In my research prior to my first pf tek grow, I had a lot of trouble finding a solid tek using a cool mist (impeller) humidifier to power a FC. I whipped one up with a lot of help from different shroomery sources, including shroomgods writings. I figured the forums could use a step by step for creating a functional FC for pf cakes to save anyone else interested the trouble of seeking info for hours.
I will add pics when I'm not typing on a tablet.
First, WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO DO THIS? I didn't have much luck with my first sgfc attempt. This FC holds 92-97% RH and needs less attention than the equivalent shotgun FC. It requires less messy perlite and your ambient RH doesn't matter. As long as you have a 65-80 degree room and a source of daylight spectrum light, this works beautifully.
The humidifier actually doesn't provide RH, the perlite does that fine. It serves a few purposes. First, it maintains positive pressure when on, which helps keep contams at bay. It swirls the air around in the chamber, assisting in the evaporation of the water on the perlite. Finally, it provides a soft, humid breeze that pushes out CO2 and pushes in fresh air.
Before we start, you should know that the humidifier can power up to two of these FCs side by side by adding a second hose.
YOU WILL NEED
- Plastic tote with transparent lid and an airtight seal
- Drill
- 5/8" hole saw bit
- 1/8" drill bit
- Cool mist humidifier (not the kind with a filter, wick, or other type of evaporative humidifier)
- 5/8" wide, 6ft or longer garden hose
- Gorilla tape or silicone aquarium sealant
- Micropore tape
- Bag of perlite
- Outlet timer with a minimum of 30min intervals
I grabbed a tote with a weathertight seal from eBay for mine. At the very least, it should have locks to hold the lid. The cool mist humidifier can be found online or at walgreens, cvs, etc. Avoid any kind with a fan, filter, wick, ultrasonic, steam or evaporative humidifiers. The impeller you want is a motor that sprays water at a brush, creating moist air that floats away. They're usually circular-ish.
Making this is simple. Learn how your humidifier works first, then follow along.
PART ONE The Humidifier
- 1) Carefully drill a hole using the 5/8" hole saw bit close to the lip or opening of the humidifier (near where the mist comes out during normal operation). Don't damage the motor. Drill a second hole close by if you are powering two FCs.
- 2) Cut both ends off the garden hose, and cut the hose to about 5ft. This can be difficult, I use a PVC cutter to get through it.
- 3) Stick the hose a small bit into the hole. Seal with gorilla tape or aquarium sealant. If using sealant, read the directions and make sure you let it cure before using the humidifier.
- 4) Seal the humidifier's normal opening with gorilla tape or aquarium sealant. Seal any overflow port as well, if it has one.
- 5) Plug the humidifier into a timer set for 30 min on, 90 min off.
PART TWO The FC
- 1) Make sure your tote has a good seal. Add a layer of weatherstripping to the underside of the lid if you would like.
- 2) Drill a 5/8" hole in the upper part of one side.
- 3) Drill 3-4 1/8" exhaust ports 2" from the bottom of the tote, on the opposite side. I keep mine evenly spaced. This is for CO2 exchange.
- 4) Insert the loose end of the hose into the upper hole. Seal with gorilla tape or aquarium sealant. Water condensation will build up in this hose when in use. The hose should snake around as much as possible and should be elevated in such a way that condensation will fall back into the humidifier and not drip into the FC.
- 5) Wet and drain some perlite. Add 2" to the bottom, bringing it level with the exhaust holes.
You are now ready! Add some cakes, mist and fan 2-3 times a day and get ready for some fruits!
Edited by FrankHorrigan (02/22/11 12:21 AM)
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