside......if you do this you will bring in your ambient 73 degree air into your tent it will then heat up then get pushed outside..

also if you have a big enough exhaust fan you dont need the intake fan......I run a 1000w in a 4x4x6'7" tent and i use a 8" 500+ cfm fan to suck in air throught my filter then past my light then through my fan and outside......My ambient temps are about 67-72 degrees and with my negative pressure from my 8" fan my tent temps run about 77-80 degrees...... so instead of trying to have 3 small fans i like just one BIG fan......just easyer too

Also you said your hear air getting in through your hood by the glass......I Have the same problem fixed problem my taping the edges of the glass with aluminum tape...

Hope this helps got any other questions hit me up.....later
 
Fizzdizz

Fizzdizz

Member
Thanks for the advice footclan. I am definitely going to duct the exhaust into the attic this evening and then see about possibly tying it into an existing roof vent after that. I will also try the tape on the sides of the glass. I can not only hear it, I can feel it pushing out the sides. I thought about the tape my only concern was the tape melting or something from the heat, but then again if the tape is meant for ducting it should be able to withstand a little heat. I think my exhaust fan is strong enough, as there is obvious negative pressure when looking at the tent. Maybe I can use that inline fan I already have to help boost the exhaust line then.

Thanks again everyone!
 
FootClan

FootClan

Well-Known Member
Fizzdizz said:
Thanks for the advice footclan. I am definitely going to duct the exhaust into the attic this evening and then see about possibly tying it into an existing roof vent after that. I will also try the tape on the sides of the glass. I can not only hear it, I can feel it pushing out the sides. I thought about the tape my only concern was the tape melting or something from the heat, but then again if the tape is meant for ducting it should be able to withstand a little heat. I think my exhaust fan is strong enough, as there is obvious negative pressure when looking at the tent. Maybe I can use that inline fan I already have to help boost the exhaust line then.

Thanks again everyone!
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just rember ALUMINUM tape not regualr duct tape that shit will melt and cause a nasty mess.....use Alumin tape.....

Also yes you can use another fan to help boost it out your attic but if its not neccessary dont use it ....or try selling your two small fans and buy one big one.....but dont just use the second fan unless you need it otherwise its a waste of PG&e........ also do you have any small desk fans in there pushing the air around inside the tent?? just that alone will help alot...I hang a small desk fan right below my 1000w light just blowing air directly onto the face of the glass.....this helps a little too..the fan is souly for helping cool the glass on my hood.....It helps a little i get about a 1 degree drop in tent temps just from that little fan pointing on the face of the glass... this isnt something you have to do i only do it becuase i had the extra fan and it only uses like .37 of an amp so i figure 1 degree drop for little to no power is ok with me.....
 
Fizzdizz

Fizzdizz

Member
Alright, exhaust vented out of the room, aluminum tape on the light, and testing again. Seems to be staying a lot cooler so far. Currently at 77F.
 
FootClan

FootClan

Well-Known Member
Fizzdizz said:
Alright, exhaust vented out of the room, aluminum tape on the light, and testing again. Seems to be staying a lot cooler so far. Currently at 77F.
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thats as good as mine gets......I cant grow in the summer my ambient temps are too high without running my apartment A/c 24/7
 
Fizzdizz

Fizzdizz

Member
the home is 70. the room is not that cool though. door stays shut. just placed a thermometer to get ambient in room but it was in tent so need to let it cool off to get an accurate reading probably.
 
FootClan

FootClan

Well-Known Member
Fizzdizz said:
the home is 70. the room is not that cool though. door stays shut. just placed a thermometer to get ambient in room but it was in tent so need to let it cool off to get an accurate reading probably.
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i have to leave the door open to my spare room with the tent inside...I onlly close it when the lights are off......When i close the door i go from 77-80 to 80-85
 
Fizzdizz

Fizzdizz

Member
Hmm. I have animals so i usually prefer to leave door shut. Ambient right outside tent appears to be about 74.7, 78.1 inside tent at canopy height.
 
ten year veteran

ten year veteran

Well-Known Member
i agree vent that sucker ull c a big difference! i run a 600 and i got it vented to the attic mine also stays between 75-80,fan controlled by a fan dimmer and room stays 65-70
 
FootClan

FootClan

Well-Known Member
Fizzdizz said:
Hmm. I have animals so i usually prefer to leave door shut. Ambient right outside tent appears to be about 74.7, 78.1 inside tent at canopy height.
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HMM i would buy one of those cheap dividers for doorways to keep small children out.....My parents use them for there dog to keep out of curtin rooms in the house with out closing the door......This would allow a bigger air exchange between that room and the rest of the house allowing the cooler air to enter the room and cool it down better and still keep your animals from getting in the room....

Also if you have animals you might want some sort of hepa filter over you intake holes
 
FootClan

FootClan

Well-Known Member
Yes those are the hepa filters hey are pricey... On my other grow i just use one of those cheap sqaure house filters over my passive intake slots.....
 
Fizzdizz

Fizzdizz

Member
Well I ended up taking the active input off, it doesn't seem to really make a difference and without it I have good negative pressure. I do think my humidity is going to need to be raised though. It stays about 20-25%. Considering picking up a humidifier.
 
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