Indoor grow chamber up and running

[smokinjoe52]

I have just completed an indoor grow chamber that is 48 wide x 18 deep by 6 ft high. I have 4 -12v 120mm fans that run 24/7 for circulation. Two are in the lower section, and 2 are up high drawing air from the main chamber, toward the chamber ceiling, then gently returning it to the main area. I also have a vent fan that draws room air in for 6 minutes every 3 hours. The chamber is in the lower level of a walk-out ranch so the room stays cool in the summer and the winter. I also have 6 of Ray's LED lights that can be moved left/right and up/down. Also 2 of the TAO 24 watt grow lamps up high that run from 10am to 2pm each day.

There is a seeding heat mat on the bottom shelf, on a switch that is used for new transplants into s/h.

There are also 2, unused at the time, light fixtures up high to possibly use a standard incandescent bulb or a reptile heater for additional heat if needed. I am planning to turn this heat on/off along with the 6 main lights.

All that said, my humidity runs 62% with a humidity tray on the lower shelf. 55% with a 7" saucer of water on the lower shelf, and about 45% with no additional water chamber. I only have 4 orchids in the chamber right now, so expect the humidity to rise as more plants are added. It appears I will able to dial in whatever humidity I want, and am shooting for 50-60% right now.

My temperature runs ~79F when all (8) lights are on, and drops to ~67F during the night.

The temp and humidity drop close to room reading by the time the vent fan runs for 6 minutes. Recovery takes, surprisingly, only about 30-40 minutes. I think pulling in fresh air is a requirement, but have no idea about how much or how often. should add that the entire system is designed to "go it alone" for a week or 2, since we are away from home several times a year.

I was anticipating using a digital controller for both temp and humidity, but looks like I probably will not need that. It is AMAZING how much LED light you can have, and not raise the temp much in an enclosed chamber.

The chamber actually comes with 5 shelves, but I only used 3 to gain additional height for the plants...along with MANY other modifications! This was actually my second build of the same brand, but this one is another 20" wider.

Enough for now,

Joe

[estación seca]

W O W .

[PaphMadMan]

.

[smokinjoe52]

I was planning on posting pics. Just need to take them first! :-)

Hopefully sometime today or tomorrow.

Joe

[smokinjoe52]

Here are a few pictures of the grow chamber.

Pics 1 and 2 - Outside shots

Pic 3 - Back side showing power strip, Wall chargers, and timers.

Pic 4 - Back side showing the inlet pipe for ventilation.

Pic 5 - Showing the top shelf used for equipment. Notice the ventilation fan hot glued to the tapered plastic pipe.

Pic 6 - Another shot of the upper chamber.

Notice that all 110v AC connections are made at the top of the chamber to avoid any water spills from causing problems. I added a couple sheets of thick plastic to the bottom shelf.

Picture 5 shows one of the empty light sockets that may be used for heating if needed.

The main grow shelf is the second one up. The lower one is used for new transplants on the heating mat and also for lower light orchids.

Comments, questions and suggestions welcomed.

Joe

[estación seca]

Really great job. What is the plastic material you used for the envelope?

They look so lonely in there! When does the party start?

[smokinjoe52]

The frame with cover is this:

Gardman Indoor/Outdoor Extra Wide 4-Tier Greenhouse with Reinforced Cover at Blain's Farm & Fleet

Good deal for 39 bucks.

---------- Post added at 12:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:37 PM ----------

Forgot to mention, but you see some thin silver insulation strips on the outside of the tent. An effort to raise the temp a little. Helped maybe 1-2 degrees.

[estación seca]

Thanks for the information.

[No-Pro-mwa]

It looks nice, now let the buying begin.

[derv88]

I've been looking into something like this, I grow in my partially finished basement in sort of an open area, but am making plans to "fully" finish the basement this fall/winter and am planning on moving my growing into a cellar which is about a 6 x 4 space with a door.

The concern with the basement, and now a larger concern with the cellar is temp and humidity control. Where my shelves are now I mostly don't use supplemental heat unless basement temps drop into the 50's. But every year I get caught before turning on heat when temps drop before I can get to it, and every year I lose buds on late winter spikes as a result.

Now with my plan to move my operation into the cellar, I will need some controls for temperature and humidity. I'd like to have an open-air shelving unit for easy growers like Cats and Phals, and have an enclosed shelving unit for warmer growers like some tricky dens.

Are you able to control temperature and humidity levels significantly from outside ambient temps using this setup? I wonder what the flexible range of control is (something like +- 10 degrees F vs. outside the enclosure).

Anyway, thanks for the ideas!