(Part 2) Best hvac ducting according to redditors

> i basically just need a light and thats it? if i want to grow autoflower only

oh boi... alright here we go.

youll need duct fans for both ventilation and heat dissipation, especially if you go with HPS/MH lights 600/1000watts will require reflectors with ducting so you can connect to it. This will need to exhaust out of your tent. Then you will need a intake fan coming preferably from outside. Youll most likely also need a Carbon filter attached in series to your exhaust fan. Your light will have a ballast as well, which creates a good amount of heat so plan for that to be located outside your tent. Youll also need smaller fans in the corners so you can keep a good air circulation going (hurricane fans are great). Also consider using T5 lights when starting your seeds off as your higher wattage lights are not good for seedlings. Also get a few supplies like gorilla tape and duct clamps and anything else you might need to secure everything together.

When it comes to growing, even if you are only doing autos youll need smart pots, fertilizer, promix HP, perlite plus both vegging and flowering nutrients. Have access to PH up and down solution, and also get a Ph Pen + PPM meter (TDS).

Ive only linked amazon, there are probably other local options for you.

They make fans specifically for this:

http://amzn.com/B000GXF7KO

On reread, it looks like you wish to prevent the noise from escaping the open window that you have the fan in. As u/pentosin indicated, room treatments will not help.

You would need to do something about the fan which is essentially an open hole. You could try building a dead vent. It will work, but it will be a bit unwieldy, not sure if that would suit your needs...

A "dead vent", is usually used for ventilation in home theater applications. To make one, you need to seal the window except for an opening for a duct (for example, using a piece of plywood or plexiglass). Use an inline duct fan like this unit from AC Infinity, and some ducting like this. You probably only need 10-15 feet worth - it can be cut. And put all in a box made of something heavy like sheetrock, plywood, or mdf. Sheetrock is cheapest and most cost effective. Throw in a little insulation into the box for some absorption. Then point the duct directly at or above you for the most cooling effect.

Same setup here too, 1-2 autos in a 2x2 tent seems like a good fit. Even if you plan on growing pretty short autos, it wouldn't hurt to get a taller tent. Mine is 2x2x5.5' and going shorter would make things harder, since it needs some distance between lights and the canopy, room for the exhaust fan, and so on.

I have an HLG QB288v2 LED light, which uses about 135w, and it seems just right for a 2x2 tent.

I use a carbon filter so it doesn't smell up my whole house, even though I'm in a legal state. The smell can be shockingly intense, particularly around harvest. Some strains won't need it, but some really will.

For a 2x2 tent with a 4" exhaust fan, here's an inexpensive carbon filter that seems to work pretty well.

This is the exact fan I used:
https://www.target.com/p/personal-rechargeable-fan-black-holmes/-/A-75574817

This is the air duct:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06X9D5FN4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_SQF7CbWVR7VG1

You could use that along with some aluminum tape to seal it to the back of the cutter.

I use this blower:
attwood Quiet Blower Water Resistant (White, 4-Inch) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003EX02DA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_3L18BbTB6G1FB

Along with this vent hose:
White Flexible Pvc Vinyl Vent Duct Hose, 4 in. x 20 ft. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01G198P5A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_4R18BbNJ19ANP

These clamps:
Cambridge Tension Clamps, 2 Pk, Zinc Plated Steel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07737XRRH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_SS18Bb12827MZ

And this quick disconnect:
Dryer Dock Dryer Vent 6" for 4" Tubes, White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0028BAAWW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_4T18BbV6CJ1TW

If you put the blower near the window it will keep negative pressure upstream which helps put less smoke into the room.

I don’t exhaust out a window, but something like this might do the trick for you:
Window Dryer Vent (Adjusts 24 Inch Through 36 Inch) by Vent Works https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M17V4CO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_AW18BbDW0592D
Though there may be cheaper or better DIY options for that part.

They look like this, little wing nut on the side but usually a lever attached to it: https://www.amazon.com/Hvac-Duct-Manual-Damper-Sleeve/dp/B00AMSVD4M

You'll have to get down to wherever the piping is, but all of mine are in an easily accessible spot near the furnace outlet.

