amsklei

In an effort to save on heat (I burn wood) I decided to shut down a bedroom I have and have moved out into the living area. Since I was reorganizing my living space I decided to move a currently running grow (in a cabinet) into the unused room. I've constructed an area using the grow-cabinet, other cabinets, fabric, boxes, ect, ect. Basicall Anything around the house that I felt was worth putting away for the winter. Now. Its been a few days and basically its maintaining about 63 degrees in my flower area and about 67 in my veg area (the cabinet). Now, this this to cold? If I put a fan going inside the area will it help equalize? I'm using just a 4 foot florescent for each (I can't afford the start-up cost for HID, yes I know they put out more heat).

Also, the strains I'm growing are AK47 and Blueberry.
I'm also not keen on using an electric heater
Just, any thoughts?

Chogieboy

use the electric heater with a $300.00 solar panel and inverter kit from Home Depot. A lot of people say you shouldn't screw with massive temperature swings, but I've found that a 10-15 degree swing from night time flowering to daytime flowering, increases resin production. The nasty side effect is the length of time it takes to finish the budding process. Clearly you don't care how long it takes, due to the use of florescent light, so be prepared to nurse your plants for about 8 months to a year before they produce anything you want to smoke...

amsklei

Ummm, I'm sure that the cost of an electric heater/solar panel/inverter would be comparable to the setup cost for HID. I was looking for a low cost 'outside the box' solution. Thank you for you effort though.

Sugar420

those temps dont seem too bad to me. the plants might prefer a little more warmth but its not like theyll be suffering.

amsklei

I didn't think that they were too bad. Better than 50s, but not quite 70s. I'm going to continue to experiment (I've acquired a fan) with possible sollutions. The flower chamber was was about 57 until I hung up a Red Cross Shock Blanket around the light/side of plants.

I know I'm the only one who is going to be able to figure this out. Especially with with my extra 'not' rules. I'm sure I'll figure it out.

Gben-Chalice

if you do spend some dosh, go par36 led growlights....compar able in cost to hid (higher setup, less running/ replacement cost) they produce heat, but not too much fo a decent cabinet

Mr. O

Maybe you should run some T-5 flourescents in there. You'll get a worthwhile boost in lumens and a nice gentle heat boost as well. I would keep my low temp around 65 and aim for 75 as a high. If you miss and approach 80 it's not a big deal--just keep your average in the low to high 70's. When you go lower growth stalls and when you go higher (too often) the buds get loose. Just my two cents. Good luck.

stoneric

He'd have more of a problem with less heat in his situation.

amsklei

Its the setup cost of HID that is keeping me away at this time. I do not find the replacement bulb/running cost of HID to be that bad. Watts are watts. Plus the lights in the flower chamber (the one i'm fighting harder to get warm) only run for 12 hours. Its the 12 hours that the lights are off that I'm really troubleshooting right now. I might make the switch to T-5 for a little more 'daytime' heat at a bonus of a few extra lumen but currently this morning I was able to rout the shower exhaust fan (which my brother, the previous tennant, never made exhaust outside the building) into the grow area. Since the bathroom is still in the 'heated' area of the living space I figure I can turn it on (in intervals) when the temp is 70+ to pump in fresh slightly warmer air. I'm running a test of this today to see if there is any heat gain. I'll post my results later on.

amsklei

I have achieved 71-74 as a daytime temp (its bouncing around). Its about seeing what the night time holds. But I think as long as the intake is warmer I'll be alright. I think I licked the problem.

Nighttime temp held at about 59-61. I think its going to be alright.