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megtheabyss
Stranger

Registered: 11/30/19
Posts: 10
Last seen: 6 days, 18 hours
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Heating / Cooling Grow Chambers with IR Heat Emitters / Outlet Fans
#26353145 - 11/30/19 04:51 AM (4 years, 1 month ago) |
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Hello everyone. I'm setting up a grow chamber inside a mini aquarium (12"L X 6"W X 6"H). I'm thinking of fixing a thermostat capable of activating a heating and cooling equipment on the movement of ambient temp below and above the threshold.
For heat generation, I'm thinking of going with one of those low-wattage IR based ceramic heat emitters. But since these lamps will heat the surface first and not the ambient air, the thermostat won't trip out the lamp soon and cause it to overheat. I was therefore thinking of covering the lamp loosely with aluminium foil to block the IR light, which would heat up the foil and the ambient air as well. Or, is it just simpler to go with a incandescent filament lamp instead (if the light isn't an issue).
Also, for cooling, I'm thinking of using an inverted low RPM fan on the aquarium lid (the side of which has vents). This may drop the RH with the airflow, but maybe that can be avoided by just misting the chamber often? I can't figure out any other way to cool the chamber other than relying on evaporation.
I've read about the tub-in-tub setup with an aquarium water heater, I'm just trying to avoid those water heaters since they never lasted more than a couple weeks in the past, and also because I'd prefer a more compact setup maybe (if possible). But yeah I'm aware that its my best option if what I proposed above is not practical.
Thoughts? Also, I spent a couple of days going through the threads here regarding this topic and I could not find any specific info about what I posted above, my apologies if what I'm asking here has specifically been discussed in another thread. Thanks!
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bodhisatta 
Smurf real estate agent


Registered: 04/30/13
Posts: 61,889
Loc: Milky way
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Re: Heating / Cooling Grow Chambers with IR Heat Emitters / Outlet Fans [Re: megtheabyss]
#26353189 - 11/30/19 06:05 AM (4 years, 1 month ago) |
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Typical noob idea. It's fail. Heat the room. Do not heat the grow or it's fruiting chamber directly. Aquariums blow to grow mushrooms in.
Seems like everyone has to try this and learn for themselves though. Despite saying this 95% of people in your position say we're wrong and try it anyway. Maybe they think we don't realize you're smarter than the 10,000 other people who did the same thing. The new growers ether get discouraged and Never try growing again or become humbled say sorry and then ask how to do it the right way and end up with results.
Get a space heater
Edited by bodhisatta (11/30/19 06:17 AM)
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YogiBear



Registered: 08/24/19
Posts: 845
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Re: Heating / Cooling Grow Chambers with IR Heat Emitters / Outlet Fans [Re: bodhisatta]
#26353195 - 11/30/19 06:14 AM (4 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
bodhisatta said: Typical noob idea. It's fail. Heat the room. Do not heat the grow or it's fruiting chamber directly. Aquariums blow to grow mushrooms in. Seems like everyone has to try this and learn for themselves though. Despite saying this 95% of people in your position say we're wrong and try it anyway. Either get discouraged and Never try growing again or become humbled say sorry and then ask how to do it the right way and end up with results.

I was the best example of an automated noob fruiting chamber with fans and timers!! LOL
Passive air flow is the way to go here in the Shroomery but I do use very large totes (90qt) with small led lights in them. Thats as automated as I get these days. Lots of folks build shelves with lights over the totes and set the room temps in the low/mid 70's.
I promote the heck out if these radiant oil heaters. Super low settings will warm a regular suzed bedroom easily
Edited by YogiBear (11/30/19 06:23 AM)
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megtheabyss
Stranger

Registered: 11/30/19
Posts: 10
Last seen: 6 days, 18 hours
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Re: Heating / Cooling Grow Chambers with IR Heat Emitters / Outlet Fans [Re: bodhisatta]
#26353212 - 11/30/19 06:36 AM (4 years, 1 month ago) |
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The running cost for a space heater (electricity / oil) is something I'm too broke to sustain. That's why I looked past that idea from few threads and tried to go for localised heating models - to somehow heat the ambient air to the optimal temp (to not dry the surface out). Anyway, thanks for setting me straight guys. Apart from the room heater option, it looks like the water tub with aquarium heater is the only economical and reliable way of regulating temperature.
Also, do aquariums suck mostly because of the usually restricted airflow, or is there any other factor? I mean, I was going with it since I had this perfect sized chamber lying around and believed it would be as good and inert as a plastic tub, granted I ensure good airflow.
Thanks a lot for the input of course, I'll anyhow go with an SGFC now I guess, but I was just curious why aquariums are considered a bad idea.
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YogiBear



Registered: 08/24/19
Posts: 845
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Re: Heating / Cooling Grow Chambers with IR Heat Emitters / Outlet Fans [Re: megtheabyss]
#26353222 - 11/30/19 06:44 AM (4 years, 1 month ago) |
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Check out the link in my signature call chamber of secrets light box
I keep my house room temps at 67F and my totes are perfect temps at around 75F
Just the lights warms the totes, no room heater.
Be creative, maybe getting into a small closet would help regulate thing better over a whole room. Not optimal but would work.
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megtheabyss
Stranger

Registered: 11/30/19
Posts: 10
Last seen: 6 days, 18 hours
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Re: Heating / Cooling Grow Chambers with IR Heat Emitters / Outlet Fans [Re: YogiBear]
#26353243 - 11/30/19 07:02 AM (4 years, 1 month ago) |
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That setup looks sweet! Thanks for the awesome guide man, I'll get started with sourcing the items.
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YogiBear



Registered: 08/24/19
Posts: 845
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Re: Heating / Cooling Grow Chambers with IR Heat Emitters / Outlet Fans [Re: megtheabyss]
#26353270 - 11/30/19 07:24 AM (4 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
megtheabyss said: That setup looks sweet! Thanks for the awesome guide man, I'll get started with sourcing the items.
This way is the 2nd best way in my book besides using a full/partial room to control temps and use shelving.
Id advise you to get the 1 foot leds from the same manufacturer for cooler temps if needed.
I would suggest getting Just one light and one tote to experiment with instead of building a whole stack like mine.
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megtheabyss
Stranger

Registered: 11/30/19
Posts: 10
Last seen: 6 days, 18 hours
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Re: Heating / Cooling Grow Chambers with IR Heat Emitters / Outlet Fans [Re: YogiBear]
#26353315 - 11/30/19 07:52 AM (4 years, 1 month ago) |
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Got you. And yes of course I'm going for a one tote setup for my first attempt, I got a lot of experience to gather from the mistakes I'll surely be making. Maybe when I have a good read on the process, I'll go for a stack like yours..
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YogiBear



Registered: 08/24/19
Posts: 845
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Re: Heating / Cooling Grow Chambers with IR Heat Emitters / Outlet Fans [Re: megtheabyss]
#26353339 - 11/30/19 08:04 AM (4 years, 1 month ago) |
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Good luck!!
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bodhisatta 
Smurf real estate agent


Registered: 04/30/13
Posts: 61,889
Loc: Milky way
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Re: Heating / Cooling Grow Chambers with IR Heat Emitters / Outlet Fans [Re: YogiBear]
#26353413 - 11/30/19 08:52 AM (4 years, 1 month ago) |
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In Hawaii where energy costs a fortune a 1500w space heater ran full blast never cycling off would be about $4/day. Anywhere else it's like $2 or less. And they're not on full blast all day so even less than that.
Or if your room is between 65-75 don't even worry about it.
If your place is under 65 worry about that first lol.
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