I have a similar tent and I just started my first grow about 3 weeks ago. I was having issues similar to you. I was above 80 degrees and low humidity. It burned my first plant right up. I fixed it with three things:

1. This exhaust fan - Just put it on the outside top of your tent so that it pulls all the hot air that has risen to the top out.
   
2. I put 7" ducting in the bottom vents to keep them open at 100% for intake. You could put one of these in the hole and it would really help the temp a lot. Put that fan you have in the tent directly in front of the intake hole at the bottom as to maximize the amount of fresh, cool air you pull in the tent.
   
3. A humidifier. I went to goodwill, found a 2.5 gallon for $15 and it works perfect. Before I was at like 15% RH in the tent, now Im above 50%
   
   EDIT: Now I get ~70-74 degrees F inside the tent.

I’ve got a fan that’s the exact same style but mine is much bigger. I’m not exactly sure of the ratings I’ll try to find the information… But it doesn’t seem to have a label on it. It’s a 12” inlet/outlet and sounds like a jet engine. It’s fairly quiet once up and running all you hear is the sound of the wooshing air!
It’s good enough to remove a whole room full of fumes when spraying lacquer or doing other type of nasty chemical stuff.

I just bought one of those cheap 15 amp on/ off switches that is remote controlled. I think the outlet/switch was $15 maybe… I don’t quite remember.

But looking at the receipt that I found it’s not super specific… But I know for sure it is a 12 inch in-line fan, pushing about 300 W. It was about $150 shipped, And includes a variable speed control wired on the cord.

It’s been in constant use for the better part of five years. Here’s a link to one that is similar…

https://www.amazon.com/iPower-GLFANXINLINE12V2-Inline-Ventilation-Blower/dp/B07VKD4VVK


And heres a link to one of those remote control on and off switches.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Link2Home-15-Amp-Wireless-Outdoor-Remote-Control-Outlet-Switch-1-RCV-with-2-Grounded-Outlets-and-1-Remote-Black-EM-OR650B/309380398


I know that it’s giving me no trouble at all, and the remote control switches I use are much cheaper version of the one in the link above. I got three of them in a pack for $15. They’re rated for either 15 or 28 Amps at 120 volts. Rule of thumb I never run anything over half of the rating. So For a 20 amp switch I wouldn’t dare go over 10 AMPs.
I even run my compressor off of one of them. Which is a fairly large 40 gallon compressor. No issues ever.

If you have any other questions just ask I have these things all over my shop

Check the duct work to see if there are balancing/volume dampers. Some installers rely on the shutoffs at the supply grilles, but as you've found they aren't very good for adjusting flow, only open/closed. A volume damper would be close to where individual branches of the duct break off from the main, it will look like a small lever sticking out.

If you don't have volume dampers you can rely on manually blocking off some airflow with cardboard or foam as you suggested, but I wouldn't consider it a long term fix. If you're handy you can install them pretty easily, especially if you have round ductwork. Here's an Amazon link to an example of a 6" round duct volume damper.

https://www.amazon.com/Hvac-Duct-Manual-Damper-Sleeve/dp/B00AMSVD4M/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=6%22+round+damper&qid=1563819326&s=gateway&sr=8-7

Also, just so you know, when you use the term 'exhaust' in the HVAC world it specifically means the air that is being removed and vented out of the structure.

Supply is the conditioned air being provided into the space

Return is the air being sucked out of the space and brought back to the AC/Furnace (AKA the air handler)

Exhaust is air that is removed entirely.

Many domestic HVAC systems don't actually have exhaust, some of the fancier ones will exhaust a portion of the return air.

Edit too add: If your system does have volume dampers, start by opening them all up 100%, then closing off the ones to the lower level bit by 50% and see where that gets you. Adjust open/closed as needed.

