Hello 420,
I am building a new grow space in my loft. It will be a single space not divided for veg. It measures 230cm long 90 cm wide and 125 cm high. I reckon I will lose 80 cm on the length for the fans and heater. I want to keep everything except the carbon filter inside the space. So I have 150 long 90 wide and 125 high. (1.35m2) but (2.59 approx m3)

I have used a kingspan substitute to build the box. I was wondering can you paint the silver coating?
What’s the best way to seal any gaps?

I have a 600 and a 250 HPS the 600 is in a cool shade and the 250 is in a cool tube. I have a 150mm RUK for out and a 125 for in. I am planning on venting into the loft.

I could vent outside but I get worried in case the filter fails and I don’t notice, or the heat signature is picked up. I have tried it before and it dries the tiles when it is raining. It vents out a roof tile pipe insert ( for getting rid of moisture from bathroom originally I think.). Now more questions.

Is it okay to vent inside I read lots of different opinion?
Should I go for just the 600 or use both the 600 and the 250 in my usable space (150/90/125)?
Would I be okay venting out the tile insert do you think?

Sorry for all the questions many thanks in advance for any replies.

e2a Intake is from a bedroom. the white/black sheeting anyone lined a kingspan box with this? any good? how did you fix it?
peace

Err I think 1.2m² is about the optimum for a single 600W so estimating on your space (and height) I would be thinking the 600W would be enough, but I'm sure someone else will be along shortly to tell us if I'm wrong.

No idea about painting kingspan mate sorry Sealing with bathroom sealant or even regular silicon should be fine, I just use whatevers got some left in the tube

Venting into the loft depends on where your intake is coming from and how well it's insulated. The more fresh air your plants get the better. venting outside would be my preference but as I said in Tworoach's thread earlier I always had a chimney handy for my loft growing.


sorry I can't be of more help



e2a: I'm in a 1m x 1m x 1.8m(h) tent using a 400Whps (although I've hung a 125W blue cfl for some supplemental light) I reckon in all but deepest winter the 600W would be too hot for my space, however I have no experience of aircooled lamps

Seal the gaps with sillicone.

you need the carbon filtre in the grow room to make it work to its potential. I dont use a carbon filtre and I grow in someones house with out them knowing. if you vent outside there is very little chance of someone smelling it if the vent is up at roof height. the smell disapates before it gets to ground level.

take your intake and extraction from outside. if you have those plastic tiles on your roof that let air into the loft space then hook up to them. if not put the ducting up to your sofit and drill holes in the sofit so that the air can get in and out, use a small drill bit and do it in the shape and size of the duct ing without it looking to suspicious.

Never used kingspan, I use Gyproc 6mm thick and build a frame for it then screw it too the frame

Thats all pretty good advice.

If you keep your lights (600w+250w)in the (150 long 90 wide) area, you will achieve 56w per sq ft, very nice.

If you dont partition the 80cm, and you allow the light to travel into that area, you will only achieve 35w per sq ft, not as good.

So maybe a small partiton, just a simple screen of totalblackout will do mate.

Yes I think a partition is a good idea need to think about it though since there will also be the internal air movement fans at each end. ( half a partition perhaps. (good point re light psf) I will be intaking from a bedroom. Don't fancy all that cold air from outside. Thanks for the replies thus far folks.
still considering exhuast out or in?
can you line kingspan sub with blackout plastic can you fix with drawing pins? Board 50mm thick
tried painting a bit of board waiting for it to dry.
going with two lights.

e2a lots of changes to post and I will use a partition and just cut a circle for the internal fan. point taken re smell devil so if my filter did fail i might still go undetected

Use a contact adhesive, the drawing pins will get pulled out by the pressure from the fans.

Regarding the enviroment, if you intend growing all year round, you'll need cool air for intake in the summer, and warmer air in the winter, so its good to have 2 places that you can intake from, inside and outside air, its as simple as pulling the ducting from one inlet, to the other.

Yes flexible I can do. I am also now going to vent outside coolness. luv 420

also your room temp will be about 24oC-28oC so the hot air coming out the vent and meeting the colder air outside will make it rise upwards and away from people.

My honest opion is that to much is made of carbon filtres they are good and do the job but honestly most people dont need them. I am on my 4th room in diffrent houses and have grown for over 7 years with out a carbon filtre. I made one once out materials but as long as you are venting out high up and that the air you are venting out is hotter then you will be ok.

I would seal gaps with expanding foam as it will have around the same insulation value as kingspan.

Plenty of peeps on here have reported the smell of their grow meeting them on the street 10 to 500 yards down the road when venting from a chimney/roof unfiltered - especially on very still days.........fair play if you feel safe with that idea, but if it was me or I was a first time grower I'd rather spend the cash on a filter for peace of mind.

I suppose not using a filtre isnt for everyone, I live in an area where you barely see people out in the street. most of the time its like a ghost town.
It is also quite windy where I live so still days arent really a problem either. Defo different strokes for diffrent folks. I have found there being no need for one as smell isnt that much of a problem.

I mean I am currently growing in someone elses house. I set it up when they where on holiday over 2 weeks ago. I only have access to the grow during the day and noone has noticed the smell. the people dont even smoke weed so if they were going to notice they would have by now. got nearly 30 plants

Yes paranoia can be a bitch and things like carbon filtres can ease that burden but most of the time that is all I believe they are something that makes you feel abit safer.

I am not telling this guy not to use a carbon filtre. If you have one hook it up but if you dont and you dont live in the city I wouldnt bother getting one unless you can smell it outside your house. they are quite expensive. And this guy was worried about venting outside with a carbon filtre I was trying to help him decide to vent outside using the carbon filtre also. but was displaying to him that not everyone needs one. just my 2 pence worth

and you think its ok to grow 30 plants in someone elses house without their consent?? say the lack of filter did get them nicked would you be round to take the shit?



sticky , i've grown without a filter but seriously for that extra peace of mind its well worth the little they cost

yip I wud stand up to my responsiblities I am only doing it once to see if it can be done. plus the person wud know it was me, Icouldnt let them take the blame there too old.

the last time the polis where in there street was 3 years ago cos someone lost a dog

Thanks for all the advice thread. I knew what u meant re the filter devil It is also good to remind everyone that a CARBON FILTER IS A GOOD IDEA. I have changed my mind yet again about my build. I am going with 1m2 and just the 600 in a cool shade. I tried to paint my knigspan sub and it seems to have taken ok, will update after a month or so (if I remember).
peace