Indoor AB's latest grow log - Launch of the Badboy!

[AndyBotwin]

Is there any way to put something in between the fixture and the tent to keep the neg pressure from closing the tent around the light like say maybe for example Popsicle sticks or something along that line?

That's what I'm going to try next. I'm thinking that I may push out the sides of the tent with something on one end of the light, and use my circulation fans to direct the warm air towards that end. If that still doesn't give me the movement I need, I could try placing one of my small desktop fans above that area pointing up to help draw air in the right direction. Or I could attach a PC fan to the end of the light pointing up, and that would serve a dual purpose of pushing the tent out and moving air to the top. Plenty of options, it's just a matter to getting the time time play around with it. :thumbs:

 

[AndyBotwin]

I think I will be ok with my smaller light instead of that bigger BadBoy you have, and having that smaller fan too. Plus I planned on putting my fan nearer the bottom so it will grab all the hot air. Is there a way you could have your filter inside and you pull air through it with the Air King, Andy? Like from filter, though the fan and then more duct to the outside. Instead of pulling air into the fan first, Then into the filter and out through duct...? Thanks Andy, I know you'll eventually figure it out as frustrating as that is especially after having such good results with the last grow. Good grow vibes sent your way brother.

Yeah, I think you'll be fine with the smaller fan, squid. My problem is not a CFM issue, but rather an air movement issue. You should be able to retrofit the Air King to work with your filter inside the tent. The intake of that fan is basically just an open square, and the plastic grid snaps onto it. If you remove the grid and cut a piece of cardboard to fit the opening, you'll be able to create a sealed intake. Then go to the hardware store and pick up a duct flange in the correct size for your ducting and filter. Something like this:

Cut out the circle and mount the flange on the inside of the cardboard, then tape that whole piece to the underside of the fan. At that point the fan will only draw air through the flange you installed, and you can hook whatever you want to it. I would recommend that before mounting you check the top side of the fan assembly to make sure there are no other points where air can be drawn in. Open screw holes, punchouts for wiring, etc. Anything like that would need a piece of tape on it to ensure odor control. A good way to check it would be to hook up your ducting and filter however the final product is going to be. Then fire up the fan and blow smoke on it to see if it gets drawn into any cracks or holes in the housing.

 

[gtron]

Here is a couple of pics of the bathroom fan I used and how I adapted it for use in my grow box.
This is what I use on my 2x3x5 box.
NuTone Ultra Silent exhaust fan 80 CFM 0.8 sones (yeah really quiet) has a 4" exhaust. Bought @ HomeDepot
It works just fine with my carbon filter. I did have to cut a panel to fit over the face of it. I forget what the measurement was, but I used some 1/8" Coated pressboard (an old drawer bottom) cut the 4" hole in it, Attached the round flange with a couple of screws and some silicon caulk, then duct-taped it on to the fan housing.
See the pics below.


I needed the extra quiet fan myself, (It is whisper quiet, literally) If you don't need it that quiet, you can get a fan with the same output for probably half of what I paid.

 

[The Squid]

Awesome. Just what I needed Andy. That's pretty much exactly what I will do. I wonder if there is anything else I could use besides cardboard that would be a little stronger and more moisture resistant. Any ideas? Thanks a lot for helping me out on your thread man. Not trying to hijack it or anything.

Edit: Thanks gtron. I think I am following you.

 

[AndyBotwin]

Awesome. Just what I needed Andy. That's pretty much exactly what I will do. I wonder if there is anything else I could use besides cardboard that would be a little stronger and more moisture resistant. Any ideas? Thanks a lot for helping me out on your thread man. Not trying to hijack it or anything.

gtron's suggestion of coated pressboard is a good one, or you could use some thin plywood. If you go to the lumber section of Home Depot or Lowe's they usually have some precut small squares of plywood, pegboard, etc. Or if you can find the scrap bin near where they cut the wood, you may find something that will work for a few pennies. Whatever you use (unless it's coated like what gtron used), it wouldn't hurt to spray paint it all before mounting it to the fan. That would ensure that it doesn't soak up any moisture over time.

I will say that the centrifugal fan I have now is like a jet engine compared to the Air King, even when it's on low speed. One of the huge advantages of the bathroom fans is the low noise like gtron mentioned.

 

[The Squid]

Cool, cool. You guys have been an awesome help. Sorry again for asking the questions on here.

 

[AndyBotwin]

Cool, cool. You guys have been an awesome help. Sorry again for asking the questions on here.

No worries. It's more entertaining than me bitching about pH, heat, and male plants.

 

[UHF]

Looking good bro! Just read through. Subbed

 

[Captain cure]

There looking great bro. You should be stoked of how good they look considering the PH. I've seen some horrible lockout and very damaged leaves on plants in soil with a pH in the 5s. Just think, they look that good that they can only get better with the improvements your making. They're gonna be some amazing plants. That negative pressure crap in tents blows. I've never grown in a tent before but I have heard and read of many people having the same problem. Can't wait for the next photo update :thumbs: Some female and no neg pressure karma coming your way

 

[AndyBotwin]

I had a couple of minutes this morning to check the plants, and sadly I had to yank both of the Bad Bettys. I'm bummed that I was 0 for 4 getting any females with the Mi5 and BB, as those were strains I was really looking forward to trying. The PAK is turning out to be a really beautiful plant and it's growing like crazy, but still no sign of preflowers. But with each passing day that's a better chance that it'll be a girl, so I don't mind waiting. The AKR is a fem seed so I'm not too worried that I haven't seen any pistols yet. Plus it's in a 3 gallon pot so I think it's using most of its energy on the roots right now, and I'm hoping to see a big growth spurt soon. So right now I'm down to 4 plants, and if the PAK is female, I think I'll stick with that. If it turns out to be male then I'll probably germ a fem Russian Rocket Fuel or Auto Assassin. I'd hate to run the light and fans for several months and only grow 3.

Since adding the intake fan the temps have stayed around 78 with lights on and 68 with them off. I can live with that for now, but when I get the time I still plan to try some other methods to get air flowing better.

Regarding the pH, I'm wondering if the plants aren't showing any bad deficiencies due to the fact that I'm all organic right now. Many people have said that there's no need to worry too much about pH as long as you have a healthy microherd in the soil. For these plants I've only given them a couple treatments of Kangaroots and Big Bloom, both of which are organic, and the Happy Frog is supposed to by myco rich also. My concern now is that if I don't get the pH in range by the time I add the synthetic Grow Big, things will quickly turn bad. I'm not opposed to switching over to an organic nute line as long as it's something simple, especially if it makes my life easier on the pH front. If this is something I should consider, does anyone have recommendations for some reliable organic nutes that will replace Grow Big and Tiger Bloom? I really don't have the time to deal with making my own teas, and right now AN pH Perfect is not an option for me as my water isn't a good candidate and I don't have the cash to invest in a RO system. Any thoughts on this?