For six plants all you need is a 400w HPS (high pressure sodium) bulb for veg and a 400w MH (metal halide) for flower, a 400w digital ballast, an enclosed light hood that you can raise and lower, a carbon filter connected to a 442 cfm duct fan connected to an aluminum foil duct hose, connect duct hose to the enclosed light hood, get some more aluminum foil duct to connect to the other side of the enclosed hood and have the other end of the duct hose going out of your tent or cab. wish I could post a pic of a custom cab I built. IMO I would go with a tent because you can always take it down if you want a break from growing. As far as what type of medium you are going to grow in e.g. hydroponics or soil that is up to you. Soil is easier as hydro doesn't give you much room for error you have to have everything dialed in almost exact like the ppms/temp/ph but once you get the hang of hydro your grows are much faster. If you use the 400w lights for six plants you will get maximum yield from your plants. For veg run the lights 24 hours and flower 12/12. Get a timer for your light bulbs when you decide to put your plants into flower so you don't have to worry about turning the light on and off, I'll include links for everything. Oh yeah I would not use seeds I would wait until dispensaries have clones that way you don't have to wonder if your plant will end up being a male or a female, obviously you want female plants.

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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MVF16JG?aaxitk=OqDYL7cHO0Hl.eJntLB1bQ&pd_rd_i=B00MVF16JG&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=3ff6092e-8451-438b-8278-7e94064b4d42&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-top-slot&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_i=digital+timer+for+growing&hsa_cr_id=5402338260101&sb-ci-n=asinImage&sb-ci-v=https%3A%2F%2Fimages-na.ssl-images-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FI%2F41AN07ub6IL.jpg&sb-ci-a=B00MVF16JG

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https://www.amazon.com/Yescom-Scrubber-Hydroponic-Control-Ventilation/dp/B00BI5BIC0

https://www.amazon.com/COOCANKE-Flexible-Insulated-Ventilation-Resistance/dp/B06Y45YY5M/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1542130261&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=foil+duct+tube&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Yield-Lab-Horticulture-Dimmable-Digital/dp/B00YB4YZNO/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1542130298&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=400w+digital+ballast&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Eye-Hortilux-HX66620-400-Watt-EyeHortilux/dp/B00598GSVS/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1542130342&sr=8-5&keywords=400w+hps+bulb

https://www.amazon.com/Hortilux-Daylight-Halide-Ballast-Compatible/dp/B00WV8XPBK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542130397&sr=8-1&keywords=400w+mh+hortilux+bulb

https://www.amazon.com/Hongville-Hydroponic-Cooled-Reflector-System/dp/B077QRGS8S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1542130510&sr=8-2&keywords=air+cooled+enclosed+reflector+hood+for+mh+and+hps

https://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Horticulture-Adjustable-Improved-Internal/dp/B0098R0600/ref=pd_rhf_se_s_cp_0_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0098R0600&pd_rd_r=42bfbd0f-3428-487a-a101-99fd4a212a84&pd_rd_w=VUoI9&pd_rd_wg=Loy0k&psc=1&refRID=0X37K56JC417SB7KVZ2Z

Of course man, also here is a list of the other parts I bought.

MyLifeUNIT 3 Way Duct Connector, Duct Splitter for Exhaust Fan Dryer Vent Hose, 4 Inch Dia. (Y Shape) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K2YKGWB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_0IHuDb9WEW7WN

VIVOSUN 4 Inch 195 CFM Inline Duct Ventilation Fan Vent Blower for Grow Tent https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M7S46YZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_LKHuDb1CNH3RQ

iPower GLDUCT4X25C 4 Inch 25 Feet Non-Insulated Flex Air Aluminum Dryer Vent Hose HVAC Ducting, 4", Silver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HMHCTWR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_xLHuDbGHERVSB

Alright taking into consideration the 12 plant limit here, my previous setup was too big for so few plants. So with some downsizing hopefully saves even more!

