Humidity Challenge

[tronN00dles]

I've got two smaller dehumidifiers, one is for 250 Sq foot and the other 550 Sq foot - both are inside the tent right now. I don't have any dehumidifier for the basement overall as it's just empty storage. Trying not to go too crazy expensive my first grow, but sounds like I might need more work.

Try putting the 550 sq ft one outside of your tent. I can get crazy different results just moving around my dehumidifiers. Your exhaust and the big dehumidifier may be competing with each other and decreasing efficiency. I find the best way to keep good humidity is to control the air RH before it even reaches your intake.

You may find a perfect combination of device placement that works with the stuff you already have. And where do you keep your humidity probe? I find at canopy level is the best -- I use a hanging probe that ties into my temp/RH controller.

 

[Sgghays]

Try putting the 550 sq ft one outside of your tent. I can get crazy different results just moving around my dehumidifiers. Your exhaust and the big dehumidifier may be competing with each other and decreasing efficiency. I find the best way to keep good humidity is to control the air RH before it even reaches your intake.

You may find a perfect combination of device placement that works with the stuff you already have. And where do you keep your humidity probe? I find at canopy level is the best -- I use a hanging probe that ties into my temp/RH controller.

I said screw it and dropped $300 on a dehumidifier for the entire basement, that'll fix the problem

 

[Cerebral Goo]

I said screw it and dropped $300 on a dehumidifier for the entire basement, that'll fix the problem

The 67% of your basement is too high for flower and will cause issues. Great for your seedling and veg though...The bigger dehumidifier will definitely help. I'm the same boat as you but a few weeks ahead of you. Newer grower, mid atlantic, and big plants cranking out moisture in a 4x4. I have my tent and a 50 pint in a spare bedroom in my basement and the humidity is about 45% in the room with the dehumidifier running. However, my tent would try to climb into the upper 60's even with the light on. I tried all kinds of angles. Most of which Tron has mentioned: cranking up the exhaust, raising temps, adding a heater in the tent on top of the light, outside the tent (no more room inside) etc...

What ended up working for me is I opened up the front two panels (which I think you stated you did as well) and pointed the dehumidifier exhaust partially into the tent. The exhaust for the dehumidifier(low humidity) comes out of the top and at a slight angle. I had to roll the dehu around a bit to get the right spot, but works. My temp is 81-82 and the humidity is 50-54% which is close to the optimal VPD. Maybe you could use the new bigger model for the room and point one of the smaller ones toward a tent opening. Also, try different configurations of panels being partially open or closed.
Smell is the main issue now!!! My wife was already complaining about it, and now it reeks...I like Tron 's philosophy on upsizing the fan. I'm in a 4x4 with a 6" Affinity, but will move up to a 5x5 with an 8" fan next go round. I can only have 4 plants legally, but like the idea of having space to move around and move the plants around inside the tent. Hopefully the extra size and ventilation will help with the humidity next summer...Winter is coming, so we will have a new set of variables to learn how to deal with...Necessity is the mother of invention! Good luck man!!!

 

[GreenBean]

Since we’re already on this topic. Does anyone have a recommendation for a smaller dehumidifier that doesn’t suck? And doesn’t cost a ton?

 

[Sgghays]

Since we’re already on this topic. Does anyone have a recommendation for a smaller dehumidifier that doesn’t suck? And doesn’t cost a ton?

As you can see, I tried several cheaper options that I could put into the tent and I still had high humidity issues. So far dropping the money for a large dehumidifier has worked wonders and I get water for my plants too.

What are your conditions like?

 

[GreenBean]

As you can see, I tried several cheaper options that I could put into the tent and I still had high humidity issues. So far dropping the money for a large dehumidifier has worked wonders and I get water for my plants too.

What are your conditions like?

i have humidity issues in the morning here this time of year. I’ve also tried a small dehumidifier with no good results. Right now I have an inline fan in a bottom port triggered to kick in when my humidity rises. It helps. And obviously pulls in and circulates air even more. I just don’t know if I can justify the expense of a large dehumidifier. I suppose I’ll keep my eyes out for someone selling one used around here.They appear to not be very common here as it’s usually really dry most of the year.