I would respectfully disagree with those who said you are overpaying. Probably they have no experience setting up something of this size (which is a huge setup, dying to see it when its completed). I build everything from scratch, buy inlines and lighting systems from factory distros (I avoid any shop which even hints at supplying the grey area) and setting up 1 room sized set up easily costs 1700 when everything is all added up. You are doing this times 3. So looks like you are spot on, actually you got some good prices. The one way you could cut some corners would be to get rid of the active intake fans, pay a bit more for a higher CFM rated exhaust fan and build your rooms with enough negative air pressure and creative ducting so that you only have to invest in 1 big ass fan. This would save you around $320 per your estimates. Only drawback to that is pests, but with HEPA filters in between grow rooms it is manageable.
I gotta say I love the guy who said to make sure your environmental conditions are spot on first. Dude that is SOOOO spot on. Nothing like getting everything set up, runnning and THEN finding out you need to install more heating/cooling. Not fun to do mid grow.
First off - I want to say that I am excited for you, and all my comments and opinions are in the pursuit of good fun and growing good medicine. This is a cool project. I don't mean to step on any toes! One more thing, I've NEVER been able to stay within budget on a zone build. There is ALWAYS one more thing to make it right. Allow for this overhead too, if your budget is absolute. For example.... did you factor in the cost of extension cords?
Hey Roland - I agree, respectfully, with you! Setting up hydro stuff is expensive... DIY projects cost alot to do right too - at least in time, and often in the cost of materials (Heath is off the hook - mad props!). I love to build hydro units from hardware store parts too, but I also enjoy - and appreciate some of the finer qualities of expensive parts made for the job. Job specific tools in all trades often cost more than the price of a typical screwdriver or hammer. Having said that, you want to get the best price possible, and nobody wants to waste money. For me, the end justifies spending a few extra bucks for the setup.
I too agree with getting your environment spot on before starting -- I'm saying this from experience. Once the girls get rolling, you are no longer in control. It's hard enough to get through the first grow in a big zone with perfect conditions! haha
I respectfully disagree about adding lights later. More lighting almost always changes the environment; usually requiring more cooling. Plan your setup with the lights you are going to run - or be sure to account for that necessary overhead when building your ventilation system.
On the subject of intake fans. I think they are HIGHLY underrated in the grow community. I have saved more than one room with the simple addition of an intake fan. Using negative pressure is OK... but running a fresh air zone with a slight positive pressure is preferred. This way, rather than constantly drawing in dust, dirt, debris, mold, bugs, etc through every crack of your room, you keep the room slightly positively pressured (with a HEPA grade intake filter) and push out those nasty items rather than attract them. A ratio of 1 to 4 for fan size is the industry recommendation, but I prefer to match intake and exhaust fans 1 to 1 - and then put a speed controller on the stronger fan to dial in air pressure within the zone. Once you get your zone ducted and filtered, the results can be surprising which run--intake or exhaust--are more powerful. It's easy to diminish your effective CFM's with excessive duct runs and filters.
On growing, I've tried it many different ways, and they all work! Go with what you are excited about - and be open to change. Good luck with your project, I can't wait to see some pics! You rock!