Tent - GROWNEER 48"x36"x72" Lodge Propagation Tent

Lights - HLG65 lm301b and red 660nm hydroponic grow light 4000K x 2

Kingbrite 240W samsung lm301h 288v3 quantum board X1

Fan - AC Infinity CLOUDLINE S4, Quiet 4” Inline Duct Fan with Speed Controller

PH Meter - Wellcows Digital PH Meter

PPM Meter - HM Digital TDS-EZ Water Quality TDS Tester

Carbon Filter - VIVOSUN 4 Inch Air Carbon Filter

Ducting - VIVOSUN 2-PACK 4 Inch 8 Feet Non-Insulated Flex Air Aluminum Ducting

Nutrients - MEGA Crop (2500g)

Botanicare CAL-MAG Plus Plant Supplement 2-0-0 Formula, 1 Quart

PH Control - General Hydroponics pH Control Kit

Soil - PREMIER HORTICULTURE 20380RG PRO-Mix HP High Porosity Grower Mix

Pots - Gardzen 10-Pack 1 Gallon Grow Bags x 2

Cloning Machine - CLONE KING 25

Total - 880.62 (includes shipping)

So with this setup ill keep 1 or 2 mother plants and then run the rest in SoG in 1 gallon pots. Using the 2 4000k lights for the mother plant and the cloning station and the 240w for the SoG area of the tent. Its a small setup but I think it'll work. Any idea what kinds of yeilds this could achieve? Any further input would be greatly appreciated.

Not as of yet, I’m 23 days into flower on my first grow and there still isn’t even a nose-tickle. It’s semi-noticeable inside the bucket but it shouldn’t get bad until late into flower.

I’ve already got plans for a carbon filter, if needed, using this 120mm x 4” duct adaptor along with this 4” lightproof ducting.

It’ll fit nicely into inline fans paired with a carbon filter, should cost under $100 to build just with stuff from Amazon.

You'll probably have to put one together yourself as I just don't think there is anything like what you want on the market.

Like...you could get the Rtic half gallon jug, and then make your own handle using ac duct metal strapping and maybe a nice wooden handle you shape yourself.

I also live in an apartment. I've got a Photon, I used my Ender 3 to print this vent adapter and attached 4" dryer duct and an inline fan to it and vented it outside. Luckily my place is kind of dumpy, and I have a piece of plywood in the space that's left from my window AC, since I have sliding windows.

Honestly, the smell of isopropyl tends to be worse.

Don't know how well these actually work, but I've had this in my amazon cart for awhile

https://www.amazon.com/Hon-Guan-Silencer-Reducer-Inline/dp/B075JBGNCK

AC Infinity CLOUDLINE S6, Quiet 6” Inline Duct Fan with Speed Controller

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FPFVZTZ/ref=emc_b_5_i

If you decide not to go that route, a padded vent tube will greatly cut down on the built in fan noise:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075J7ZYT8

I found this on Amazon that seems to work for people:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000BQMV0A

But I want to see if there are better deals.

This actually seems to be convenient: https://www.amazon.com/OdorStop-OSDT825R-Flexible-Nylon-Connecting/dp/B01IDGR5PK

Is flexible dryer duct collapsible the same way?

We used to flip on a 1200 CFM centrifugal blower we found in a dumpster. I think it was from a range hood or an HVAC system. Just needed a new sleeve bearing and some grease. I put an activated charcoal cylinder from the hydroponics store on the inlet, and placed it in a sound box I built for it. Filter worked so good I didn't even have to exhaust it out the window.

If you don't want to build something, you could get something like this.

In my last house, I had a dryer that was left in place after an addition was added on, resulting in a 20' run of duct pipe to the outside. Needless to say, the dryer didn't work very well. I bought and installed a dryer vent booster fan and solved the problem nicely. The fan turns on when is senses air pressure from the dryer, and turns off when it is done. I think I found it quite a bit cheaper than amazon's price, so shop around. You can move the dryer wherever you need to have it if you install one of these in the vent line.

You need some flexible dryer ducting then.
https://www.amazon.com/VIVOHOME-Aluminum-Flexible-Clamps-Ventilation/dp/B07B1T96PB

Yeah, I already went with this. But frankly, I couldn't care less about insulating the damn duct anymore. I just want to know that my room is safe to breathe in despite the fact that after 2 hours of vacuuming and cleaning I am still seeing the odd fiberglass shard on clothes and furniture. Fuck, this is fucked up